The Polish Wanad P-83
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The Polish Wanad P-83
I got out to the gun club this afternoon to test out the P-83. It was about 40F, a little overcast and windy.
I took a few examples of my 9x18 (Makarov) guns for a comparison:
(Left to Right: Polish P-83, Polish P-64, Hungarian RK-59, CZ-82 and E. German Makarov)
Front view
I came in close (15 yards) for the head shots and further back for the torso shots (two mags each):
The P-83 15 yards:
The P-83 at 25 yards:
The gun fired and functioned flawlessly. It was much better than I had hoped or expected with relatively little noticeable recoil. The mag release on the heel of the grip was a pleasant surprise as it popped the magazines out effortlessly unlike the clumsy spring pressure release on the Polish P-64 guns making for a quick swap out between magazines.
If all the Polish P-83 are as nice as this one then I would wholeheartedly recommend these guns to everyone. In fact I have ordered another one ("one is none and two is one"). I guess I would rank these right along with the East German Makarovs for quality and function and may even give the slight edge to the P-83 for quality, function and accuracy. The only thing I may do is perhaps paint the front sight for easier and quicker target acquisition but otherwise it is a nearly perfect sidearm imo.
- Black Blade
I took a few examples of my 9x18 (Makarov) guns for a comparison:
(Left to Right: Polish P-83, Polish P-64, Hungarian RK-59, CZ-82 and E. German Makarov)
Front view
I came in close (15 yards) for the head shots and further back for the torso shots (two mags each):
The P-83 15 yards:
The P-83 at 25 yards:
The gun fired and functioned flawlessly. It was much better than I had hoped or expected with relatively little noticeable recoil. The mag release on the heel of the grip was a pleasant surprise as it popped the magazines out effortlessly unlike the clumsy spring pressure release on the Polish P-64 guns making for a quick swap out between magazines.
If all the Polish P-83 are as nice as this one then I would wholeheartedly recommend these guns to everyone. In fact I have ordered another one ("one is none and two is one"). I guess I would rank these right along with the East German Makarovs for quality and function and may even give the slight edge to the P-83 for quality, function and accuracy. The only thing I may do is perhaps paint the front sight for easier and quicker target acquisition but otherwise it is a nearly perfect sidearm imo.
- Black Blade
The Polish Wanad P-83
Outstanding, thanks for the review. Looks to be about the size of the Makarov, is it noticeably lighter or on par with your mak?
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The Polish Wanad P-83
Close to the same. Granted the E. German-Bulgarian Makarovs look nicer (at least to me), however, these guns just "feel right" in my hands and are a real pleasure to shoot. I'm sold and am oredering another one.stover wrote:Outstanding, thanks for the review. Looks to be about the size of the Makarov, is it noticeably lighter or on par with your mak?
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The Polish Wanad P-83
blackblade
excellent report
thanks
NORM
excellent report
thanks
NORM
NORMSUTTON@AOL.COM
N.R.A. LIFE MEMBER 1976
N.R.A. LIFE MEMBER 1976
The Polish Wanad P-83
Blackblade,
Excellent range time! I am going to the gun show today to see if any of the dealers have a P-83 for sale. If not J & G will get my order. Thanks for sharing. You have some superb 9 X 18 pistols.
Sgt P.
Excellent range time! I am going to the gun show today to see if any of the dealers have a P-83 for sale. If not J & G will get my order. Thanks for sharing. You have some superb 9 X 18 pistols.
Sgt P.
The Polish Wanad P-83
Thank You for the review and range report. Very nice looking collection of 9x18s, and also some fine shooting!
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The Polish Wanad P-83
Excellent!!! P-83 is on hte short list and this helps. Always wondered how it faired Vs the EG.
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The Polish Wanad P-83
I liked the first one so much that I added a couple more to the collection.
The Polish Wanad P-83
Can anyone elaborate on the build quality of the P83? I have read that parts are stamped with welds. Implicit in the comments I have read elsewhere is that, while an improvement over the P64, is is of lesser quality.
I really like my P64, so it is not as if my standards are unreasonably high. I just want to make sure I buy decent quality...
I really like my P64, so it is not as if my standards are unreasonably high. I just want to make sure I buy decent quality...
The Trouble with trouble is that it always starts out as fun.
The Polish Wanad P-83
I happened to be at Dans Ammo when the crate of P83's were there. For all it's worth at least for now, J&G will be the only distributor. Unless they sell bulk to dealers who would raise the price a bit for profit, your best bet, again...at least for now, would be J&G.
I note there must be at least two variations, ones with a Novak-style rear site and maybe a Polish eagle that made it into the country awhile ago, and these now that J&G have, basic military surplus without the eagle or fancy sights. I like the looks of the standard round hammer on the earlier imported ones than the boomerang style on the military surplus. But, c'est la vie!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!! Dave
I note there must be at least two variations, ones with a Novak-style rear site and maybe a Polish eagle that made it into the country awhile ago, and these now that J&G have, basic military surplus without the eagle or fancy sights. I like the looks of the standard round hammer on the earlier imported ones than the boomerang style on the military surplus. But, c'est la vie!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!! Dave
Last edited by davebaird on November 26th, 2009, 12:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The Polish Wanad P-83
Thanks for the info, guys. I was thinking about buying one, now I'll make the move for sure!
The Polish Wanad P-83
Update: Just placed my order! Can't wait to shoot my new toy!!
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The Polish Wanad P-83
Are there any specs available, weight of the pistol, barrel length, number of rounds and so forth?
Inquiring minds want to know.
G.R.
Inquiring minds want to know.
G.R.
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The Polish Wanad P-83
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg143-e.htm
Weight unloaded: 730 g
Length: 165 mm
Barrel length: 90 mm
Capacity: 8 rounds
Weight unloaded: 730 g
Length: 165 mm
Barrel length: 90 mm
Capacity: 8 rounds
The Polish Wanad P-83
or for US comparison...
Weight unloaded: 25.75 oz
Length: 6.5"
Bbl length: 3.54"
Anyone measure the trigger pull with a scale yet? Also, should we create a new section for the P83?
Weight unloaded: 25.75 oz
Length: 6.5"
Bbl length: 3.54"
Anyone measure the trigger pull with a scale yet? Also, should we create a new section for the P83?