Quoted:
Thanks for all the info and the pics, great to be able to pick the brains of folks that have real experience with a firearm instead of buying blind. Coyotesilencer, can you do some side-by-side photos of the CZ and a Mak and a P64? Also, are any of them known to be better shooters than others? How about their ruggedness and reliability, any variants known to be better than the others? I've spent some time in Poland and I really like the people so I was kind of leaning that direction but from comments here and in other posts it sounds like the CZ deserves a hard look. There is a gun show coming to town in August, hopefully there will be some of each there, I'd like to put my hands on the different models before I commit. By coincidence I'm heading to Bulgaria tomorrow. I'll be working with their military so I'll hit them up on what they think about their version. Hopefully I'll get an honest assessment. If I can get online I'll check in with y'all, if not I'll be back in a week.
More detailed assessment (i was posting from my phone earlier);
I would forego the P64. While they are well made, the trigger sucks, and capacity is low. There are, however, wolff springs to improve the trigger pull. Not sure how well they work.
I would put the P83 in the same class as the actual PM Makarov pistols. It seems lighter and sights are a little better. Grip angle seems a little better than the PM, but that may just be me. Trigger is stiff in DA, but smooth. Mine is almost new too, so that may have something to do with it. Excellent quality. I'd put it up there with the East German made Makarovs as far as build quality. The P83 is made from stampings that are welded together, if that matters to you. Parts and mags are commonly available from Poland. I have some coming, along with WZ 88, WZ 96, and WZ 78 mags. Price was right.
Stock pic, wish aim still had them:
The CZ 82 is the cadillac. Double stack mags, ambidextrous safety and mag release. SIghts can be swapped out to modern fiber optic or night sights (cz 75 sights fit). Polygonal rifling in the barrel. Not light though, but I do carry mine every day. Stupid easy to shoot. DA/SA are both very smooth. DA feels like a good revolver. If you decide to get one in 380, they are available new, though they were discontinued for 2013. Have been made in 32 acp as well.
Not a lot of experience with PM Makarovs, other than shooting one once and handling it. No experience with the Hungarian pistols.