A question or two about Czech vz. 52 rifle use during the Cold War.

[KVLG]

Does anyone here know where the vz. 52 rifle (including the 52/57 version) saw action? I know Grenada, any others? Also, does anyone know how reliable a weapon it is?

[gaijinsamurai]

I might be wrong, but I think I read somewhere (SOF?) that the Sandinistas in Nicaragua had some as well.

[John Crighton]

N. Vietnam used a bunch of them as well.

[gaijinsamurai]

As far as reliability goes, I used to have one in my collection. Even though the ammo was pretty old, I don't recall any malfunctions. Pleasant weapon to fire.

[KVLG]

I might be wrong, but I think I read somewhere (SOF?) that the Sandinistas in Nicaragua had some as well.

No, you're not wrong. In fact, Edward Ezell's book, Small Arms of the WOrld Today, 2nd Edition stated that Nicaragua had vz. 52/57s, and probably vz.52s as well.

[KVLG]

N. Vietnam used a bunch of them as well.

I didn't know that North Vietnam had them. Could you tell me more?

[gaijinsamurai]

According to a book I have, Indonesia had them as well.

[TacoDelRio]

I've always wanted one, but never saw one. Looked like a much nicer version of an SKS with rare ammo if you got it in 7.62x45 instead of 39.

[gaijinsamurai]

They are good little carbines, if you can get the ammo. I kinda wish I hadn't sold mine now.

[KVLG]

I've always wanted one, but never saw one. Looked like a much nicer version of an SKS with rare ammo if you got it in 7.62x45 instead of 39.

Actually, it's really VERY different from the SKS. In fact, completely different. For example, the sear/trigger and safety is similar to that of the Garand, while the gas piston and bolt was derived from that of the Mkb 42 Walther.

[KVLG]

They are good little carbines, if you can get the ammo. I kinda wish I hadn't sold mine now.

Have you ever seen or came across them in any foreign countries?

[TacoDelRio]

Actually, it's really VERY different from the SKS. In fact, completely different. For example, the sear/trigger and safety is similar to that of the Garand, while the gas piston and bolt was derived from that of the Mkb 42 Walther.

Oh no, I understand it is. I merely meant it fulfills the same sort of role, so far as rifles are concerned.

[bull-lug]

The Czechs along with everyone else in the Warsaw Pact supplied their arms to support revolutionary movements around the globe, not only to Communists but anybody else fighting the west such as Arab nations hostile to the US and terrorists like the PLO. ( Vz 52 rifle -Vz is short for Vzor or model i.e. Model of 1952 rifle if anybody didn't know that) When the Czechs introduced the Vz 58 they gave away tons of Vz 52 rifles as aid to other countries especially since they fired the 7.62 X 45mm cartridge instead of the Warsaw Pact standard 7.62 X 39 mm used in the Vz 52/57 and Vz 58. I have seen photos of North Vietnam air defence troops armed with Vz 52 rifles in the sixties. I am sure they made it down south to the Viet Cong as well. Tons of these rifles were sent to Cuba and they in turn sent them all over Central/South America and to Africa as well. The South African Defense Force and assorted mercenaries fought terrorists that were armed with all manner of of arms including Vz 52 and 58s in the sixties and seventies. The Grenada Peoples Defense Force had them as well as Nicaraguan Army forces and rebels in El Salvador in the seventies and eighties. Syria got tons of Vz 52s too and they are being supplied to terrorists in Iraq and used against US forces over there as we speak. I am sure the Israel Defense Force has encountered them over the years as well. They are likely to be found in any nation that received Communist Bloc support in the Cold War era.

[KVLG]

Tons of these rifles were sent to Cuba and they in turn sent them all over Central/South America and to Africa as well. The South African Defense Force and assorted mercenaries fought terrorists that were armed with all manner of of arms including Vz 52 and 58s in the sixties and seventies. The Grenada Peoples Defense Force had them as well as Nicaraguan Army forces and rebels in El Salvador in the seventies and eighties. Syria got tons of Vz 52s too and they are being supplied to terrorists in Iraq and used against US forces over there as we speak. I am sure the Israel Defense Force has encountered them over the years as well. They are likely to be found in any nation that received Communist Bloc support in the Cold War era.

Could you please tell me more?

[bull-lug]

What else are you in need of? I will try to find some photos if you like and some books you might want to reference.

[bull-lug]

http://www.dvidshub.net/media/photos/0511/12203.jpg

This isn't a Cold War shot but it shows the Vzor 52 is still in use today. Also note the PPsh-41 submachine gun in the background. This is a US Army offical photo approved for release.

[bull-lug]

http://www.dodmedia.osd.mil/Assets/Still/1984/Air_Force/DF-ST-84-09785.JPG

Captured Vz 52 in Grenada. USAF photo taken in November 1983. I think the 82nd Airborne Museum and maybe the Airborne and Special Operations Museum at Fort Bragg both have captured examples.

[KVLG]

What else are you in need of? I will try to find some photos if you like and some books you might want to reference.

Vz. 52 and 52/57 use in Central and South America, including guerilla groups.

[Rumcajs]

Vz.52/57 was, is and will be used in two versions by Czechoslovak now Czech Army Presidential Guard. Vz.52/57 is used by Slovak Presidential Guard as well now.

http://www.army.cz/images/id_6001_7000/6012/ram.jpg

in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/NtpTzkHX1cg

http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/EDloTfQWkgI

http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/LwNFFtXzWYc

http://www.palba.cz/forumfoto/albums/CSSR_po_roce_45_stare/Vz52_CzechHonorGuard1.jpg

http://www.robus.sk/images/tovar/4.jpg

http://www.palba.cz/forumfoto/albums/CSSR_po_roce_45_stare/vz5257_2.jpg

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/bhinton/Czech_Vz52_52.57/