Couple of questions about the Czechchoslovakian vz. 52 rifle...

[KVLG]

Does anyone here know how reliable and effective the vz. 52 semi-auto rifle is? Also, does anyone know what countries use or used to use it? Even guerilla groups.

[ZoneOne]

wikipedia is your friend

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Vz 52
Type Assault Rifle
Place of origin Czechoslovakia
Production history
Produced 1952—1959
Variants Vz 52/57
Specifications
Weight 4.10 kg (9 lb 1 oz)
Length 1003 mm (39.5 in)
Barrel length 523 mm (20.5 in) (4 groves, right hand twist)
Cartridge 7.62 x 45mm M52
Caliber 7.62 mm (.308 in)
Action Gas-operated
Feed system 10 or 20-round box magazine
Sights Iron sights

This article is about the Vz 52 rifle. For the Vz 52 pistol, see Vz 52 (pistol).

The Vz 52 Rifle (often incorrectly called the "CZ 52") was developed shortly after the Second World War. It fired the unique 7.62 x 45mm M52 cartridge. ("Vz 52" is an abbreviation of "Vzor 52", which means "Model 52".)

After pressure from the Soviet Union to adopt its 7.62 x 39 mm M43 cartridge, many were rechambered in the calibre in 1957 and re-designated Vz 52/57.

They were quickly replaced in Czechoslovak service by the Vz 58 but found their way to Soviet allies in the Cold War and have been seen in Grenada, Somalia, and Afghanistan.

Some great pictures of the weapon
http://www.sturmgewehr.com/bhinton/Czech_Vz52_52.57/

[exarmyguard]

Fired one at a gun range. Nothing great. Get an SKS if you want something similar.

[TacoDelRio]

Good luck finding the 7.62x45mm ammo. Saw a bunch at a shop years ago, haven't seen one round since.

[gaijinsamurai]

I used to have one in my collection. It was a nice carbine. The only drawback, in my opinion, is the relative scarcity of ammo. Because of that, I sold it. Sometimes, i wish I still had it.
If you are a collector or occasional shooter, I recommend it.
But, if you want it for serious purposes (survival, home defense), I think you'd be better off with an SKS or M1 carbine.

[KVLG]

wikipedia is your friend

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Vz 52)
Jump to: navigation, search
Vz 52
Type Assault Rifle
Place of origin Czechoslovakia
Production history
Produced 1952—1959
Variants Vz 52/57
Specifications
Weight 4.10 kg (9 lb 1 oz)
Length 1003 mm (39.5 in)
Barrel length 523 mm (20.5 in) (4 groves, right hand twist)
Cartridge 7.62 x 45mm M52
Caliber 7.62 mm (.308 in)
Action Gas-operated
Feed system 10 or 20-round box magazine
Sights Iron sights

This article is about the Vz 52 rifle. For the Vz 52 pistol, see Vz 52 (pistol).

The Vz 52 Rifle (often incorrectly called the "CZ 52") was developed shortly after the Second World War. It fired the unique 7.62 x 45mm M52 cartridge. ("Vz 52" is an abbreviation of "Vzor 52", which means "Model 52".)

After pressure from the Soviet Union to adopt its 7.62 x 39 mm M43 cartridge, many were rechambered in the calibre in 1957 and re-designated Vz 52/57.

They were quickly replaced in Czechoslovak service by the Vz 58 but found their way to Soviet allies in the Cold War and have been seen in Grenada, Somalia, and Afghanistan.

Some great pictures of the weapon
http://www.sturmgewehr.com/bhinton/Czech_Vz52_52.57/

I already looked at that article. I was wondering if maybe someone knew which specific countries had or still have them.

[gaijinsamurai]

I'm no expert, but I doubt if ANY countries still use them, especially with all the AKS that have proliferated.
I do believe the Nicaraguan Army had them as a second-line weapon, during the Sandinista period.

[Rumcajs]

vz 52/57 is still used by Prague castle guard (Czech president guard of honour)
the fact is that original version vz.52 for Czech 7.62 x 45mm - náboj vzor 52 is much more better than version for soviet 7.62 x 39 mm vzor 43. Note, I don´t recommend any rifle made in 1952 and 1953 by Slovak company Povážské strojárně from Povážská Bystrica town. These rifles have a lot of problems with production quality and it was reason to relocate production to Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod (today well-known producer CZ UB) in 1953.
Vz.52 was produced up to 1957, vz52/57 up to 1959.
Origin version is much better than SKS, deadly range is 2800 m, initial bullet speed 760 m/s vz52, 735 m/s vz52/57, effective fire range 800m vz52, 500m vz 52/57, four grooves to the right. Reability, manipulation, weight and size were appreciated as wery well by Czechoslovak army at that time.


http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9546/czech20republic20pragueek2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/3668/guard20outside20castle2ce7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2539/p1010020ux1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/4630/ramni3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
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http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7973/vz5257velkyga0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[gaijinsamurai]

Thanks for the info, Rumcajs.
Is the ammo still being produced? If not, I'd hate to have to rely on stuff manufactured 50-odd years ago, even if I were just "gaurding a castle".
Nice pics.

[Rumcajs]

Thanks for the info, Rumcajs.
Is the ammo still being produced? If not, I'd hate to have to rely on stuff manufactured 50-odd years ago, even if I were just "gaurding a castle".
Nice pics.


I guess not, it´s not necessary. These guard rifles are only for display and disfunctional. The guard uses as the standard rifles vz.58, vz.62 Škorpion and UK vz.59 machinegun.

If anybody bothers a guard in front of the Castle, fistly he hit thrice on the ground as warning, after that as second choice he can smash him with the rifle:-)) or press buttom behind himself and so this way call support with functional weapons:-))))

[KVLG]

I guess not, it´s not necessary. These guard rifles are only for display and disfunctional. The guard uses as the standard rifles vz.58, vz.62 Škorpion and UK vz.59 machinegun.

If anybody bothers a guard in front of the Castle, fistly he hit thrice on the ground as warning, after that as second choice he can smash him with the rifle:-)) or press buttom behind himself and so this way call support with functional weapons:-))))

Well, perhaps the ammo might still be manufactured, for commericial sale to collecters who have such rifles.

[gaijinsamurai]

I doubt that it would be worth the expense.

[KVLG]

I doubt that it would be worth the expense.

Well, you never know. If there were enough collectors who have these babies, anything's possible. BTW, if the Nicaraguan government had them, it's probably feasible that they shared some of them with the various Latin American guerilla groups.