Vz 58 assault rifle. Czech weapons

From time to time I get asked a question about where people work in Europe and the Czech Republic. After all, many tourists think that in the Czech Republic people only work as guides, waiters, office managers or tram drivers. In fact, in European countries A wide variety of industries have been developed, employing hundreds of thousands of highly qualified workers. And today I will introduce you to one of these productions, namely Czech weapons.

As you know, Czech weapons played an important role during the Second World War, because the occupation of the Czech Republic was very important for Hitler, because he needed equipment and weapons for his army, and the Czech Republic had a lot of weapons, and in terms of its technical characteristics it was ahead of many countries. Currently, the Czech Republic is also an important player in the market small arms and ranks 14th in the export of pistols, small arms and ammunition, earning more than $100 million annually.

Before we move on to modern Czech weapons, I will tell you about the Czechoslovak weapons of the Second World War.

Czech weapons of the Second World War

ZK-383- a submachine gun created in Czechoslovakia in the early 1930s at a factory Zbrojovka Brno in the city of Brno. After the occupation of Czechoslovakia by German troops production of the ZK 383 continued, and the stocks available in warehouses entered service with the Slovak army, Waffen-SS units and police forces, and were also transferred to Bulgaria. ZK 383 was exported to Bolivia and Venezuela. ZK-383 submachine guns were chambered for 9x19 mm.

Shotgun MSS-41 was also created at the Czechoslovak arms factory Zbrojovka Brno. The gun later entered service in Germany. A special feature of the MSS-41 was that it was made according to the bullpup design (the impact mechanism and the magazine are located in the butt behind the trigger). In addition, these anti-tank rifles were first used as large-caliber sniper rifles. The SS troops had special teams armed with MSS-41 with optical sights, whose main task was to destroy firing points from long distances, as well as bunkers and bunkers. One of the advantages of the gun is that it can be carried by one person. In terms of armor penetration, this anti-tank rifle was quite consistent with its modern counterparts. foreign analogues. With its help it was possible to hit armored cars and armored vehicles, but against medium and heavy tanks it was powerless.

ZB-53 heavy machine gun was developed by the Czechoslovak company Zbrojovka Brno. The machine gun was in service with the Czechoslovak army and was mass-produced. After the occupation of Czechoslovakia by German troops, machine guns were transferred to the German army. Machine guns were exported to China, Romania, Afghanistan, Argentina and Yugoslavia. By the beginning of World War II, the German army had 12,672 such machine guns in service. The gun operated using the energy of air-cooled powder gases. Shooting was carried out with standard 7.92x57 mm Mauser cartridges with light and heavy bullets. The machine gun served as infantry support and as a transport weapon. Release license similar weapons bought by Great Britain and released a machine gun called BESA.

- ground weapon of the Czechoslovak army during the Second World War. This is one of the most famous guns produced in Czechoslovakia. This light machine gun, developed in 1924-1926. chambered for the German cartridge 7.92x57 mm, adopted by the Czechoslovak Army in 1926 and exported to 24 countries (Iran, Great Britain, Spain, Poland, Sweden and others).

It is not surprising that the machine gun won love in so many countries: not only did it have excellent tactical and technical characteristics, it was also unpretentious in use, and the overheated barrel could be easily changed.

Modern Czech weapons

The most famous Czech company that produces pistols is Ceska Zbrojovka from the town of Uherski Brod. Ceska Zbrojovka began its activities in the production of pistols at the beginning of the 20th century with the production of pistols CZ 22, CZ 24, CZ 27 and others. The CZ 27 model was very popular and more than 700 thousand of these pistols were produced. Naturally, the Czechoslovak army was equipped with such pistols.

After the Second World War, production of the CZ 45 and CZ 50 pistols began. The CZ 45 used 6.35x15 mm Browning cartridges. The CZ 50 used 7.65x17mm cartridges. Design CZ 50 strongly resembled the design "Walter", although there was a difference: the fuse box was placed not on the frame, but on the shutter-casing; the pin indicating the presence of a cartridge in the chamber protruded not from the back, but from the side of the bolt casing; the safety bracket was made together with the frame as one part, and disassembly was carried out after pressing the latch on the side of the frame. The pistol was not used in the army, but it became the pistol of the Czech police.

Pistol CZ 75

The pistol, developed in Czechoslovakia in 1975, is considered one of the best combat pistols in the whole world! Initially, the pistol was created for export, but the model turned out to be so successful that it began to be supplied to the Czech police. CZ 75 pistols were supplied to Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Thailand, and Poland. They are currently used by a number of large police departments in the United States (for example, Special Forces "Delta"). Clones of this pistol are produced by companies in different countries, in Turkey, China, Italy, Israel, Switzerland and the USA. Features of the pistol can be found in the American Springfield P-9, Israeli Jericho 941, Italian Tanfoglio GT-21, Swiss Sphinx AT-2000.

Pistols CZ-75 combine excellent reliability, survivability, strength, shooting accuracy, ergonomics, and at the same time their price is kept at an acceptable low level. CZ-75 pistols are available in a wide variety of modifications and chambered for different cartridges, for example, 9x19mm parabellum, 9x21mm.

CZ 82- a compact semi-automatic pistol developed in Czechoslovakia for the Czechoslovak army chambered for a 9x18 mm live cartridge. In terms of its characteristics, the CZ-82 is superior to its main competitor - the Makarov pistol. The CZ-82 has a larger magazine capacity (12 rounds instead of 8), a more comfortable grip, a more comfortable trigger, a noticeably better finish, is more durable and more accurate when shooting.

Automatic CZ SA Vz.58

CZ SA Vz.58- a 7.62 caliber assault rifle, developed in Czechoslovakia in 1958 at the Česká Zbrojovka plant in the city of Uherský Brod for the Czech army. Externally, the assault rifle is similar to the Kalashnikov assault rifle, but due to the difference in design, the Czech assault rifle can fire single shots and continuous bursts. The machine gun was exported to Iran, India, Cuba and African countries.

The CZ 805 BREN is a modern 5.56 x45mm assault rifle designed as a custom weapon for the Czech Army. The machine meets high requirements and operates stably in difficult conditions (dust, sand, dirt, high changes in air temperature). Thanks to the design of the machine, you can quickly change its caliber to 7.62x39 mm and 6.8 mm Remington SPC. The machine was introduced in 2009 and, in terms of its characteristics and convenience, is ahead of competitors, for example the Belgian SCAR machine.

Currently, three variants of the CZ-805 BREN assault rifle are being produced: a standard version (CZ-805 BREN A1), a version with a shortened barrel (CZ-805 BREN A2) and a third version (CZ-805 BREN A3) with an extended barrel for for use as a machine gun or sniper rifle, equipped with a removable bipod handle and a tactical flashlight.

As you have already noticed, one of the most successful arms factories in the Czech Republic is Česká zbrojovka from the city of Uherská Brod. In addition to pistols and machine guns, the company produces rifles, small-bore rifles, 12-gauge shotguns for the American market, sporting weapons, ammunition and much more. Over the course of a year, the plant produces more than 200 thousand weapons worth more than 100 million dollars! The plant supplies its products to 90 countries, the most popular export destinations being the USA, Western Europe and Southeast Asia. The Česká zbrojovka plant is a major employer in the Czech Republic, employing 2,000 workers.

Armies of Eastern Europe For several decades there have been Kalashnikov assault rifles of various modifications and versions. This was led to by the influence of the Soviet Union and the desire of the leadership of various countries to save money on creating their own weapons. However, not all countries in the region began to purchase Soviet weapons or produce them under license. Thus, the Sa vz assault rifle was in service with the Czechoslovak army for several decades. 58 of its own design, created as an alternative to Soviet weapons.

The appearance of the Sa vz machine gun. 58 (Samopal vzor 1958 - “Assault rifle model 1958”) was associated with the signing of the Warsaw Pact and subsequent events. Soon after the formation of the Warsaw Pact, member countries began standardizing weapons and military equipment. In order to increase overall combat effectiveness and simplify a number of important tasks, it was proposed to use the same or at least similar models. In particular, one of the first steps in this direction was the adoption of the 7.62x39 mm intermediate cartridge into service by all ATS armies. Most of ATS countries decided to adopt the Soviet machine gun designed by M.T. Kalashnikov. Some states began to purchase ready-made samples Soviet-made, others acquired a license and launched their own production.

Czechoslovakia, based on the desire to support its design school and industry, made a different decision. In 1956, it was decided to transfer to new ammunition in two stages. The first involved reworking the existing vz. 52 chambered for the new Soviet-style intermediate cartridge. As part of the second stage of translation, it was planned to create a promising assault rifle, initially designed to use the 7.62x39 mm cartridge. This approach made it possible to transfer the army to new ammunition, and also to do without the use of foreign samples, thereby supporting its own weapons industry.

General view of the Sa vz machine gun. 58. Photo Wikimedia Commons

The creation of a new weapon was entrusted to the company Česká Zbrojovka (Uhersky Brod). The development manager was engineer Jiri Cermak. Initially, the new project appeared in secret documents under the name Koště (“Broom”). The objective of the project was to create a new automatic weapon chambered for the 7.62x39 mm intermediate cartridge with characteristics at the level of Soviet-designed Kalashnikov assault rifles. It was planned to produce new weapons at Czechoslovak enterprises, which affected some of the requirements for the project.

The most in a simple way achieving the required characteristics was copying or borrowing ideas from Soviet weapons. However, the designers under the leadership of I. Chermak decided to develop their own project based on original ideas. The result of this approach was the appearance of weapons that have a certain external resemblance to the Soviet AK/AKM. However, the internal units of the two types of weapons had a lot of differences that make the “Broom” product a full-fledged original development.

Promising automatic weapon should have used automation based on a gas engine. At the same time, Czechoslovak designers did not copy any of M.T.’s solutions. Kalashnikov and used completely new ideas in their project. As a result, the Koště assault rifle received a very interesting design and an unusual composition of internal components.

The machine received a milled receiver of the original design. The external contours of this unit were rectangular in shape, and inside there was a set of guides along which the parts were supposed to move. In addition, inside there were fastenings for springs, parts of the trigger mechanism, etc. The box received a shortened lid, which was supposed to cover only the back part. The front part of the receiver, in turn, was supposed to be covered by the upper part of the bolt group. To secure the cover to the receiver, a front latch and a rear pin were provided. An interesting feature of the project was the use of pins without the possibility of complete removal: when parts were removed, the pins remained in their fastenings.

Incomplete disassembly of the machine. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

In the front part of the receiver, on a massive monolithic block, there was a sight base on top, which also served as a support for the gas piston. It had a transverse through hole for attaching the top cover of the forend. The barrel was secured in the box under the base of the sight. Directly in front of the forend there was a gas outlet unit with a chamber responsible for the movement of the piston. In the muzzle of the barrel there was a unit equipped with a front sight post and mounts for a bayonet.

The machine gun designed by I. Chermak was completed rifled barrel caliber 7.62 mm, length 390 mm (51 caliber). In the middle part of the barrel there was a gas outlet connected to the corresponding external units. Initially, the barrel of the machine gun was not equipped with any additional devices, but later several options for flame arresters appeared, necessary to solve special problems.

The main element of the gas engine of the new machine was a short-stroke piston. It was made in the form of a metal rod with several thickenings. The enlarged front part of the piston entered the chamber of the gas outlet unit, and the narrow shank with a stop had to be placed in the hole in the base of the sight. The piston’s own return spring was also located there. During firing, the piston, under the influence of powder gases and a spring, had to perform reciprocating movements, pushing the bolt group and returning to its original position. To provide the required push to the bolt group, the piston could move only a few centimeters.

The bolt group of the Koště assault rifle had an interesting design, and was also noticeably different from the units of other weapons of this class. Its main element was a bolt frame with a complex cross-section: its upper part was triangular, its lower part rectangular. Along the entire length of the bolt frame there were cavities of various configurations, for example, at the rear there were four holes arranged in a diamond pattern. The top one included the return spring of the bolt group, the two middle ones made the part lighter, and the bottom one was intended for a movable firing pin. In the lower rectangular part of the bolt group there were devices for installing the bolt and controlling the movement of its parts. On the right side of the frame there was a handle for cocking the weapon.

Receiver cover mounting pin. No further extraction is possible. Photo Novarata.net

The automatic bolt itself consisted of two main parts: the body and the cylinder. The latter was responsible for locking the barrel before firing. While the bolt group was moving, the bolt parts had to engage with the frame guides and move as necessary. When the bolt was in the extreme forward position, the swinging cylinder fell down and captured the lugs of the receiver. When released after a shot, the larva had to rise up and release the bolt.

A through channel was provided inside the bolt frame for installing a movable firing pin. The latter was made in the form of a massive tubular part with a thickened rear part and edges on the narrow part. During firing, such a firing pin had to catch on the sear tooth or move forward under the action of its own mainspring, firing a shot. The firing pin was rolled back and cocked while the bolt group moved backwards.

A curious feature of the “Broom” project was the use of an original receiver cover designed to hold two springs at once: a return spring and a combat spring. At the back of the triangular-shaped cover there was a mount for two springs. On top, directly under the “vault” of the cover, there was a return spring for the bolt frame. Under it, below the level of the side edges of the cover, there was a firing pin mainspring. To maintain the correct position, both springs had their own guides. The upper one was put on a wire device, and the lower one was equipped with a relatively thick metal rod. When installing the cover on the receiver, both springs had to fit into the corresponding holes in the bolt group and firing pin.

The trigger mechanism of the machine gun was built according to the striker design. It had a minimum of parts, but could provide firing in single shots and bursts. When the trigger was pressed, the sear had to release the firing pin. The principles of interaction between the sear and the striker depended on the fire mode. Above the pistol grip, on the right side of the receiver, there was a small fire switch. When turned down, the flag blocked the trigger. Its rotation forward or backward made it possible to fire in the desired mode.

The bolt group is being disassembled. From left to right, top to bottom: bolt carrier, bolt cylinder, firing pin and bolt. Photo Novarata.net

To supply ammunition, new detachable box magazines for 30 rounds of 7.62x39 mm cartridges were proposed. They were to some extent reminiscent of Kalashnikov assault rifle magazines, but had several differences. Thus, a new feeder design and some other innovations were used. In addition, over time, the production of magazine housings from aluminum began, which led to a noticeable reduction in the weight of the structure.

The magazine should be placed in the lower receiving window of the receiver. There was a spring-loaded latch at the rear of the window. Due to the use of a relatively long lever, the design of the trigger guard had to be modified. Its relatively wide front part was divided into two halves, and the left one had a concave shape and did not interfere with the use of the latch.

The fittings of the first version of the machine were supposed to be made of wood. A wooden butt of a characteristic curved shape with a butt plate was attached to the rear wall of the receiver. Inside the butt there was a channel for storing a pencil case with accessories. Under the receiver there was a wooden pistol grip. To protect hands from the heated barrel and gas engine, the machine gun received a forend of a combined wood-metal structure. Its lower part was made in the form of a wooden device attached under the trunks. The top one was made of an internal metal casing and an external wooden “shell”. The internal casing was supposed to protect the wooden part from direct exposure to powder gases from the chamber.

The machines of the latest series received fittings of a different type. While maintaining the shape and size, the parts were cast from plastic filled with wood shavings. Such stocks and handles were cheaper, but were not inferior to wooden ones in terms of basic characteristics.

Trigger guard and magazine release lever. Photo Novarata.net

Sights consisted of a front sight on a stand above the muzzle of the barrel and an open mechanical sight mounted above the chamber. The sight had markings for shooting at a range of up to 800 m. It was proposed to adjust the sight by changing the angle of inclination of the main rail and, as a consequence, the height of the rear sight.

The machine gun was equipped with a bayonet-knife with a one-sided sharpening blade and a wooden handle. For installation on a weapon, the bayonet handle had an L-shaped metal part with a longitudinal groove and a latch. The groove should have included the corresponding protrusions of the muzzle device of the barrel. Using a latch with a button, the bayonet-knife was fixed in the desired position. To carry the bayonet there was a leather sheath with a loop for hanging on a belt.

The original design of the automation was supposed to work according to new principles. By placing the magazine in the receiving shaft and cocking the bolt, the shooter could set the safety switch in the desired position and fire. When the bolt group was shifted back, the return and mainsprings were compressed, as well as the firing pin was fixed in the rearmost position. Moving forward under the action of the return spring, the bolt frame was supposed to capture the upper cartridge from the magazine and send it into the chamber. Then the swinging bolt cylinder carried out the locking.

When the trigger was pressed, the sear released the firing pin, which, under the action of the mainspring, was supposed to move forward and hit the cartridge primer. When fired, the powder gases had to be released through the upper gas outlet into the engine chamber and put pressure on the piston. At the same time, the latter moved back and hit the front part of the bolt frame. Having received an impulse, it rolled back and unlocked the shutter. When moving backwards, the cartridge case was ejected, and the firing pin rested on the stop. The gas piston returned to its original position under the action of its own spring.

Bayonet and its sheath. Photo Ak-info.ru

The total length of the new weapon reached 845 mm with a barrel length of 390 mm. The machine gun with wooden fittings and without ammunition weighed 3.1 kg. The weight of the weapon with magazine increased by approximately 500 g. The automation used ensured a technical rate of fire of 800 rounds per minute. The effective firing range, despite the sight markings, remained within 400-500 m.

The order to begin development of a new machine gun was received in 1956. It took about two years to complete all the necessary work, from design to testing. In 1958, based on test results, the new weapon of the Koště project received military approval and was put into service. The assault rifle received the official designation Samopal vzor 58 or Sa vz for short. 58.

Soon, the Czechoslovak industry mastered the mass production of new machine guns, and the troops began to receive these weapons and learn how to use them. Over the next few decades, the Sa vz. 58 was the main small arms of the Czechoslovak armed forces.

Based on the basic design of the Sa vz. 58, several modifications were created, differing from each other only in some details. Processing of automation and internal units was considered inappropriate. The basic version of the machine was considered Sa vz. 58, also designated Sa vz. 58P (Pěchotní – “Infantry”). It had a wooden butt without the ability to fold. A variant of Sa vz was also developed. 58V (Výsadkový – “Landing”), which received a metal folding butt. This stock consisted of a U-shaped mount on the receiver, a metal strip and a shoulder rest. To reduce the size of the weapon, the butt was rotated to the right and laid along the receiver.

Landing assault rifle Sa vz. 58V with a folding stock and a modern body kit. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A modification intended for operation with the NSP-2 night sight was based on the “infantry” assault rifle. This machine was equipped with appropriate fastenings. In addition, in order to avoid the sight being “blinded” by the flash of a shot, a new design flash suppressor was installed on the barrel. This version of the weapon was called Sa vz. 58Pi.

Having brought their development to serial production, Czechoslovak designers began to develop its design. Already in the mid-sixties, I. Chermak and his colleagues began work on the topic of using new cartridges. The result was the emergence of two interesting prototypes. In 1966, the automatic rifle (Automatická puška) AP-Z 67 chambered for 7.62x51 mm NATO was introduced. Four years later, the ÚP-Z 70 project (Útočná puška - “Assault rifle”) appeared, which implied the use of an intermediate 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridge. These projects were not brought to mass production.

After experimenting with ammunition, the Česká Zbrojovka team began other weapon processing. The result of this in 1976 was the appearance of the experimental machine gun (Experimentální zbraň) EZ-B, built according to the bullpup layout. At the same time, the Ruční kulomet (light machine gun) KLEČ was created with a barrel extended to 590 mm. Subsequently, unsuccessful attempts were made to create a Sa vz. 58 sniper rifle and submachine gun chambered for 9x19 mm Parabellum cartridge.

The list of modifications of the basic machine gun can be completed by mentioning the development of a fairly large number of civilian weapon variants that differed from the prototype various features designs. In particular, the ability to conduct automatic fire was removed, the dimensions of all weapons and the length of the barrel were changed, and other changes were made.

An assault rifle with an attached bayonet and a magazine pouch. Photo Armory-online.ru

The starting customer for the Sa vz. 58 became the army of Czechoslovakia. Mass production of these weapons made it possible within a few years to abandon the use of outdated systems. Such machine guns were in service with Czechoslovakia until the collapse of the country. Subsequently, the independent Czech Republic and Slovakia continued to use the existing machine guns, although they made attempts to introduce new weapons into service. Despite all efforts, Sa vz. 58 have been in use for several decades. In accordance with modern trends, relatively old machine guns were equipped with Picatinny rails, new sights and other additional equipment, which to a certain extent increased their characteristics. Only at the beginning of the current decade did the Czech Republic manage to complete full rearmament and master the CZ-805 assault rifles. Slovakia continues to use old weapons for now.

Having completed the rearmament of its army, the Czechoslovak industry began exporting weapons. Automatic machines Sa vz. 58 were supplied to a significant number of so-called foreign countries. third world. According to available data, deliveries were made to about two dozen countries. In addition, in one way or another, weapons ended up with other armed groups. For example, along with the armies of Czechoslovakia, Angola, India, Vietnam, etc. automatic machines Sa vz. 58 were used by Ulster Loyalists (Northern Ireland).

Production of automatic machines Sa vz. 58 continued until 1984. Over a quarter of a century, Czechoslovak enterprises managed to produce about 920 thousand assault rifles of several modifications. Characteristic feature This weapon, according to shooters, was of high quality and corresponding reliability. Probably, this opinion corresponds to reality, which indirectly confirms the longevity of the weapon: the latest series of assault rifles are already more than thirty years old and they, along with their older “brothers,” are still in use.

In the mid-fifties, Czechoslovakia decided not to purchase foreign small arms and not assemble them under license. On the contrary, it was decided to develop our own machine gun, which made it possible to maintain our design school and also provide work for industry. Both of these problems were successfully solved. In addition, the machine fully complied with the requirements and was able to reach mass production, providing the country with army weapons. This allows you to read the machine Sa vz. 58 is a successful example of small arms and a good competitor to the Soviet Kalashnikov assault rifles, to which it was created as an alternative. However, the competition turned out to be very conditional, as clearly evidenced by the number of weapons produced.

Based on materials from sites:
http://world.guns.ru/
http://armoury-online.ru/
http://ak-info.ru/
http://novarata.net/
http://vhu.cz/
http://forum.valka.cz/

Detailed photo review of the machine with disassembly:
http://novarata.net/vz58-pictorial.php

After World War II, Czechoslovakia, as well as other countries, needed newer, more advanced weapons. The weapon had to combine different fire modes, have a high-capacity magazine, have a high effective firing range and at the same time be self-loading. The concept of such a machine gun appeared in Czechoslovakia in 1946, but in fact, design began only in 1951.

In 1951, three independent design teams began designing and developing the required small arms. One of these three teams, representing a state-owned arms company in the town of Uherski Brod, included the young gunsmith-inventor Jiří Čermák. Using the Czechoslovakian Model 52 rifle as a basis, he created a prototype called the CZ 515 chambered for the German 7.62*45 cartridge. The prototype had the following characteristics: open bolt firing pattern, single bolt cocking and loading handle, fire mode selector allowing both single and fully automatic fire.

During testing, the CZ 515 did not live up to expectations, failing to pass the test of combat accuracy and accuracy according to the standards of the Czechoslovak army. The reason for the failure was the use of an open shutter circuit. To correct this shortcoming, Jiří Čermák modified the prototype using a closed bolt design. The modification was called CZ 522. Compared to the previous modification, the CZ 522 also had a barrel shortened to 350 mm and the bolt handle was fixed to the bolt frame.

In 1954, CZ 522 and two other samples underwent army tests in Czechoslovakia and the USSR. During these tests, it was revealed that all three samples needed improvements, but according to the results of tests in the USSR, it was CZ 522 that received the best rating.

The USSR Ministry of Defense persistently “advised” Czech gunsmiths to change the type of ammunition used, so in 1955 all samples were upgraded to the use of the domestic transition cartridge 7.62 * 39 of the 1943 model. One team of gunsmiths out of three that took part in the project, which was also the initiator of the competition, the Koucký brothers, left the project (switching to the civilian market firearms).

After army tests, the required performance characteristics for machine:

Machine weight without magazine: up to 2.7 kg
Machine weight with loaded magazine: up to 4 kg
Machine length: up to 85 cm
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
Acceptable misfire rate: 0.3%
Durability of main parts: 15,000 shots
Sighting range: 1000 m
Maximum dispersion of cartridges when shooting from a prone position with a rest at a distance of 100 m: 11 cm
Maximum dispersion of cartridges when firing from a prone position from a rest in short bursts of 3-5 cartridges at a distance of 100 m: 22 cm

Also, all parts of the weapon should be interchangeable between the same models, the magazine latch was shifted to the left side for ease of magazine removal, the bolt, after firing the last cartridge in the magazine, rose to the open position (to increase the continuity of fire), thereby eliminating the need to juggle the bolt frame when the addition of a new store as on domestic AKs. The gas piston was separated from the bolt carrier and the magazines had to be made of lighter metal alloys to save weight.

At the beginning of 1956, the USSR fully established the production of 7.62*39 cartridges in Czechoslovakia. 1943 with the transfer of design and factory documentation for this ammunition to the Czechoslovaks. Work on creating a prototype that meets the requirements set out under the Soviet patron was called "KOŠTĚ" (broom). The created prototype was named Sa-56 (Samopal 56, that is, a machine gun of the 1956 model).

The weight of the SA-56 was 3.2 kg, which exceeded the requirements of the Czechoslovak Army. Despite its greater weight, the Sa-56 outperformed its parent, the CZ-522, in factory testing. After making some changes and modifications, 12 copies of the Sa-56 were presented for army testing in Czechoslovakia and the USSR. The presented specimens were lightened to approximately 3 kg. This result was achieved by making magazines from aluminum alloy.

During army tests, unexpected problems were revealed, such as insufficient strength of the return spring, detonation of cartridges in the chamber due to the enormous temperature (part of the powder gases entered the chamber during intense shooting) when shooting more than 200 rounds. Also, attention was once again drawn to the problem of too heavy weight machine. Even despite the labor-intensive nature of production, precisely because of the importance of weight, it was decided to produce the machine gun by milling rather than stamping the main parts (in particular the receiver). This made it possible to increase the weight of the machine gun to 2.9 kg (in comparison with the Soviet AK Type 3, which weighed 3.15 kg).

In 1958, a modification of the machine gun that corrected the listed shortcomings successfully passed factory tests, army acceptance and entered service with the Czechoslovak Army under the designation CZ Sa vz.58 (Samopal vzor 1958). In the same year, the author of the invention, gunsmith Jiří Čermák, turned 33 years old. Serial production of the vz.58 began in 1959 and continued until 1984.

P

vz.58P disassembled

vz.58 bayonet and scabbard

vz.58 was created in the following modifications:

• vz.58 P (Pěchotní or "infantry") - modification with a permanent wooden butt
• vz.58 V (Výsadkový or “airborne”) - modification with a folding metal stock
• vz.58 Pi (Pěchotní s infračerveným zaměřovačem or “infantry with infrared sight”) - modification of P with a mount for the NSP-2 sight of Czech production
• vz.58 Vi (Výsadkový s infračerveným zaměřovačem or “airborne with infrared sight”) - modification of V with a mount for the NSP-2 sight of Czech production

The fittings (stock, gas tube cover and fore-end cover) were initially made entirely of wood; in the first half of the 60s, the vz.58 was made of polyamide plastic interspersed with wood sawdust and shavings. The delivery set included a machine gun, a belt, a pouch, and a bayonet with a sheath.

Set vz.58P with plastic fittings

vz.58P with plastic fittings

About quantity:

In total, about 920,000 machine guns were produced, which were put into service and supplied to Czech Republic, Slovakia (after the collapse of Czechoslovakia), Libya, Cyprus, Angola, Ethiopia, Guinea, Libya, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, India, Iraq, Cuba and Guatemala.

This is how vz.58 was distributed around the world from the factory.

vz.58P in the hands of an Afghan native

Afghan natives from the anti-drug unit with vz.58V...

Afghan aboriginal policewomen are also armed with the vz.58V

During the production life cycle of vz.58, prototypes were developed based on it:

• Automatická puška (automatic rifle) AP-Z 67: rifle chambered for 7.62x51 caliber (from 1966 to 1967)
• Útočná puška (precision rifle) ÚP-Z 70: machine gun for caliber 75.56x45 (1970)
• Experimentální zbraň (experimental weapon) EZ-B: vz.58 in bullpup configuration (1976)
• Ruční kulomet ( Light machine gun): development of a machine gun similar to the Soviet RPK (1976)
• Lehká odstřelovačská puška (easy sniper rifle) vzor 58/97: sniper rifle manufactured by VTÚVM Slavičín.
• Samopal (submachine gun) vzor 58/98 "Bulldog": submachine gun in 9x19 caliber manufactured by VTÚVM Slavičín.

After the creation of the Warsaw Treaty Organization (WTO) in 1955, with the leading role of the USSR, within the framework of the participating countries, standardization of weapons and ammunition systems began.

Most satellite countries of the USSR acted very simply and adopted the Soviet AK-47 assault rifle (and later AKM) in a more or less modified form. However, Czechoslovakia, which historically had a very strong and developed arms industry, preferred to create its own weapons under a common cartridge.

At the beginning of 1956, at the Czechoslovak state arms company Ceská Zbrojovka in the city of Uherský Brod, under the leadership of chief designer Jiří Čermák, within the framework of a project codenamed “KOŠTĚ” (“broom”), the development of an assault rifle for a standardized ATS cartridge began caliber 7.62x39 mm.

And in 1958 created new machine under the designation Sa vz. 58 (Samopal vzor 58) was adopted by the Czechoslovak Army, which, after the collapse of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic in mid-1993, formed the basis of the small arms system of the armies of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Automatic Sa vz. 58 was distinguished by high quality workmanship and external finishing, as well as an original design. Despite the external resemblance to the Soviet AK, the Czech assault rifle had a fundamentally different and completely original design. Even the magazine of the Model 58 assault rifle was completely different, although it looked similar to the magazine of a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

Sa vz. 58 is built on the basis of gas-operated automatics with a short stroke of the gas piston located above the barrel. The gas piston has its own return spring. The barrel is locked using a separate combat cylinder mounted on the bolt in its lower part and swinging up and down under the influence of shaped cutouts on the bolt frame. Locking is carried out through the cutouts in the receiver by lowering the locking cylinder down. After the shot, the bolt frame receives a short impulse from the gas piston and begins to move back. After a free stroke of approximately 22 millimeters, shaped cutouts in the bolt frame lift the front part of the locking cylinder, disengaging it from the receiver and releasing the bolt. After this, the entire bolt group, under the influence of inertial forces and residual gas pressure in the barrel, moves back, extracting and ejecting spent cartridge case and on the way back, feeding a new cartridge into the barrel, and at the end of the movement, locking the barrel by lowering the front part of the combat cylinder down. Thus, the shutter itself moves strictly linearly. The return spring is located in the receiver behind the bolt carrier. The bolt cocking handle is rigidly fixed to the bolt frame on the right.

The trigger mechanism is striker-fired, also of an original design. A massive drummer of tubular design protrudes from the rear of the bolt body, and behind it there is a coiled mainspring, its rear end resting against the rear wall of the receiver. There is a tooth on the bottom of the firing pin that engages with the sear when the firing pin is cocked. The trigger itself is of a simple design and has a minimum of moving parts.

The safety switch - fire mode translator - is located on the receiver on the right, above the pistol grip, and has three positions - “safe”, “single shots”, “automatic fire”.

The body and bolt parts, like some other parts, are made of steel of a special alloy, and the bolt cover is pressed from sheet steel. Shutter, gas rods and inner surface barrels are chrome plated. The external surfaces of all parts are phosphated and coated with a special hot-drying varnish, which provides reliable protection against corrosion.

Sights include a front sight in a ring-shaped front sight and an open rear sight with a V-shaped slot, adjustable for firing range.

The weapon is fed with ammunition from a magazine with a capacity of 30 rounds.

The butt, fore-end and pistol grip on early models of the weapon are made of wood, and on later ones - from plastic filled with wood shavings.

Automatic machines Sa vz. 58 are equipped with a carrying belt and a bayonet.

In addition, some machine guns can be equipped with a mounted bipod, as well as an under-barrel grenade launcher.

Automatic CZ Sa vz. 58 was produced in three versions:

Sa vz. 58P – basic version with a fixed stock.

Sa vz. 58Pi – variant Sa vz. 58 with a mount for night (infrared) sights and a massive conical flash suppressor located on the left wall of the receiver.

Sa vz. 58W – variant Sa vz. 58 with a metal butt folding sideways and to the right.

• Weapons » Assault rifles / Assault rifles » Czech Republic
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Assault rifle (automatic) SA vz.58P

Assault rifle SA vz.58P in the basic version with a fixed wooden butt

SA vz.58V assault rifle with a folding metal stock that folds to the right

SA vz.58V equipped with a folding adjustable buttstock UA-VZP, pistol grip AG-58, a set of Picatinny rails VFR-VZ, tactical flashlight, front handle with folding bipod and SPRS red dot sight

The automatic carbine (machine gun) CZ Sa vz.58 (Czech Samopal vzor 58 - machine gun model 1958) was developed in Czechoslovakia in 1958 at the state-owned arms factory Česká Zbrojovka in the city of Uhersky Brod. In 2010, production of the CZ 805 began, intended to replace it.

Externally, the weapon is similar to the Soviet AK, but has a fundamentally different design. The Sa vz.58 automation is based on the removal of powder gases from the barrel. The gas piston with a short stroke (unlike the AK) has its own return spring. The barrel is locked by a swinging combat cylinder mounted on the bottom of the bolt (similar to the Walther P38 pistol). USM - striker type, allows you to fire single shots and continuous bursts. A three-position safety switch is located on the right above the pistol grip.

The weapon is of high quality. The shutter cover is pressed out of sheet steel. There is chrome plating of the bolt, gas rods and barrel bore, as well as phosphating of the external surfaces of all parts, which are also coated with a special varnish to protect against corrosion. The butt, pistol grip and forend are made of wood (early samples), or plastic with wood filling (late samples).

A bayonet can be attached to the machine gun, as well as (for some models) a bipod and an under-barrel grenade launcher.

Options:
Sa vz.58P (Pěchotní - “infantry”) - a combined arms version with a permanent stock;
Sa vz.58V (Výsadkový - “landing”) - variant with a metal butt folding to the right;
Sa vz.58Pi - variant with a massive conical flash hider and mount for the NSP-2 night sight.
Sa vz.58 with Picatinny rail - for special forces
CZ 858 Tactical - semi-automatic carbine

Specifications

Caliber: 7.62×39

Weapon length: 845 mm (635 mm – with the butt folded for vz.58V)

Barrel length: 390 mm

Weight without cartridges: 3.1 kg.

Rate of fire: 800 rounds/min

Magazine capacity: 30 rounds

Assault rifles