Automatic machines cz. Assault rifle SA vz. 58. Quick video review
Vz.58V variant with folding stock
After the creation of the Warsaw Pact Organization within the framework of the ATS member countries, the standardization of weapons systems, including ammunition, began. Most of the satellite countries at that time acted simply by adopting Soviet-designed weapons - machine guns (and later) in a more or less modified form. However, Czechoslovakia, which historically had a very strong and developed arms industry, preferred to create its own models of weapons under a common patron. First, after the standardization of the Soviet cartridge 7.62 × 39, the Czechs modified their 7.62 × 45 mm self-loading VZ-52 carbines for the Soviet cartridge, and at the beginning of 1956 began the development of a full-fledged machine gun for the same standard cartridge as part of a project codenamed “KO ? T? ", That is," broom ". The chief designer of the new machine was Jiri Cermak (Ji ??? Erm? K), who worked at the state arms factory in the town of Uherski Brod. Just two years later, in 1958, the new model was already adopted by the Czechoslovak army, and after the collapse of Czechoslovakia in mid-1993, it formed the basis of the small arms system of the armies of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where it serves to this day. Plans to replace this already obsolete model with newer 5.56 mm NATO systems have not yet been fully implemented, mainly due to financial reasons. The official designation of this machine is Samopal vzor 58, or in short - SA vz. 58, that is, a submachine gun (the Czechs do not distinguish between a submachine gun and a submachine gun) of the 1958 model. The new machine gun, like almost all Czech weapons, was distinguished by high quality workmanship and exterior decoration, as well as an original design - despite the external resemblance to the Kalashnikov assault rifle, the SA vz. 58 had a fundamentally different and completely original design.
Technical description
The SA vz. 58 assault rifle is built on the basis of a gas-operated automation with a short-stroke gas piston located above the barrel. The gas piston has its own return spring. The barrel is locked by means of a separate combat larva mounted on the bolt in its lower part and swinging up and down under the influence of curly cutouts on the bolt carrier. Locking is carried out by the cutouts in the receiver by lowering the locking cylinder down. After firing, the bolt carrier receives a short impulse from the gas piston and begins to move backward. After a free wheeling of about 22 millimeters, the curly cutouts in the bolt carrier raise the front of the locking cylinder, disengaging it from the receiver and releasing the bolt. After that, the entire bolt group, under the action of inertial forces and residual gas pressure in the barrel, moves back, removing and throwing out the spent cartridge case and feeding a new cartridge into the barrel on the way back, and at the end of the movement, locking the barrel by lowering the front part of the combat larva down. Thus, the shutter itself moves in a strictly rectilinear manner. The recoil spring is located in the receiver behind the bolt carrier. The cocking handle is rigidly fixed to the bolt carrier on the right.
The firing mechanism is also of an original design, striker. A massive tubular striker protrudes from the rear of the bolt body, and behind it is a twisted combat spring, with its rear end resting on the rear wall of the receiver. On the bottom of the drummer, a tooth is made, which mates with the sear when the drummer is put on a combat platoon. The trigger itself is of a simple design and has a minimum of moving parts. Fuse - the translator of fire modes is located on the receiver on the right, above the pistol grip, and has three positions - "safe", "single shots", "automatic fire".
For several decades, the armies of Eastern Europe have had Kalashnikov assault rifles of various modifications and versions. This was caused by the influence of the Soviet Union and the desire of the leaders of various countries to save money on the creation of their own weapons. However, not all countries in the region began to purchase Soviet weapons or produce them under license. So, 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. 58 (Samopal vzor 1958 - "Automatic model 1958") was associated with the signing of the Warsaw Pact and subsequent events. Soon after the formation of the Warsaw Pact Organization, the participating countries began to standardize weapons and military equipment. In order to increase the overall combat capability and simplify a number of important tasks, it was proposed to use the same or at least similar samples. In particular, one of the first steps in this direction was the adoption of an intermediate cartridge 7.62x39 mm into service with all the armies of the Internal Affairs Directorate. Most of the ATS countries decided to adopt a Soviet machine gun designed by M.T. Kalashnikov. Some states began to purchase ready-made samples of Soviet production, others acquired a license and launched their own production.
Czechoslovakia, out of a desire to support its design school and industry, made a different decision. In 1956, the transfer to new ammunition was decided to be carried out in two stages. The first involved reworking the existing self-loading vz. 52 for a new intermediate cartridge of the Soviet model. As part of the second stage of the translation, it was planned to create a promising machine gun, originally designed for the use of a 7.62x39 mm cartridge. This approach made it possible to transfer the army to a new ammunition, as well as to dispense with the use of foreign models, thereby supporting its arms industry.
General view of the Sa vz. 58. Photo Wikimedia Commons
The creation of a new weapon was entrusted to the Česká Zbrojovka enterprise (Uherski Brod). Engineer Jiri Cermak became the development manager. Initially, the new project appeared in secret documents under the name Koště ("Broom"). The task of the project was to create a new automatic weapon chambered for an intermediate cartridge of 7.62x39 mm 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 easiest way to achieve the required characteristics was to copy or borrow ideas from Soviet weapons. Nevertheless, 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 emergence of weapons that have a certain external resemblance to the Soviet AK / AKM. However, the internal assemblies of the two types of weapons had a lot of differences, which make the "Broom" product a full-fledged original development.
A promising automatic weapon was supposed to use automation based on a gas engine. At the same time, the Czechoslovak designers did not copy any decisions of M.T. 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 units.
The assault rifle received a milled receiver of the original design. The outer contours of this unit were rectangular, and inside a set of guides was provided along which the parts were to move. In addition, there were fasteners inside for springs, parts of the firing mechanism, etc. The box received a shortened lid, which was supposed to cover only the back of it. The front of the receiver, in turn, was supposed to cover the upper part of the bolt group. For attaching 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 extraction: when the parts were removed, the pins remained in their mountings.
Incomplete disassembly of the machine. Photo Wikimedia Commons
In the front of the receiver, on a massive monolithic block, the base of the sight was located on top, which also served as a support for the gas piston. It had a transverse through hole for attaching the upper forend cover. The barrel was fixed in the box under the base of the sight. Directly in front of the forend 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 and bayonet mountings.
The machine gun designed by I. Chermak was equipped with a 7.62 mm rifled barrel, 390 mm long (51 caliber). In the middle of the barrel there was a gas outlet connected to the corresponding outdoor units. Initially, the barrel of the machine gun was not equipped with any additional devices, but later there were several options for flame arresters necessary for solving special problems.
The main element of the gas engine of the new machine was the piston with a short stroke. 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 a narrow shank with a stop was to fit into the hole in the base of the sight. It also housed its own piston return spring. During firing, the piston, under the influence of powder gases and a spring, had to reciprocate, 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 complex section bolt carrier: its upper part was triangular, the lower one was rectangular. Along the entire length of the bolt carrier, there were cavities of various configurations, for example, at the rear there were four holes arranged in a rhombus. The upper one included the return spring of the bolt group, two middle ones lightened the part, and the lower one was intended for a movable striker. 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 a weapon.
Receiver cover fixing pin. No further extraction is possible. Photo Novarata.net
Actually the shutter of the machine consisted of two main parts: the body and the larva. The latter was responsible for locking the barrel before firing. During the movement of the bolt group, the bolt parts had to engage with the frame guides and move as needed. At the extreme forward position of the bolt, the swinging larva went down and captured the lugs of the receiver. When disengaged after a shot, the larva was supposed to rise up and release the bolt.
A through channel was provided inside the bolt carrier for installing a movable striker. The latter was made in the form of a massive tubular part with a thickened rear part and edges on a narrow part. During firing, such a drummer had to catch on the whisper tooth or move forward under the action of its own mainspring, firing a shot. Rollback and cocking of the striker were carried out when the bolt group moved back.
An interesting feature of the "Broom" project was the use of an original receiver cover, designed to hold two springs at once: returnable and combat. At the back of the triangular-shaped cover there was a fastener for two springs. Above, directly under the "arch" of the cover, was the return spring of the bolt carrier. Under it, below the level of the side edges of the cover, there was the mainspring of the striker. 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 enter the corresponding holes of the bolt group and the striker.
The firing mechanism of the machine gun was built according to the striker scheme. He had a minimum of parts, but could provide firing with single shots and bursts. When the trigger was pulled, the sear had to release the drummer. The principles of interaction between the sear and the drummer depended on the mode of fire. Above the pistol grip, on the right side of the receiver, there was a small flag of the fire safety-translator. When turned down, the flag blocked the trigger. Its turn forward or backward made it possible to fire in the desired mode.
Disassembled bolt group. From left to right, from top to bottom: bolt carrier, bolt carrier, drummer and bolt. Photo Novarata.net
For the supply of ammunition, new detachable box magazines for 30 rounds of 7.62x39 mm were proposed. To a certain extent, they resembled the shops of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, but they had several differences. So, a new design of the feeder and some other innovations were used. In addition, over time, the production of aluminum shop casings was started, which led to a noticeable reduction in the weight of the structure.
The store should be placed in the lower receiving window of the receiver. A spring-loaded latch was located at the rear of the window. Due to the use of a relatively long lever, it was necessary to modify the design of the trigger guard. Its relatively wide front part was divided into two halves, with the left one being concave and not obstructing the use of the latch.
The fittings of the first version of the machine were to be made of wood. A wooden stock of a characteristic curved shape with a butt pad was attached to the rear wall of the receiver. Inside the butt, a channel was provided for storing a pencil case with accessories. Under the receiver was a wooden pistol grip. To protect hands from a heated barrel and a gas engine, the machine received a forend of a combined wood-metal structure. Its lower part was made in the form of a wooden device fixed under the trunks. The top was made from an inner metal casing and an outer wooden "shell". The inner casing was supposed to protect the wooden part from direct exposure to powder gases from the chamber.
The machines of the last series received fittings of a different type. While maintaining the shape and size, the parts were cast from plastic filled with wood chips. Such butts and handles were cheaper, but they were not inferior to wooden ones in terms of basic characteristics.
Trigger bracket and magazine latch lever. Photo Novarata.net
Sights consisted of a front sight on a rack above the muzzle of the barrel and an open mechanical sight mounted above the chamber. The sight had markings for shooting at ranges up to 800 m. It was proposed to adjust the sight by changing the angle of inclination of the main bar and, as a consequence, the height of the rear sight.
The assault rifle was completed with a bayonet-knife with a single-sided 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. With the help of a latch with a button, the bayonet-knife was fixed in the desired position. A leather sheath with a loop for hanging on a belt was intended to carry the bayonet.
The original design of the automation had to work according to new principles. By placing the store in the receiving shaft and cocking the bolt, the shooter could set the fuse-translator in the desired position and fire. When the bolt group was displaced back, the return and main springs were compressed, as well as the drummer was fixed in the extreme rear position. Moving forward under the action of the return spring, the bolt carrier was supposed to grab the upper cartridge from the store and send it to the chamber. Then the swinging larva of the shutter performed locking.
When the trigger was pressed, the sear released the drummer, which, under the action of the mainspring, had to go forward and hit the cartridge primer. When fired, the powder gases were to be vented through the upper gas outlet into the engine chamber and press on the piston. At the same time, the latter moved back and hit the front of the bolt carrier. Having received an impulse, it rolled back and unlocked the shutter. When moving back, the sleeve was thrown out, and the drummer stood on the stop. The gas piston returned to its original position under the action of its own spring.
Bayonet and its scabbard. Photo Ak-info.ru
The total length of the new weapon reached 845 mm with a barrel length of 390 mm. An assault rifle with wooden fittings without ammunition weighed 3.1 kg. The mass of the weapon with the magazine increased by about 500 g. The used automatic equipment provided a technical rate of fire at the level of 800 rounds per minute. The effective range of fire, despite the markings of the sight, remained within 400-500 m.
The order to start developing 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, according to the 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. 58.
Soon, the Czechoslovak industry mastered the serial production of new machine guns, and the troops began to receive these weapons and learn how to use them. Over the next several decades, the Sa vz. 58 was the main small arms of the armed forces of Czechoslovakia.
Based on the basic design Sa vz. 58, several modifications were created, differing from each other only in some details. Recycling of automation and internal units was considered impractical. The basic version of the machine was considered the Sa vz. 58, also designated Sa vz. 58P (Pěchotní - "Infantry"). He had a wooden butt without folding. The Sa vz variant was also developed. 58V (Výsadkový - "Landing"), which received a metal folding stock. Such a butt consisted of a U-shaped mount on the receiver, a metal bar and a shoulder rest. To reduce the size of the weapon, the butt was turned to the right and laid along the receiver.
Assault rifle Sa vz. 58V with a folding stock and a modern "body kit". Photo Wikimedia Commons
On the basis of the "infantry" machine gun was based a modification designed for operation with the NSP-2 night sight. Such an assault rifle was equipped with appropriate mountings. In addition, in order to avoid the "blinding" of the sight by the flash of a shot, a flame arrester of a new design was installed on the barrel. This version of the weapon was called Sa vz. 58Pi.
Having brought their development to mass production, the Czechoslovak designers began to develop its design. Already in the mid-sixties, I. Chermak and his colleagues began work on the use of new cartridges. This resulted in two interesting prototypes. In 1966, the AP-Z 67 automatic rifle (Automatická puška) was introduced, chambered for 7.62x51 mm NATO. Four years later, the ÚP-Z 70 project (Útočná puška - "Assault Rifle") appeared, which implied the use of an intermediate cartridge 5.56x45 mm NATO. These projects were not brought to mass production.
After experimenting with ammunition, the Česká Zbrojovka team began other processing of weapons. The result of this in 1976 was the emergence of the experimental automaton (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. Later, unsuccessful attempts were made to create on the basis of the Sa vz. 58 sniper rifle and submachine gun chambered for 9x19 mm Parabellum.
The enumeration of modifications to the base machine can be completed by mentioning the development of a fairly large number of civilian weapon options that differed from the prototype in various design features. In particular, the possibility of 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 knife-bayonet and a magazine pouch. Photo Armory-online.ru
The starting customer of the Sa vz. 58 was the army of Czechoslovakia. The mass production of these weapons made it possible for several years to abandon the use of outdated systems. Such machines were in service with Czechoslovakia until the collapse of the country. In the future, the independent Czech Republic and Slovakia continued to operate the existing machine guns, although they made attempts to put new weapons into service. Despite their best efforts, Sa vz. 58 have been in use for several decades. In accordance with modern trends, relatively old assault rifles were equipped with Picatinny rails, new sights and other additional equipment that, to a certain extent, increased their characteristics. Only at the beginning of this decade, the Czech Republic managed to complete a full rearmament and master the CZ-805 assault rifles. Slovakia still continues to use old weapons.
After completing the rearmament of its army, the Czechoslovak industry began exporting arms. Automatic machines Sa vz. 58 were supplied to a significant number of foreign countries so-called. third world. According to available data, deliveries were made to about two dozen countries. In addition, in one way or another, weapons fell into other armed formations. 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 lasted until 1984. For a quarter of a century, the enterprises of Czechoslovakia managed to produce about 920 thousand automatic machines of several modifications. A characteristic feature of this weapon, according to the shooters, was the high quality of workmanship and the corresponding reliability. Probably, this opinion corresponds to reality, which indirectly confirms the duration of the operation of the weapon: the machine guns of the latest series are already more than thirty years old and they, along with the older "brothers", are still used today.
In the mid-fifties, Czechoslovakia decided not to purchase foreign small arms and not to collect them under license. On the contrary, it was decided to develop its own machine gun, which made it possible to maintain its design school, as well as to provide work for the industry. Both of these tasks have been successfully accomplished. In addition, the machine fully met the requirements and was able to reach mass production, providing the country with army weapons for half a century. This allows us to count the automaton Sa vz. 58 was a successful example of small arms and a good competitor to the Soviet Kalashnikov assault rifles, as an alternative to which it was created. Nevertheless, the competition turned out to be very conditional, which is clearly evidenced by the number of weapons released.
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 disassembly machine:
http://novarata.net/vz58-pictorial.php
From time to time I am asked a question about where people work in Europe and the Czech Republic. Indeed, many tourists think that in the Czech Republic people work only as guides, waiters, office managers or tram drivers. In fact, in European countries, a wide variety of industries are developed, which employ hundreds of thousands of highly qualified workers. And today I will introduce you to one of these industries, 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 the army, but in the Czech Republic there were many weapons, and in terms of their technical characteristics it was ahead of many countries. Currently, the Czech Republic is also an important player in the small arms market and ranks 14th in the export of pistols, small arms and ammunition, earning more than $ 100 million annually.
Before we move on to a discussion of 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 the plant Zbrojovka Brno in the city of Brno. After the occupation of Czechoslovakia by German troops, the production of the ZK 383 was continued, and the stocks in the warehouses entered service with the Slovak army, parts of the Waffen-SS and police formations, and were also transferred to Bulgaria. ZK 383 was exported to Bolivia and Venezuela. ZK-383 submachine guns were produced under the cartridge 9x19 mm.
Shotgun MSS-41 was also created at the Czechoslovakian arms factory Zbrojovka Brno. Later, the gun entered service with Germany. The peculiarity of the MSS-41 was that it was made according to the Bullpup scheme (the percussion mechanism and the magazine are located in the butt behind the trigger). In addition, these PTRs were first used as large-caliber sniper rifles. In the SS troops, there were special teams armed with MSS-41 with optical sights, the main task of which was to destroy firing points from long distances, as well as pillboxes and bunkers. One of the advantages of a shotgun is that it can be carried by one person. In terms of armor penetration, this anti-tank rifle fully corresponded to its modern foreign counterparts. With its help, it was possible to hit armored cars and armored vehicles, but it was powerless against medium and heavy tanks.
Machine gun ZB-53 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 went over 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 was armed with 12,672 such machine guns. The gun was powered by air-cooled powder gases. Shooting was carried out with standard Mauser cartridges 7.92 × 57 mm with a light and heavy bullet. The machine gun served as support for the infantry and as a transport weapon. The UK bought a license for the production of such weapons and released a machine gun called BESA.
- land 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 7.92 × 57 mm, in 1926 was adopted by the Czechoslovak army and exported to 24 countries of the world (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 pistol company is Ceska Zbrojovka from the town of Uherski Brod. Ceska Zbrojovka began its activity in the production of pistols at the beginning of the 20th century with the release of pistols CZ 22, CZ 24, CZ 27 and others. The CZ 27 model was very popular and over 700 thousand of these pistols were produced. Naturally, the army of Czechoslovakia was equipped with such pistols.
After the Second World War, production of the CZ 45, CZ 50 pistols began. The CZ 45 used 6.35 × 15 mm Browning cartridges. The CZ 50 used 7.65x17mm rounds. Design CZ 50 strongly resembled the design "Walther", although there was a difference: the fuse flag was placed not on the frame, but on the shutter-casing; the pin of the indicator of the presence of a cartridge in the chamber protruded not from the back, but from the side of the shutter-casing; the safety bracket was made together with the frame as one piece, 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 a pistol for the Czech police.
Pistol CZ 75
The pistol, developed in Czechoslovakia in 1975, is considered one of the the best combat pistols in the world! Initially, the pistol was created for export, but the model turned out to be so successful that they began to supply it to the Czech police. Pistols CZ 75 were supplied to Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Thailand, Poland. They are currently used by a number of major police departments in the United States (e.g. Special Forces "Delta"). Clones of this pistol are produced by firms in different countries, in Turkey, China, Italy, Israel, Switzerland and the USA. Pistol features 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. Pistols CZ-75 are available in a wide variety of modifications and for different cartridges, for example, 9x19mm parabellum, 9x21mm.
CZ 82- a compact semi-automatic pistol, developed in Czechoslovakia for the Czechoslovak army, chambered for 9x18 mm. In terms of its characteristics, the CZ-82 surpasses 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, more durable and more accurate shooting.
Automatic CZ SA Vz.58
CZ SA Vz.58- 7.62 caliber assault rifle, developed in Czechoslovakia in 1958 at the Česká Zbrojovka enterprise in Uherski Brod for the Czech army. Externally, the assault rifle looks like a Kalashnikov assault rifle, but due to the difference in design from the Czech assault rifle, you can fire single shots and continuous bursts. The machine was exported to Iran, India, Cuba and African countries.
The CZ 805 BREN is a modern 5.56 x45 mm submachine gun designed as an individual weapon for the Czech army. The machine meets high requirements and works stably in difficult conditions (dust, sand, dirt, high temperature drops). 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 is ahead of competitors in terms of its characteristics and convenience, for example, the Belgian machine SCAR.
Currently, three versions of the CZ-805 BREN assault rifle are 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 use as a machine gun or sniper rifle, equipped with a removable bipod handle and tactical flashlight.
As you have already noticed, one of the most successful arms factories in the Czech Republic is Česká zbrojovka from Uherski Brod. In addition to pistols and machine guns, the company produces rifles, small-bore rifles, 12-gauge shotguns for the American market, sporting weapons, cartridges and much more. Over a year, the plant produces more than 200 thousand weapons worth more than $ 100 million! The plant supplies its products to 90 countries of the world, the most popular export destinations are the USA, Western Europe and Southeast Asia. The Česká zbrojovka plant is a major employer in the Czech Republic, employing 2,000 workers.
Assault rifles of the world Popenker Maxim Romanovich
Automatic CZ SA Vz.58
Automatic CZ SA Vz.58
Vz.58V variant with folding stock
Vz.58P fixed butt variant
After the creation of the Warsaw Pact Organization within the framework of the ATS member countries, the standardization of weapons systems, including ammunition, began. Most of the countries - satellites of the USSR at that time, acted simply by adopting Soviet-designed weapons - AK-47 assault rifles (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 models of weapons under a common patron. First, after the standardization of the Soviet cartridge 7.62 × 39, the Czechs modified their 7.62 × 45 mm self-loading VZ-52 carbines for the Soviet cartridge, and at the beginning of 1956 began the development of a full-fledged machine gun for the same standard cartridge as part of a project codenamed “KO ? T? ", That is," broom ". The chief designer of the new machine was Jiri Cermak (Ji ??? Erm? K), who worked at the state arms factory in the town of Uherski Brod. Just two years later, in 1958, the new model was already adopted by the Czechoslovak army, and after the collapse of Czechoslovakia in mid-1993, it formed the basis of the small arms system of the armies of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where it serves to this day. Plans to replace this already obsolete model with newer 5.56 mm NATO systems have not yet been fully implemented, mainly due to financial reasons. The official designation of this machine is Samopal vzor 58, or in short - SA vz. 58, that is, a submachine gun (the Czechs do not distinguish between a submachine gun and a submachine gun) of the 1958 model. The new machine gun, like almost all Czech weapons, was distinguished by high quality workmanship and exterior decoration, as well as an original design - despite the external resemblance to the Kalashnikov assault rifle, the SA vz. 58 had a fundamentally different and completely original design.
Technical description
The SA vz. 58 assault rifle is built on the basis of a gas-operated automation with a short-stroke gas piston located above the barrel. The gas piston has its own return spring. The barrel is locked by means of a separate combat larva mounted on the bolt in its lower part and swinging up and down under the influence of curly cutouts on the bolt carrier. Locking is carried out by the cutouts in the receiver by lowering the locking cylinder down. After firing, the bolt carrier receives a short impulse from the gas piston and begins to move backward. After a free wheeling of about 22 millimeters, the curly cutouts in the bolt carrier raise the front of the locking cylinder, disengaging it from the receiver and releasing the bolt. After that, the entire bolt group, under the action of inertial forces and residual gas pressure in the barrel, moves back, removing and throwing out the spent cartridge case and feeding a new cartridge into the barrel on the way back, and at the end of the movement, locking the barrel by lowering the front part of the combat larva down. Thus, the shutter itself moves in a strictly rectilinear manner. The recoil spring is located in the receiver behind the bolt carrier. The cocking handle is rigidly fixed to the bolt carrier on the right.
The firing mechanism is also of an original design, striker. A massive tubular striker protrudes from the rear of the bolt body, and behind it is a twisted combat spring, with its rear end resting on the rear wall of the receiver. On the bottom of the drummer, a tooth is made, which mates with the sear when the drummer is put on a combat platoon. The trigger itself is of a simple design and has a minimum of moving parts. Fuse - the translator of fire modes is located on the receiver on the right, above the pistol grip, and has three positions - "safe", "single shots", "automatic fire".
The fittings on the early samples are made of wood, on the later ones - from plastic filled with wood shavings. The basic version of the assault rifle - the SA vz.58P has a fixed stock, the SA vz.58V variant has a sideways folding metal stock. The SA vz.58Pi variant differs from the SA vz.58P by the presence of a mount for night (infrared) sights on the left side of the receiver and a massive conical flash suppressor.
Sights include a front sight with an annular front sight and an open rear sight with a V-shaped slot, adjustable in firing range. SA vz. 58 assault rifles are equipped with a carrying strap and a bayonet knife.
From the book Encyclopedic Dictionary (A) author Brockhaus F.A.Automatic automatic machine (from the Greek. AutomatoV, i.e. self-propelled) is called any mechanical projectile that performs the movements necessary for its purposes by itself, using an internal mechanism. Such are, for example. clocks, planetariums and many industrial machines. In closer and
From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (AB) of the author TSB From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (PI) of the author TSB From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (HL) of the author TSB From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (CE) of the author TSB From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (SHO) of the author TSB From the book Assault Rifles of the World the author Popenker Maxim RomanovichAutomatic Type 56 (Type 56) automatic Type 56 early release with a milled receiver automatic Type 56 late release with a stamped receiver automatic Type 56-1 with a downward-folding butt and bayonet in a firing position automatic Type 56-2 with a side-folding butt
From the author's bookAutomatic Type 63 automatic Type 63 Caliber: 7.62? 39 mm Type of automation: gas engine, locking by turning the bolt Length: 1029 mm Barrel length: 521 mm Weight without cartridges: 3.49 kg Rate of fire: 750 rounds per minute Magazine: 20 or 30 cartridges Automatic Type 63 (in some sources
From the author's bookAssault rifle Type 03 (Type 03 / QBZ-03) Experimental assault rifle Type 87, which served as the predecessor of the assault rifle Type 03 assault rifle Type 03 (QBZ-03) with an attached bayonet Incomplete disassembly of the assault rifle Type 03 (QBZ-03) Caliber: 5.8 × 42 mm Automatic type : gas outlet, locking by turning the shutter Length: 950 mm
From the author's bookKalashnikov assault rifle AK-102, AK-104, AK-105 5.56 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-102 7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-104 Caliber: AK-102: 5.56 × 45 mm nato; AK-104: 7.62 × 39 mm; AK-105: 5.45 × 39 mm Length: total: 824 mm; w / folded stock 586 mm Barrel length: 314 mm Weight: 3.0 kg without magazine Magazine capacity: 30
From the author's bookSmall-sized submachine gun 9A-91 Caliber: 9? 39 mm Type of automation: gas-operated, locking by turning the bolt Length: 605/383 mm (stock extended / folded) Barrel length: ?? Weight: 2.1 kg without cartridges Rate of fire: 600-800 rounds per minute Magazine: 20 cartridges Automatic 9A91
From the author's bookA-91 assault rifle 7.62 mm A-91 assault rifle, a variant of the mid-1990s. Integral 40 mm grenade launcher located above the barrel Modern version of the A-91 assault rifle chambered for 5.56 × 45 mm NATO cartridge (export version. 2003). 40 mm grenade launcher located under the barrel Caliber: 7.62 × 39 mm or 5.56 × 45 mm
From the author's bookKorobov's TKB-408 assault rifle 7.62 mm Korobov's TKB-408 assault rifle Caliber: 7.62 × 39 mm mod. 1943 Type of automation: gas-operated, locking by tilting the bolt Length: 790 mm Barrel length: no data Weight: 4.3 kg Rate of fire: no data Magazine: 30 rounds of 7.62 mm machine gun Korobov TKB-408 was
From the author's bookAutomatic CZ SA Vz.58 Vz.58V variant with folding stock Vz.58P variant with fixed stock Caliber: 7.62 × 39 mm Length: 845 mm (635 mm with stock folded) Barrel length: 390 mm Weight: 3.1 kg with empty magazine, 3.6 kg with a full magazine Magazine: 30 rounds Rate of fire: 800
The countries participating in the Warsaw Pact created in 1955 put into service the Soviet 7.62-mm cartridge of the 1943 model (7.62x39). Almost all of them accepted Soviet weapons for this cartridge, in particular AK assault rifles, and later AKM. The exception was Czechoslovakia, which wished to create a machine gun of its own design under a common cartridge.
Development began in 1956 at the state arms factory in the town of Uherski Brod under the leadership of designer Jiri Cermak. The assault rifle was named SA vz. 58. The work was completed in record time - in 1958 the machine gun was put into service. After the collapse of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, both states left the SA vz.58 assault rifle in service with their armies.
Several modifications of the machine are known:
SA vz.58P - the main one with a fixed stock, SA vz.58V - with a folding bolt box rotatable to the right side, shoulder rest and SA vz.58Pi, characterized by the presence of a device on the left side of the bolt box for mounting an optical (night) sight. In addition, for the special forces of the Czech Republic, an assault rifle was developed, equipped with a flame arrester and a Picatinny rail attached to the upper part of the bolt box cover. This bar is designed for mounting various types of sights, in particular a Czech-made red dot sight.
Externally, the SA vz.58P assault rifle has some similarities with the domestic AK, but its internal structure is completely different. It is felt that its developers set a goal to get a weapon that is easier to manufacture and, therefore, cheaper.
According to the principle of automation, the SA vz. 58 refers to a gas-operated weapon with a discharge of gases through a side opening in the barrel bore and with a rigid locking of the barrel bore. Locking is carried out by a latch swinging in a vertical plane, located in the bolt and similar in outline to the locking latch of the Walter P-38 pistol. The rotation of the latch in the direction of locking and unlocking is performed by the bolt stem when it is moved relative to the bolt. When approaching the extreme forward position, the bevel of the stem, acting on the latch, turns it. In this case, the locking tooth of the latch enters the cutout of the milled bolt box, providing locking. Unlocking is performed at the initial section of the stem rollback. The stem carries the right-hand reloading handle.
The gas engine consists of a gas chamber pressed onto the barrel, a gas piston made in conjunction with a rod, and a spring that returns the piston to its original position after its short (about 20 mm) stroke in the direction of recoil. On the left side of the gas chamber there is a lug with a hole in which a swivel ring for a shoulder strap is inserted. The second swivel is located in the cutout of the butt on the left side.
The mechanism for breaking the cartridge primer is striker. The hammer, which has a whispering protrusion, moves in the central bore of the bolt. The combat and return springs with their guide rods are placed in a detachable assembly during disassembly, consisting of a butt plate and a bolt box cover. The ends of the guide rods are fixed in the butt plate.
The trigger mechanism of the machine allows firing with single fire and bursts, as well as setting the weapon to the safety catch. The translator / fuse is located on the right side of the bolt box above the fire control handle.
The stock, fire control handle, fore-end and receiver plate on the first samples were made of wood, but later they began to be made of dark brown molding plastic filled with sawdust.
Sights consist of a sector sight with settings for a firing range of up to 800 m after 100 m and an adjustable front sight. The front sight is located on a rack attached to the muzzle of the barrel. The stand in the upper part has side shields that protect the front sight from impacts, and in the lower part there are grooves for attaching a knife bayonet.
Cartridges are fed from a detachable sector magazine for 30 rounds. The body of the store is made of stamping from aluminum sheet.
SA vz.58 assault rifles were used by Vietnamese troops when they entered Cambodia in 1958, then during the civil war in Lebanon, as well as in Zaire, Zimbabwe and Uganda.
Structurally, the SA vz. 58 assault rifle is simpler than the domestic AK-47, and therefore it is cheaper to manufacture. But when firing bursts from unstable positions (standing and kneeling), it is even more ineffective than the AK-47, due to the higher rate of fire, which is about 200 rounds per minute higher than that of the AK-47. The reliability of the SA vz.58 assault rifle in difficult conditions also raises doubts. For example, the rod with the gas piston is separated from the valve stem, which significantly reduces the efficiency of the automation mechanism. The prototype of the AK-AK-1 assault rifle, developed in Kovrov in the design group of A. Zaitsev and failed in tests at the Shchurovsky test site, also had a separated gas piston and stem.
Having adopted a Soviet cartridge of the 1943 model, the designers of the SA vz. 58 assault rifle, for some reason, did not borrow the used 30-round magazine of the AK assault rifle, but created their own with an aluminum case and was not interchangeable with the Soviet one. Based on the experience of Soviet weapons testers, the operational strength of such a hull is low. It is noteworthy that Erich Walter, a serious competitor to Schmeisser in the development of the first German assault rifles, did not hesitate to borrow the previously worked out Schmeisser 30-round magazine.