vz. 58
| vz. 58 | |
|---|---|
stock, pistol grip, and handguards; and sling). | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1959–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars |
|
| Production history | |
| Designer | Jiří Čermák |
| Designed | 1956–1958 |
| Manufacturer | Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod |
| Produced | 1959–1984 |
| No. built | Approx. 920,000 |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2.91 kg (6.42 lb) |
| Length |
|
| Barrel length | 390 mm (15.4 in) |
| Width |
|
| Height | 255 mm (10.0 in) |
iron sights with sliding rear tangent and shrouded front post353 mm (13.9 in) sight radius | |
The vz. 58 (or Sa vz. 58) is a
While externally the vz. 58 resembles the Soviet AK-47, it is a different design based on a short-stroke gas piston. It shares no parts with Kalashnikov rifles, including the magazine.
History
 | This section needs to be updated. (December 2023) |
Development of the weapon began in 1956; leading the project was chief engineer Jiří Čermák assigned to the
The vz. 58 was produced in three main variants: the standard vz. 58 P (Pěchotní or "infantry") model with a fixed buttstock made of a synthetic material (plastic impregnated wood, older versions used a wooden stock), the vz. 58 V (Výsadkový—"airborne"), featuring a side-folding metal shoulder stock, folded to the right side, and the vz. 58 Pi (Pěchotní s infračerveným zaměřovačem—"infantry with infrared sight"), which is similar to the vz. 58 P but includes a receiver-mounted dovetail rail bracket (installed on the left side of the receiver) used to attach an NSP2 night sight; it also has a detachable folding bipod and an enlarged conical flash suppressor. For the first two variants, the two types of stock are interchangeable and mount to the same mounting point on the rifle itself, which is identical in either variant.
A successor to the vz. 58 was proposed in the 1990s; the
Design details
 | This section relies largely or entirely upon a single source. (July 2021) ) |
Operating mechanism
The vz. 58 is a selective fire gas-operated weapon that bleeds expanding combustion gases generated in the barrel from the ignited cartridge through a port drilled in the barrel, 215 mm (8.5 in) from the chamber, opening into a hollow cylinder located above the barrel that contains a short-stroke piston. The vz. 58 does not have a gas regulator and the full force of the gas pressure is exerted on the piston head, propelling it backwards in a single impulsive blow. The piston is driven back only 19 mm (0.7 in) when a shoulder on the piston rod butts against the seating and no further movement is possible. There is a light return spring held between the piston shoulder and the seating which returns the piston to its forward position. The gas cylinder is vented after the piston has traveled back 16 mm (0.6 in) and the remaining gases are exhausted into the atmosphere on the underside of the cylinder via two ports. The entire piston rod is chromium-plated to prevent fouling.
The locking system features a locking piece hinged from the bolt and housed in the bolt carrier that contains two locking lugs which descend into and engage locking shoulders in the receiver's internal guide rails. The weapon is unlocked by the short tappet-like stroke of the piston rod as it strikes the bolt carrier and drives it rearwards. After 22 mm (0.9 in) of unrestricted travel, a wedge-like surface on the bolt carrier moves under the hinged breech locking piece and lifts it up and out of engagement with the locking recesses in the steel body. The hinged breech locking piece swings up and this movement provides the leverage required for primary extraction. The breech block is then carried rearwards extracting the empty cartridge casing from the chamber. A fixed ejector passes through a groove cut in the underside of the bolt and the case is flung upwards clear of the gun.
Features
The spring-loaded extractor and firing pin are both housed inside the bolt, while the fixed ejector is slotted inside the receiver. The extractor retains the firing pin and is powered by its own plunger and spring.
The weapon does not have a conventional rotating hammer but a linear hammer instead. The hammer is a steel cylinder hollowed from one end almost throughout its entire length to accommodate its own operating spring. At the open end of the cylinder, a plate is welded and a groove is cut in each side of this to slide on the receiver guide rails. This linear hammer enters the hollow bolt and drives a free-floating firing pin forward with each shot.[7]
The vz.58 uses a trigger mechanism with a lever-type fire mode selector, which is also a manual safety against accidental discharge. When the selector lever is placed in its rear position ("1"—single fire) the sear is disabled and the left hammer catch is rotated by the disconnector, which is depressed by the bolt carrier after every shot and is therefore disconnected from the hammer catch. The forward setting of the selector lever ("30"—automatic fire) disables the disconnector, and the left hammer catch meshes with the sear mechanism. The center ("safe") setting with the selector lever pointing vertically downwards, mechanically lowers the trigger bar and the disconnector so there is no connection between the trigger and the semi-automatic sear which holds the hammer. The rifle also has an internal safety, which prevents the weapon from discharging when out of battery. The right linear hammer catch disables it, and it can only be released by pulling the charging handle back and cocking the weapon.
The weapon is fed from a detachable
An interesting feature on this rifle is the ability to quickly change the type of stock. The vz. 58 can appear either with its original fixed stock (in either beech wood or composite material) or folding steel stock, or with one of the many aftermarket stocks available – including AR-15 style stock adapters that mount a buffer tube to the receiver. The latter usually has the buffer tube slightly angled down as to compensate for the very low ironsights on the vz. 58. Switching between the various options requires merely removal of a bolt at the rear of the receiver and swapping in the stock of choice.
Sights
The rifle's
Accessories
Several modernization accessories have been manufactured for the vz. 58 platform from different companies. Accessories include "tactical" bolt release, extended and/or ambidextrous magazine release paddles, ambidextrous fire mode selectors, custom handguard rails, several types of sight mounting options and various muzzle brakes and compensators. Both civilian and military users use these upgrades, and they also see frequent use with private military companies in the Middle East.
Additional equipment supplied with the rifle includes: 4 spare magazines, a magazine pouch (in either canvas, leather, or leatherette), vz. 58 bayonet and scabbard, cleaning brush and rod, muzzle cap, oil bottle, unified sling, front sight adjustment tool, disassembly aid and a threaded
Variants
- vz. 58 P: Standard fixed stock(casually called "pádlo" (paddle) by Czech soldiers)
- vz. 58 V: Metal folding stockversion for vehicle crew and airborne units casually called "kosa" (scythe) by Czech soldiers.
- vz. 58 Pi: Has a mounting interface for an infrared night vision NSP-2 sight, fixed stock, cone flash hider and folding bipod.
- Automatická puška ("automatic rifle") AP-Z 67: Experimental 7.62×51mm NATO caliber version developed in 1966.
- Útočná puška ("assault rifle") ÚP-Z 70: Experimental 5.56×45mm NATO version developed in 1970.
- Experimentální zbraň ("experimental weapon") EZ-B: Experimental bullpup prototype developed in 1976.
- Ruční kulomet ("light machine gun") codename KLEČ ("Mountain Pine"): Experimental variant with a 590 mm barrel (similar to RPK), developed in 1976.
- Lehká odstřelovačská puška ("light sniper rifle") vz. 58/97: Experimental marksman rifle developed by VTÚVM Slavičín.
- Samopal ("submachine gun") vz. 58/98 "Bulldog": 9×19mm Parabellum variant developed by VTÚVM Slavičín.
- CZH 2003 Sport: Semi-automatic only variant for civilian consumption. Available with either a standard (390 mm) or shortened (295 mm) barrel. Limited production was made for the civilian market in Canada with an extended barrel length of (490 mm).
- CZ 858 Tactical: A semi-automatic variant designed for the civilian market assembled from unused parts from when production of the military versions ended. It is available with standard (390 mm) barrel length on the -4V (folding stock) and 4P (fixed stock) version, or extended (482 mm) barrel length on the -2V and -2P version. The barrel is not chrome-lined in the -2 versions unlike the original military and -4 versions. External components have a new varnish coat (identical to the coating used on original military rifles). A "Canadian" model was also being offered based on the -2 version, featuring a real wood stock engraved with a maple leaf. Due to further restrictions, the CZ958 was developed for the Canadian market, tailoring the design to Canadian law. It was being sold by Wolverine Supplies but has since been prohibited.[8]
- FSN Series: Newly manufactured civilian semi-automatic variants. Available in standard (FSN-01, 390 mm), with or without folding stock (FSN-01F and FSN-01W, which has a wooden stock and cheek piece), or shortened (279 mm) barrel lengths (also with folding stock), outer parts are blued. All variants with the exception of the -01W have bakelite stocks.
- CSA vz. 58 Sporter: Available in 5.56 NATO), or 7.62×39mm, these rifles and carbines were newly manufactured by Czech Small Arms, and not Česká zbrojovka. They came in Compact (190mm barrel, folding stock), Carbine (300 or 310mm barrel, folding stock), and Rifle (390 or 410mm barrel, fixed sporter stock) models. In addition there was a "Tactical" model chambered in .223 Remington, featuring a 410mm barrel, railed handguard, and collapsible buttstock. All featured synthetic handguards, although the 7.62×39mm rifle model is available with either a synthetic or phenolic wood handguard.
- Rimfire VZ 58: "Ogar 58" developed and manufactured by Highland Arms in Czech Republic, together with the cal. .22 LR conversion kit "Ogar 22). The conversion kit is intended for all calibers and variants of VZ 58.
- Vz 2008: A variant by Century Arms built using a Czech parts kit with a U.S. made receiver and barrel.
- Rung Paisarn RPS-001: an adaptation of the vz. 58 with components from the M16A2 first manufactured in 1986 by Rung Paisarn Heavy Industries of Thailand.[9]
- AP-67: 7.62×51mm NATO variant
Users
Current
Angola[10]
Burundi: Burundian rebels[13]
Cuba[14]
Cyprus[14][15]
Eritrea[14]
Ethiopia[14]
Guatemala[10]
Guinea[14]
India[10]
Indonesia[16]
Iraq[10]
Kurdistan[17]
Ivory Coast[18]
Libya[14]
Mozambique[14]
Slovakia:[14] Standard service rifle.
Somalia[14]
Syria[14]
Tanzania[14]
Ukraine: 5,000 Vz. 58s were donated by the Czech Republic.[6]
Vietnam[19]
Former
Afghanistan (2009-20)[14]
CZ BREN 2.[22]
United States: Some captured rifles used by LRRPs in Vietnam[23]
Non-state users
Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda[24]
Islamic State[25]
Northern Irish loyalist paramilitaries[26]
New People's Army[2]- Peshmerga[27]
South Sudan Democratic Movement[28]
See also
References
- ^ "Vondra si ve Vietnamu prohlížel válečnou kořist. Je to nějaké zrezivělé, řekl tiše generál Picek | zpravy.ihned.cz - Česko". zpravy.ihned.cz. 2012-03-28. Archived from the original on 2012-06-19. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
- ^ a b "Though Greatly Weakened, Philippine Communist Insurgency Holds Steady". World Politics Review. 6 April 2015. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ISBN 1-84013-476-3.
- ISBN 1855322773.
- ISBN 978-0-521-19714-4. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2018-08-30.
- ^ a b "Ukrajina není sama! Česko pošle zbraně za 188 milionů, oznámilo ministerstvo" [Ukraine is not alone! The Czech Republic will send arms worth 188 million, the ministry said]. Nova (in Czech). Archived from the original on 2022-03-07.
- ^ a b c d Holt Bodinson (August 2009), "Century's VZ.58V: and this one shoots!", Guns Magazine, archived from the original on 2010-06-24, retrieved 2011-11-16
- ^ "Cz958 Review: Bringing the Cold War into the 21st Century". The Firearm Blog. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Rung Paisarn RPS-001". Archived from the original on 2010-03-23. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
- ^ a b c d "Czechpoint - History of the Sa vz. 58 - History of the Sa vz. 58 rifle". Czechpoint-usa.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
- ^ McNab 2002, p. 37.
- ISBN 978-1472816092.
- ISBN 978-0-521-88039-8. Archivedfrom the original on 2018-08-27. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
- ^ Sabak, Juliusz (27 January 2016). "Czech Rifles and Ammunition for the Peshmerga. Prague Supporting the Fight Against Daesh Again". Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "DANSATROL Lantamal VII Pimpin Prajuritnya Laksanakan Latihan Menembak". koarmada2.tnial.mil.id (in Indonesian). 6 September 2021. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023.
- ^ "Czech Republic To Donate vz. 58s To Iraq, Kurdistan, To Fight ISIS" (Web). 5 February 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ISBN 978-2-940-548-05-7. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2018-10-09. Retrieved 2018-09-05.
- ^ "Czech Defense Minister talks up high-tech arms sales to Vietnam | Czech Position". Ceskapozice.cz. 2012-03-29. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
- ^ "7,62mm samopal vzor 58". Czech army (in Czech). Archived from the original on 2004-12-26.
- ^ "RUČNÍ ZBRANĚ AČR" (PDF) (in Czech). pp. 16–21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-29.
- ^ "Armáda převzala ve Štěpánově nové útočné pušky. FOTO - Olomoucký deník". Olomoucky.denik.cz. 2011-07-19. Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
- ISBN 9781846032509. Archivedfrom the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
- ^ Small Arms Survey (2015). "Waning Cohesion: The Rise and Fall of the FDLR–FOCA" (PDF). Small Arms Survey 2015: weapons and the world (PDF). Cambridge University Press. p. 201. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ M. Ahsan Jamal. "ISIS Weapons and Ammunitions". International Relations Insights & Analysis. Archived from the original on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
- ^ "Murder weapon discovered in Imperial War Museum display". BBC News. 2015-05-28. Archived from the original on 2018-04-29. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
- ^ "Czech Republic To Donate vz. 58s To Iraq, Kurdistan, To Fight ISIS". TheFireArmsBlog.com. 5 February 2016. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022.
- ^ Weapons seized from the forces of George Athor and John Duit (PDF). HSBA Arms and Ammunition Tracing Desk. Small Arms Survey. December 2012. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2013-09-28. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
Further reading
- Gander, Terry J.; Charles Cutshaw (2001). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001–2002. London: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2317-1.
External links
- Česká zbrojovka—official site
- CZ Hermex - Maker of the CZH-2003 Sport
- Instruction manual
- History of the vz. 58 Archived 2017-10-19 at the Wayback Machine
- Vz. 58 at Modern Firearms
- Review of the vz. 58 Archived 2010-07-02 at the Wayback Machine—American Rifleman
- 5.56×45mm NATO Variant Archived 2014-03-05 at the Wayback Machine
- 7.62×51mm NATO Variant Archived 2014-03-05 at the Wayback Machine
