Vz. 52 machine gun
Light machine gun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The vz. 52 (7,62mm lehký kulomet vzor 52) is a Czechoslovak light machine gun developed after the Second World War for the Czechoslovak Armed Forces.
| vz. 52 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1952–1964 |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Václav Holek |
| Designed | 1950s |
| Manufacturer | Zbrojovka Brno |
| No. built | 8.000 |
| Variants | vz. 52/57 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8.0 kg (17.64 lb) |
| Length | 1,045 mm (41.1 in) |
| Barrel length | 583 mm (23.0 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×45mm (vz. 52), 7.62×39mm (vz. 52/57) |
| Action | Gas-operated, tilting breechblock |
| Rate of fire | 900-1150 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 760 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 900/800 m |
| Maximum firing range | 2800 m |
| Feed system | 50-round belt or 25-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Iron sights |
Description
The vz. 52 was originally called the ZB 501,[4] and was designed by Václav Holek.[5] It is gas-operated and uses a tilting bolt that locks into the roof of the receiver. Its overall action is based on the Czech ZB-26 light machine gun. It has an integral bipod and interchangeable barrels, and its feed system is designed to take metallic belts or box magazines interchangeably and without any modifications.[5] Its compact and light lever-type feeding system was based on the ZB-53 and was later copied in UK vz. 59, PK and Negev.
The vz. 52 initially used the Czech 7.62×45mm vz. 52 cartridge, but in the mid-1950s it was converted to the standard 7.62×39mm Warsaw Pact round by Jaroslav Myslík, and named the vz. 52/57.[5] Both models were replaced in Czech service in 1963–64 by the Universal Machine Gun Model 1959, also known as the Uk vz. 59.
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