[MachIVshooter]

And I now realize just how little I knew of these neat pistols. Never realized they had a decock function, and also was unaware that they use an HK-style roller delayed blowback system. I paid $185, which seems a bit high, but considering that they are becoming fewer by the day and prices are steadily going up, I was willing to pay (there were only 2 in the entire gun show). The grips had some scratches, but the parkerized finish is near flawless. I picked up a pair of Hogue grips for a sig P220 and hacked on them until they fit. Also got a spare mag, flap holster and 350 rounds for $110. Perhaps I paid top dollar, but I feel it was worth it.

*upon close inspection, it appears these things came to be when a PPK mated with a VP70.

[grimjaw]

Well, after shipping and transfer fee (unless you've got a C&R) the one on this page (http://www.southernohiogun.com/surplushandguns.html) wouldn't have been that much cheaper. Still, it's wasn't six months ago that I saw them at gun shows for about $100 for condition similar to what you describe.

jmm

[aaronrkelly]

Its all about the C&R....I have a pair that I paid $100 each for. Mine were flawless and shoot great. They came with the leather holster, tool and 2 magazines. They can still be found for around $100ish if you have a C&R license. The license cost $35 for 3 years. If your going to get into any more evil milsurp guns you should start the paperwork now.

A world of cheap CZ52s, SKSs and Mosin Nagants await you friend - step towards the light.

[Bob R]

Check the decocker function very closely.

Put a pencil, eraser end first, in the barrel point it at the ceiling and decock it using the decocker. If the pencil budges, or leaves the barrel, do not use the decocker to decock the gun.

Even if the decocker works, always, always have the gun pointed in a safe direction when using it. Out of the 3 I have owned the decocker would allow the firing pin to launch the pencil.

Dry firing is another no-no with the factory firing pin. They are reasonably brittle and will break after some dry firing. Mabe the first time, maybe after 500, but it will eventually break.

You can get some aftermarket parts here to make the gun more reliable.

http://makarov.com/cz52/

Have fun, these guns are an absolute blast (literally and figurativly) to shoot.

bob

[MachIVshooter]

I'm already thinking of getting another one. This one is all original with matching #'s barrel, slide and frame so I don't want to screw with it. But I can't help but think how cool it would look if I sanded it glass-smooth and had it deep-blued and then affixed a pair of Hogue checkered Coco-bolo grips. Guess I'll have to catch the next gunshow:D

[Manedwolf]

Check the decocker function very closely.

Put a pencil, eraser end first, in the barrel point it at the ceiling and decock it using the decocker. If the pencil budges, or leaves the barrel, do not use the decocker to decock the gun.

Second on that. There's lots of warnings out about that. If the pencil moves at all, means the decocker might well have become an inadvertent second trigger.
If you try it with a round in the chamber, MAKE SURE it's aimed safely downrange.

Also watch out for still-wandering bits of bad Bulgarian ammo out there, google for more on that. Overloaded, excessive chamber pressures that have literally cracked apart a 52.