[jrfoxx]

1953 CZ-52.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b289/jrfoxx/cz52.jpg

I could have sworn I read somewhere that the middle position of the safety lever decocked it, but a test with a pencil down the barrell made it clear that it would still have fired.Was I mistaken on the decockng thing, or is mine not functioning (not a big deal, I wouldnt have used it anywy, personally dont need one and never really trusted them anyway)?

[Chipperman]

Push the safety/decoker all theway down to decock. Some of them are not safe and will fire when decocked.

[Anna's Dad]

Don't mean to change the subject, but I've noticed that some CZ-52s seem to be black where others are grey. Is one or the other indicative of a refinished gun or were there just different factory finishes?

[.45&TKD]

The "black " ones have been refinished (blued, I believe), while the gray one's have the original parkerized finish.

[.45&TKD]

Some of them are not safe and will fire when decocked.

I personally would never decock on a chambered round with a CZ-52.
This is not a Double Action auto. It is a Single Action auto.
In addition, the original firing pin is very brittle and will easily break from dry firing.

I don't carry my CZ-52, but if I did, I would carry it cocked and locked like a 1911, and just use the decocker to lower the hammer when the chamber has emptied, thereby preserving the brittle firing pin.
Note: There are after market replacement firing pins.

Definitely check out http://www.makarov.com/cz52/index.html for more info.

[.45&TKD]

Don't mean to be an alarmist.
They really are a great weapon for the price, just a little different.

[SeanSw]

I just gave myself a cz-52 as a present too. It's also 1953 manufacture, re-arsenaled in 1979 with the decocker fix (mine appears to work but hasn't been tested with a live round). It doesn't look to have been shot much and the internals seem relatively free of wear, and the outside isn't in bad condition, just ugly.

Mine was also purchased with a 9mm barrel and the 7.62 barrel missing a roller. I've ordered a new barrel and set of rollers, and a case of Tokarev ammo too. I can't wait to see how it shoots!

[jrfoxx]

Thanks for all the info/advice everyone.I had no intention of using the decocker, either on an empty chamber or a live round, as I just dont trust the concept personally.I plan to empty the chamber and lower the hammer between thumb and index finger of the left hand like I do with all my guns.I'm just more comfortable that way.I was just curious about the decocker, as I had either read some bad info, or mine didn't work. Also struck me as a somewhat unusual and/or more "modern" type feature for a miltary gun, and one that old.Cant wait to try it out, it looks virtually unfired inside and out, I was very pleasantly surprised for a 50+year old milsurp.Thanks again.

[mrmeval]

Most articles on it describe the pencil test to see if it's going to discharge.

Can the decocker be completely disabled?

[Chipperman]

I've never read anything about disabling it, but I suppose you could.

Just as an aside, one of mine failed the pencil test. Just for grins, I decided to decock in at the range to see if it would fire. It did not, but I only tested it once.

[.45&TKD]

Using the decocker on an empty chamber is fine. That's what it was made to do. Remember, these are single action, not double action.

[SeanSw]

Check for a small 'Z' on the left of the frame near the trigger guard. This mark is supposed to indicate that the decocker function was repaired during re-arsenaling. I have dry fired my gun over a 100 times now without breaking the firing pin. I'm only presuming that it's the original firing pin and already have a modern tool steel replacement ready to install. My trigger pull is quite serviceable, how is yours?

I wasn't originally keen on putting another $60 of parts onto a 53 year old surplus gun but a few minutes of thinking made me realize that any weapon worth owning is worth keeping in top condition.

[jrfoxx]

SeanSw--Mine does have a Z exactly where you describe.Maybe mine was done late on a Friday or something...:).As for trigger pull, mine dosent seem bad at all.Cnt wait to try it out.