LeadPumper
Member
CZ-52
I've been lucky enough to pick up several new firearms as of late...so I'd thought I'd share my good fortunes with the rest of The High Road.
This particular CZ-52 semi-automatic pistol in 7.62X25mm was purchased from http://www.southernohiogun.com/ was rated as excellent in the mailer for $99.00 (and I chose to get a handpick for $10). Ordered over the phone and delivered to my doorstep the cost was $125.00 (C&R on file first). Delivery time was less than 1 week.
The box had "non-firearms" (hand soap) markings, and was in good shape, showing no signs of tampering (always a concern when shipping firearms).
The pistol was shipped in its’ brown leather holster with two magazines, a steel cleaning rod, and shipping paperwork. Packing material was only bunched paper, but was effective enough.
Initial inspection revealed a dull steel pistol with a light rust coating, but no pitting or apparent wear. It was indeed in excellent condition. The leather holster was large and stiff, (how anyone actually used it is beyond me). In fact the pistol did not fully seat into the holster. I imagine if I worked it enough, I could get it to fit properly; but my CZ-52's a shooter, not a carry piece.
Field stripping was easy and straightforward. Extract magazine, cycle slide, pull on takedown levers, remove slide, use base of magazine to pull barrel assembly forward and up, remove barrel assembly and recoil spring. Done.
Clean up was minimal as there was almost no protective grease or cosmoline on the pistol (hence the dusting of light rust). But after cleaning and a good rub down with CLP, it shown like a factory fresh pistol ought to.
The only modifications to the pistol were to change out the fiber grip panels for some newer plastic ones. The originals had a small chip in the left panel, and I could easily see it rubbing into my hands under recoil.
At the range, the pistol performed very well. The sights were small, but accurate enough, and drift adjustable for windage only. I only had one box of WWB ammo and one box of milsurp SMG stripper clip stuff to try for my first session. The single stack mags took eight rounds smoothly, with no nose diving or binding. The pistol balanced well enough, but as some here have pointed out, it is a might ergonomically challenged. Better grips would no-doubt help.
What I found curious was the lack of a slide release (internal slide lock) on a pistol combined with a de-cocker (move the safety all the way up). Obviously, this was designed by people with a different mindset for firearms use.
Magazines loaded with WWB, I began to shoot. The small sights did not detract from the good point-ability of this pistol, so finding the target was no problem. Being a milsurp single action pistol, the trigger was not as heavy or gritty as I would have expected, but broke cleanly with little take-up or creep. Honestly, I've shot some 1911's that didn't have this good a trigger. Recoil was not nearly as bad as the booming muzzle blast and large fireball might indicate, (though it does attract a crowd) Maybe 9mm level. All shots were two handed, slow fire, at 25 feet, and easily kept within the 10 ring with many bull’s eyes.
My enthusiasm immediately picked up a few notches with the next magazine. I was able to repeat the same accuracy shot after shot. My next set of magazines, I picked up the pace somewhat. Here I noticed the small sight started to really work against me. Faster shots require larger sights (or lots of practice), and my shot groups immediately opened up. Nothing outrageous, but definitely larger.
Finishing up the WWB ammo, I switched to the milsurp stuff. Unmarked in a brown cardboard box, on stripper clips; this green steel cased stuff was supposed to be hotter, and designed for SMG's (or so I was told). It loaded fine, and shot a little hotter, but not much, (maybe 9mm +P). It did however have harder primers that didn't always ignite with the first hit. Most annoying on a SA only pistol. Much of that box didn't get used.
Overall, I am impressed with this little jewel of a pistol. It has some detracting points, but those can either be dealt-with with enough money, or simply accepted for the quirks they are. I plan to leave mine pretty much as is, and just enjoy it!!!
-LeadPumper
I've been lucky enough to pick up several new firearms as of late...so I'd thought I'd share my good fortunes with the rest of The High Road.
This particular CZ-52 semi-automatic pistol in 7.62X25mm was purchased from http://www.southernohiogun.com/ was rated as excellent in the mailer for $99.00 (and I chose to get a handpick for $10). Ordered over the phone and delivered to my doorstep the cost was $125.00 (C&R on file first). Delivery time was less than 1 week.
The box had "non-firearms" (hand soap) markings, and was in good shape, showing no signs of tampering (always a concern when shipping firearms).
The pistol was shipped in its’ brown leather holster with two magazines, a steel cleaning rod, and shipping paperwork. Packing material was only bunched paper, but was effective enough.
Initial inspection revealed a dull steel pistol with a light rust coating, but no pitting or apparent wear. It was indeed in excellent condition. The leather holster was large and stiff, (how anyone actually used it is beyond me). In fact the pistol did not fully seat into the holster. I imagine if I worked it enough, I could get it to fit properly; but my CZ-52's a shooter, not a carry piece.
Field stripping was easy and straightforward. Extract magazine, cycle slide, pull on takedown levers, remove slide, use base of magazine to pull barrel assembly forward and up, remove barrel assembly and recoil spring. Done.
Clean up was minimal as there was almost no protective grease or cosmoline on the pistol (hence the dusting of light rust). But after cleaning and a good rub down with CLP, it shown like a factory fresh pistol ought to.
The only modifications to the pistol were to change out the fiber grip panels for some newer plastic ones. The originals had a small chip in the left panel, and I could easily see it rubbing into my hands under recoil.
At the range, the pistol performed very well. The sights were small, but accurate enough, and drift adjustable for windage only. I only had one box of WWB ammo and one box of milsurp SMG stripper clip stuff to try for my first session. The single stack mags took eight rounds smoothly, with no nose diving or binding. The pistol balanced well enough, but as some here have pointed out, it is a might ergonomically challenged. Better grips would no-doubt help.
What I found curious was the lack of a slide release (internal slide lock) on a pistol combined with a de-cocker (move the safety all the way up). Obviously, this was designed by people with a different mindset for firearms use.
Magazines loaded with WWB, I began to shoot. The small sights did not detract from the good point-ability of this pistol, so finding the target was no problem. Being a milsurp single action pistol, the trigger was not as heavy or gritty as I would have expected, but broke cleanly with little take-up or creep. Honestly, I've shot some 1911's that didn't have this good a trigger. Recoil was not nearly as bad as the booming muzzle blast and large fireball might indicate, (though it does attract a crowd) Maybe 9mm level. All shots were two handed, slow fire, at 25 feet, and easily kept within the 10 ring with many bull’s eyes.
My enthusiasm immediately picked up a few notches with the next magazine. I was able to repeat the same accuracy shot after shot. My next set of magazines, I picked up the pace somewhat. Here I noticed the small sight started to really work against me. Faster shots require larger sights (or lots of practice), and my shot groups immediately opened up. Nothing outrageous, but definitely larger.
Finishing up the WWB ammo, I switched to the milsurp stuff. Unmarked in a brown cardboard box, on stripper clips; this green steel cased stuff was supposed to be hotter, and designed for SMG's (or so I was told). It loaded fine, and shot a little hotter, but not much, (maybe 9mm +P). It did however have harder primers that didn't always ignite with the first hit. Most annoying on a SA only pistol. Much of that box didn't get used.
Overall, I am impressed with this little jewel of a pistol. It has some detracting points, but those can either be dealt-with with enough money, or simply accepted for the quirks they are. I plan to leave mine pretty much as is, and just enjoy it!!!
-LeadPumper
