LGS CZ 52 Rumor: Fact or Fiction?

[dcarch]

So I was handling one of the CZ-52's in my LGS today. The owner came over and asked if I'd ever heard about the accuracy proofs built into the CZ-52s. I said no. He held the slide a certain way, and showed me a series of pin-prick marks across the top of the slide. One of the 52's had three, and the other had one. He claimed that the guns were test fired at the factory, and the number of dots showed the accuracy of the tested piece. I.E: *= very accurate, **=good, ***= average, etc. I had never heard of this before, but I know the owner pretty well, and I kind of doubt he was trying to pull a fast one over on me. Anybody ever heard anything about this?
Thanks!
Dave

 

[Shadow 7D]

um BS according to the factory guys in the Czech Republic

BUT those marks would correspond to marks left by a hardness test

 

[LiveLife]

I had a CZ52 and kinda with Shadow on this one.

I wonder if they be shot to see if the proof marks correspond to the accuracy of the shot groups?

 

[robinkevin]

Here's a little information on all the marks on a CZ 52. However it seems no one really knows what the punch marks that you are speaking of means, but could be an array of things.

http://www.ai4fr.com/main/page_militaria__collectibles_other_cz_52.html

They talk about the punch marks on the slide in the 2nd to last paragraph.

 

[Dr_2_B]

Yeah, those aren't about accuracy, as I understand it they're about cataloging.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Repeat this ONCE at one gun show and watch the rumor fly like an airborne virus. I'm gonna see how many marks mine has and run with it!

 

[dcarch]

^Exactly. That's why I wanted to check this out before I said anything.

 

[Claymore1500]

Mine has 5 marks on the slide, and I can still hit a bowling pin at 75 yards with it, if the accuracy rumor be true I would love to shoot one with only one mark.

I somewhat agree with the proof marks, but I have also heard that the marks indicated how many times the gun has been rearseneled. (not sure if that's true either)

 

[Robbins290]

When i get home. Going to check out the pair i have.

 

[vellocet]

Those dot rumors are about as silly as the prices people are trying to get nowdays for those clunkers.

 

[Robbins290]

One has 2 and the other has 3. Both shoot the same

 

[dcarch]

It's kinda cool that it's sort of a "mystery" about the gun.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

um BS according to the factory guys in the Czech Republic

Those guns were built by a different (but related) CZ factory -- one that built all of the long guns, in Strakonice. The factory now building CZs in Brno (75s, etc.) was building motorcycles and other equipment at the time. Most of the folks involved in building the CZ52s are long since retired. And what was then a communist controlled industrial complex is now a group of smaller, privately owned businesses focused on firearms, again.

I think the story is BS, too, but don't think the "factory guys" in the Czech Republic" had much to do with debunking that story. I thought the dots had something to do with guns having some parts retrofitted and tested, but don't remember which parts -- as the CZ-52 never really interested me much.

 

[451 Detonics]

for what it is worth...

Jan Balcar, who has written several articles for the Czech firearms magazine Strelecka Revue. Mr. Blacar informs me that the CZ 52 was made only at the plant in Strakonice and not at Uhersky Brod. He also said that the "dots" on the top of the slide of the CZ 52 were hardness tests using the Rockwell method. He cited Lt. Col. Jan Hanousek of the Czech Army Ordnance Corps for this information. Apparently, the "dots" have never had anything to do with accuracy.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Yeah, see I read that article a few years ago, just couldn't remember where.

 

[kozak6]

It's from hardness testing.

Field strip the gun. Chances are, you'll find similar pinpricks all over the other parts too.

 

[woad_yurt]

Those dot rumors are about as silly as the prices people are trying to get nowdays for those clunkers.

Ever shot one that was up to spec with tight pins, good springs and decent mags?

I bought three and they were loose and sloppy after more than a half-century of who-knows-what-kind of care. It seems that some people had broadened the definition of "re-arsenal" to include "make the outside look good but leave the innards alone." They looked sweet but the working parts were definitely in need of TLC and the mag lips were splayed open. Now, after a thorough going over, they are wildly accurate, very powerful, extremely reliable pistols.

Note: I do have a gripe with that frickin' cast firing pin. It is wise to get a machined one; I got Harrington kits for mine.

 

[Oldnoob]

While back I had two CZ50 land on my lab. One with one dot, another with 3. I did my research and found the same rumor. So I test it out with a rest (which I almost never do). The 3 dots one was more accurate than the 1 dot one.

And later found many other 52 owners' impute that those "accuracy dots" were total BS.

I did, however sold the one dot 52 not two long ago. I let the buy choice either one. He wanted the one dot 52 and willing to pay more (I think he hear the same rumor as well).

 

[BuckRocks]

ping marks on slide foward

The most relevant explanation that Ive heard regarding these marks, is that they indicate how many times its been to arms room for repair.