Pics of my New Old Rifle!

[Langenator]

This is the VZ-52/57 I picked up at the gun show on Sunday. How it was still available, especially considering the price, I'll never know.





S/Ns match on the receiver, bolt carrier, and stock (the only parts I could find numbers on). Bluing/parkerizing is pretty much gone, but the bore is shiny and the rifling is sharp. Can't wait to see how it does on the range.

 

[Dave R]

We need a drooling smiley.

Nice find! I'm not familar with the rifle. What is the cartridge it fires? Specs?

I'm looking forward to your range report.

 

[Langenator]

The VZ-52/57 fires the standard ComBloc 7.62x39. It's a modification of the VZ-52, which fired a 7.62x45mm unique to Czechoslovakia.

Specs-It's roughly the same length as a standard SKS, and is slightly heavier.

Operating system uses gas, with a very unique system that really has to be seen to be understood. It utilizes a kind of ring/collar the wraps around the barrel in place of a more conventional piston.

Mag is detachable, but it's set up for stripper clips. Oh, and it spits brass to the left, apparently.

It will be going to the range along with one of my Yugo SKS's, just to compare. Not til at least the end of the month, though.

 

[Gewehr98]

Yup, that's a good one!

The VZ-52/57 rifles, chambered in 7.62x39, are easier to keep fed than the 7.62x45 VZ-52. Not that I worry too much about keeping my VZ-52's fed, since I make 7.62x45 brass and handload the ultra-rare round.

And yes, they do eject, rather vigorously, to the left. Kinda unnerving to the guy on the left if you use one for a high power match from the prone.

Here's a VZ-52 in 7.62x45:



And here's where to learn more about them. (Shameless plug for a website that sadly needs revision):

Gewehr98's Czech VZ-52 Website

 

[Langenator]

I've hit that page a couple times Googling for info on the rifle. Didn't know it was yours. Coolness.

BTW, I'm trying to work up a written comparo between teh 7.62x45, the Brit 7x43, and the new 6.5 Grendel and 6.8 SPC. Any tech/performance info you could send my way on the 7.62x45 would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Gewehr98]

About the best I could offer...

Is that the 7.62x45 Czech round is closer to the .300 Savage than the .30-30 Winchester, running the 123gr AK-style bullet at 2600+ fps over my chronograph, using Accurate Arms 1680 powder and my reformed brass. One can load to a lower velocity, but keyholing of the bullets crops up pretty darned soon as one gets down towards 7.62x39 powder loads. (Ever see a beautiful sideways bullet profile at 50 yards in the paper?)

 

[Sistema1927]

Didn't anyone ever tell you to keep your shoes of of the couch?



Nice rifle.

 

[landon74]

Pretty cool!

 

[NMshooter]

Now I remember why that rifle looks familiar. It looks very similar to the German G43 on Call of Duty: United Offensive.

Well, except that the G43 is completely different inside.

 

[Langenator]

I can only wish I had the $$$ to snag a G43!

 

[SapperLeader]

Nice Rifle! I really like the wood, with the striping through it, it gives the rifle some extra character. Looking forward to the range report

 

[NMshooter]

Never seen a G43 for sale. Suspect I never will, either.

How about a Tokarev SVT-40? Aren't those still available?

Better cartridge, too.

Reminds me of reading old H. Beam Piper SF stories. Spaceships and semi-auto battle rifles reloaded with stripper clips.

 

[StopTheGrays]

If you do not mind me asking, how much did yours cost? I want to get one for myself and just started looking.

 

[Bridger]

Nice rifle, I'd really like one with my Czech heritage, but the only one I've encountered so far was in the x45mm chambering. Guess I just have to keep looking.

 

[homeka45]

Interesting rifle. Wish we had gun shows here in Hawaii, then I could czech em out. Sorry about that.

 

[Langenator]

StoptheGrays-

I paid $230, talked the seller down from $250 because $230 was all I had. However, from my understanding, $230 is a very, very good price.

I got lucky and just happened to see it, on one of the last tables, in the last row, on Sunday afternoon. I honestly don't know how it was still there. Best guess is that the locals didn't know what they were looking at.

 

[StopTheGrays]

Langenator-
Thank you for the info. It gives me some idea how much cash to bring to the next gunshow.

 

[Black Snowman]

Wow, nice score Langenator! I'd have snatched it up too

 

[jefnvk]

Never seen a G43 for sale. Suspect I never will, either.

Last gun shows there was one for about $1500.

 

[NMshooter]

Your gunshows must have actual guns, instead of jewelry, knives, and jerky.

I remember when Century was bringing in MAS 49/56 rifles rechambered in .308. Customer wanted us to shoot his for him, make sure it worked.(Yeah, I know, it was a rough job... ) Shot OK for the first few boxes of ammo, then started doubling and tripleing. You better believe that got everyone's attention!

That VZ is a nice looking piece, by the way.

 

[GD]

Pics of my New Old Rifle

Friend of mine picked up a G43 and a SVT 40 in a private sale for $1200 total. Keep looking, they are out there.

 

[Langenator]

A different seller at the same show had a 1942 SVT-40, asking $575. I paid $400 for my 1941 model. Your buddy got a hell of a deal on that G43. Lucky guy.

 

[Onmilo]

I had a nice Sandanista fellow take a couple of shots at me with a .762X45 CZ-52 rifle.
Intelligence told me the guns and ammunition were coming from Cuba.
Thank God he couldn't hit what he was aiming at.

 

[cabinetman]

It is one sweet shooting rifle. I paid $400 for mine and was thrilled to get it at that! They only come up on the 'net once in a blue moon. I have to assume you've seen the 52/57 engraved on the receiver to confirm that's what it is. The two rifles look virtually identical. The mag on the 52/57 is slightly different than the 52 as the 52/57 mag is slanted on the entire bottom. The 52 only has the front of the mag slanted.

It's much more sophisticated than the SKS and is a very accurate, 100 yard rifle. It was used on the borders during the time of the Iron Curtain because it was supposed to be easy to carry with the folding bayo. I happen to think it's a very handsome rifle. The stock is purported to be Poplar and I tend to agree. It has a shellac finish which can be easily fixed it it needs it.

I prefer to shoot brass ammo in it and have a large batch of Yugo and some from the Zimbawe Defence Industry. Nice, clean, and accurate ammo. HAve fun! It's a head turner at any range for those in the "know".

Rome