Sa 58
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The Sa vz.58 (Samopal vzor 58, which means submachinegun model 1958, sometimes vz.58 or incorrectly CZ 58) is an assault rifle designed and manufactured in the Czech. It looks similar to the AK-47, but the internal operation is completely different. The Sa 58 is gas-operated and capable of firing single shots or bursts.
History
The Sa 58 is based on a rifle designed by Emanuel Holek to compete in trials held by the Czech government for a Kalashnikov type rifle in 1953. It was adapted for the M43 (7.62x39 Soviet) cartridge by Josef Cermak and entered production in 1958.
Variants
- Samopal vzor 58 P (pěchotní): standard fixed stock version.
- Samopal vzor 58 V (výsadkový): folding stock version for vehicle crew and airborne units.
- Samopal vzor 58 Pi: with a mounting for a night vision sights, mostly used with flashidder and bipod.
- Automatická puška (automatic rifle) AP-Z 67: experimental 7.62x51 calibre version developed in 1966 to 1967.
- Útočná puška (assault rifle) ÚP-Z 70: experimental 5.56x45 calibre version developed in 1970.
- CZ 858 Tactical: Semi-auto only, folding stock, for sale to civilians. Available with barrel lengths of 390 or 482 mm.
- CZH 2003 Sport: Semi-auto only, fixed stock, 10-rounds magazine, for sale to civilians.
Trivia
- In the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only - one of the henchmen fires an Sa 58 when Agent 007 Roger Moore escapes from Hector Gonzales' villa.
- In the Resistance expansion of the PC Game Operation Flashpoint, the Sa 58 is the standard issue rifle of the Resistance side. There are several inaccuracies though; the weapon is referred to as the 'AK47 CZ' and can use AK-47 Magazines
- In the film "Behind enemy lines" there is a very good close shot of the weapon during the sequence in which the main character runs through a mine field in slow-motion.
- In the film "Bad Company" the gun is used by the Czech terrorists.
- This weapon is also seen service with the Indian Army's Airborne Units.
- The Sa 58 is also used extensively by the Vietnamese in the movie Full Metal Jacket. An especially close shot of the weapon can be seen during the sniper sequence in which one of the marines is shot.
- As recently as 2005 a Sa 58 lot was bought by the Dominican Republic Government. The Sa 58 is now in service with the Dominican Republic Police's Lince special motorcycle squad, and some units in the Dominican Army.
External links
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