Vz 52 (pistol)

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The Vz-52 (also known as CZ52) is a semi-automatic pistol designed by two brothers, Jan and Jaroslav Kratchovil, in the early 1950s to serve the military forces of Czechoslovakia. Around 200,000 Vz-52s ("Vzor 52" means "model of 1952") were made by Česká Zbrojovka in Strakonice from 1952 to 1954. It replaced the 7.65mm Browning caliber (32 Auto) Vz 50, which had acquired a reputation for unreliability and also was underpowered for its role as a military service sidearm. The Vz-52 was itself eventually replaced in service by the CZ-82.

Contents

0.1 Description
0.2 Operation
0.3 Ammunition
0.4 Surplus
0.5 Common Issues

1 External links

Description

The Vz-52 pistol is a short recoil-operated, detachable box magazine-fed, single-action, semi-automatic pistol firing the 7.62 x 25 mm TT cartridge. It weighs approximately two pounds when unloaded. Military models feature a parkerized finish, while some Vz-52s destined for the surplus market have been arsenal refinished blue.

The Vz-52 is considered by some to be somewhat ungainly to hold (due primarily to its deep (front-to-back) but slim (side-to-side) grip, as well as the low "hump" meeting the web of the hand at the rear of the grip. These unusual ergonomics cause the barrel and slide to sit rather high above the grip. This causes recoil force to be turned into upward flip of the muzzle and torque on the wrist, doing nothing to improve the comfort of the shooter or the controllability of the gun. The Vz-52 is also well known for its very sharp report and the great amount of muzzle flash it produces. Nevertheless, many consider it a reliable and remarkably powerful weapon.

Operation

Operating controls of the Vz-52 consist of a single-action trigger, an external hammer, a magazine catch located at the heel of the grip frame, and a combination safety/decocking lever located on the left side of the receiver behind the left grip panel. The manual safety blocks movement of the sear, preventing the hammer from releasing and so firing a round. A second safety in the form of a spring-loaded firing pin block prevents the pistol from firing unless the trigger is pulled to the rear, rendering the pistol "drop safe". Because the sear must overcome the additional spring pressure of the firing pin block, an unusually heavy trigger pull results, often in the range of 8-10 pounds. The hammer is of the rebounding type, meaning that it does not contact the firing pin while in its uncocked position and cannot do so unless the trigger is pulled, another safety feature.

When a full magazine is inserted, the slide is retracted then released, cocking the hammer and collecting a cartridge from the magazine and inserting it into the chamber. Rotating the safety lever fully downward, exposing a red dot between the receiver and hammer pivot pin, renders the pistol ready to fire. Rotating the safety lever upward, covering the red dot, engages the sear block (allowing "cocked and locked" carry), and rotating the safety lever fully upward decocks the hammer by releasing the sear and intercepting the hammer's rotation. This allows safe carry of the pistol with a round in the chamber. The hammer must then be cocked manually and the safety disengaged before a round can be fired. As the trigger is pulled in this state, the trigger bar rotates the sear, a lug on the sear disengages the firing pin safety located directly above it, and the opposite side of the sear releases the hammer. The hammer impacts the firing pin, the firing pin impacts the primer of the cartridge and the shot is fired.

The Vz-52 utilizes a faily unique short recoil operating system in which a pair of vertical rollers are used to lock the barrel and slide together, via a cam block. While in battery, the recoil spring, positioned coaxially around the barrel, provides the pressure necessary to lock the barrel and slide together. When a shot is fired, the barrel and slide recoil together while the cam block is held stationary by a lug in the receiver. After travelling rearward a short distance (about 0.16" or 4mm), the rollers are allowed to disengage from the slide via recesses in the cam block. At this point, the slide is free to continue rearward, cocking the hammer, extracting the spent case from the barrel's chamber and ejecting it clear of the pistol. After reaching the end of its stroke, the slide is returned to battery by the compressed recoil spring, again collecting a fresh cartridge from the magazine and inserting it into the chamber along the way.

When the magazine is empty, its follower presses against a catch, holding the slide open. The magazine catch is located at the heel of the pistol grip, in the common European position. It is pulled toward the backstrap, releasing the magazine from its well. A potential problem arises in that there is now mimimal pressure on the magazine spring and the magazine catch is also under constant pressure from the mainspring, forcing it into contact with the rear of the magazine. This means that magazines do not drop free and occasionally take a few seconds to remove from the pistol. Releasing the slide catch is done by removing the empty magazine (or inserting a loaded one), retracting the slide and releasing it. There is no thumb-operated lever to release the slide (though an aftermarket slide release lever is available).

The system of operation is similar to that used in the MG 42 machine gun which itself hearkens back to a Polish patent of the 1930's. It results in an unusually strong firearm which allowed the Czechs to load ammunition for it to higher pressure levels (and therefore, higher velocity and energy) than compatible ammunition manufactured in other Warsaw Pact countries.

Ammunition

The Vz-52 fires a particularly hot loading of the 7.62 x 25 mm TT cartridge developed in Czechoslovakia, designated M48. It is often referred to simply as "The Czech Load". This is an 85 grain (5.5 g) FMJ bullet fired at 1,640 ft/s (500 m/s), 18% faster than the stated velocity of the common Russian load. The Czech load gives both unusually flat trajectory and relatively high penetrative power for a handgun. However, while certainly deadly, the small-caliber, full metal jacket bullet may overpenetrate and transfer only a fraction of its considerable energy to the target. This may also represent a hazard to bystanders, both those beyond the intended target and on the far side of intervening walls and doors.

In the late 1990s, after the popularity of the surplus Vz-52 had started to swell, hollow point ammunition in 7.62x25mm Tokarev became available from custom shops. The pistol proved itself capable of handling extremely hot loadings, and many shops sell custom or hand-loaded ammunition.

Replacement barrels are available to alter the caliber to 9 mm; this opens up a much wider range of ammunition choices including the use of hollow-point bullets which are far superior in stopping power. Currently, manufacturers have ceased production of 9mm drop in barrels for the CZ-52.

Surplus

Vz-52s in good condition have become available on the surplus market since the end of the Cold War and have become a popular pistol in the US. Through 2005, prices hovered around $140. With the availability of low-priced (though corrosive) surplus ammunition, it makes an economical choice.

Common Issues

It is possible for old, worn Vz-52s to fire accidentally when using the decocker. The safest way to decock the hammer is to use the take down levers and remove the slide. You then can safely use the decocker on the hammer. Another method would be to first clear the weapon, then thumb-decock the hammer, precluding the use of the decocker entirely. Testing for a bad decocker can be accomplished by clearing the weapon, dropping an undersized wooden dowel (0.25") down the barrel, cocking the hammer, holding the pistol muzzle-up, then decocking. If the dowel moves at all (it may be fully ejected from the barrel), the hammer and/or safety lever needs to be replaced.
The firing pin is made of cast steel and is subject to breakage. Dry-firing (that is, letting the hammer fall while the chamber is empty) should be avoided if possible. Fortunately for owners of the Vz-52, new tempered steel firing pins are available.
Korean-made rollers for aftermarket barrels are made of softer steel and tend to wear out quickly. Hardened aftermarket rollers are available.

External links

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