CZ 52

CZ 52
CZ 52 pistol
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originCzechoslovak Socialist Republic
Service history
In service1952–1982 (Czechoslovakia)
Production history
DesignerJan and Jaroslav Kratochvíl
Designed1952
Produced1952–1954
No. builtApprox. 200,000
Specifications
Mass0.95 kg (2.09 lb)
Length210 mm (8.3 in)
Barrel length120 mm (4.7 in)

Cartridge7.62×25mm Tokarev
ActionRecoil operated, roller locked
Muzzle velocity500 m/s (1,640 ft/s)
Effective firing range50 m
Feed system8-round detachable box magazine
SightsRear: notched and dovetailed
front: fixed blade

The CZ 52[1] (also known by the Czechoslovak military designations vz. 52,[2] for (vz. - vzor = model) "model of 1952", and CZ 482) is a semi-automatic pistol designed by two brothers, Jan and Jaroslav Kratochvíl, in the early 1950s for the Czechoslovak military.[3] Around 200,000 vz. 52s were made by Česká Zbrojovka in Strakonice from 1952 to 1954.[3] Before standardizing on the 7.62×25mm vz. 52, the Czechoslovak military used several domestic and foreign pistol models in three different calibers. After 30 years of military service, the vz. 52 was eventually replaced by the 9×18mm Makarov caliber vz. 82.

The CZ 52 is technically known as the vz. 52; the Czech military designation. It's often referred to as the CZ 52 to differentiate it from the vz. 52 rifle, which entered the export market before the pistol.

  1. ^ "CZ Model 52 Technical Data" (PDF). Zbrojovka Brno.
  2. ^ Pěch III-140: Předpis pro výcvik ve střelbě - 7,62 mm pistole vz. 52 [Regulations for shooting training - 7.62 mm pistol vz. 52] (in Czech). Prague: Ministry of National Defense. 1953.
  3. ^ a b Muramatsu, Kevin (18 July 2012). The Gun Digest Book of Automatic Pistols Assembly/Disassembly. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 216–225. ISBN 978-1-4402-3006-6.[permanent dead link]