AKA : CZ52 (incorrect name but sometimes referred to as)
Caliber : 7.62x45mm and 7.62x39mm
Capacity : 10 rounds
Weight : 8.25lbs or 3.75kg
Length : 39.1in or 993mm
Action : Forward Tipping Bolt, Gas Operated Semi-Automatic
Origin : Czechoslovakia
The VZ.52 was by all accounts nothing special, even at the time of its introduction to the Czechoslovakian Army in 1952. It was the result of a need to produce a rifle firing an intermediate round, a trend that consumed the firearms world after World War 2, from lessons learnt about the effectiveness of the STG.44 Sturmgewehr. The gas system in this rifle was inspired by the MKb.42 an early experimental version of what would become the STG.44 Sturmgewehr and the trigger system borrowed from the U.S. M1 Garand rifle. Similar in appearance to the German KAR.43 and Russian SKS the VZ.52 is a very well made rifle, though the wooden stocks tend to degrade rather quickly.
The rifle has a detachable box magazine, though when it was issued to troops it only came with two magazines. The idea being that in an emergency the soldier would be able to drop one magazine and insert a fresh one, other than an emergency the idea was to load the rifle via stripper clips inserted into groves on the front of the bolt carrier to charge the magazine attached below.
The VZ.52 was originally chambered in the 7.62x45mm round. This round was developed independently from Russian research into the 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge that would be fielded in the SKS and AK-47 rifles. The Czech 7.62x45mm cartridge was used from 1952 in both the VZ.52 and the ZB.530 machinegun until 1957. In 1956 a standardization program was coming into effect throughout the Warsaw pact countries, this in turn saw the demise of the 7.62x45mm in favor of the Russian 7.62x39mm M43 round. Thus in 1957 the Czech arsenals re-chambered VZ-52's to the Russian round with a new designation mark on the rifles indicating the change "VZ.52/57.
The end of the rifles use as the Czech standard infantry rifle came very soon after the caliber change over, in 1958 a new rifle the VZ.58 was produced similar in appearance to the AK-47 though mechanically very different. When the VZ.52/57 was phased out of Czech service it went on to serve with third world nations throughout the world. It was used by the Egyptians during the Suez Canal conflict.
On a personal note, I have found the VZ.52 a pleasant rifle to shoot as its weight reduces felt recoil allowing fast follow up shots.
INTERESTING FACT : The VZ.52 ejects its spent casings to the left instead of the right.
PRO's : Low Recoil, reliable, nifty folding bayonet, Smooth action.
CON's : Original 7.62x45mm rounds have dried up. Bad Stocks
COOL FACTOR : 5/10
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