Vz 61
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| vzor 61 Škorpion | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | submachine gun |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1960– |
| Used by | Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Yugoslavia |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1959 |
| Manufacturer | Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod (CZ) |
| Number built | ~210 000 |
| Variants |
|
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1.28 kg |
| Length | 270/517 mm |
| Barrel length | 115 mm |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | .32 ACP |
| Caliber | 7.65 mm |
| Action | Blowback |
| Rate of fire | 850 round/min |
| Effective range | 25 m |
| Feed system | 10, 20 rounds box magazine |
| Sights | iron sights |
The vz 61 (correctly Sa vz 61 short for samopal vzor 61; submachine gun model 1961), or Škorpion (scorpion), is a Czechoslovakian submachine gun. It is designed to fire 7.65 x 17 mm ammunition, also known as .32 ACP. Variants in 9 x 17 mm (.380 ACP), 9 x 18 mm Makarov, and 9 x 19 mm have also been reported.
Contents |
[edit] History
The small sized gun was designed by Miroslav Rybář (1924-1970) to be used by special forces, crews of armored vehicles and helicopters and officers. Every policeman (member of Veřejná bezpečnost) in Czechoslovakia was also equipped with Škorpion as an supplemental weapon. The weapon was produced in Česká zbrojovka in Uherský Brod during 1962 - 1979. Around 210,000 units were produced. Since 1992 it is manufactured again under name samopal vzor 61 E. Under a license it was produced by Zavodi Crvena Zastava in former Yugoslavia.
Czech special forces had switched to Heckler & Koch MP5 but Škorpion still remains as an equipment in Czech Army and police.
The Škorpion is employed by Serbia and Montenegro as the M61 and M84.
[edit] Characteristics
Its light weight and small size make it a popular choice for personnel inside aircraft, tanks and cars. It has also been used by terrorist groups. Although it fires a relatively weak round (.32 ACP) and has a short effective range of 25 meters, it is a very efficient weapon in close quarters combat (CQC) and widely used in Central and Eastern European nations.
The Škorpion can be fired in single-shot or fully automatic mode and features an ambidextrous cocking handle. It can be carried in a holster, and can be fired with either one or two hands gripping the gun. This, along with the extendable stock, gives it a longer effective range than most pistols of the same caliber.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
This firearms-related article is a stub. You can help by expanding it
