Vz. 52 (machine gun)

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Vz. 52

Type Light machine gun
Place of origin Flag of Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia
Service history
In service 1952-1964
Used by Czechoslovakia
Production history
Designer Václav Holek
Designed 1950s
Manufacturer Zbrojovka Brno
Number built 8.000
Variants Vz.52/57
Specifications
Weight 8.0 kg (17.64 lb)
Length 1,045 mm (41.1 in)
Barrel length 583 mm (23 in)

Cartridge 7.62x45mm vz. 52
Action Gas-operated, tilting breechblock
Rate of fire 900-1150 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 760 m/sec
Effective range 900/800 m
Maximum range 2800 m
Feed system 50-round belt or 25 round detachable box magazine
Sights Iron sights

The vz. 52 (7,62 mm lehký kulomet vzor 52) is a Czechoslovak light machine gun developed after the Second World War for Czechoslovakian military.

Vz. 52, originally ZB 501 designed by Václav Holek, is a gas operated and uses a tilting bolt, that locks into the roof of the receiver. Its overall action is based on the Czech ZB-26 light machine gun. It has integral bipod and interchangeable barrel and its feed system is designed to take metallic belts or box magazines interchangeably and withouth any modifications.

Vz. 52 used Czech 7.62x45mm vz. 52 cartridge, but in mid-50's it was converted to the standard Warsaw Pact round, the 7.62x39mm, by Jaroslav Myslík and named as vz.52/57.

Both models were replaced in 1963-64 by Universal Machine gun model 1959.

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