| Vz. 52 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin | 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 (23.0 in) |
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| Cartridge | 7.62x45mm vz. 52, 7.62x39mm M43 (Vz. 52/57) |
| Action | Gas-operated, tilting breechblock |
| Rate of fire | 900-1150 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 760 m/s |
| 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 the Czechoslovak Armed Forces.
The Vz. 52 was originally called the ZB 501, and was designed by Václav Holek. It is 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 an integral bipod and interchangeable barrels, and its feed system is designed to take metallic belts or box magazines interchangeably and withouth any modifications.
The Vz. 52 initially used the Czech 7.62x45mm vz. 52 cartridge, but in the mid-1950s it was converted to the standard 7.62x39mm Warsaw Pact round by Jaroslav Myslík, and named the vz.52/57.
Both models were replaced in 1963-64 by the Universal Machine Gun Model 1959, also known as the Uk vz. 59.
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