Vz 58
Overview
Vz58V
Soldier taking aim with a Vz 58V assault rifle.
Source: acr.army.cz -
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Czech for "model of 1958"
Vz 58P / Vz 58 Pěchotní
Czech for "Vz 58 infantry"
Vz 58V / Vz 58 Výsadkový
Czech for "Vz 58 airborne"
Description
Introduction
The Vz 58 is an assault rifle of Czechoslovak origin. It is often mistaken for a derivate of the AK-47, but it is very different internally. The Vz 58 is no longer produced, but remains in widespread use.
Design
The Vz 58 was developed at the same time as the Soviet AKM. The AK-47 was used as an example, but resulted in a very design with similar capabilities. It uses a short stroke gas piston and a falling breechblock. Although chambered for 7.62x39mm, the magazines of the Vz 58 and AK-47 are not interchangeable.
Firepower
The Vz 58 is a select fire rifle that fires the 7.62x39mm Soviet round from 30 round magazines. The cyclic rate of fire is 800 rpm, which is higher than the AK-47 and its derivatives. The effective range is about 300 meters.
Users
The Vz 58 was the standard issue rifle of Czechoslovakia and remains in service with the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Vz 58 has also been widely exported, mainly to Africa.
Variants
Vz 58
The Vz 58 assault rifle was produced in two versions. The infantry model with fixed stock (top) and paratrooper model with folding stock (bottom).
Source: www.israeli-weapons.com -
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Vz 58 variants
The Vz 58 is an assault rifle that externally has great resemblance with the AK-47. Internally the Vz 58 is very different as it uses a short stroke gas piston.
The fixed stock model is the Vz 58P, with P standing for "Pěchotní" which is Czech for "infantry".
The folding stock model is the Vz 58V, with the V standing for "Výsadkový" which is Czech for "airborne".
Details
Related articles
Kalashnikov AK-47
The Vz 58 is often at a glance deemed to be an offspring of the Kalashnikov design. However, the Vz 58 uses a different operating mechanism.