SA vz.58 assault rifle

CZ Sa vz.58

(Czech.
Sa
mopal
vz
or 58,
machine gun model 1958
[4]) - Czechoslovakian and Czech machine gun, developed for the 7.62 × 39 mm cartridge in Czechoslovakia in 1958 at the state-owned arms factory Česká Zbrojovka in the city of Uherský Brod and entered service entered service in the late 1950s. Replaced the vz self-loading rifle. 52 and submachine guns Sa 24 and Sa 26. Externally resembling a Kalashnikov assault rifle, Sa vz. 58 uses a different principle of automatic operation, and AK magazines are incompatible with this machine[5]. Since 2010, it has been gradually replaced by new CZ 805 automatic machines.

Story

Sa vz.
58V with a right-folding metal stock. Development of the weapon began in 1956. The head of the project was engineer Jiri Cermak from Brno, who worked in the design office. At that time, the USSR began to advocate the adoption of a single standard for small arms for all ATS countries, as a result of which a prototype machine gun called “Koště” (Czech Broom) was created for the Soviet intermediate cartridge 7.62 × 39 mm M43, and not for the Czechoslovakian cartridge 7.62 × 45 mm vz. 52, used in the Vz. 52 and the light machine gun of the same name[6]. In 1958, a new model called Sa vz. 58

was put into service: over 25 years, more than 920 thousand copies were produced, which were in service with Czechoslovakia, Cuba, and a number of countries in Asia and Africa.

Vz. 58 was produced in three main variants: vz. 58P

(
Pěchotní
, "Infantry") with a fixed stock made of plastic repainted in wood (older models used pure wooden stocks);
vz.
58 V (Czech: Výsadkový, “Airborne”) with a metal stock folding to the right and
vz.
58 Pi (Czech: Pěchotní s infračerveným zaměřovačem, “Infantry with an infrared sight”), which provided for the installation of a dovetail mount to the left of the magazine receiver and the NSP-2 night sight, and also had a folding bipod and a conical flash hider.

In the 1990s, the ČZ 2000 assault rifle was developed chambered for 5.56 × 45 mm NATO, which was supposed to replace the Sa vz. 58, but due to a lack of financial resources from the Czech Ministry of Defense, it was never put into service. The ČZW-556 assault rifle and the ČZW-762 light machine gun were also developed, operating on the principle of a semi-free bolt with lever braking, which had higher accuracy. In 2011, the Czech Republic adopted the CZ 805 assault rifle manufactured by BREN as a replacement for the Sa vz. 58, and currently Slovakia is also considering the option of switching from Sa vz. 58 on CZ 805. Automatic Sa vz. 58, however, are stored in warehouses of the armed forces of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Description

Vz.58 after partial disassembly

Shooting principle

Automation Sa vz. 58, which can conduct single and continuous fire, is based on the removal of powder gases from the barrel bore through a drilled hole into a hollow cylinder with a short stroke of the gas piston. The machine does not have a gas regulator; all the pressure of the powder gases is directed to the piston head, which pushes it back in one impulsive blow. The piston moves back only 19 mm, and its own lightweight return spring returns it to its original position. After passing 16 mm, the powder gases exit the piston. The entire piston rod is chrome plated to prevent contamination.

The main element of the barrel locking system is a swinging combat cylinder on the bottom of the bolt, between two locking lugs. The barrel is unlocked by a short stroke of the piston, which strikes the bolt frame and pushes it back. After moving 22 mm, the wedge-shaped surface of the bolt frame moves under the breech locking element and lifts it up, disengaging. The breech locking element rises up, and this movement allows the cartridge case to be ejected. The ejector is fixed and located between grooves cut into the bottom of the bolt.

Design

Similar in appearance to the AK, the Sa vz. 58 has a fundamentally different design[7]. The trigger mechanism is striker-type, the firing pin is located inside the bolt lock with an ejector. The drummer of a tubular design protrudes from the rear of the bolt body, and behind it there is a coiled mainspring that rests against the rear wall of the receiver. A plate is welded to the open end of the firing pin, each side of which has a groove for moving along the guide rails of the receiver. There is a tooth at the bottom of the firing pin that engages with the sear when cocked. The firing pin engages the firing pin with each shot[6].

The weapon allows you to fire single shots and continuous bursts. On the right above the pistol grip there is a three-position safety switch, which can be set to safe mode (safety, vertical position), single-fire mode (1) and continuous fire mode (30). With a single fire (the translator is pulled back), the sear is turned off, and the firing pin (its left side) is blocked each time by the disconnector when attempting to re-contact the cartridge. During continuous fire (the interpreter is pulled forward), the disconnector does not operate and does not interfere with firing in bursts. When the fuse is set to safe mode, there is no connection between the trigger and the sear holding the firing pin, since the disconnector is in effect. The internal protection system can also prevent a shot when the right side of the firing pin is “captured”, and its further movement is possible only after the bolt is jerked.

For shooting, box-shaped sector magazines with 30 rounds of ammunition, made of lightweight plastic, are used[6]. After the last shot, the bolt will remain open until a magazine is inserted. The magazine release is located on the left at the base of the receiver. The ejector is at the base of the magazine receiver. 10-round clips (like the SKS) are also available. Stores Sa vz. 58 are not compatible with AK family assault rifle magazines.

This machine gun also has an interesting feature in the form of a quick change of stock: regular wooden and folding metal stocks are available for installation, as well as AR-15 style stocks with the ability to mount a buffer tube to the receiver. The tube is angled slightly downward due to the low-mounted scope. To select any option, simply pull the bolt out of the receiver and then change the stock.

Production technique

The machine is distinguished by high quality manufacturing[7]. The shutter cover is pressed out of sheet steel. There is chrome plating of the bolt, gas rods and barrel bore, as well as phosphating of the external surfaces of all parts, which are also coated with a special varnish to protect against corrosion. The butt, pistol grip and forend are made of wood (early samples), or plastic filled with wood sawdust (late samples)[7]. A bayonet can be attached to the machine gun, as well as (for some models) a bipod and an under-barrel grenade launcher.

Sights and accessories

Reserve soldiers of the Czech Armed Forces with Sa vz machine guns.
58 The sight of the machine gun consists of a front sight and an adjustable rear sight: the rear sight allows you to hit targets at a distance from 100 to 800 m with an adjustment step of 100 m. On the left side of the rear sight there is a mark in the form of the letter U ( univerzální

, "universal"). Using a machine gun, you can effectively hit both stationary and moving targets in daylight and dark at a distance of up to 300 m. The sighting line is 380 mm[6]. It is also possible to install a bayonet.

Different companies manufactured various accessories and spare parts for vz. 58: bolt in a “tactical” design, double-sided fire selectors, various forends, optical sights, muzzle brakes and compensators. All of them are suitable for both military and civilian models: soldiers from private military companies are equipped with weapons with such accessories. Also included with the machine gun are four spare magazines, a magazine pouch, a bayonet and scabbard, a cleaning brush, a muzzle cap, an oil bottle, a unified sling, a sight adjustment tool, a device for firing blank cartridges and a bipod.

Design of the SA-80 assault rifle (L85A1)

The automatic operation of the SA-80 assault rifle is based on the removal of powder gases from the barrel bore through a gas chamber located above the barrel. The gas regulator has three positions: for normal shooting, for shooting in adverse conditions, and for shooting a rifle grenade (gas outlet closed). The gas piston is made separately, has a short stroke and its own return spring. When withdrawing, the gas piston opens four holes in the gas chamber tube, through which powder gases escape into the atmosphere, for which cutouts in the barrel lining are also used. This ensures the use of only that part of the energy of the powder gases that is necessary for the operation of the automation.

An underbarrel grenade launcher for the SA-80 assault rifle makes this weapon even more futuristic

The fire selector has two positions: “R” (“Repetition”) for firing single shots and “A” (“Automatic”) for automatic shooting. Shooting continues as long as the trigger is pressed and there are cartridges in the magazine.

The SA-80 provides very high accuracy of shooting with single shots and bursts of 2 shots, so, when firing single shots at a distance of 300 meters, the average deviation is 15 cm. Of course, all this is true only for calm conditions - when shooting at a distance of 300-500 meters, a relatively light 5.56 mm bullet is noticeably “blown away” even with a not very strong side wind.

Magazines for the SA-80 rifle are interchangeable with the American M-16 rifle.

Options

Sa vz. 58 V in service with Czech KFOR peacekeepers in Kosovo

• Sa vz.
  58 P (
  Pěchotní
  , "infantry"): general-arms variant with a fixed stock[7].
  Czech soldiers called it “pádlo” (Czech pádlo - oar
  ). For special forces, there was an option with a Picatinny sighting rail[8].
• Sa vz.
  58 V (
  Výsadkový
  , "airborne"): variant with a right-folding metal stock[7], used by airborne troops and armored vehicle crews. Czech soldiers called it “kosa” (Czech braid). For special forces, there was an option with a Picatinny sighting rail[8].
• Sa vz.
  58 Pi (
  Pěchotní s infračerveným zaměřovačem
  , "infantry with infrared sight"): variant with a dovetail mount for the NSP-2 night sight, a rigid butt, a massive conical flash suppressor and a folding bipod[7]. For special forces, there was an option with a Picatinny sighting rail[8].
• AP-Z 67
  (
  Automatická puška
  , "automatic rifle"): an experimental design chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO, developed in 1966.
• ÚP-Z 70
  (
  Útočná puška
  , "assault rifle"): an experimental design chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge, developed in 1970.
• EZ-B
  (
  Experimentální zbraň
  , "experimental weapon"): a bullpup example developed in 1976.
• KLEČ
  ("mountain pine"): an RPK-style light machine gun with a 590 mm barrel, developed in 1976.
• Lehká odstřelovačská puška vz.
  58/97 ("light sniper rifle"): experimental marksman/sniper rifle developed by VTÚVM Slavičín.
• Samopal vz.
  58/98 “Bulldog” (“Bulldog” machine gun) : variant chambered for 9 × 19 mm Parabellum cartridge developed by VTÚVM Slavičín.
• CZH 2003 Sport
  : civilian self-loading version with a standard (390 mm) or shortened (295 mm) barrel. Limited production in Canada of long barrel variants (490 mm).
• CZ 858 Tactical
  : A civilian self-loading carbine produced for the Canadian market using non-military parts. Produced with a standard barrel (390 mm) version -4V or an extended barrel (482 mm) version -2. The barrel of version -2 is unchromed. External parts are varnished, similar to modern rifles. The stock is made of wood, with an image of a maple leaf engraved on the butt.
• FSN Series
  : civilian self-loading versions of the FSN-01 (390 mm) with/without a folding stock (FSN-01F and FSN-01W with a wooden stock and cheekpiece), with a shortened barrel (279 mm) and a folding stock. External parts are made of blued steel. Buttstocks for all variants, with the exception of -01W, are made of bakelite.
• CSA vz.
  58 Sporter (both
  Tactical Sporter
  and
  Military Sporter
  ): semiautomatic variants developed in 2007 for sale in the United States by Czech Small Arms. Models: Compact (190 mm, folding stock), Carbine (300 or 310 mm, folding stock) and Rifle (390 or 410 mm, rigid stock). They have a new trigger mechanism and a new receiver, excluding conversion to fully automatic weapons of the Sa vz type. 58[9]. Manufactured in .222 Remington, .223 Remington (5.56 × 45 mm NATO) or 7.62 × 39 mm cartridges.
• Rimfire VZ 58
  : Variant of the "Ogar 58" manufactured by Highland Arms in the Czech Republic.
• Vz 2008
  : Century Arms variant using American magazine receiver and barrel
• Rung Paisarn RPS-001
  : variant Sa vz. 58 with parts from the M16 assault rifle, first produced in 1986 by the Thai company Rung Paisarn Heavy Industries[10]

Countries

Engineer of the Slovak ground forces with a Sa vz. 58 V in Iraq, 2006

• Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia: was in service with the Czechoslovak People's Army until 1993[7]
• Angola Angola[11]
• Afghanistan Afghanistan[12]
• Biafra Biafra[13]
• Burkina Faso Burkina Faso[14]
• Vietnam Vietnam: used by the guerrillas of the National Front during the Vietnam War[7], also in service with the modern Vietnamese Armed Forces[15]
• Guatemala Guatemala[11]
• Guinea Guinea[12]
• India India[11]
• Iraq Iraq[11]
• Cyprus Cyprus[12]
• Cuba Cuba[12]
• Libya Libya[12]
• Mozambique Mozambique[12]
• Syria Syria: weapons of the Marine Corps of the Syrian Armed Forces, known by the nickname “Bahria” (from Ar. - “marine”)
• Slovakia Slovakia: the main weapon of the Slovak Armed Forces[12]
• Somalia Somalia[12]
• Tanzania Tanzania[12]
• Czech Republic Czech Republic: the main machine gun of the Czech Armed Forces[12][16][17], but is gradually being replaced by the CZ 805[18]
• Eritrea Eritrea[12]
• Ethiopia Ethiopia[12]

Other paramilitary forces

• Moro Islamic Liberation Front[19]
• Islamic State[20]
• New People's Army[21]
• Ulster loyalist factions[22]
• Peshmerga[23]

Countries[ | ]

Engineer of the Slovak ground forces with a Sa vz. 58 V in Iraq, 2006

• Czechoslovakia: was in service with the Czechoslovak People's Army until 1993[7]
• Angola[11]
• Afghanistan[12]
• Biafra[13]
• Burkina Faso[14]
• Vietnam: used by the guerrillas of the NLF during the Vietnam War[7], also in service with the modern Vietnamese Armed Forces[15]
• Guatemala[11]
• Guinea[12]
• India[11]
• Iraq[11]
• Cyprus[12]
• Cuba[12]
• Libya[12]
• Mozambique[12]
• Syria: weapon of the Marine Corps of the Syrian Armed Forces, known by the nickname “Bahria” (from Ar. - “marine”)
• Slovakia: the main weapon of the Slovak Armed Forces[12]
• Somalia[12]
• Tanzania[12]
• Czech Republic: the main machine gun of the Czech Armed Forces[12][16][17], but is gradually being replaced by the CZ 805[18]
• Eritrea[12]
• Ethiopia[12]

Other paramilitary forces[ | ]

• Moro Islamic Liberation Front[19]
• Islamic State[20]
• New People's Army[21]
• Ulster loyalist factions[22]
• Template:Flagification/Kurdistan Peshmerga[23]

Notes

1. Vondra si ve Vietnamu prohlížel válečnou kořist. Je to nějaké zrezivělé, řekl tiše generál Picek | zpravy.ihned.cz - Česko. zpravy.ihned.cz (March 28, 2012). Retrieved August 17, 2012.
2. Gordon L. Rottman.
   Armies of the Gulf War. - 1993. - P. 58. - ISBN 1855322773.
3. ↑ 1234
   Page vz.58 on the website of the Czech Army (Czech)
4. Description CZ Sa vz. 58 on the website world.guns.ru (inaccessible link - history
   ). Retrieved April 22, 2007. Archived May 5, 2007.
5. No AK this: the Czech Sa vz.58, Guns Magazine
   .
6. ↑ 1 2 3 4
   Holt Bodinson (August 2009),
   Century's VZ.58V: and this one shoots!
   ,
7. ↑ 12345678
   Vz.58 // “War Machine”, vol. 2, issue 21. 1984. page 413
8. ↑ 123
   Shiryaev, 2008.
9. Robert M. Hausman. Industry News: CZ Introduces Civilian Legal VZ 58 Rifles // Small Arms Review, February 2008
10. Rung Paisarn RPS-001 Archived March 23, 2010.
11. ↑ 1234
    Czechpoint – History of the Sa vz. 58 – History of the Sa vz. 58 rifle. Czechpoint-usa.com. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
12. ↑ 123456789101112
    Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. — 35th. - Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group, January 27, 2009. - ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
13. McNab, Chris.
    20th Century Military Uniforms. — 2nd. - Kent: Grange Books, 2002. - ISBN 1-84013-476-3.
14. Army Clears Protesters, Fires Warning Shots at State TV in Burkina Faso. NBC News (November 2, 2014). Retrieved October 24, 2016.
15. Czech Defense Minister talks up high-tech arms sales to Vietnam | Czech Position (inaccessible link - history
    ). Ceskapozice.cz (March 29, 2012). Retrieved August 17, 2012. Archived July 9, 2012.
16. 7.62mm samopal vzor 58 (Czech). Czech army
    . Archived from the original on December 26, 2004.
17. RUČNÍ ZBRANĚ AČR (Czech) (PDF) 16–21. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012.
18. Armada převzala ve Štěpánově nové útočné pušky. FOTO - Olomoucký deník. Olomoucky.denik.cz (19 July 2011). Retrieved August 17, 2012.
19. Timeline: Long road for Philippine-Muslim rebel group deal. South China Morning Post (7 October 2012).
20. M. Ahsan Jamal.
    ISIS Weapons and Ammunitions. International Relations Insights & Analysis. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
21. Though Greatly Weakened, Philippine Communist Insurgency Holds Steady. World Politics Review (24 October 2016).
22. Murder weapon discovered in Imperial War Museum display. BBC News (28 May 2015).
23. Peshmerga General Tells Sputnik How His Troops Plan to Clear Out Daesh. Sputnik News (January 4, 2016).

Notes[ | ]

1. Vondra si ve Vietnamu prohlížel válečnou kořist. Je to nějaké zrezivělé, řekl tiše generál Picek | zpravy.ihned.cz - Česko (undefined)
   . zpravy.ihned.cz (March 28, 2012). Retrieved August 17, 2012.
2. Gordon L. Rottman.
   Armies of the Gulf War (undefined). - 1993. - P. 58. - ISBN 1855322773.
3. ↑ 1234
   Page vz.58 on the website of the Czech Army (Czech)
4. Description CZ Sa vz. 58 on the website world.guns.ru (unspecified)
   (inaccessible link). Retrieved April 22, 2007. Archived May 5, 2007.
5. No AK this: the Czech Sa vz.58, Guns Magazine
   .
6. ↑ 1 2 3 4
   Holt Bodinson (August 2009),
   Century's VZ.58V: and this one shoots!
   ,
7. ↑ 12345678
   Vz.58 // “War Machine”, vol. 2, issue 21. 1984. page 413
8. ↑ 123
   Shiryaev, 2008.
9. Robert M. Hausman. Industry News: CZ Introduces Civilian Legal VZ 58 Rifles // Small Arms Review, February 2008
10. Rung Paisarn RPS-001 Archived March 23, 2010.
11. ↑ 1 2 3 4
    Czechpoint — History of the Sa vz.
    58 – History of the Sa vz. 58 rifle (undefined)
    . Czechpoint-usa.com. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
12. ↑ 123456789101112
    Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 (unspecified) / Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland S.. - 35th. - Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group, 2009. - ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
13. McNab, Chris.
    20th Century Military Uniforms (undefined). — 2nd. - Kent: Grange Books, 2002. - ISBN 1-84013-476-3.
14. Army Clears Protesters, Fires Warning Shots at State TV in Burkina Faso (unspecified)
    . NBC News (November 2, 2014). Retrieved October 24, 2020.
15. Czech Defense Minister talks up high-tech arms sales to Vietnam | Czech Position (undefined)
    (inaccessible link). Ceskapozice.cz (March 29, 2012). Retrieved August 17, 2012. Archived July 9, 2012.
16. 7.62mm samopal vzor 58 (Czech). Czech army
    . Archived from the original on December 26, 2004.
17. RUČNÍ ZBRANĚ AČR (Czech) (PDF) 16–21. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012.
18. Armada převzala ve Štěpánově nové útočné pušky. FOTO - Olomoucký deník (undefined)
    . Olomoucky.denik.cz (19 July 2011). Retrieved August 17, 2012.
19. Timeline: Long road for Philippine-Muslim rebel group deal (unspecified)
    . South China Morning Post (7 October 2012).
20. M. Ahsan Jamal.
    ISIS Weapons and Ammunitions
    (undefined)
    . International Relations Insights & Analysis. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
21. Though Greatly Weakened, Philippine Communist Insurgency Holds Steady (unspecified)
    . World Politics Review (24 October 2016).
22. Murder weapon discovered in Imperial War Museum display (undefined)
    . BBC News (28 May 2015).
23. Peshmerga General Tells Sputnik How His Troops Plan to Clear Out Daesh (unspecified)
    . Sputnik News (January 4, 2016).