Vz-52

The Vz-52 is a Czech semi-automatic rifle designed in the post-war period. Quickly replaced by the Vz-58, the weapon was widely exported to third-world nations, and saw combat in many obscure conflicts throughout the second half of the 20th century.

Service History
The Vz-52 was developed after WWII to replace the various Mausers, such as the Vz-24 and Kar98K, that were used by the Czechoslovak army. It featured a side-folding bayonet, and although it's magazine was detachable, the primary reloading method was via Stripper clips.

The Vz-52 was chambered for the Czech-designed 7.62x45mm round. This round was considerably superior to the Soviet 7.62x39mm round, but under immense pressure from Moscow to standardize small arms ammunition within the Warsaw Pact, in 1957 the decision was made to convert Vz-52 rifles to chamber 7.62x39mm ammunition. This version was known as the Vz-52/57.

Comparatively few Vz-52/57s were converted from Vz-52s; it proved easier to simply produce new rifles. Vz-52/57s were only produced for one year before the introduction of the Vz-58 assault rifle in 1958. Vz-52s were phased out of service rather quickly, being completely withdrawn by the mid 1960s.

Vz-52s and Vz-52/57s were exported to the middle east, notably to Syria and Egypt, who used them during their wars with Israel, and to Cuba, who used them during the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, and later distributed them further to rebel groups such as the Nicaraguan FSLN and the Contra Militia, and to Angola. Most famously, over 1000 Vz-52s and Vz-52/57s were supplied to Grenada before the US Invasion in 1983. Many of these were raffled off to US Marines after the invasion and brought back to the United States.

For many years, Vz-52s seemed to have permanently passed out of use, until Syrian rebels were seen using Vz-52s in 2013. Some of these were original Vz-52s, using 7.62x45mm ammunition - which has not been produced since the 1960s.

Variants

 * Vz-52 - Basic model.
 * Vz-52/57 - Version chambered for 7.62x39mm. 500.000 made.
 * Unknown designation - Vz-52/57 with mounting rail for NSP-2.

Users

 * Czechoslovakia
 * Cuba
 * Syria
 * Egypt
 * Israel (Captured)
 * Nicaragua
 * Grenada