In Search of Hard Currency: Prototype 9x19mm vz52 Pistol

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The vz.52 pistol was originally adopted by Czechoslovakia as a short-term option, with an intention to quickly replace it with something better. The problem was that without a viable domestic pistol, the Soviet Union would have forced Czechoslovakia to start production of the TT-33 Tokarev. Out of national pride, they did not want to do this - and successfully avoided producing the other standard Soviet bloc small arms as well (like the AK). Well, no alternative was forthcoming for more than 20 years.
In the 1960s, the CZ factory began looking at options for a 9x19mm pistol to export for hard currency, as there was really no Western market for a pistol in 7.62x25mm Tokarev. The project became more serious in 1970 with a real potential for export sales from a Belgian business. At that time, the only option is CZ's catalog was to simply convert the vz52 to the 9x19mm cartridge, and that was explored. What we have today is one of the factory prototypes of this conversion. It was originally a standard military pistol, retrofitted with a new barrel and ejector, and remarked "vz70" and "9mm PARABELUM" [sic].
Of course, the problems of the vz52 in 7.62mm carried right over to the 9mm version. It had ergonomic problems, reliability problems, and durability problems - and the Belgian business connection was not really excited in trying to market it. Instead, they found a new pistol in development that looked much more promising; the gun that would become the CZ75. But that is a story for a different series of videos...
Contact:
Forgotten Weapons
6281 N. Oracle 36270
Tucson, AZ 85740

[@Goofy_Boots]

I love how Czechs did their own thing before, during AND after the soviet era.

[@therogers4432]

They're a fine people in many ways -as a Brit, I've worked with a lot of Czech guys who work harder, longer and better than 99% of Brits and with zero complaining, and they have this crazy concept of taking enormous pride in their work that very few Brits seem to understand, sadly... Also, an old buddy of mine married a stunningly beautiful Czech girl 20 years younger than him, sold his house in the UK and moved out to the Czech Republic to start a family with her, and they're the happiest, most chilled couple that I've ever had the pleasure of knowing... Life really hadn't been kind to him until he met her and he was long-overdue a bit of luck, and so I wish them nothing but happiness and hope to get out and visit them soon, because I'm told she has 2 fine sisters...

[@MintyLime703]

Even the Soviets didn't want to meddle with Czech firearms production. They interfered with just about everybody else but the czechs had enough of a reputation to to do their own thing. Except for being a free people, of course.

[@allanfulton8922]

@@therogers4432 well let her sister's know I'm in need of some luck. Lol just kidding. Let's hope Putin is overcome or at the very least satiated with his war with the Ukraine whom I really hope win but let's hope if the worst happens Putin doesn't decide to try for more soviet era countries

[@pb68slab18]

@@therogers4432 And Czech women are smokin' hot!

[@Mustang6971]

The Czechs are like honey badger they don’t give a shit. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqOaqHuDnJqMoMk just in case someone doesn’t know watch this video skip to 35 second in.

[@superbun277]

"They intended to only keep it for a short while before replacing it with something better... well, it would take almost 25 years to get something better." Ahh, there is nothing more permanent than a temporary solution.

[@jirja3192]

Even thought there were two cool designs ready to replace it...

[@clothar23]

@@jirja3192 You're clearly not familiar with military procurement procedures if you think the mere existence of better designs would speed up adoption of said better designs. Hell I am surprised it only took a mere 25 years. Look how long the M-16 and it's variants have soldiered on. Despite several better designs being available.

[@jirja3192]

@@clothar23 The problem was that it only needed decision of General Čepička, a friend of president Klement Gottwald who promoted him from private to general and made him lead the army. It was completly different situation than in US...

[@clothar23]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine While I would agree no single design surpasses the M16 in any significant way there are plenty that are incrementally to moderately better. Such as the ability to handle fouling and things getting into the internals better. Or the ability to handle hotter rounds without sacrificing too much in the way of accuracy or user comfort. An important factor in my opinion since modern militaries are fielding better body armour these days. And frankly weapon design , armour design , and troop training are rapidly approaching a point where even incremental gains are becoming significant ones.

[@jiribatysta87]

Situation with incompetent leadership where only requisite for a position was party affiliation, working class origin and no spine made things difficult. They adopted subpar cz82 30 years later even though they made excellent cz75 7 years prior. But that was for export only. You see, comunists loved western hard currency, no matter how ironic it sounds. Our industry was spitting out many quality products, but we could only get our hands on subpar šit. We had to buy even zinc coated screws and nails at the black market from factory workers who had access to them. Regular non coated screws would rust away pretty quickly.

[@jamesn8750]

Belgium: "Your pistol isn't ergonomic or durable" Czechs: Takes criticism seriously, comes out with CZ75

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

My primary carry. Love my CZ75B.

[@Omniseed]

And there are so many wonderful variants

[@reginaldsafety6090]

Lol, only after they refuse to buy the conversions they whipped up.

[@ManOnTheRange]

my cz75 is lovely too but i use cz52 more as EDC because its slimmer :-)

[@Yance_000]

@@ManOnTheRange That's a pretty baddass concealed carry

[@pb68slab18]

I'm a rabid CZ fan. I have a -27, -52, -58, -82 and several -75s. I have a 9x19 conversion barrel in my -52. I've been a Toolmaker going on 45yrs and the -52 slide still amazes me. What a beautifully machined piece of steel sculpture. Before CNC machines too.

[@RUSTYSURPLUS]

hello i have a CZ 52 and it has the 9MM conversion barrel in it.. i havent shot it yet. does it take the 9MM Lugar round ? also will the 7.62x25 extractor that is in it right now still work ? thanks RUSTY

[@donwyoming1936]

I remember when Century Arms contacted the Czech armory about the faulty hammer drop safety, and the Czechs replied it was never designed to drop the hammer. But, we'll come up with a fix anyway.

[@livingcorpse5664]

Bob Ross: "There are no mistakes, just happy accidents."

[@CtrlAltRetreat]

”Wait, you want the safety to drop the hammer? Isn't that what the decocker is for? but sure ok we'll get on that”

[@michaelbritt7609]

@@livingcorpse5664 Coincidentally, I'm wearing a shirt with that quote on it right now

[@wastedangelematis]

@@michaelbritt7609 you might win the lottery, such a timing

[@ddorko]

I bought a 9mm conversion barrel when they were still available through Sportsman's guide. I had to modify the profile of the extractor to reliable extract 9mm but it works really well in either caliber now with the simple switch of the barrel.

[@johnfroehling5653]

Vz 52 was my first pistol. Surplus and "broke in" it never had a hiccup and was ugly as heck. I wish I never gave it up.

[@paulbroadway987]

I still have mine! I bought it when I was 21 years old.

[@MrDDiRusso]

Has the firing pin lasted? They are brittle and I had a broken firing pin hit me in the face. I had a 9mm version also that jammed every time.

[@paulsecrest9427]

I had a cz 52 in 762×25 bought it arsenal unissued. Bought it for 125 in the late 90s sold it for 75 bucks. I am kicking myself everyday.

[@paulbroadway987]

@@MrDDiRusso I replaced mine with an aftermarket firing pin and keep a snap cap in the breech to prevent wear.

[@christopherreed4723]

I bought one for the ingenious roller-locking mechanism and the fact that, by making a pistol for a Soviet-specified cartridge that was in most respects better than the Soviet pistol, the Czechs were subtly giving Moscow the finger. I do wonder how many Soviet officers bought Czech ammo for their Tokarevs, had the gun come apart on them, and were told "Ammunition is safe to use in our pistols, if yours broke, with all due respect, we fail to see how that's our problem..."Comrade"."

[@JaWz6]

"In Search of Hard Currency" would be a great title for an autobiography

[@SimuLord]

I wonder if the Romanian armaments minister from the 70s ever wrote a memoir. Definitely a perfect title for an English translation.

[@Crangaso]

Nearly everytime I watch this channel I'm like damn, now I want one!

[@beargillium2369]

I also watched the zip22 video 🤠

[@PosranaRegistrace]

@@beargillium2369 :D

[@ManOnTheRange]

and you can... there are 9mm barrels for cz52 but it doesnt like light 9mm loads

[@Crangaso]

@@ManOnTheRange Sweet, 124 grain NATO rounds all day!! Thanks Brother

[@cojekomupotom6670]

Just a note: In the army acceptance protocol is also stated, that replacement for vz. 52 pistol is required. All in one document.

[@joeinmi8671]

7.62x25 is a sweet shooting cartdrige. I miss $120 1000/rnd 7.62x25 crates!

[@Bert2368]

But not those extra hard primers!

[@randallmunson9909]

Now the cartridge is @ $1.00/ rd.

[@gregorymaine9615]

Heck, I just miss cheap ammo in general.

[@danjohnson8170]

Norinco 7.62x25 was the best. Over 3k rounds through a CZ-52 and not a single FTF or hiccup of any color or odor.

[@walterblock8272]

7.62x25 >>> 9mm

[@mikaelkanerva1591]

Would be nice to have an episode/short series on the development of the CZ75, even though it is by no means forgotten.

[@ShootAUT]

That would be nice, since it's an interesting topic. What I like most about it is that CZ brought the Koucký brothers back from retirement to design the pistol. They were in their sixties by then.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

I will be doing that series on my next trip over there.

[@Hiromuz]

@@ForgottenWeapons Great news! Can't wait for that.

[@Mr_T_Badger]

@@ForgottenWeapons as the CZ-75 is one of my favourite pistols, I thank you and look forward to it.

[@FrantisekPicifuk]

Just to further clarify. The "vz." stands "vzor" and that translates very well to "pattern" or indeed "model".

[@ReiSatoru]

I'd say more "pattern" than "model"..

[@FrantisekPicifuk]

@@ReiSatoru I agree

[@fanta4897]

''Pattern'' or ''template'' would probably be the best translation, since model exists in czech as well.

[@krkprd]

More like mark, like for example in Mk. 48.

[@FrantisekPicifuk]

@@fanta4897 I'm not convinced that "model" is originally a Czech word though, so that could be actually non translation. Realistically, when spoken here, model will carry the same meaning in this context as it will in english speaking countries. I'd say pattern is the best translation to understand the meaning to the vz. Prefix

[@BRANFED]

used to own a CZ 52.. loved the the way the barrel/slide detached.. that 7.656x25 is a pretty hot round too

[@davidbenner2289]

I bought a few in 7.62 Tok for less than $100. I also bought some barrels I wanted to change over to 9x19. I could never find anyone that didn't want my first child as payment (U. S. Marines got him later. And my third, fifth and seventh children). I hunted with the CZ52 for small game. I loved it. But I wouldn't know good from bad, I used to carry CCL a 1911A1 .45. Lol.

[@davidbenner2289]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine my combat experienced and combat wounded Marine children carry 1911's. My youngest daughter carries a Colt Commander in 45ACP. I carry a full blown 1911. I'm comfortable around them. I've been with a 1911 for 50 years now.

[@davidbenner2289]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine you are correct.

[@Sman7290]

There are a few of us that would probably buy it.

[@sanguinemoon9201]

I'd buy one. Would go well next to my cz75's

[@invisibletosociety8338]

I would buy one, it's an interesting pistol.

[@skipfred]

Having not watched the video, I'll take the risk of saying I'd buy one. It'd go well with my CZ83

[@jeremypike9153]

The CZ 52 was actually a pretty interesting gun it definitely has its own delay mechanism not a tilting barrel or straight blow back low pressure gun.

[@AshleyPomeroy]

@@jeremypike9153 From what I remember the mechanism is similar to the MG42.

[@MrBusinessAsUsual]

You are in the Czech Republic, hope you enjoy the trip in our little country!! :)

[@Viper2132]

I love my CZ52. It looks futuristic.

[@moonman5880]

Gun conversions are funny sometimes. One good example is the Glock 44, which is a terrible 22lr. pistol compared to it's aftermarket counterparts.

[@Trains-With-Shane]

I love my vz52. But i'd really love to have one as originally designed not only chambered in 9x19 but with the western style mag release and da/sa trigger.

[@gregorymaine9615]

You might enjoy a CZ82 in 9mm Makarov then, or perhaps a CZ83 in 380 Auto.

[@seanfoltz7645]

I'm a fan of the CZ52 in its original caliber as the 7.62x25 is a nice, flat shooting round, the pistol has a beautiful look and shape, it fits perfectly in my hand and firing military ammo at the range never fails to turn heads as the sharp, rifle-like crack and huge muzzle flash is awesome! As for durability, one can replace the firing pin and other problem parts with modern stuff for around $100 or so and thus make the 52 into an extremely reliable pistol which fired some of the hottest and fastest rounds one could find until all of this 5mm stuff started showing up. I've got two so I'm currently saving up to get a good chrome job on one of them - yes, the chrome will cost more than the gun but I'm pretty sure it'll look sharp as all get out.

[@agoogleaccount2861]

I'd be very careful with plating that gun. The roller locks will be really hard on plating and it might interfere with tolerances . Nothing wrong with the original finish or even the blue finish on rearsenaled guns.

[@wesleyrussell8386]

CZ/VZ pistols have been one of my favorites aesthetically for a long time. Love the long subtle slope on the bottom towards the muzzle, love the high plastic grips up to the slide.

[@patpatterson12]

I really like the 7.62x25 round. I've got a Zastava M57 pistol and a PP-S43C subgun, and I reload for them because I can't always be sure commercial ammo will be available. I make SURE I pick up my brass, which is difficult because it FLIES! I only really discovered the advantages of the CZ75 in the past few years. I have one of the closes, a Tanfoglio Mossad. Wish I could be there and see the factory!

[@al_lahn4264]

Ian: This is not a particularly fantastic pistol. Me: (yelling at the TV) You take that back! My Wife: That's one you have, right? Me: Yes! My Wife: Well, Gun Jesus doesn't agree with you.

[@SimuLord]

You married well. Good snark is hard to find.

[@edelmann4388]

I had one CZ/VZ 52 in 7.63 years ago and loved to take it out to the range. I never had reliability issue with in firing thousands of rounds, using various factory load, military surplus and hand loaded with different bullets (e.g copper plated lead or lacquered lead for ranges not allowing fmj). most fun was bowling ping shooting sometimes not even dropping the pin when bullet went through. also mostly surplus round (Austrian Hirtenberger "for MP41" ) made much fun in distracting other shooters by boom and flash - making lots of .357 magnum look like plinking guns. for the 9mm conversion I never had any interest as the 7.62 was so much fun. one thing on reliability - or safety: some years ago reports on faulty overaged surplus 7.62 ammo was out to read. VZ/CZ 52 didn't survive a catastrophic ammo explosion too, but usually only the frame broke under the ejector window and tears along the barrel but no spall or gun parts flying around and endanger people. Soviet Tokarev guns and their copies didn't fair that well causing serious injuries with top covers completely disintegrating.

[@Jay-mv7xv]

Excellent content! Love seeing these experimental conversion pieces! 👍

[@JerresYouTubular]

First time I picked up a CZ 75 at a gun show in the 80's and felt the buttery-smooth double action pull I should invested in CZ stock. I KNEW it was going to be a hit. Now i'll be lucky just finding an original CZ 75 for a decent price.

[@txgunguy2766]

When I was in the army I handled a CZ52 at an off post gun shop and the thing I remember most is how long and narrow the grip was. It was not comfortable to hold and I can't imagine how uncomfortable it would be to shoot. The closest similarity I can think of is the Mossberg shotgun pistol grip.

[@txgunguy2766]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine I wasn't talking about the recoil, I was talking about the grip shape.

[@williamromine5715]

Thank you for the "spelling lesson". It is amazing what we learn from Ian's "forgotten Weapons" channel. You are a learned gentleman, and I salute you.

[@tylerloveless9836]

That’s really interesting. I’ve got one of these in 9mm, numbers matching on slide, barrel, and frame. Military acceptance stamp of 1954, built in the same factory, and no commercial stamping on the left side of the slide like this one has. Also has the flat ejector instead of this one.

[@vidgrip8622]

I have one of those as well. Purchased in '93 or thereabouts. Was advertised as available in both calibers.

[@bigmikeh5827]

One of the pistols I missed the boat on. Thanks for sharing Ian..

[@thomasozminkowski2589]

I had a CZ52 in 9mm. Research seemed to show that as milsurp interest in the 7.62 was waining they rebarreled some in 9mm. How this was different from the one in this video, the barrel was proifed and serialed to the pistol but no change in extractir or ejector. Also it was still marked as a VZ52. The slide was polished and blued but the rest was black oxide. It had a late 53 serial number.

[@douglaspurcell4192]

Had a 52 many moons ago. made wood slabs for it and ported the slide and barrel. Made for quite a show when flames shot out the top of the slide. Liked the tokarev round, fun to shoot. Made a new heel for one of the mags, had a sort of luger mag profile. When you pulled down on the dimpled mag bottom, it pushed the heel mag catch out of the way so the mag came out in one motion. The inside of that gun was like a swiss watch. My Norinco tokarev looked like the hammer group was made from welding slag shaped with a bench grinder. The surface would shred cleaning patches, but it always worked and the gun itself had a good finish. Had a TZ75 that had some serious geometry problems in the trigger group, took forever to hone it to work reliably. Ran like hot butter after that. my favorite crunchenticker 9 pistol with perfect ergonomics for my hands.

[@AsbestosMuffins]

that styling makes it look like a large frame PPK

[@dbmail545]

I had one of those, or at least a conversion to 9x19mm. Was not marked VZ-90, and had feeding issues due to the shorter cartridge. It appeared to be a VERY rough factory rebuild with fresh bluing and aggressive staking of the pins. I installed the 9x19mm barrel and cut down recoil in my much nicer VZ 52 in 7.62x25 pistol. I never knew that CZUB actually made any of those in-house.

[@vladpiranha]

In all fairness to the lowly vz52 conversion, I'd take a CZ75 over pretty much anything.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Ian . 🐺

[@donaldchapman6161]

I had a CZ 52 for a while. But I traded it off before actually getting to shoot it. I have been considering replacing it. And was glad to see your take on it. Maybe I can find a CZ 70 sometime in the future as well

[@seanlukew7499]

These look soo cool to me! Roller locked is very interesting.

[@Crangaso]

On the 6th day Gun Jesus formed gunpowder from the dust of the earh & the sweat his brow.

[@akatripclaymore.9679]

Have owned several CZ 52's most were chambered for 7.62× 25.. Just a hopped up .30 mauser. .but a couple were 9×19 PARABELLUM. They are very smooth and not much recoil, but are also a very large & heavy pistol.

[@JuddKramer]

"Heavy is good. If it doesn't work, you can always hit him with it." - Boris the Blade

[@Miata822]

I enjoy shooting my CZ-52 from time to time. It is quite accurate and has a high-drama muzzle flash. The look reminds me of a shark for some reason. Just be sure not to use the surplus 7.62 machine gun ammo as I hear it can get kind of explody.

[@dbmail545]

That gun was made to shoot the M48 SMG ammo. An acquaintance of my got a box of it somehow and the 52 shot it fine, despite the enormous muzzle blast.

[@HiroNguy]

@@dbmail545 30 years ago I read that the Vz-52 is the only pistol designed to handle SMG ammo pressures. So don't shoot the hot ammo in a Tokarev or anything else. The Czechs did this for military logistics reasons, ammo interchangeability.

[@agoogleaccount2861]

The old. Cz52 Smg ammo explody thing. Well I've seen this phenomenon firsthand Fwiw. While the cz 52 could handle some smg ammo it's not advisable due to their barrel not being very thick and then there's this .. Powder degrades and causes cartridge pressure to go up. Resulting in a "Unsafe at any speed" condition in a thin vz 52 or tt33 . There a lot of old corrosive 7.62 ammo from Bulgaria and a few other less well known sources.. that is way too hot for Any pistol. A lot of it is packed in old skinny pink ish paper packs with blurry illegible brownish labels and was imported in the 80s.. but production dates look early 50s. And usually there's a few cracked case necks .. .. I'm told it's really the ammo for sa26 submachine gun and this stuff has already blown up a lot of pistols Old sus looking pink wrapped Tok ammo = exploding offer for a pistol.

[@HiroNguy]

@@agoogleaccount2861 OK important safety tip. Thanks! Also: Do not cross the streams....

[@Miata822]

@@agoogleaccount2861 Thanks for an excellent reply. This is just in line with what I had heard.

[@greghardy9476]

I used to have both a 7.62x25 and 9mm conversion. I gave the 9mm to my brother but still have the 7.62. Love it. Accurate and reliable. The 9.mm on the other hand, the only thing it would feed reliably was FMJ round nose. My brother still has his too. Got them for $115 each 25 years ago.

[@egrojkeltoi6048]

Mi fabricante favorito. Tengo una CZ 75 , y aunque es un arma pesada, fiabilidad máxima.

[@matthayward7889]

That VZ70 is very handsome looking! I often wonder if 7.62x25 will ever make a come back as a relatively night velocity PDW cartridge (with more modern projectiles)

[@gergokerekes4550]

the "boomer" 5.7 its concept was kinda ahead of its time. still it can punch through some soft body armors.

[@zacharyrollick6169]

The Chinese make a P226 clone in 7.62x25. The thought makes me drool.

[@Solnoric]

I don't know about as a PDW round but it makes a superb small game round. It'd be a great thing to have it in PCC. The sectional density of the 7.62x25 is it's downfall as a PDW cartridge. It transfers energy fast but doesn't carry that energy deeply, which you need to punch through armor. Given that plus the fact that the 5.7 has approximately the same muzzle energy but much higher velocity and favorable ballistic coefficient...

[@LancerFIN]

7.62x25 will not make a comeback. Basic FMJ bullet penetrates level IIIA body armor.

[@dbmail545]

7.62x25 is a better SMG round than 9x19 because of its flatter trajectory and longer range. The SCHV concept has been tried in pistols quite a few times, and has been judged lacking. The greater effective range does not justify the reduced knock-down power of the lighter bullet. Look at how poorly the FN 5.7x28 and the HK 4.5x30 have done on the market. Heavy, slow bullets still seem to be most popular for handguns.

[@wlewisiii]

There used to be third party 9x19 barrels available. It worked well enough for a range toy, but I far prefer my Canik cz75 clone.

[@ManOnTheRange]

i have one and 9mm works with vz52 but only with hotter loads

[@js312raf]

Czech actually uses double consonants, but in just a couple of words. For example "denník", which means "a journal", or "měkký", which means "soft".

[@jirja3192]

Czechoslovakia after WW2 was evaluating both 9x19 Parabellum and 7.62x25 Tokarev and found out 9mm is more suitable for pistols and SMGs. First there were tries to remake ČZ vz.38 into 9x19 by it's original creator F. Myška and J. Čermák (who later made vz.58) resulting in guns such as ČZ 147, 471 and 481 with the last type having 14 round magazine and SA/DA trigger. However gun from Kratochvíl brothers ČZ 482 and 491 were more advanced and thus won the contract. Sadly USSR demanded unification and it was decided to return to 7.62 which almost led to cancelation of whole project and replacing it with Tokarev (a big shame for czech gunsmiths). At the end it was accepted as vz.52 but there were plans to replace it with better gun such as ČZ 531, basically a hybrid between TT-33 and ČZ vz.24, and ZK 524 which was basically a heavily modified M1911 in 7.62. From political reasons (pretty stupid ones) it was decided to not replace it so it remained standard sidearm for a long time...

[@elek101]

9mm barrels for CZ vz. 52 pistols are very common in Czechia. I own one with both the 7.62 and 9mm barrels

[@BatCaveOz]

Do we know if the barrel was the the actual, original, serialised barrel that was bored out to 9mm and retained it's existing serial number? Or was it a "blank" barrel taken out of stock at the CZ factory and retro fitted by the factory to have matching serial numbers?

[@dbmail545]

I think that you already know the answer to that. I have never heard of any barrels being bored out to a different caliber after 1940.

[@billwiesepape7614]

I've seen CZ52 in 9mm with (I assume) an aftermarket barrel that was serialed to match the gun. Slide was missing the marking of version number and caliber which was a dead giveaway that it wasn't a factory job.

[@Grayfox988]

It's still a nice-looking early cold-war piece to me.

[@pooppantsmckenzie]

I have a factory 9mm vz52 in the G 10500 range with matching barrel and 53 acceptance mark. it's almost identical to the 7.62 guns as it has the stock extractor and ejector but it's missing all markings on the side on the slide and was left in the white then given a cheesy black powder coat

[@caseyb1346]

IDK if you can get your hands on one, but I just heard of a "Tupara" Musket, basically a double barrel shotgun that the Maori used during their Musket wars. I think that'd be a rare thing with a lot of history to get on the show.

[@mauganra2589]

Can you do a video on the vz 15 pistol? It seems to be truly forgotten and it looked like a cool gun. I don’t think it ever got officially released either and I’d like to know why.

[@craigmerrell36]

I had one that had been converted…. Amazing gun!!!!

[@danieliussupienis9703]

To me at least, it looks like a Makarov with Walther grip, kinda.

[@g-dcomplex1609]

I love this design

[@ZGryphon]

"It has ergonomics problems" is an extremely diplomatic way of putting it. Personally, I'd have gone for something more like "it was evidently designed to be gripped by a robotic pincer rather than a human hand," but then I'm not speaking from CZ's own actual premises. :)

[@vidgrip8622]

Speaking on behalf of the robots ... my CZ 52 is the only handgun I have ever owned. Feels fine to me and when I borrow other peoples guns on a range my first thought is always "eeew, this is so wrong".

[@noahdoyle6780]

If you haven't done a video on the Cz52 (?) rifle, you should. Interesting, strange weapon. Wish I still had mine.

[@natef.5880]

I had a CZ52 that was converted before I bought it from Sarco when I first got my C & R liscense. It ran like a tank and had recoil more like a .40 or .45, 😆 ! I did replace the rollers with stronger ones. Which I remember being super difficult for a novice. Sadly it was destroyed in a fire...

[@williamsample2631]

Sacrilege, how could you let a poor pistol come to that demise!

[@natef.5880]

@@williamsample2631 I had to choose between it and my cat, 😆 It was not easy to save a scared cat, they hide! Coincidentally he is still alive at 16 1/2 yrs...

[@illtemperedcur9798]

I'm scratching my head thinking about why you'd start a fire in your canoe...

[@keithweiss7899]

I love the 52. The roller block system always works. I’m wondering if the spring needed to be replaced.

[@jirja3192]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine Czech 7.62x25 is 25% stronger than Soviet one. Cases of broken recievers were really common...

[@SimuLord]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine My ex-girlfriend had a Bulgarian Makarov in 9x18 and handloaded it as spicy as the Bulgarians like it, and her pistol never once complained. And before you ask about the girl: I did. She said no. Broke my heart.

[@jirja3192]

​@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine From 50s to 60s there were hotrodded 7.62x25 cartridges known as 7,62CH25MM meant for SMGs. They used steel case and were not meant to be used in vz.52. Looking at photos of cracked vz.52s i think it was due to wear caused by low durability but i think negligence with ammo types is also responsible. They were abandoned during 60s when vz.24/26 SMGs were mostly replaced by vz.58 and vz.61 so i guess some might have been issued by negligent armorers.

[@promiscuous5761]

Thank you.

[@beargillium2369]

Interesting I just watched your korriphila video, which looks incredibly similar!

[@Balmung60]

Temporary solution Stays in service for 25 years Remember, nothing is more permanent than a temporary solution

[@steve-rr3nq]

I like the CZ-52. it is a good reliable sidearm.

[@ejharbet6390]

I had a cz52 in the tok round and if they built it,(not converted,built it) in 9mm I would definitely get one. They are excellent guns and if I had access to cheap ammo it'd definitely be a favorite

[@pavelsima5853]

THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!

[@DaweSMF]

Just a remark. Czech language uses 2 same letters in row, its just rare. For example "tišší" which means quieter.

[@wildweasel8564]

I bought a CZ-52 with accessories from Federal Ordnance for $99.00 back in the 90s. Still going strong after 30 years. Also sitting on an unopened Spam can of 1400 rounds of Romanian 7.62x25 I picked up about the same time for $60.00.

[@edelmann4388]

My CZ52 was about the same prize back in the 90's. your old can of romanian ammo.... check the date on it and sell for collector but NEVER use it. There are reports on faulty over aged ammo causing catastrophic failure in exploding on firing the gun.

[@kurtschulmeyer1041]

I love my cz 52,pretty accurate. Stay safe.

[@ieeetransoncircuitssystemf1101]

had the original 7.62x25 vz52, the muzzle flash is like that of the battleships...

[@capmadman6486]

Whata funny is that there is still alot of 9mm conversion barrels out on the market for the standard vz52s, so some of us technically know what owning these is like.

[@zstrongerspredators990]

I have one CZ 52 in 9x19 and the other in 7.62x25 I can shuffle barrels and magazines. The pistols are reliable, accurate and the bullets more penetrating.

[@dksdg]

I wish the CZ52 had a mag release button, DA/SA and 9mm!

[@poserdisposer654]

I have a CZ52 I bought from my father a while ago. I can't explain how badly I've wanted you to shoot mine ever since I got it. That was actually the first thing I thought when I bought it.

[@terranempire2]

Hope this means an og cz75 video is coming.

[@brianstocks8049]

I saw a CZ-52 that the shop was saying was a 9mm..I took it apart and showed then it was 7.62 and showed them why it had been returned two times. I pulled out a Big sprew of lead when somebody tried to shoot 9mm out of it. Sadly, they didn't even know how to take it apart to figure it out. Never went there again

[@operator1192]

I have 3 of these CZ52 pistols one of which was a commercial 9mm import with the high polished blued slide and 9mm barrel. They are all excellent and unique guns but the ergonomics aren’t great. I love the roller lock design though.

[@LeV7Spanjer]

did you have seen the variations on the vz52 design, in the Soesterberg military museum in the Netherlands. to make a full auto pistol in 9mm.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

CZ , VZ, EZ to get confused. Cool variant of a wishy washy pistol.

[@bongobob6200]

Thx for your work👍🇺🇸👍

[@js312raf]

Vzor means Pattern in English, but a Mark can be used as well. Vz = Mk

[@crabmansteve6844]

I'd buy this in a heartbeat.

[@jordymontejano3654]

I am hoping for some insight on a CZ52 that i recently purchased at a swap meet. No background on the pistol but it is satamped as a military issued pistol with a manafacture date of 1953. it came with the 9mm conversion barrel but the strange part is that the barrel has a matching serial number to the slide and receiver but it does not have the shaped down extractor and has the shorter ejector typical of the 7.62x25. I am confused as to why those were not changed aside from the barrel. Either way i am happy with my purchase and it fires and cycles flawlessly regardless of the extracot and ejector not being the correct spec for 9mm. Any isight is appreciated, thank you.

[@Drakuba]

now i remember my dads friend got his grabby mits on cz75 prototype that have burst fire of either 2 or 3 rounds. iirc there was 20ish prototypes of that gun made, did you had a look at it in the vault as well? :)

[@williamsample2631]

Really? Had an Italian copy that did that occasionally. But remember that's a class 3 weapon you're talking about and 10 years in jail if you don't have the paperwork!

[@ShootAUT]

The 75 Auto is abolutely ridiculous. But very, _very_ awesome. 😁

[@jonathansmith6050]

I wonder if they bored out (and re-cut) the original 7.62 barrel to 9mm; or whether that's a new barrel that they just gave the matching serial number to.

[@revenantrex1957]

You should do an episode on the seecamp pistol

[@OutdoorCamCzech]

VZ70 marking is quite misunderstanding since there is already CZ production line pistol called VZ 70.

[@mrazaq]

We do actually use double consonants a bunch :)

[@ManOnTheRange]

i do use my cz52 as EDC insted of my cz75 mostly in 7.62 but i also have 9mm barrel for it and it works nicely with hotter loads but with light 9mm loads expect failures to eject on it...

[@williamsample2631]

Considering its lockup I can understand the failure to feed.

[@randallmunson9909]

I noticed that too. I use 124 gn. JHP loaded to +P+ levels and a 18.5# spring fro Wolfe.

[@ManOnTheRange]

@@williamsample2631 failure to feed isnt really an issue.. it did happen with 9mm on the last round in mag but not too often and only because im changing only the barrel, but failure to exctract with light loads is a thing because there is just not enough energy in 9mm to cycle action... on the other hand it really like +P or +P+ loads...

[@ManOnTheRange]

@@randallmunson9909 im using standard spring and it didnt really like standard pressure 115gr FMJ but strangely it does not have a problem with 140gr standard pressure subsonic rounds... but anything with +P or +P+ is ok

[@randallmunson9909]

@@ManOnTheRange many "upgrades" are currently available. Firing pin, rollers and others these days.

[@nickimercy3452]

nice gun

[@ChristianRB89]

Call me crazy but I love the look of the vz52 pistol.

[@michaelsarkisian1047]

Sweet! I have a CZ52 with both the 7.62x25 and the 9mm conversion barrels, and have since gotten a .22 Reed Express barrel for it as well. While it is an ugly pistol and not very ergonomic, but it is a shooter!

[@someasianguy3793]

My first pistol is a Cz52 (vz/vzor 52), ammo is not like it was, I remember everyone said to get a 9mm barrel for it, but That's long disappeared from the market.

[@williamsample2631]

Ammo for 9mm's not like it was

[@AngryHippieStache]

I love my cz 52 my favorite firearm in my collection.

[@PravyZlevaZZ]

The Gun Jesus finally visited my country. Nice. ☺️

[@alexanderkidonakis9185]

This is cool but I really liked the regular one. Only problem is it can’t take hot loads as well as a normal tokarev

[@maverickpaladin4155]

So were the 9mm vz52s not made that way at the factory? I remember those coming in during the 90s...haven't seen one since.

[@ShootAUT]

Maybe they just had the 9mm conversion barrel in them. As far as I know, they could be ordered that way for the civilian market.

[@scabcrawler632]

I got one in 9x19 and one in 762x25. Do not use the decocker with one in the chamber!! Also picked up a cz 70 in 32 acp

[@bryanbreuninger8320]

I remember when they were first being imported they sold conversion kits to shoot 9mm