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Sa vz. 58
Sa vz. 58 P (composite stock, new sling)
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Czechoslovakia
Service history
In service	1959—
Used by	Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Indonesia, India, Angola, Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Sudan
Production history
Designer	Jiří Čermák
Designed	1956-1958
Manufacturer	Česká Zbrojovka
Produced	1959—1983
Number built	about 1 million
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	2.91 kg (6.42 lb) empty, 3.59 kg (7.92 lb) loaded
Length	845 mm (33.3 in), 636 mm (25.0 in) folded
Barrel length	390 mm (15.4 in), 4 grooves, right hand twist, 1:240 mm (1:9.45 in)
Cartridge	7.62 × 39 mm M43
Caliber	7.62 mm (.308 in)
Action	Gas-operated, tilting breechblock
Rate of fire	800 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	705 m/s (2313 fps), energy 1988 J
Effective range	300 m (328 yd)
Maximum range	2800 m (3062 yd)
Feed system	30-round detachable box magazine (incompatible with AK-47)
Sights	Iron sight: tangent leaf graduated to 800 m (875 yd), sight radius 353 mm (13.9 in)

The Sa vz.58 (Samopal vzor 58, which means submachinegun model 1958, sometimes vz.58 or incorrectly CZ 58) is an assault rifle designed and manufactured in Czechoslovakia. It looks similar to the AK-47, but its internal operation is different. The Sa vz. 58 is gas-operated and capable of firing single shots (semi-auto) or fully automatic fire.

Contents 1 History 2 Variants 3 Comparing to AK-47 4 External links

The Sa 58 was developed by Ing. Jiří Čermák. Development of new weapon (borrowing some ideas from previous experimental models) with project codename KOŠTĚ (broom) officially started in 1956, and the rifle was adopted by the Czechoslovakian army (the only member of Warsaw Pact not using an AK-47 variant) in 1958. The rifle was produced by state armament factory Česká Zbrojovka. Production ended in 1983, about 1 million rifles were produced (between 900 000 - 1 200 000, exact number unknown). As of 2006, it is still the standard individual weapon in Czech and Slovak armies. Although outer design looks similar to the AK-47, it was inspired by the German WWII StG 44 and 7.92mm x 33mm cartridge, as information about Soviet AK-47 and 7.62mm x 39mm cartridge was not available in the beginning of development. The internal operation is completely different to AK-47, with locking similar to the Walther P38 and Berreta 92FS pistols, and the striking hammer is linearly floating.

• Samopal vzor 58 P (pěchotní - infantry): standard fixed stock version (earlier stock was wooden, later stock made from composite of splinters and epoxide).
• Samopal vzor 58 V (výsadkový - airborne): folding metal stock version for vehicle crew and airborne units.
• Samopal vzor 58 Pi: with a mounting (similar to SVD mounting) for 1st generation infrared night vision sights NSP-2, fixed stock, mostly used with conic flash suppressor and detachable folding bipod.
• Automatická puška (automatic rifle) AP-Z 67: experimental 7.62x51 calibre version developed in 1966 to 1967.
• Útočná puška (assault rifle) ÚP-Z 70: experimental 5.56x45 calibre version developed in 1970.
• Experimentální zbraň (experimental weapon) EZ-B: experimental bullpup version developed in 1976.
• Ruční kulomet (light machine gun) project codename KLEČ (dwarf pine): experimental 590 mm (23.2 in) barrel version (similar to RPK) developed in 1976.
• Lehká odstřelovačská puška (light sniper rifle) vzor 58/97: experimental marksman rifle developed by VTÚVM Slavičín.
• Samopal (submachine gun) vzor 58/98 "Bulldog": experimental 9x19 calibre variant developed by VTÚVM Slavičín.
• OICW "Land Warrior": experimental rifle with muzzlebrake, dural handguard with rails for attachments and 58 Pi type mounting developed by Metal Slovakia.
• CZH 2003 Sport: semi-auto only, standard fixed stock, 10-rounds magazine, upper handguard mounting, for sale to civilians. Available with barrel lengths of standard 390mm (15.4 in) or shortened 295mm (11.6 in). Varied muzzlebrakes/flash suppressors, mountings and other accessories available, all standard military accessories (bayonet, folding bipod, conic flash suppressor, blankfire adapter etc.) fit as well.
• CZ 858 Tactical: semi-auto only, standard folding stock, standard 30-rounds magazine, for sale to civilians. Available with barrel lengths of standard 390mm (15.4 in) or 482mm (19.0 in). Varied muzzlebrakes/flash suppressors, mountings and other accessories available, all standard military accessories (bayonet, folding bipod, conic flash suppressor, blankfire adapter etc.) fit as well.
• VZ-58S: semi-auto only, 390mm barrel with 5/30 round magazines. Available with bayonet, folding bipod, folding stock and modern flash suppressor (for Canadian civilian market).

Better

• shorter (overal length 845 mm / 33.3 in, 636 mm / 25.0 in if stock folded)
• lighter (3.59 kg / 7.92 lb with loaded magazine)
• light but sturdy light metal magazines (0.19 kg / 0.42 lb unloaded)
• chargeable by SKS clips, silent safety, able to fire when stock folded
• bolt catch, which holds the bolt open on last shot

Comparable

• reliability - in all conditions (uncleaned, in water, dust, mud, high and low temperatures)
• single shot accuracy
• undemanding maintenance and use

Worse

• difficult to control and not accurate during automatic fire (shorter, lighter, higher rate of fire)
• shorter lifetime than AK-47 (still better than many other military weapons - bore, chamber, piston and locking part of bolt are chromium-plated)
• more small parts (field stripped to 9 parts - frame with barrel, bolt, locking part, bolt carrier, hammer, receiver cover with return and striking springs, piston, piston spring and handguard)

• Modern Firearms
• Czech army vz.58 page (Note on bottom pictures: blankfire adapter - pic. #1, #2 and #4, opened receiver - pic. #3.)
• Česká Zbrojovka (vz.58 producer) website
• CZ HERMEX (CZH 2003 Sport producer) website