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CZ-52   ( CZ 513 )**see notes at bottom

CZ-52 Is A Big Fat Ugly Gun That Shoots Like A Rifle

cz-52_photo286.jpg (14118 bytes)

Permit Images Time To Load...
The CZ-52 Pistol Shoots The 7.62 x 25 Cartridge used in the Czech Sub Machine Gun.  This is a tapered high velocity pistol round. CZ-52's were made in the early 1950s in Czechoslovakia. Original guns are dull grey. 


WARNING
Firearms Are Inherently Dangerous And Should Only Be Handled By Persons Trained In Proper Safety Techniques.

45bullet_cz-52bullet.jpg (6499 bytes)

Top
USA .45 Auto

Bottom
Czech 7.62 x 25

.Ammo Warning
WARNING!! KNOW YOUR AMMO.  There is some controversy surrounding 7.62x25 military ammo and arms !! The U.S. Army, and others, because of several reasons including the massive bulk of the CZ-52 compared to the old trusty Tokarev had "assumed" without experimentation that the CZ-52 was a much stronger pistol than the Tokarev. Clark Magnuson did experiments with hot loads for the CZ-52 and Tokarev pistols. In his experiments he determined the CZ-52, despite it's tremdous bulk, to be less capable than the Tokarev pistol to withstand hot loads. Publishers of reloading manuals have reduced the maximum safe pressures for 7.62x25 handloads in order to protect shooters.
According to Clark, the significant spot in the barrel is the underside of the chamber which is .125" thick on the Tokarev but only .058" in the CZ52 because of the extra milling needed to accomidate the roller mechanism in the CZ.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=clark+CZ+52&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=&oq=


Know what ammo you're buying!!


cz-52_1911_400.jpg (14627 bytes)
The CZ-52 Is Nearly As Big, And Feels Heavier Than The Colt 1911 Pistol
The Grip Feels Fatter And The Metal Is Thicker
The Gun Is Very Accurate But The Cartridge Probably
Has The Tendency To Over-Penetrate Rather Than Knock-Down

cz-52_1911_holster.jpg (9972 bytes)
The CZ-52 Holster Makes A Great 1911 Holster
Better Than U.S.G.I. Holsters In Comfort And Ease Of Use

note: hole in leather thumb strap must be stretched for this for cover to snap

The CZ-52 Safety Lever Has Three Positions

Decock

Safe

Fire

cz-52_safety_lever.jpg (14885 bytes)

Pull Down On Lever By Trigger Guard To Field Strip. Slide Comes Off Very Easily.

 

The CZ-52 Has A Heavy Trigger By Design

 

Note Roller Bearings Inside Slide. Slide Does Not Move Up And Down Like On 1911. CZ-52 Slides Moves Forward And Back Only After Roller Bearing Release Part Way Through Recoil.

 


CZ-52 Slide
cz-52_slide.jpg (10768 bytes)
Also Note Firing Pin Blocking Device. Firing Pin Is Prevented From Forward Movement Until Button In Slide Is Depressed Via Trigger Being Pull All The Way Back.

 

This Photo Shows Bearing In Unlocked Position As Barrel Can Begin Movement Inside Slide.   It's A Very Tight Arrangement That Makes The Gun Inherently Accurate.

 


cz-52_bearings_unlocked.jpg (15381 bytes)

 

CZ-52  (CZ 513)** Comments

Self Defense Gun - Or Just A Collector??

The CZ-52 (CZ 513**) is a very interesting collectable pistol.  It's very accurate and shoots flatter than my 1911 G.I. style pistol.  Although it's very fun to shoot, in a real self-defense situation I would leave the CZ-52 on the shelf and grab a trusty 45 as the CZ-52 is kind of clunky and just doesn't feel very natural in the hand.  A CZ-52 is likely to need a trigger job and I would only trust a very reputable gunsmith experienced with such pistols to perform a trigger job as it would be very easy to cause major problems that could result in the gun firing when the decocking lever is used.  I suspect this clunkiness and safety issues are part of why they were only produced for a very few years.  For a collector piece though, the price is right. 

CZ-52 Is It Sexy ??

The CZ-52  (CZ 513**) is sexy in a weird kind of way.  Yes It's Accurate, But The CZ-52 Has Got To Be The Ugliest Gun Ever Made.  So here is the paradox. How can such an ugly gun be sexy at the same time.   The CZ-52 reminds me of those big fat Russian military wrist watches.  It seems the Russians at one time couldn't make anything of precision without putting major metal into it.  But I still think the CZ-52 is sexy.  Imagine being a veteran of the Russian Army in WWII.  You're freezing cold and haven't seen a woman in months.   In such a situation a big fat ugly woman with big arms and legs who would keep you warm at night would seem like something pretty good.   Could the CZ-52 keep you warm at night?  Definitely!

CZ-52  (CZ 513) It ain't a 45... but WAIT!!

Sure it ain't a U.S. Army 45 throwing a big bowling ball 230 slug at bone crunching low velocity.  But I ran across a discussion about penetrating power that peaked my interest.  The 7.62X25mm Tokarev used in the CZ pistol, weights in a 86 grains and goes a blistering 1375 feet per second.  That's some pretty impressive penetration power.  Makarov.com has great info and parts and accessories for the CZ-52.  Also available are 9mm conversion packages and reloading data that's pretty educational. 

 

CORRECTIONS:  NOTE the following information was sent by Oldrich Kotas

"CZ-52" is incorrect designation!!
> First, Pistol Type 52 is the ARMY designation, there does
> NOT exist anything like CZ-52. The manufacturer's
> designation was CZ 513.
>
> 200,000 manufactured and has been in army service for more
> than 40 years while small amounts still are. Proved to be
> totally safe and reliable unless some civilian n00bs come
> and start some tweaking.

>

Not used by Soviets!!

> Jesus Christ! Never ever any stupid Soviet put his hands on
> this gun. Is there something wrong with the geography
> education in US? Again, it was designed to be military
> service pistol. IMO I find more frontline usable than the
> 1911, btw. which I own. Remember, it was designed in country
> of longer gunsmith tradition than history of CCCP and USA
> together:).
>
> Anyway, it's nice to see this gun my father used to carry
> for about 15 years still keeps attention and even overseas.
>
> Thanks and all the best,
>
> Oldrich Kotas


Tom Line - Nov 2001
send email to: tline@iglou.com