Sa vz. 58
Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod · Assault Rifle · In Service · 1959
Also known as: Samopal vzor 58, vz. 58, SA-58, KOSTE
Overview
The Sa vz. 58 is a Czechoslovak select-fire assault rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm, adopted in 1959 to replace the vz. 52 and vz. 24. Despite its strong external resemblance to the Soviet AK-47, it shares no parts with the Kalashnikov: it uses a short-stroke gas piston with a tilting breechblock locking system (mechanically closer to the Walther P38 and Czech ZB-26), is striker-fired rather than hammer-fired, and uses an entirely different (non-interchangeable) magazine. Roughly 920,000 were produced through 1984.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3100 g (109.3 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 845 mm (33.27") |
| Folded Length | 635 mm (25.00") |
| Barrel Length | 390 mm (15.35") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 705 m/s (2313 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1990 J (1468 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2800 m (3062 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 800 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.62x39mm · primary — also known as 7.62 Soviet, M43
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Tilting Breech Block, Striker Fired No Hammer, Bolt Hold Open On Empty, Compatible With Bayonet
Variants
- Sa vz. 58 P — Fixed Stock
- Sa vz. 58 V — Folding Stock
- Sa vz. 58 Pi — Night Sight Capable
Service history
Operators
- Czechoslovak People's Army · adopted 1959
- Army of the Czech Republic · adopted 1993
- Slovak Armed Forces · adopted 1993
- Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces
- Armed Forces of Ukraine · adopted 2022
Conflicts
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)
- South African Border War (1966-1990)
- The Troubles (1968-1998)
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
- Russo-Ukrainian War (2022-present)
Production
Estimated total produced: 920,000 · Production years: 1959-1984
Produced exclusively at Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod over a 25-year run; never license-built abroad. Czech Small Arms (CSA) produces modern semi-automatic civilian variants today.
Origin
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Designer: Jiri Cermak
Discontinued: 1984
Notes
Originally developed under the codename 'KOSTE' (Broom). Magazine bodies are made of an aluminum alloy, contributing to the rifle's lighter weight compared to the AK-47. Bolt hold-open on empty mag is a feature absent on most Kalashnikov pattern rifles.
Background
Despite being often mistaken for an AK-47, the vz. 58 was a wholly indigenous design developed by Jiri Cermak under the codename 'Broom' as a deliberate national alternative to Soviet weapons. Czechoslovakia's strong arms industry meant they never adopted Kalashnikov pattern rifles, and the vz. 58 is widely regarded as lighter, faster-cycling, and more accurate than the AK-47.