Sa vz. 58
Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod · Assault Rifle · Discontinued · 1958
Also known as: Samopal vzor 58, vz. 58, Sa 58, KOSTE
Overview
The Sa vz. 58 is a Czechoslovak 7.62x39mm assault rifle adopted in 1958 to replace the earlier vz. 52 self-loading rifle and vz. 24/26 submachine guns. Although superficially resembling the Soviet AK-47, it shares no parts with it and uses a wholly distinct mechanism: a short-stroke gas piston driving a linearly moving bolt carrier with a separate tilting locking block, and a striker-fired (rather than hammer-fired) trigger group. Built on a milled steel receiver and feeding from 30-round detachable box magazines, it served as the standard service rifle of the Czechoslovak army and remained in front-line use with Czech and Slovak forces well after the country's 1993 split.
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 |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| 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 7.62x39mm Soviet, 7.62mm M43, .30 Russian Short
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Tilting Locking Block, Short Stroke Gas Piston, Milled Steel Receiver, Striker Fired Mechanism, Bolt Hold Open
Variants
- Sa vz. 58 P — Fixed Stock
- Sa vz. 58 V — Folding Stock
- Sa vz. 58 Pi — Night Sight
Service history
Operators
- Czechoslovak Armed Forces · adopted 1959
- Czech Armed Forces · adopted 1993
- Slovak Armed Forces · adopted 1993
Conflicts
- Cold War (1958-1991)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
Production
Estimated total produced: 920,000 · Production years: 1959-1984
Approximately 920,000 rifles produced at Ceska zbrojovka in Uhersky Brod over the production run.
Origin
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Designer: Jiri Cermak
Discontinued: 1984
Notes
Despite a strong external resemblance to the AK-47, the vz. 58 is mechanically unrelated: its magazines, bolt and locking system are not interchangeable with Kalashnikov-pattern weapons. Early furniture was made of a wood-and-plastic composite (often called 'beavertail' wood). Civilian semi-automatic versions are produced today by Czech Small Arms (C.S.A.).
Background
Developed under the project codename 'KOSTE' (Broom) by Jiri Cermak from January 1956, the vz. 58 was designed from a clean sheet to give Czechoslovakia an indigenous Warsaw Pact rifle in the standard Soviet 7.62x39mm cartridge while sharing no components with the AK-47.