Sa vz. 58 P
Ceska Zbrojovka · Assault Rifle · Discontinued · 1958
Also known as: Samopal vzor 58, vz. 58, Sa 58
Overview
The Sa vz. 58 P is a Czechoslovak gas-operated, selective-fire assault rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm. Despite a superficial resemblance to the Kalashnikov, it shares no parts and uses a fundamentally different mechanism: a short-stroke gas piston driving a linearly moving bolt carrier with a separate tilting locking piece, and a striker-fired (hammerless) trigger group. The P (pechotni, infantry) model has a fixed buttstock of wood-impregnated plastic. Adopted by the Czechoslovak military in 1959, it served as the standard service rifle for decades and remains in limited use with Czech and Slovak forces.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3100 g (109.3 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 845 mm (33.27") |
| 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, M43, 7.62mm Kalashnikov
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Short Stroke Gas Piston, Tilting Breechblock Locking, Striker Fired Mechanism, Milled Steel Receiver, Wood Impregnated Furniture
Variants
- Sa vz. 58 V — Folding Stock
- Sa vz. 58 Pi — Night Sight
Service history
Operators
- Czechoslovak Armed Forces · adopted 1959 · as Sa vz. 58
- Czech Armed Forces
- Slovak Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Cold War (1959-1991)
- Various post-Cold War conflicts (1990s-present)
Production
Estimated total produced: 920,000 · Production years: 1959-1984
Roughly 920,000 rifles produced at Ceska zbrojovka, Uhersky Brod
Origin
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Designer: Jiri Cermak
Discontinued: 1984
Notes
The receiver is machined from a solid steel forging rather than stamped. The vz. 58 uses proprietary 30-round magazines and is not compatible with AK magazines. The bolt locks via a vertically tilting locking piece rather than a rotating bolt.
Background
Designed by Jiri Cermak, the vz. 58 was developed independently of Soviet small-arms programs while still adopting the 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge for Warsaw Pact ammunition commonality, demonstrating Czechoslovakia's tradition of homegrown firearms engineering.