ZK-383
Zbrojovka Brno · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1938
Also known as: ZK 383, ZK-383-P, ZK-383-H
Overview
The ZK-383 was a Czechoslovak submachine gun designed by the Koucký brothers and built at Zbrojovka Brno. Unusual among submachine guns, it was conceived as a hybrid light-support weapon, with an integral folding bipod, a quick-change barrel, rifle-type long-range sights, and a removable bolt weight that let the user field-adjust the cyclic rate between a controllable ~450-500 rpm and a faster ~700-750 rpm. It fed from a left-side box magazine and saw its largest service with Bulgaria and the Waffen-SS, production continuing through the German occupation.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4250 g (149.9 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4830 g (170.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 875 mm (34.45") |
| Barrel Length | 325 mm (12.80") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 457 m/s (1499 fps) |
| Effective Range | 250 m (273 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 500 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Cross Bolt Safety
- Features: Open Bolt, Quick Detach Barrel, Removable Bolt Weight, Adjustable Rate Of Fire, Folding Bipod, Left Side Magazine Feed, Rifle Type Adjustable Sights
Variants
Service history
Operators
- Bulgarian Army · adopted 1940
- Waffen-SS · adopted 1939
- Czechoslovak Army · adopted 1938
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 20,000 · Production years: 1938-1948
Bulgaria was the largest single customer (~4,000); production continued through the German occupation, largely feeding the Waffen-SS
Origin
Country of origin: CS
Designer: Josef and Frantisek Koucky
Discontinued: 1948
Notes
Sources differ on rate of fire (single 700 rpm vs adjustable dual rate) and production total (~20,000 vs up to ~35,000 across variants); the adjustable dual rate is the gun's signature feature.
Background
The ZK-383's cyclic rate could be changed in the field simply by removing a small weight from the bolt, letting a single weapon switch between deliberate supporting fire and a high-rate close assault role.