Vz 59

greentips

greentips

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For you MG guru outthere - how does VZ59 stack against PKM and our FN MAG58/C6?

Johnone - is the semi version OPEN BOLT?
 
Just my opinion, but very well. You could expect it to be made much, much better than the PKM but maybe lesser so than the FN. But considering the Czechs supplied the inspiration for the Bren, I'd say it is very battle worthy. Most belt feds require open bolt to work, but not necessarily. It really doesn't matter and frankly, talking about it before they hit the shores will only aggravate the situation. There are several CGN discussed guns that got killed due to threads.
 
800px-Kulomet_UK-L_vzor_59.jpg



800px-Kulomet_UK-L_vzor_59_detail.jpg

The Universalny Kulomet vzor 59, also known as Rachot (UK 59, Universal Machinegun model of 1959) was developed in Czechoslovakia by state-owned Zbrojovka Vsetin arms factory in mid to late 1950s as a further developmment of the vz 52 and vz 52/57 universal machine guns. At the present time, UK 59 is a standard universal MG of the Czech and Slovak armies, and it also was widely sold for export. Production of the original UK 59 is now suspended, but its vesrion, chambvered for 7.62mm NATO cartridge, is still being manufactured under the name of UK 68.
UK 59 is a gas operated, belt fed machine gun. It uses underbarrel gas piston that operates the bolt carrier with tilting bolt, that locks into the receiver. Despite the fact that UK 59 used the obsolete rimmed ammunition, it employs the straight feed, when cartridge is feed straight forward from the belt pocket and into the chamber. To achieve this, UK 59 uses non-disentegrating 50 rounds metallic belt with open cartridge pockets. 50-round belts can be connected one to another to form continuous belts up to 250 rounds for medium MG role. In LMG role, 50 rounds belts are loaded into boxes, whch could be clamped to the right side of the receiver. UK 68, chambered for 7.62mm NATO, on the other hand, uses NATO-standard desintegrating belts. UK 59 fires from the open bolt, and features quick detachable barrels, of heavy and light patterns. Light barrels are some 103 mm shorter and have permanently attached folding bipods. Both types of barrels feature conical muzzle flash hiders. UK 59 has no conventional cocking handle. Instead, pistol handle with trigger unit is used to #### the gun. To do so, one must press the button on the receiver and then, while pressing the trigger, cycle the pistol handle forward and then back. Safety lever is located at the left side of the receiver.
 
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greentips said:
For you MG guru outthere - how does VZ59 stack against PKM and our FN MAG58/C6?
Click to expand...

It's not really a fair comparisson to put a milled steel and hand-fitted VZ59 up against a stamped and riveted mass production "tool" like the PKM or the MAG58.

A fairer comparison would be VZ59 vs. Valmet M78 in 7.62x51.

In this scenario, I would have to give the nod to the Valmet, but only because it is more finely fitted and finished - both would be comparably capable.
 
ANYBODY who has used the BREN will feel right at home with the Vz-59, it is of the same "family" really nice piece of kit....
But the I do collect and like Brens & ZBs....
John
 
Man! I would sooo love to have one of those! The only downside I can see would be the belt. As I understand it, the belt is unique, with a tab that fits over the rim, so that it works as a "push through" rather than a "pull out". Since this design is post war, the belts would have to be 5 rounds.

I hope I'm wrong about this. (John, please tell me I'm wrong!)
 
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