I have been thinking about picking up a VZ 52/57 for quite a while, however recently I've gotten more serious about it. I just thought I would ask for some opinions on the gun from owners and former owners. Maybe a bit of advice on what to look for when buying a used one? Any ideas about their value and future collectibility? There's not a whole lot of information on this site about them. Is that due to their rarity or are they just that much inferior to the SKS and VZ?
Considering a VZ 52/57 any opinions?
- Thread starter travis_
- Start date
- Location
- State of Alabera
Pretty standard stuff when picking out a milsurp rifle...
Couple things worth noting about it that may prevent a headache later:
Make sure the gas port and sleeve isn't corroded to hell.
The outer buttplate is a pain to find, so make sure that it's there.
Same story with the sighthood.
Extra mags, stripper clips, cleaning kit are just bonus materials.
Other than that, good to go.
Couple things worth noting about it that may prevent a headache later:
Make sure the gas port and sleeve isn't corroded to hell.
The outer buttplate is a pain to find, so make sure that it's there.
Same story with the sighthood.
Extra mags, stripper clips, cleaning kit are just bonus materials.
Other than that, good to go.
I have one, didnt have time to fire it much but they are extremely well made. very heavy and built like a tank! A very clean one sell for $550-$600, more if spare mag included. The barrel is chromelined, easy to field strip, the annular piston is a bit touchy to lean if you compare with the piston like and sks or a cz858. Accuracy is regarded better than a sks. The former VZ52 in 7.62x45 and the VZ 52/57 have been used in numerous small conflict or places. Fit and finish are great. Be aware that some VZ52/57 may come with VZ52 7.62x45 mag and they may not be perfectly reliable. The Vz cleaning kit is good to have, particulary the scrapper to clean carbon fouling in the piston. Vz pop up from on the EE from time to time.
Jocelyn
Thanks for the info. Is the rifle difficult to clean properly without the special tools in the cleaning kit?
In my opinion its not a big deal, the annular piston can be cleaned of carbon with break or carburator cleaner. You can wash the salt away with some boiling water and decarbonize after. If i'm correct, the piston is chromed but can get stuck in place if the rifle is not cleaned. All that said, the VZ is a must have in anys collection. Btw cleaning kit can be hard to find in a whole but the piston scraper are available more easily if i can say.
Jocelyn
Very well made gun. Also very easy to clean. you can have the action out of the stock in about 30 sec same with the bolt carrier and bolt.
It's a heavy Rifle i believe this accounts for the accuracy.
Also the side folding Bayonet adds a tacticool flavor thats not seen in todays black Rifles.
It's a heavy Rifle i believe this accounts for the accuracy.
Also the side folding Bayonet adds a tacticool flavor thats not seen in todays black Rifles.
stickhunter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Victoria, B.C.
Vz 52/57's are very interesting, especially in the way they combine various design elements: the M1-like trigger group, annular gas/piston, and folding bayonet.
As mentioned, familiarize yourself with the difference between Vz52 and 52/57 magazines. The former have an extra angle along the bottom of the front edge.
There are typically 5 places where serial numbers are marked:
1) side of buttstock
2) side of receiver
3) bolt
4) under front handguard
5) top of operating rod (this is the sheet metal wrapped around the barrel that pushes against the bolt carrier.
I'm going by memory, but I believe the serial on the bolt is electro-penciled and is much easier to see under strong light, especially if the bolt has been refurbed/reblued. In Canada, it's pretty uncommon to find a completely matching Vz 52/57 --- many of the handguards are mismatched, as well as bolts. The cleaning kit (under the buttplate) is also often missing or incomplete.
A lot of Vz 52/57s were refurbed at some point, which may (not positive) be indicated by the colour of the paint on the front handguard metal and the receiver colour: black is original and grey is refurb.
Also, don't fret if the stock has a green hue; this is pretty typical. The finish will also be a varnish that can sometimes feel a bit gritty.
As has been mentioned, the piston can sometimes get stuck due to corrosion if the rifle was not properly cleaned. The fitting of the piston to the machined/polished part of the barrel has tight tolerances. Even if you don't have the carbon scraper, a piece of stiff paper can be used to get under the piston. Alternatively, there's a nut that you can loosen and slide the piston down so that you can clean the barrel surface. If I recall, there is a second lock nut that preserves the gas setting when you re-tighten the main nut.
Anyways, they're great rifles with an interesting design. Spare Vz 52/57 magazines are hard to come by, so snatch them up when you find them.
As mentioned, familiarize yourself with the difference between Vz52 and 52/57 magazines. The former have an extra angle along the bottom of the front edge.
There are typically 5 places where serial numbers are marked:
1) side of buttstock
2) side of receiver
3) bolt
4) under front handguard
5) top of operating rod (this is the sheet metal wrapped around the barrel that pushes against the bolt carrier.
I'm going by memory, but I believe the serial on the bolt is electro-penciled and is much easier to see under strong light, especially if the bolt has been refurbed/reblued. In Canada, it's pretty uncommon to find a completely matching Vz 52/57 --- many of the handguards are mismatched, as well as bolts. The cleaning kit (under the buttplate) is also often missing or incomplete.
A lot of Vz 52/57s were refurbed at some point, which may (not positive) be indicated by the colour of the paint on the front handguard metal and the receiver colour: black is original and grey is refurb.
Also, don't fret if the stock has a green hue; this is pretty typical. The finish will also be a varnish that can sometimes feel a bit gritty.
As has been mentioned, the piston can sometimes get stuck due to corrosion if the rifle was not properly cleaned. The fitting of the piston to the machined/polished part of the barrel has tight tolerances. Even if you don't have the carbon scraper, a piece of stiff paper can be used to get under the piston. Alternatively, there's a nut that you can loosen and slide the piston down so that you can clean the barrel surface. If I recall, there is a second lock nut that preserves the gas setting when you re-tighten the main nut.
Anyways, they're great rifles with an interesting design. Spare Vz 52/57 magazines are hard to come by, so snatch them up when you find them.
stevey3737
Regular
- Location
- Southern Interior
An absolute treat to shoot! and imho very cool looking. I have a 52/57 and love it, don't shoot it as much as i do the sks but just to have it is satisfying, word of caution, if you find one on the ee and the price seems ok to you just frickin grab it don't hum and haw i did that with a VZ52, dies and lots of cases and i missed it!!!! (dumb ass !!)
My first rifle was an SKS and I had a lot of fun with. However, after I got my 52/57 I sold the sks and never looked back. Many of my friends have tried it and they love it too. The stock has a nice solid feel and it just aims better for me. My only grief is I neglected it a bit and got a little surface corrosion near the piston but it cleaned up nicely and performs perfectly. You wont regret buying one.
I was watching that exact same one! TBH though it doesn't seem like there is a huge demand for these rifles as they generally sit online quite a while before selling.
stevey3737
Regular
- Location
- Southern Interior
