VZ 52 and 52/57 rifles

UCSPanther

UCSPanther

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Has anyone ever heard of any of these rare rifles being imported into Canada?

I'm kind of interested in finding one.
 
They are around, usually the 52's are pretty beat up, ammo is non-existant.
The 52/57 are usually in great shape, $350 to $450 when they come up for sale.
They are not really rare......
 
I've only seen one 52/57 in person, a very interesting rifle indeed. Despite a chopped mag (sits flush now), missing bayonet and a terrible gloss black paint job I think it was original spec. I'd really like to see how it compares to a norc SKS as far as accuracy goes... If you'd like I could look up the number of the dealer that had it and it was only a few months ago that I saw it, I don't suspect that it has gone anywhere.
 
Speckfire said:
Vz-52/57s are SKS's on Sterroids :dancingbanana::D
IHMO Better than SKS
Click to expand...

I used to have a minty 52/57. It was a beautiful rifle, much much nicer than an SKS. The thing is, the mags are only 10 rounds which sucked at the time when you could still have large caps on SKS rifles so I got rid of mine. Now it hardly matters...:mad:

Not quite as easy to clean the gas system on as an SKS...something to keep in mind if using corrosive. Hmmm, one of those Russian SKS's might be a better bet, who knows...
 
cantom said:
Not quite as easy to clean the gas system on as an SKS...something to keep in mind if using corrosive. Hmmm, one of those Russian SKS's might be a better bet, who knows...
Click to expand...

Yes corrisive ammo will wreak havoc on the VZ 52/57 gas system.
If you have non corrosive ammo then yes shoot the VZ52 if not go with the Russian SKS.

I have both and thats what I observed
 
Lever Arms brought in a bunch in the early 80's that were as new condition, they sold for under $200. The quality of the machining and general fit and finish was very good. IIRC they were noticeably heavier than an SKS.

The concern I had about them was the annular piston that worked in a cylindrical gas tube wrapped around the barrel. I wondered if it would tend to carbon up and not function well. I don't know anyone who has owned one and shot it much so I don't know the answer.
 
I"m not very concerned about cleaning the VZ-52/57: it is very simple, once you get the hang of it.
I very much prefer getting the whole works out of the stock, which takes about 20 seconds, and work on the action and barrel held in a urethane rubber V-block on a big vise.
Cleaning the annular piston is very easy once you get the connecting piece out. And you cannot lose the piston or the secondary ''actuating rod''.
BTW, did you notice those rifles have a very unusual adjustment at the rear of the stock to take up any slack in the bedding? Great design if somewhat uncommon.
Did I mention I LOVE shooting VZ-52/57s?
PP.:D
 
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I see your point PP, yes the VZ-52/57 can be cleaned but its much easier on an SKS when it comes to the Gas sytem.

A buddy of mine forgot to clean his gas system on his VZ 52/57 after shooting the corrosive Czech ammo (Irony as Cantom stated :))
Next time shooting the rifle, it did not cycle ammo any more. It turns out to be the gas sleeve piston was seized in place and wouldn't
push back the bolt to re chamber a round because of the corrosive ammo.
This wouldnt have been the case on an SKS with corrosive ammo.
I prefer the VZ 52/57 to the SKS but I wouldn't bother shooting corrosive ammo
 
I sold several near new 52/57's in the 80's. Most had a blondish stock, but the one I kept had a greenish tinge to it. Whenever I would take this rifle to the range, guys that bought the blonde ones would always bug me to trade for my green one. Great rifles to shoot, a bit messy. Easy to clean, etc, and very forgiving. :p:p
 
Speckfire, I understand that the SKS' gas system is easier to clean that most but it is not at all impervious to corrosion; the piston tube is not chromed and can be subject to the same problem that plague any firearm using corrosive primers.
I happen to have many semi-auto rifles using the 7,62x39mm and NEVER had any problem because
1) I always clean immediately after a shooting session.
2) Maybe my local climate is dryer than your friend's and corrosion needs more time to act
But I tend to find the VZ-52/57 as easy or almost as easy as the SKS or Rashid, the easiest being, in my opinion, the VZ-58 and its avatars.
But, after all, cleaning them is part of the fun I derive from their shooting.
PP.:)
 
the VZ52/57 is a nicer gun to shoot than a sks. It has better sights and clip magazines are easier to load and change. The czechs were the only russian "ally" that were allowed to keep their "issue" rifles. everyone else had to use sks or ak47
 
I generally avoid corrosive ammunition like the plague, even for my 858L tactical, despite the fact that it is chrome lined, so I'm not too worried if I had a VZ 52 or 52/57, or an SKS.

I like the 52 and the 52/57 because they are both rare and virtually unknown to, and they look like they are better finished than the SKS.
 
Saw a very nice 52/57 with an extra magazine sell at auction yesterday for $375. Sold a few when they were being imported. A nicer rifle than a SKS, although a bit of a mousetrap mechanically.
 
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