Machine gun vz. 59
| Machine gun vz. 59 | |
|---|---|
|
|
| general information | |
| Country of operation: | ČSSR , Czech Republic , Slovakia |
| Developer / Manufacturer: | Zbrojovka Vsetín |
| Manufacturer country: | Czech Republic |
| Production time: | since 1959 |
| Weapon Category: | Machine gun |
| Furnishing | |
| Overall length: | easy barrel: 1116 mm heavy barrel: 1215 mm |
| Weight: (unloaded) | easy barrel: 8.6 kg heavy barrel: 9.6 kg |
| Barrel length : | easy barrel: 593 mm heavy barrel: 693 mm |
| Technical specifications | |
| Caliber : |
7.62 × 54 mm R 7.62 × 51 mm NATO |
| Possible magazine fillings : | 50 cartridges |
| Ammunition supply : | Ammunition belt |
| Cadence : | 800 (theoretical) 120-250 (practical) rounds / min |
| Fire types: | Continuous fire |
| Number of trains : | 4th |
| Twist : | right |
| Visor : | Folding visor |
| Closure : | Tilt block closure |
| Charging principle: | Gas pressure charger |
| Lists on the subject | |
The vz. 59 ( Univerzální Kulomet vzor 59 , in German: Universal machine gun model 59 ) is the standard machine gun of the Czech and Slovak armies . It was developed for the Czechoslovak People's Army in the 1950s .
technology
The vz. 59 is a zuschießender gas pressure loader with tilting block lock in the caliber of 7.62 x 54 mm R . Regardless of the use of rim ammunition, the cartridges are pushed forward from the ammunition belt directly into the chamber . While a proprietary permanent belt with open-top pockets is used for the original 7.62 × 54 mm R cartridge, the export version in caliber 7.62 × 51 mm NATO is set up for the use of STANAG decay belts.
The vz. 59 can be used both as a light MG with a bipod and as a heavy MG on a tripod mount .
A shorter and easier interchangeable barrel is provided for use as an IMG . The height-adjustable bipod is firmly attached to the barrel and can be folded onto it. The piston is provided with a foldable shoulder pad. The practical rate of fire in this configuration is 120 bpm.
When used in the sMG role, a longer and heavier barrel is used. The practical rate of fire here is 250 bpm, as the barrel only has to be changed after 2 minutes of continuous fire.
Both the light and the heavy barrel are equipped with a funnel-shaped muzzle brake and are interchangeable. The barrel change takes only a few seconds. In contrast to the previous model vz. 52 the supply of ammunition through magazines was completely dispensed with. The weapon has no ordinary cocking handle ; rather, it is loaded by sliding the movably mounted pistol grip back and forth. The handle also serves as a regulator for the gas pressure.
The weapon can be equipped with a telescopic sight and a night vision device.
variants
- vz. 59 L : light MG, convertible to sMG by changing the barrel
- vz. 59 T : coaxial turret machine gun on armored vehicles with cable release
- vz. 59 N : Export version in 7.62 mm NATO caliber, also as vz. 68 or UK 68 out
vz. 59L
vz. 59L
literature
- Günter Wollert, Reiner Lidschun, Wilfried Copenhagen : small arms . (1945-1985). In: Illustrated encyclopedia of rifles from around the world . 5th edition. tape 1 + 2 . Brandenburgisches Verlagshaus, Berlin 1988, ISBN 3-89488-057-0 , weapons, p. 194, 195 .
Web links
- Maxim Popenker: Vz.59 (UK Vz.59). In: Modern Firearms. modernfirearms.net, accessed February 3, 2018 .