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UK vz. 59
Photo: JanHermanek · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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UKvz.59

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Czech Republic · 1959
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UKvz.59

UK vz. 59
UK vz. 59 Photo: JanHermanek · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
75
Effective Range
70
Penetration
65
Reliability
85
Accuracy
70
Barrel Endurance
75
Mount Versatility
80
Controllability
75
Portability
60
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin Czech Republic
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraEarly Cold War
In service1959–1990
Operators11 countries
Quantity59
Data Quality88%
74
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
11/21
Early Cold War
34/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
75
Effective Range
70
Penetration
65
Reliability
85
Accuracy
70
Barrel Endurance
75
Mount Versatility
80
Controllability
75
Portability
60
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
UK vz. 59
Production
1959–1990
Quantity
59
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · EARLY COLD WAR
11
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
74
general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General4MOD.4
  • First Production Year1959
  • Service Entry Year1959
  • Weight (Empty)9.28 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
▣Operation7MOD.7
  • Action TypeGas-Operated
  • Fire Modesfull-auto
  • Select FireYes
  • Feed SystemBelt
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire700
  • Trigger Typesingle-stage
  • Safety Typemanual lever
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
  • Muzzle Velocity830 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)1,000 m
  • Effective Range (area)2,000 m
  • Sighting Range2,000 m
◆Barrel & Sights6MOD.6
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost3MOD.3
  • Production Start1959
  • Production End1990
  • Variants6
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1959Production started
  3. 1990Production ended
  4. 2022Sale: Ukraine (3,200 units)
67
years in service
31
years in production
59
units produced
10
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
UK VZ. 59 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN40% win
Total Conflicts
5
Victories
2
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory1country · 3,200units
3,200active
UK vz. 59SALES1records
YearBuyerQuantityAmountPresent Value (2025)
2022Ukraine3,200——
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) entry →