Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
UK vz. 59
Country
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)
—
ⓘ 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
- Cartridge7.62×54mmR / 7.62×51mm NATO
- Calibre7.62 mm
- Case Length54 mm
- Calibre Class7.62mm
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣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
- Barrel Length650 mm
- Sight Typeiron sights
- Sight Radius353 mm
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood/metal
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitylight/medium/coaxial variants
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost3MOD.3
- Production Start1959
- Production End1990
- Variants6
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1959Production started
- 1990Production ended
- 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
2012–Mali War—→2008Russo-Georgian WarDecisive victory→1975–2002Angolan Civil War—→1975–1990Lebanese Civil War—→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
UK vz. 59SALES1records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3,200 | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
06 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
34GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)11EARLY COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)26CZECH REPUBLIC · ALL WEAPONS16PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 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