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vz. 52
Photo: Atirador · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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vz.52

Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · Czech Republic · 1952
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vz.52

vz. 52
vz. 52 Photo: Atirador · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
65
Effective Range
55
Accuracy
60
Reliability
75
Portability
70
Ammunition Capacity
50
Barrel Endurance
60
Controllability
70
Versatility
55
Cost-Effectiveness
70
Origin Czech Republic
ManufacturerZbrojovka Brno
CategoryLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)
EraEarly Cold War
In service1952–1964
Operators14 countries
Quantity8,000
Data Quality88%
63
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) MASS Rating
4/7
Early Cold War
46/75
All-Time
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
65
Effective Range
55
Accuracy
60
Reliability
75
Portability
70
Ammunition Capacity
50
Barrel Endurance
60
Controllability
70
Versatility
55
Cost-Effectiveness
70
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category.
01 / Overview
vz. 52
Prime contractor
Production
1952–1964
Quantity
8,000
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) · EARLY COLD WAR
4
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
75
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
63
light machine guns (lmg/saw) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
  • First Production Year1952
  • Service Entry Year1952
  • DesignerVáclav Holek
  • Weight (Empty)8 kg
  • Notable UsersAlgeria, Angola, Biafra, Chad, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Grenada, Guinea, Mozambique
◈Cartridge & Calibre4MOD.4
  • Cartridge7.62×45mm (vz. 52), 7.62×39mm (vz. 52/57)
  • Calibre7.62 mm
  • Case Length45 mm
  • Bullet Weight9.4 g
▣Operation6MOD.6
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
  • Muzzle Velocity730 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)800 m
  • Effective Range (area)900 m
  • Maximum Range2,800 m
◆Barrel & Sights3MOD.3
▤Features2MOD.2
⬢Production & Cost3MOD.3
  • Total Production8,000
  • Production Start1952
  • Production End1964
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1952Production started
  3. 1964Production ended
74
years in service
12
years in production
8,000
units produced
10
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 4 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
VZ. 52 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN25% win·50% loss
Total Conflicts
4
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
2
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory1country · 500units
500active
📖 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 Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) entry →