Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category.
01 / Overview
vz. 52
Category
Country
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)
—
ⓘ 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
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire ModesFull-auto
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemBelt
- Magazine Capacity25
- Cyclic Rate of Fire900
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
- Muzzle Velocity730 m/s
- Effective Range (point)800 m
- Effective Range (area)900 m
- Maximum Range2,800 m
◆Barrel & Sights3MOD.3
- Barrel Length583 mm
- Sight TypeIron sights
- Iron SightsYes
▤Features2MOD.2
⬢Production & Cost3MOD.3
- Total Production8,000
- Production Start1952
- Production End1964
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1952Production started
- 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
19831983 Invasion of GrenadaDecisive victory→1974–1991Ethiopian Civil War—→1961Bay of Pigs invasionDecisive victory→1959–1965Escambray rebellionDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
06 / MASS Score
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) RANKING Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
46LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)4EARLY COLD WAR · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)57CZECH REPUBLIC · ALL WEAPONS45PERFORMANCE/PRICE · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)
ⓘ Rankings are within theLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)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