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
ZB vz. 30
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1930–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · INTERWAR PERIOD
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
90
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
◎General6MOD.6
- First Production Year1930
- Service Entry Year1930
- DesignerVáclav Holek
- Weight (Empty)9.1 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
- Notable UsersNazi Germany, Waffen-SS, Ethiopia, Bolivia, Afghanistan, Ecuador, Guatemala, Iran, Italy, China, Romania, Yugoslavia
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
- Cartridge7.92×57mm Mauser
- Calibre7.92 mm
- Case Length57 mm
- Calibre Classfull-size rifle
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation7MOD.7
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesautomatic
- Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
- Magazine Capacity20
- Cyclic Rate of Fire550
- Trigger Typesingle-stage
- Safety Typemanual safety
◇Ballistics2MOD.2
- Muzzle Velocity750 m/s
- Maximum Range1,000 m
◆Barrel & Sights3MOD.3
- Sight TypeFront blade, rear leaf sight
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
▤Construction4MOD.4
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
⬢Features3MOD.3
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1930
- Variants1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1927First deployment: Chinese Civil War
- 1930Production started
- 1934Sale: Ethiopia (425 units)
- 1936Sale: Latvia (11 units)
- 1938Sale: Afghanistan (2,000 units)
96
years in service
20
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 3 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
ZB VZ. 30 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win
Total Conflicts
3
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory13country · 52,254units
52,254active
ZB vz. 30SALES6records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 |  Afghanistan | 2,000 | — | — |
| 1936 |  Latvia | 11 | — | — |
| 1934 |  Ethiopia | 425 | — | — |
| — |  Bolivia | 3,350 | — | — |
| — |  Ecuador | 750 | — | — |
| — |  Guatemala | 50 | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
06 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Interwar Period
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
41GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)1INTERWAR PERIOD · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)29CZECH REPUBLIC · ALL WEAPONS11PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
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.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources