Automatic vz. 58 in Czechoslovakia was produced in three main versions: vz. 58 P (Pěchotní, "Infantry"), which had a rigidly fixed plastic stock, although older models also used wooden stocks. Vz. 58 V (Czech Výsadkový, "Landing", it was used by the Airborne Forces and tankers) had a metal butt that folded to the right and, finally, vz. 58 Pi (Czech Pěchotní s infračerveným zaměřovačem, “Infantry with an infrared sight”), which had a “dovetail” mount on the left side of the magazine receiver for the NSP-2 night sight. It also had a folding bipod and a tapered flash suppressor. Under the NATO cartridge 7, 62 × 51 mm NATO, in 1966, an experimental model of the "automatic rifle" AP-Z 67 was developed, followed in 1970 by another "NATO" model UP-Z 70 (Útočná puška, “assault rifle ") Chambered for 5, 56 × 45 mm. Several more experimental prototypes followed, including a bullpup assault rifle (1976) and a Samopal vz. 58/98 ("Bulldog assault rifle"): a variant designed for the 9x19 mm Parabellum cartridge.
Soldiers of the Czech army fire from machine guns vz. 58.
Always, even involuntarily, people tend to compare: with them, with us. Here you can see our Kalashnikov assault rifle and vz. 58. Ours is clearly "coarser" and more metal is spent on it. "58" is outwardly "more elegant" and requires less metal, which is important for a small country (and a soldier!). Both shutters function well. The constructive difference is that the Czech machine gun has a short gas piston stroke, while the AK has a long one. It doesn't matter. But … in our machine there is one spring, in the Czech one - two. It's not that convenient. There are also more details when disassembling a Czech machine gun. The fire switch is not so convenient, it is also a fuse. But there is a slide delay that stops the slide in the rear position after all the cartridges are used up. This is a perfectly reasonable decision. But the bad thing is that the entire receiver is open from above. If an explosion happens nearby, it throws earth and stones there and what to do? And in the AK, after all, from the very beginning, all the cracks were closed! There is, however, still a "platform", small, at the end of the store, to lean on the ground when shooting. “Kalashnikov is leaning against the corner of the store. A trifle, but nice. Caring for people. All other indicators are similar. Otherwise, by the way, it would never have been allowed for production within the framework of the Department of Internal Affairs. However, the most important thing is that in the latest models of their machines, Czech designers again turned to a rotating shutter! That is, time has proven its great efficiency!
After Czechoslovakia "ordered to live a long time", the machine began to be altered to meet the requirements of the civilian market. For example, the CZH 2003 Sport appeared: a self-loading version with a standard 390 mm barrel or with a barrel shortened to 295 mm. The production of assault rifles was started in Canada, but, on the contrary, with a barrel extended to 490 mm.
Vz. 58 caliber 7.62 mm with a shortened barrel.
For the Canadian market, a sample of the CZ 858 Tactical was also produced: it was a civilian self-loading carbine with barrels of different lengths and an image of a maple leaf on the butt. Were created: a civilian self-loading FSN-01 (barrel length 390 mm) with a folding stock; FSN-01F with Bakelite stock and FSN-01W with wooden stock), with shortened barrels and blued steel parts.
Vz. 58 caliber 5, 56 mm.
CSA vz. 58 Sporter (Tactical Sporter and Military Sporter) in 2007 were developed for US sales by Czech Small Arms. The Compact sample had a 190 mm barrel and a folding stock, the Carbine (that is, a carbine) - a 300 or 310 mm barrel, and also a folding stock) and a Rifle (a rifle) with a 390 or 410 mm barrel and a Bakelite stock). The mechanism was designed in such a way that to convert them into an automatic sample, similar to the original Sa vz. 58 was impossible. The development was carried out under the cartridges.222 Remington,.223 Remington (5, 56 × 45 mm NATO) or 7, 62 × 39 mm.
Vz. 58 "compact".
Vz. 58 "compact" with unfolded stock.
Finally, a variant of Rung Paisarn RPS-001 is known, representing Sa vz. 58, but with parts taken from the American M16 rifle, which was produced by the Thai company Rung Paisarn Heavy Industries in 1986. Vz 2008: released by Century Arms and also using American parts: magazine receiver and barrel. That is, the firms took into account that the Czech machine gun was widely distributed around the planet, but … someone may need it, and firing American cartridges.
Vz. 58 - "elite execution".
In the 1990s, in the Czech Republic, it was decided to create a new machine gun chambered for 5, 56 × 45 mm NATO, and it was created and named ČZ 2000. It was planned that it would replace Sa vz. 58, but it turned out that the Czech Ministry of Defense did not have enough money for rearmament at that time. Only in 2009 was a tender announced for a new assault rifle. Developed on a competitive basis, the ČZW-556 assault rifle and the ČZW-762 light machine gun, with semi-open locks with lever deceleration, showed higher firing accuracy. However, they did not go into the series. Finally, only in 2011 as a replacement for vz. 58 in the Czech Republic adopted the ČZ 805 assault rifle manufactured by BREN. It was created in 2006, but it was tested, checked and debugged for a long time, and then there were still difficulties with setting up production. As for the machines vz. 58, then they are not disposed of, but for now they are stored in warehouses.
Shooting from a machine gun vz. 58 equipped with a silencer.
However, before the ČZ 805 entered service, it was decided to replace it with the new CZ 806 BREN 2 assault rifle. The fact is that the previous model had many shortcomings. Among them, for example, its high cost, large dimensions and, accordingly, large weight were noted, the bolt handle, which moves during firing, and this, they say, is an anachronism today, the inconvenient design of the fire translator, and the problem of disassembling the gas block without tools.
Czech soldiers with vz. 58 in Afghanistan.
On the new sample, first of all, its weight was reduced by 0.5 kg, then the design of the fire translator levers and the fire control handle was changed, and they also took the slide stop button and the magazine latch from the AR-15 / M16 rifles. The store is also made according to the NATO standard. The original solution was to put the magazine latch button and the slide delay inside the trigger guard! The bolt handle was made motionless when firing. Well, the new model will be produced in two versions: the ČZ 806 BREN 2 A1 assault rifle and the ČZ 806 BREN 2 A2 automatic carbine, with a shortened barrel. In addition to the Czech army, ČZ 805 ended up in Indonesia, where it was armed with special forces and the Mexican police. In 2014, the old machine vz. 58 with this new one decided to replace neighboring Slovakia.
A soldier of the Slovak army with a Vz. 58.
However, the deliveries of the new machine gun to the Czech army did not begin immediately, but only in November 2016 the Czech army received its first batch of ČZ BREN 2 rifles. In 2017, the French GIGN (Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) also received 68 ČZ BREN 2 is chambered for 7.62x39mm and is expected to order more to replace most of its Heckler & Koch HK416. ČZ BREN 2 chambered for 7.62 × 39 mm was also supplied to the Egyptian Airborne Forces and the Republican Guard in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
ČZ 805 BREN A1
A total of 6,687 ČZ 805 BREN A1 assault rifles were ordered on March 18, 2010; 1, 250 carbines ČZ 805 BREN A2; and underbarrel grenade launchers 397 ČZ 805 G1. For special units, 1, 386 improved optical sights, including night sights, were prepared. The first delivery of the ČZ 805 took place on July 19, 2011 and included 505 assault rifles and 20 grenade launchers. The initial order was due to be completed in 2013.
ČZ 806 BREN 2 A2
However, already in October 2015, ČZ announced that it already had an improved, lighter version of its ČZ 806 BREN 2 rifle - with significantly improved ergonomics and functionality. A number of changes were made based on comments received from soldiers during operation. For example, the magazine latch buttons and slide delay levers are now located on both sides of the receiver, in addition, they are also duplicated inside the trigger guard. In January 2016, the Czech army confirmed that it had entered into contracts with ČZ for 2, 600 ČZ 806 BREN 2 ("rifles") and 800 ČZ 805 G1 (under-barrel grenade launcher). The purchase decision was made at the end of October 2015 in connection with a new security threat and a migration crisis in Europe and Syria.
ČZ 806 BREN 2 with a magazine from М16.
ČZ 805/806 BREN use the well-proven principle of a closed shutter, which is locked by rotation, and a two-stage gas regulator has also been added to the mechanism of its gas automatics. The switch allows you to fire single shots, a burst of two rounds and continuously.
The ČZ 805/806 BREN rifle is equipped with the now fashionable Picatinny rails, which allows you to mount a wide range of additional sighting equipment (day sights, night sights, laser rangefinders and designators, etc.). The side stock is foldable, adjustable in length and can be completely removed if maximum compactness is required. Additional equipment includes a new, specially designed 40mm grenade launcher and bayonet.
ČZ 806 BREN 2 "carbine".
The shutter handle can be installed on both sides depending on the user's preference. The barrel and bolt are chrome plated for increased durability. The magazine receiver is a separate plug-in unit. It can be easily replaced to use NATO STANAG magazines or HK G36 5.56x4mm magazines. It can also hold a 5, 56x45-100-round NATO C-Mag. In its standard configuration, the ČZ 805 BREN uses NATO's patented 30-round magazine.
A variant of the ČZ 807 was also developed for the 7.62 × 39 mm cartridge. It is noted that this machine is one of the lightest in its category and, moreover, has excellent ergonomics. Due to its simplicity, the weapon is ready for use in active service mode for a long time without the need for complex maintenance. Hungary has already acquired a license to manufacture ČZ 807 from itself for arming the army and police.
