M-52?

[sarduy]

hi folks

i was talking to a friend of my dad and he told me that when he was in the army (cuban army) around 30 years ago, they had a rifle called the M-52 or model M-52 with a 10 round detachable mag and a side folding bayonet, so i though it was a version of the mosin nagant but he said it's not a bolt action. and they come from russia

i have search the web for a M52 rifle but i have't found any, have you hear of such weapon?

 

[woodfiend]

I am quite sure that would be some type of SKS. It fits the description. And for a communist country of the time, it would be appropriate as well.

 

[Domino]

Well if its actually russian I would say that it would have to be an SKS or an SVT 40 Tokarev. I thought the Cuban Army used the AK-47?

 

[sharkhunter2018]

Sounds like the Czech Vz52.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vz_52/57

 

[MachIVshooter]

Sounds like the Czech Vz52.

That was my thought. A strange little rifle they are, but I like mine.



If he can remember the chambering, that'll help identify. VZ-52's were the only rifle to use 7.62x45mm ammunition.

 

[sarduy]

the Vz52 is exactly like he said it was

Well if its actually russian I would say that it would have to be an SKS or an SVT 40 Tokarev. I thought the Cuban Army used the AK-47?

cuba use almost every russian weapon, and yes the AK47 is the standard issued rifle, they even produce it.

 

[sarduy]

is that a variasion of the SKS? because the original SKS is a scaled down of the PTRS-41
http://www.gunpics.net/russian/ptrs/ptrs.html

 

[Vaarok]

No.

The Pusca Vz. 52 is a hybrid of the SVT-40, G-43, and M-1 Garand.

Triggergroup of the Garand, SVT bolt, G-43 gas system, after a fashion.

Chambered in the 7.62x45 intermediate cartridge, and fitted with a sidefolding bayo. Possibly the ultimate semiautomatic battle carbine. I love mine to death.

 

[Nero_Atrum]

Like the above posters have said its the VZ52. My dad was also in the Cuban army. From what Ive heard the AK was standard issue for almost everyone except maybe the tank crews who used the CZ25 SMG. I dont know why they had VZ52s, maybe leftovers from the revolution?

 

[JWF III]

MachIVshooter and Varrok, I've been thinking about the possibility of getting one the next time I find one for sale, how hard is it finding ammo? Is it still just surplus only, or is there a company producing reloadable brass or cartridges?

I think that I read in "Cartridge Conversions" that there was some other brass that it could be made from, but I don't have the book nearby. Could you confirm this?

Thanks for the info,
Wyman

 

[marktx]

What's a good price for one? I know a guy who has one for sale, it's not in the best condition and the bayonet is broken. Looks like replacement bayo is available from Numrich.

 

[mgregg85]

All of the vz. 52 series were quickly replaced in Czechoslovak service by the Sa vz. 58, but the earlier rifles found their way to Soviet allies during the Cold War, and have seen service in Grenada, Somalia, Cuba and Afghanistan and many of those were passed on to guerrillas[1]. The Czech Castle guard uses chrome-finished, deactivated vz. 52 rifles with darkened wood stocks as ceremonial weapons.

From wiki.

 

[Vaarok]

You can unpin the barrel on a Vz-52 and put on a 7.62x39 barrel fairly readily, you can insert a 6mm chamber adaptor and glue it in place with loctite or have a gunsmith weld it in place, or you can make brass out of .220 Swift.

Jardows over at surplusrifleforum.com is the guy to ask about reloading for it.

Average fair price runs between $275 for a truck-bedliner-painted rifle to $800 for a nice 52/57 in 7.62x39. I think I paid about $350 for either of mine.

 

[Gator]

My local gun store has one for sale. PM me for contact info if you are interested.