Options for reworking a CZ52?

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macadore

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If one could get a good deal on a CZ52 in 7.62x45, what would be the options other than trying to find this expensive and difficult to find ammo? I know there are converters available to 7.62x39, but that would leave a 6 mm gap between the chamber and the barrel so I don't think that is a good idea. Could the original barrel be re chambered to 7.62x39 or would that require a new barrel? If a new barrel would be necessary, would the 5.45x39 or the 5.56x45 work without any other modifications? Would the cost of any of these options be cost prohibitive?
 
The CZ52 was re-barreled to 7.62x39 in the Czech Republic way back in the day when they were forced into standardized ammunition by the USSR.

By all accounts they were less than accurate, and less reliable than the original.

What if you rechambered to something slightly longer, say 7.62x51?
 
It is possible to handload 7.62 x 45--in line with the old saying, 'anything is possible.' Brass is available from Buffalo Arms ( http://www.buffaloarms.com/Default.aspx ). The cases are quite expensive, over a buck each. One also hears of people forming the cases from other brass, a tedious process.

Dies will be expensive: http://www.huntingtons.com/dies_specialorder.html

All this may take the rifle out of the category of a good deal, and turn it into a good deal of nuisance. It is, though, possible.
 
I don't think you will find any easy or cheap way of converting your rifle. The insert is the easiest and cheapest way but it will need to be soldered into place to be reliable. The Loctite method doesn't last.

If I remember right, some people have removed the barrel and shortened the chamber to x39. They also said it was very difficult to remove the barrel on one of these rifles. The barrel will also have to be moved in to compensate for what was cut off the chamber and that will affect the placement of all the other parts attached to the barrel.

Even if you convert the chamber, you still have a magazine that is for 7.62x45 and it most likely won't feed reliably. The magazine certainly won't feed anything longer than x45. There were x39 magazines made for this rifle but they are extremely rare and of course that also means exspensive. Also, anything you do to the chamber would require the head spacing to be checked and if you change to 5.56x45 you will need to change to a bolt and magazine that will handle the 5.56 casing.

If you want to keep the rifle, reloading is probably your best option.
 
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All this may take the rifle out of the category of a good deal, and turn it into a good deal of nuisance. It is, though, possible.
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking when I posted. Thanks for all the replies.
 
Colonel,

The Vz. 52 rifle is often referred to as a CZ 52 because it is Czech.
 
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Wow, I bet if you buy that you get a free bowl o' soup!
 
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Wow, I bet if you buy that you get a free bowl o' soup!
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I collect military firearms so I'm always on the lookout for something affordable and unique. There are several problems with the 7.62x45 ammo it originally shot. The only ammo I have seen is corrosive and Berdan primed. I have heard it was very corrosive so I would expect a severely corroded barrel. Decapping Berdan primers is a pain and finding Berdan primers is not easy either so shooting it may be more trouble than it is worth. It would make an interesting addition, but I won't own anything that does not have a readily available source of ammo.
 
If that one goes too high, I'll sell you mine with 3 magazines and ~300 rounds for $400 including shipping. I don't ever shoot it, just taking up space. I'd rather put new tires on my Aspen.

Vz-52.jpg
 
My favorite intermediate rifle cartridge is 7.62 x 51R. I never have a problem finding ammo or components. ;) ;)
 
MachIVshooter said:
Do you mean 7.62x54R?

And that's not an intermediate round. It is a full power battle rifle cartridge.
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:) Nope, that is not the round I mean. Puzzle time!

-------------------------

Hint: The round I'm talking about is better known under its U.S. designation.
 
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I friggin' love my VZ-52s, I think I've got two or three of them right now. VERY accurate, they eject to the left, great balance, and reliable as anything else.

I highly recommend getting one, having a chamber insert installed professionally, and shooting the hell out of it, they're a great gun!
 
My apologies, MachIV . Perhaps we should return to the question of whether it is practical to convert a Czech 52 to .30 Russian Short. :evil:


Anyhow I've gone all over the Comblock SKS, Czech rifles and the gelded versions of the AK, and concluded that for my uses, anyway, a .30-30 is as satisfactory, and lighter.
 
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.30 Russian Short.
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I like that a little better.

In all seriousness, the odd dimensions of the 7.62x45mm don't lend well to conversions. It has very little case taper with non standard base/rim diameter and a length that falls right in the middle between intermediate and full power cartridges. x39 is the only common cartridge that could use the same bolt, but as has been mentioned, the magazine issue is not an easy fix.
 
IIRC the Czechs were forced to convert most of their She 52s to 7.62 x 39. They did this by taking the barrel off and re-cutting the threads seating the barrel deeper onto the receiver. Existing mag and everything. called the she 52/57.

I really want one, but they are going up in price everyday. There is one on gunbroker that is in terrible condition, but they want $400 for it and good ones go for 500 or higher.

It sucks to start a new business sometimes..
 
Povaska Bystrica is the Czech army ordinance factory the code she corresponds to. Just like bxn stood for the now Privi Partisan ammo factory in Vlasim.

The correct name is the Samonabíjecí puška vzor 52/57, semiautomatic rifle year 52/57.

The pistol is either the Pistolet vz 52 or the model CZ-482.

And they didn't cut the barrels back when they converted the rifles to 7.62x39, because cutting the barrels back moves the front sight collar back in relation to the stock, which means that the nosecap collar that provides the second attachment between the barreled action and the stock doesn't have enough room to slide forward for field stripping. Shortened barrels was done by Century, the Czechs just installed new barrels in the proper chambering, and new mags with a flat, steeper angled bottom to help feed the slightly shorter cartridge. x45 mags still work with x39, but they do occasionally misfeed.
 
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