Zbrojovka ZB vz. 59 / Uk vz. 59

History

The UK vz. 59 is a Czech-designed machine gun, which is a modified version of the vz. 52/57 machine gun. It can use a 7.62x54 cartridge and is fed from a 50-round magazine attached to a 250-round belt. It has a bipod for support and can also be mounted on a tripod for continuous firing, although some adjustments are needed for anti-aircraft use. The gun has a wooden stock and pistol grip, a gas-operated firing system with a rate of fire between 700 and 800 rounds per minute. It weighs 9.28 kg and is 1215 mm long, with a barrel of 650mm (550mm for vz. 59L). It has an effective range of 100 to 2,000 meters when using the sights provided. The vz. 59 is based on earlier Czech machine gun designs, with versions chambered for either Soviet or NATO ammunition.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service: 1959

Origins: Czechoslovakia

Categories: General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)

Manufacturer: Zbrojovka Vsetin - Czechoslovakia

Carrier: Czechoslovakia; Czech Republic; India; Slovakia

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length: 1,215 mm (47.83 inches)

Run Length: 650mm (25.59 inches)

Cured weight: 20.46 lbs (9.28 kg)

Attractions: Foldable back panel; Hood front pillar

Action

Gas Power

Proposes a pneumatic system that typically consists of a cylinder and a rear drive piston that directs power to the bolt assembly.

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber: 7. 62x54mmR

Circle/Feed: 50-round detachable magazine or 250-round metal chain belt feed

POWER

Maximum efficiency: 6,561 feet (2,000m | 2,187m)

Rate of fire: 700 Number of revolutions

Mile speed: 2,723 ft/s (830m/s)

VARIANTS

Vz. 59L - Standard version, slightly supporting the base gun; mounted on a bipod and equipped with a "light" barrel.

Vz. 59N - Base design modified to fire standard 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges; equipped with dedicated gas regulator control for four position selection.

Vz. 59T - mount for tanks and armored vehicles, for coaxial placement; ignition is achieved by means of a solenoid.