20. Move the slip-ring to the rear to give access to the toothed barrel retaining nut, and unscrew the nut counter-clockwise (front view). Take off the retaining nut, slip-ring, spring, and clip-ring toward the front.
21. The long pin which forms the hinge for the ejection port cover is retained by a C-clip in a groove near its forward end. Take off the C-clip, and move the hinge pin out toward the rear. Caution: The cover spring will be released as the pin is cleared, so restrain it. Take care that the very small C-clip is not lost.
22. Restrain the hammer and pull the trigger to lower the hammer to fired position. Push out the hammer pivot pin toward either side, controlling the hammer against its spring tension.
23. Remove the hammer and its spring upward. The spring is easily detached from the hammer.
24. Push the trigger pin just far enough toward the right that the disconnector is cleared, and remove the disconnector from the top of the grip frame.
25. Set the safety halfway between its two positions, and use a nylon drift punch on the right side to nudge it toward the left, then remove it
26. Remove the trigger pin, and take out the trigger assembly upward. The trigger spring and disconnector spring are easily detached from the trigger.
27. The magazine catch is removed by pushing it toward the left beyond its normal magazine release point, then unscrewing the catch piece from the button. The button and spring are then take off toward the right, and the catch piece toward the left. The catch piece is unscrewed counterclockwise, left-side view.
28. The hold open device and its spring are retained on the left side of the grip frame by a roll pin, and after removal of the pin they are taken off toward the left.
29. Restrain the recoil buffer against the tension of the recoil spring, and depress the buffer stop plunger. Caution: The spring is strong, so take care to keep it under control.
30. Slowly release the tension of the spring, and remove the buffer and spring toward the front.
31. Remove the upper screw in the buttplate and remove the buttstock toward the rear. Take care not to lose the takedown pin retaining plunger and its spring at the rear of the grip frame. Removal of the lower screw in the buttplate will give access to the mechanism of the storage compartment cover and its latch.
32. Remove the takedown pin spring and plunger from the rear of the grip frame. The takedown pin can then be removed toward the right.
33. The pistol grip is removed by backing out a screw accessible through the bottom of the grip. Note that this will also release the safety plunger and its spring for removal downward.
34. The lower section of the trigger guard is retained at the rear by a roll cross pin. After this is removed, the section can be swung downward, and a very small roll pin in its forward hinge will be exposed for removal. The hinge pin can then be taken out toward the right, and the lower section removed.
Reassembly Tips:
1. When replacing the safety-lever, use a tool on the right side to depress the safety plunger as the safety is pushed into place.
2. When replacing the cocking handle, remember that its forward end must be inserted into the receiver and then moved upward into its track.
3. When replacing the bolt in the bolt carrier, note that the extractor must be oriented to the upper right, and the ejector to the lower left. Also, remember to turn the bolt cam pin so its flange is beneath the edge of the gas cylinder.
Czech Vz52-57
| Data: | Czech Vz52/57 |
| Origin: | Czechoslovakia |
| Manufacturer: | CeskoslovenskaZbrojovka, Brno |
| Cartridge: | 7.62 ×39mm Soviet |
| Cylinder capacity: | 10 rounds |
| Overall length: | 41-¼ inches |
| Barrel length: | 21 inches |
| Weight: | 10 pounds |
The original Vz or 52 rifle was chambered for a special 7.62 × 45mm cartridge. In 1957, it was changed to the 7.62 × 39 Soviet round, and became the Vz52/57. Mechanically, the two rifles are identical. The bolt locking system is unusual, and the trigger group is similar to the U.S. Garand design.
Disassembly:
1. Remove the magazine, cycle the action to cock the internal hammer, and set the manual safety in on-safe position. Move the receiver cover forward until its left rail clears its track, and tip it upward and toward the right for removal. CAUTION: Keep the recoil spring under control.