Fields of use
In 1956 the Soviet Union suggested that the Warsaw Pact forces standardize on united ammo. Therefore the Czechoslovakia armory Kostrukta started to develop the vz. 58 weapon. The famous assault rifle entered service two years later, and until 1984 almost a million weapons had been produced for the armed forces of Czechoslovakia, Cuba, and some African and Asian countries.
Interesting facts
The external design of the Czech vz. 58 reminds of the Soviet AK-47. However, internally are those weapons designed substantially differently. The vz. 58 is based on a short-stroke gas piston, while the AK-47 uses a long-stroke gas system.
Included in one package
Parameters
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Cartridge | 7.62 × 9 mm |
| Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Action | Gas-operated, falling breechblock |
| Weight | 2.9 kg (6.4 lb) |
| Length | 84 cm (33 in) |
| Muzzle velocity | 705 m/s (2.313 ft/s) |
| Firing range | 350 m (1.150 ft) |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Manufacturer | Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod |
| Designer | Jiří Čermák |
| Designed | 1956–1958 |
| In service | 1959–1984 |
| Number built | 920.000 |