Sa vz.58

   The Samopal vz.58 assault rifle was developed in Czechoslovakia in the late 1950s. Design of this weapon was finished in 1958 and it entered service in 1959. Production ceased in 1984 and just short of 1 million of there assault rifles were manufactured. This weapon appeared in numerous conflicts worldwide. It is still in service with Czech Republic, Slovakia and a number of export operators.

   The Sa vz.58 is a gas operated, selective fire weapon, chambered for the soviet 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge. Despite close resemblance to the AK-47, the Sa vz.58 is a vastly different design. It is well balanced and handles much better than the AK. Also the vz.58 is lighter. It's accuracy is adequate for NATO-size targets out to a few hundred meters.

   The trigger mechanism has a lever-type fire mode selector with manual safety, located on the right side of the receiver just above the pistol grip.

   This automatic weapon is fed from detachable 30-round magazines. Magazines are not interchangeable with those of the AK-47 or it's variants.

   The Sa vz.58 has an open-type adjustable iron sights with a sighting range of 800 meters.

   This assault rifle was originally produced with a solid wood-impregnated plastic stock, pistol grip and handguard (Sa vz.58 P). It was the standard infantry model. It is compatible with a knife-bayonet.

   A successor to the vz.58 was proposed the Lada family, which included a standard assault rifle, carbine and light machine gun, chambered for the Soviet 5.45 x 39 mm ammunition. However it was not adopted to service due to the budget problems. In the near future it might be replaced with the new CZ S805 assault rifle.

Variants

   Sa vz.58 V assault rifle fitted with a side-folding metal stock. This version was designed for airborne troops and vehicle crews;

   Sa vz.58 Pi fitted with a standard mount for a night vision sight and comes with detachable folding bipod.