Sa 58
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| Sa vz. 58 | |
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 Slovak soldiers with Sa vz. 58 rifles |
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| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1959— |
| Used by | Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Indonesia, India, Angola, Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Sudan |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Jiří Čermák |
| Designed | 1956-1958 |
| Manufacturer | Česká Zbrojovka |
| Produced | 1959—1983 |
| Number built | about 1 million |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2.91 kg (6.42 lb) empty, 3.59 kg (7.92 lb) loaded |
| Length | 845 mm (33.3 in), 636 mm (25.0 in) folded |
| Barrel length | 390 mm (15.4 in), 4 grooves, right hand twist, 1:240 mm (1:9.45 in) |
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| Cartridge | 7.62 × 39 mm M43 |
| Caliber | 7.62 mm (.308 in) |
| Action | Gas-operated, tilting breechblock |
| Rate of fire | 800 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 705 m/s (2313 fps), energy 1988 J |
| Effective range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum range | 2800 m (3062 yd) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable box magazine (incompatible with AK-47) |
| Sights | Iron sight: tangent leaf graduated to 800 m (875 yd), sight radius 353 mm (13.9 in) |
The Sa vz.58 (Samopal vzor 58, which means submachinegun model 1958, sometimes vz.58 or incorrectly CZ 58) is an assault rifle designed and manufactured in Czechoslovakia. It looks similar to the AK-47, but the internal operation is different. The Sa 58 is gas-operated and capable of firing single shots (semi-auto) or fully automatic fire.
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[edit] History
The Sa 58 was developed by Jiří Čermák. Development of new weapon (borrowing some ideas from previous experimental models) with project codename KOŠTĚ (broom) officially started in 1956 and rifle was adopted by Czechoslovakia army (the only member of Warsaw Pact not using an AK-47 variant) in 1958. The rifle was produced by state armament factory Česká Zbrojovka. Production ended in 1983, about 1 million rifles were produced (between 900 000 - 1 200 000, exact number unknown). It's still standard individual weapon in Czech and Slovak army nowadays (2006). Although outer design looks similar to AK-47 it was inspired by German WWII StG 44 and 7.92x33 cartridge, information about Soviet AK-47 and 7.62x39 cartridge was not available in the beginning of development. Internal operation is completely different to AK-47, locking is similar to Walther P-38 or Berreta 92FS pistols, striking hammer is linearly floating.
[edit] Variants
- Samopal vzor 58 P (pěchotní - infantry): standard fixed stock version (earlier stock was wooden, later stock made from composite of splinters and epoxide).
- Samopal vzor 58 V (výsadkový - airborne): folding metal stock version for vehicle crew and airborne units.
- Samopal vzor 58 Pi: with a mounting (similar to SVD mounting) for 1st generation infrared night vision sights NSP-2, fixed stock, mostly used with conic flash suppressor and detachable folding bipod.
- Automatická puška (automatic rifle) AP-Z 67: experimental 7.62x51 calibre version developed in 1966 to 1967.
- Útočná puška (assault rifle) ÚP-Z 70: experimental 5.56x45 calibre version developed in 1970.
- Experimentální zbraň (experimental weapon) EZ-B: experimental bullpup version developed in 1976.
- Ruční kulomet (light machine gun) project codename KLEČ (dwarf pine): experimental 590mm barrel version (similar to RPK) developed in 1976.
- Lehká odstřelovačská puška (light sniper rifle) model 58/97: experimental marksman rifle developed by VTÚVM Slavičín.
- Samopal (submachine gun) model 58/98: experimental 9x19 calibre variant developed by VTÚVM Slavičín.
- OICW "Land Warrior": experimental rifle with muzzlebrake, dural handguard with rails for attachments and 58 Pi type mounting developed by Metal Slovakia.
- CZH 2003 Sport: semi-auto only, standard fixed stock, 10-rounds magazine, upper handguard mounting, for sale to civilians. Varied muzzlebrakes/flash suppressors, mountings and other accessories available, all standard military accessories (bayonet, folding bipod, conic flash suppressor, blankfire adapter etc.) fit as well.
- CZ 858 Tactical: semi-auto only, standard folding stock, standard 30-rounds magazine, 58 Pi type mounting, for sale to civilians. Available with barrel lengths of standard 390 or shortened 482 mm. Varied muzzlebrakes/flash suppressors, mountings and other accessories available, all standard military accessories (bayonet, folding bipod, conic flash suppressor, blankfire adapter etc.) fit as well.
- VZ-58S: semi-auto only, 390mm barrel with 5/30 round magazines. Available with bayonet, folding bipod, folding stock and modern flash suppressor. (for Canadian civilian market)
[edit] Trivia
- In the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only - one of the henchmen fires an Sa 58 when Agent 007 Roger Moore escapes from Hector Gonzales' villa.
- In the Resistance expansion of the PC Game Operation Flashpoint, the Sa 58 is the standard issue rifle of the Resistance side (this can have something to do with the fact, that this game was developed in Czech Republic). There are several inaccuracies though; the weapon is referred to as the 'AK47 CZ' and can use AK-47 Magazines
- In the film Behind enemy lines there is a very good close shot of the weapon during the sequence in which the main character runs through a mine field in slow-motion.
- In the film Bad Company the gun is used by the Czech terrorists.
- This weapon is also seen service with the Indian Army's Airborne Units.
- The Sa 58 is also used extensively by the Vietnamese in the movie Full Metal Jacket. An especially close shot of the weapon can be seen during the sniper sequence in which one of the marines is shot.
- As recently as 2005 a Sa 58 lot was bought by the Dominican Republic Government. The Sa 58 is now in service with the Dominican Republic Police's Lince special motorcycle squad, and some units in the Dominican Army.
- Actors of the movie DOOM used Sa 58 rifles while training military tactics. One of the actors refers to it as AK-47 clone.
[edit] Comparing to AK-47
Better
- shorter (overal length 845 mm / 33.3 in, 636 mm / 25.0 in if stock folded)
- lighter (3.59 kg / 7.92 lb with loaded magazine)
- light but sturdy light metal magazines (0.19 kg / 0.42 lb unloaded)
- chargeable by SKS clips, silent safety, able to fire when stock folded
Comparable
- reliability - in all conditions (uncleaned, in watter, dust or mud, high or low temperature)
- single shot accuracy
- undemanding maintenance and use
Worse
- difficult to control and not accurate during automatic fire (shorter, lighter, no muzzlebrake)
- shorter lifetime than AK-47 (still better than many other military weapons - bore, chamber, piston and locking part of bolt are chromium-plated)
- more small parts (field stripped to 9 parts - not including magazine and accessories)
- folding stock sometimes tends to fold
