The Vz. 50 (also known as the CZ 50) is a Czechoslovak made double-action, semi-automatic pistol. Vz is an abbreviation of the Czech (as well as Slovak) term "vzor" meaning model.
History
After the Second World War, Czechoslovakia's Ministry of the Interior requested a new pistol design from Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod. The resulting gun was chambered in .32 ACP and designed by two brothers Jan and Jaroslav Kratochvíl.
Design
The Vz. 50 combined elements from both the Walther PP and PPK. The pistol is fed from an 8-round single-stack magazine, located within the bakelite paneled grip. Small fixed sights are located on top of the slide.
The pistol functions via the blowback principle. Gas pressure from burning powder simultaneously forces the cartridge case and slide backward and forces the bullet forward in the barrel. After it reaches the end of its rearward travel, the recoil spring returns the slide to its forward position, stripping and chambering a new round from the magazine as it does so, rendering the gun ready to fire again.
Hammer and trigger operation is single and double action.
Markings
Serial numbers
Serial numbers start at 650001, continuing from the discontinued vz. 27 serial number range.
Pistols manufactured at the Strakonice factory end in the 740000 range.
Pistols manufactured at Uhersky Brod have 5 digit serial numbers preceded by a letter (which may change in the middle of a number series).
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Non-state actors
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References
External links
- World Guns, Modern Firearms, Handguns" Cz-50 / vz.50 and Cz-70 / vz.70 pistols (Czechoslovakia)
- The Original CZ Forum
- CZ Forum
- CZ - Handgun Forum
- CZ Firearm Forum
- Ebook: CZ-70 pistol explained