VZ-52 SHE

[Gunny]

Recently acquired this ol' girl with the chamber insert for the 7.62x39 round.
This is a fun shooter, and so far I have run 350 rds down range without and issues
feeding them from the original 7.62x45 mag even.

Most recently I found a complete and correct cleaning kit for the VZ-52 along with
extra extractor and spring.

And 1 Original in like new condition with proper markings a VZ 52/57 magazine for the 7.62x39
I was able to acquire these items through my contacts in Czechoslovakia

[Rapidrob]

Very nice. Is the insert soldered in or is it just a friction fit?

[Gunny]

Its hard to tell but from having no issues at all, it appears to be soldered in or what every process they used to insert it.

[indy1919a4]

Very nice. Is the insert soldered in or is it just a friction fit?

How would one tell please???? and are there any Pros or Cons to either????

[Gunny]

I havnt found any easy way to tell currently, Im still trying to research it myself
there are so many opinions out there, you have to determine yourself. It will depend
on how well a job one does when going the insert route. This one came with it already
installed and from all I have shot so far, I have not had issues at all.

[72 usmc]

Interesting the stock is in original or possible refinished condition. The old century rifles from the late 1990s had a spray on black bed liner like material that covered the broken and cracked junk stocks. That bed liner spray material was a real job to remove and then the problems arose---most breaks, splinters, and cracks were beyond repair unless you patched in a huge splice. Ammo in brass case is always hard to find. It will be interesting if the insert was glued in, press fit, or screwed in.

Both apex and libertytreecollectors have a variety of gear and parts for these old dogs.
https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/p ... ategory=78

https://www.apexgunparts.com/rifles/aut ... /vz52.html

[Gunny]

The stock is original finish, ones I have seen that century hadn't coated with that black bed liner stuff were of this finish.
there is a small repair job at the heal of the stock which I'm sure had been armory repair and did a nice job on it.
I'm still trying to determine how the insert was accomplished. However it was done, sure did good job as I have not
had any feeding issues at all, even using the original caliber mag or the mag I have now for a 52/57 in 7.62x39

[Rapidrob]

The 2ND batch of rifles had the Bed Liner sprayed on. The rifles were in bad shape.
The first batch of original '45 rifles were in better shape. I got mine then. Barrel was so badly pitted under the gas sleeve I bought a replacement barrel and put it on.

[Gunny]

Thanks for the info Rob, I got lucky with this one I guess the bore is really nice on it
and under the gas sleeve is hardly any pitting at all which really surprised me,
I don't think this one was fired that much this may have been one of those from the first batch

[jardows]

Looks nice. I like the original x45 round, but getting the brass formed is a tedious process! How's your grouping? My barrel is pretty pitted, and after slugging it, found it is .314. The .312 150 Grain bullets meant for the 7.7 Jap work great, and I was able to get a load to shoot 2.5" I figured not bad for a rusted out com-block rifle!

[Gunny]

Well in shooting the x39 round since it has the chamber insert, and I am doing my part correctly, I have gotten varied groups from 1.8-2.0 with 5 shot groups
and for an old military surplus rifle that in my opinion is not bad at all. 've heard trying to reload for the original caliber isn't that easy I havn't tried it
Sounds like you might have found a reload that will work well for you especially of the original caliber....

[Rapidrob]

I have not slugged the bore but will. My groups were not great. If the bore is oversized that would explain the size of the group.

[Gunny]

Do you think there would be that much a difference in groupings etc shooting the x39 round using the chamber insert with the original x45 barrel ?
This one I have certainly has the original barrel markings near the muzzle on it.

[Rapidrob]

Perhaps. The bullet sitting in the insert has a pretty good jump to the origin of the rifling. That being said, Roy Weatherby's rifles did just that on purpose and they shoot very well.
I would mic your bullets and see what diameter they are as well.

[Gunny]

That's got me interested, think I will try and see what I come up with.