Now THAT is a gun

[hashcollision]

I just picked up my first CZ (of any kind) today, which happened to be a CZ 52.  I took it apart and went over it.  Let me just say, THAT is what a gun should be like.  It is a big hunk of Czech-quality Soviet cold war materiel.  It is the most beautiful gun I have ever seen I think.  The machining is "industrial", not really craftsmanship I think.  But that's fine.  It is solidly built and the design is beautiful.  Trigger is great out of the box.  I can't wait to take it to the range and see what it does.  I have to clean it up, oil/grease the appropriate places, etc.  I'll probably also replace the firing pin.  I'm thoroughly impressed.

Someday when I have time I'm going to start a project to either buy blueprints from CZ, or else have blueprints made of it, and then maybe do a re-issue.  Maybe just produce new slides and receivers and use existing parts to re-issue it.  I would want to keep the exact same appearance, cartridge and single-stack design.  Just make it with modern CNC machining, maybe finish it a little better, use better modern steels, and re-release the classic.

It's the pistol that didn't win the Cold War!

[n-44-Canon]

The idea of rebuilding CZ-52s has been thurally discussed on this forum, and believe me when I say that many of us have some real works of art of our own.
 I myself have looked in to this and come up with some ideas, but I don't think producing the entire gun from scratch to the exact specs of the origional is going to be the best idea, parcially because as great as it is, the gun DOES have it's problems.
 I think you will be gutting the design by rebuilding it on modurn CNC techknowledgy with newer metals. This is coming from someone who builds entire firearms from scratch of his own design and turned CZ-52 in to both high-performance and model handguns. The machining and metal grade was made to work and take a beating, and you'll have a hard time beating the guns origionators at it. This is not to say that a higher end, tighter spec. CZ-52 is not a good idea, but that if you are going to do that, you need tomake some aulturations to the design. I myself wouldn't mind seeing something similar to the Sig P-230 in 7.62x25.
 If you want to make a modurn CZ-52, then upgrade the origional. If you think it lacks in potential, then a thural study of this forum will make a believer out of you. The photo gallery would be a good place to start.

[hashcollision]

Thanks for the insights on that, 44.  Well, I have thought of some upgrades and changes, but I would want to keep them mostly internal.  I really think the design of this gun is strikingly beautiful and would want to keep that, but I do want something with modern production techniques.

You say you design and build guns from scratch, and I looked at your website.  Very impressive stuff.  Despite your comments above, I think my first step is to reproduce the frame and slide of the CZ-52, making it parts-compatible, and then go from there in making changes.

My favorite thing about the design is the roller-locking.  One consequence of the roller locking is that the barrel doesn't tilt.  That has some good implications for accuracy potential and it also means that the recoil spring is around the barrel, so there is no guide rod.  This means that there is plenty of empty space under the barrel inside the frame.  One thing the CZ-52 lacks is a laser sighting system, but there is plenty of room in there for a fully internal laser, like a Lasermax system.  So that's one of the mods I'm looking into.  Wouldn't change the appearance but would add a whole new capability.  It would also be unique; no other gun can put a laser there because all other guns have guide rods.

I have a Lasermax for my Glock and it doesn't work well to put the laser in the guide rod.

Anyway, another question for you: since you work in this area, would you do some work like this on a contract?  I think the first step would be to blueprint and produce a replacement slide.

Thanks

[crazyYammi]

One thing that nobody has mentioned about the 52 is that the design of the reciever is very smooth. look at a 1911 and you will see that it is covered with sharp edges that can snag your holster or clothing.

CZ52 is a very smart design.

[n-44-Canon]

Inturnal is what you should leave alone. If you ARE going to modify anything, may it be the exturnals. You shouldn't do anothing but tune the innerds of the CZ-52.
 I myself have my own design, but I need to come up with another CZ-52 before I can do that. It however uses EAA Witness magazines. It is more or less a stripped down regulear CZ-52 frame with cuts and synthetic body around it and the standard upper with a few modurn parts:



 That's about as far as I am willing to go with the CZ-52.

[pakmcc]

Hi there, 44 cannon,
   
   I have four of the CZ52's and one has been throughly Makaroved (new firing pin, springs etc.) two have new springs and one of them has the new firing pin. one is stock.
   I like the looks of your "design for the "New" 52. IF you ever get serious about bulding one please let me know. I'm a CZ junkie.(up to 19 at last count, from .380 to .45) and that's not counting clones. But, IF you would build one, I would like a crack at it. (I'm retired, but working a little).(Any cal. but 10mm, that's too much for me to want to play with)
   I do reload 7.62X25 and just about every thing else, in pistols.
  yours truly, Pat

[n-44-Canon]

I'll keep you in mind. Their is no caliber change. The gun uses EAA Witness .38 super magazines which can hold ( or be made to hold ) 7.62x25 ammo. Their is no further mechanicle change to the gun. It's just tuned inside and the rest of the differences are exturnal.
 In the meing time, I am finishing up on a special volume of CZ-52 grips. They are the final CZ-62 grips to be made. They are called Nova grips and their name matches their appearince. Very clean cut, well made and well fit grips. They are also wrap-around. Most of them are made for speciffic indeviduals but I will probably hold a contest for the remainder of them after I am done giving the pre-destined ones out. IMHO, they are the most attractive CZ-52 grips I have ever made. If you want your gun looking pretty and new for the time being, I would enter the contest to see about wining them. It's a contest, so their is no cost or obbligation to enter.