CZ52 from estate auction

[stonecutter2]

I picked up a CZ52 from an estate auction for $130.   

It appears to not be an arsenal refurbish - at least, there's no indication of it with a marking on the frame.  I also don't see any import markings on the pistol's exterior, could they be somewhere else?

The pistol has a blackish finish to it.  Looks like it was made in 53, and has the rid stamp on the frame.

So, i'm aware of the weak firing pin (going to get a dry fire friendly one) and that the rollers can get out of whack (probably will buy new ones to know they're good).

My question is - are there any other things to specifically look for, to make sure the gun is "ok" to fire?  The bore looks fantastic and unobstructed/not abused.  I haven't field stripped it yet.

Any advice on how best to keep it lubricated - do you like...grease the rollers at all?  I'm curious to know what people's cleaning procedure is for these.

I'm pretty excited to have gotten a CZ-52 at such a good price   The auction listed the pistol as "unknown" manufacturer, but I knew what it was when i saw the picture 

The unissued CZ52's at Czechpoint look like they're parkerized (or more grayish), would a blackish finish be original to the pistol?  It does not appear to be refinished, although down near where the trigger guard meets the grip, there is a section of bare metal where it looks like the corner was smoothed out - maybe to avoid hurting someone's hand.  Thankfully this bare metal hasn't corroded or anything, it's shiny silver.

I'm really impressed with how solid this pistol feels - and the grip is really pretty comfortable in my hand.  I think that CZ triggers feel fantastic...the trigger feel is probably what stands out the most to me for CZ's. 

This CZ52's going to keep my CZ82 company in the gun safe!

[sfrenchy]

They're a fun pistol to shoot. You'll impress your friends when they see the ammo. Good buy. I'm sure you'll get many opinions here, but I would suggest a cleaning followed by a lube-yes-do the rollers, slide, etc (add a drop anywhere you see wear-it's obvious on the well used ones... If all feels fine, go ahead and shoot it. Be sure to wear hearing protection-they're LOUD (and glasses). I got one of Checkpoints new-unissued 52's and the finish is kind of a dull geyish greenish parkerized looking finish.

[stonecutter2]

They're a fun pistol to shoot. You'll impress your friends when they see the ammo. Good buy. I'm sure you'll get many opinions here, but I would suggest a cleaning followed by a lube-yes-do the rollers, slide, etc (add a drop anywhere you see wear-it's obvious on the well used ones... If all feels fine, go ahead and shoot it. Be sure to wear hearing protection-they're LOUD (and glasses). I got one of Checkpoints new-unissued 52's and the finish is kind of a dull geyish greenish parkerized looking finish.

Good deal, thanks!

Thanks for the info on the Czechpoint 52.  I know that parkerizing can vary in color based on several factors - sometimes it's grayish, sometimes it's more black.  The finish on mine seems particularly "slippery" for parkerizing.  Doesn't seem refinished, though.  It looks pretty tough, whatever it is!

[stonecutter2]

Got the slide off, and took the barrel out - that was rough and worrisome the first time   I used a wooden dowel to do it.  The magazine I have has some parkerizing wear, but otherwise is in really good shape - will NOT be using the baseplate to remove the barrel from the slide

The pistol is pretty sound internally, but i've yet to remove the firing pin or rollers and replace them (ordering replacements soon).  I did notice some orangish coloring on the underside of the slide.  Nothing seems pitted, though - although the metal itself does seem to be a bit porous/has small nicks in it all over (not smooth metal work). 

I'll be giving things a very good cleaning and oiling to prevent rust from doing anything too bad - for now, it seems superficial only.

I will not be firing this pistol or loading live ammo into it, until i take the firing pin out and examine what's up with it.  The pin could be broken, not sure, but it is slightly protruding from the bolt face and of course that's unsafe for ammo to get anywhere near.  I suspect the firing pin channel could also be full of gunk that needs cleaning, or some burrs, and it could be that the pistol slam fired or went full auto in the past, and the previous owner just left it alone.

I haven't dry fired it because if the firing pin is original, terrible quality or not, I'd like to keep it intact if it's okay still.

Overall, very happy with this pistol, and its internal mechanisms are fascinating!  Man it's rough getting the barrel in and out of the slide, though.  I'm terrified of the barrel flinging across the room.

[lklawson]

Man it's rough getting the barrel in and out of the slide, though.  I'm terrified of the barrel flinging across the room.

Get a screwdriver and grind the point off.  Chamfer the edge.  Use it as a barrel removal tool.  It'll fit into the hole behind the rollers and allow you to get a really good grip.  Heck, if you use a Phillips Head (aka "Cross Point") you don't even have to grind the point.

I use a small pocket screwdriver.  It has a magnetic barrel nub on the heel which fits the hole just perfect.

I think I recall some people saying they use a hex wrench.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

[skucera]

I once saw a CZ 52 with its import stamp cunningly stamped on the underside edge of the slide.  I've also seen one brought back from Vietnam with no import stamps on it at all, as you'd expect of a war souvenir.

Scott

[stonecutter2]

I once saw a CZ 52 with its import stamp cunningly stamped on the underside edge of the slide.  I've also seen one brought back from Vietnam with no import stamps on it at all, as you'd expect of a war souvenir.

Scott

I've examined about every inch of the pistol, I don't see any import markings.  What does that mean?  I also don't see anywhere obvious where a mark might have been ground off, or removed.

[stonecutter2]

Man it's rough getting the barrel in and out of the slide, though.  I'm terrified of the barrel flinging across the room.

Get a screwdriver and grind the point off.  Chamfer the edge.  Use it as a barrel removal tool.  It'll fit into the hole behind the rollers and allow you to get a really good grip.  Heck, if you use a Phillips Head (aka "Cross Point") you don't even have to grind the point.

I use a small pocket screwdriver.  It has a magnetic barrel nub on the heel which fits the hole just perfect.

I think I recall some people saying they use a hex wrench.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

Good tips, thanks!!

[armed hiker]

It took me a good long while to find the import stamp almost so faint you could not see it. It also was smaller than I am used to seeing.
On the frame just ahead of the date was SOG's stamp easily 1/4 the size of the factory markings ... tiny. I love it and wish they all did the same.