Looking into CZ 52

Iron_Colonel · 06-30-2008, 10:35 PM

I just landed into my possession two CZ 52 pistols. They aren't mine, and the guy that is letting me check them out just has no idea anything about guns and wanted me to check them out. I didn't know what they were, but the import mark clarified that, and after reading some info here on the forum, I am thinking I may want to purchase one of these.

I have read about the firing pin, and before I do make any purchases, wanted to locate a firing pin for purchase, as well as a source of ammo. So if anyone has any info on the gun itself, pros, cons etc...and ammo availability, please share it with me in hopes of a new acquisition. I posted in the Mosin sub forum that a guy backed out on a 91/30 sale for $125, so I can use that money for the CZ 52. Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

squirrelbaster · 06-30-2008, 11:04 PM

ive always wanted one, i have heard that you should avoid the balgarian milsurplus ammo becouse it is a hotter load, dont know if its true though.

blaster · 07-01-2008, 07:35 AM

I bought 2 replacement firing pins that are supposed to be machined steel from J&G sales for about $10. ea. for my vz52 s. even when you know not to dry fire it, some times it happens. I shoot them a lot and never had any problems. I pretty much only shoot my reloads in them any more, easier to clean and more power with jhp bullets. I bought mine when they were $89 for good condition. the supplies at the major distributors are drying up, the last ones I saw advertised in shot gun news were for $120 for good condition. I just looked and couldn't find any ads with them in. I'd make an offer of $100 ea. and get them both, they are powerful, reliable and fun pistols.

DWFan · 07-01-2008, 10:27 AM

I'm hoping to grab a CZ-52 before they disappear. My buddy picked one up for $100 and it already had the Harrington firing pin and hd recoil spring in it. The trigger pull is a bit much, almost 7 lbs in his gun, but this thing sure shoots. He's running 1600+ fps with 90gr Hornady handloads.

phoenix79 · 07-01-2008, 02:49 PM

The CZ52 is a great gun to shoot. The ammo is available easily and fairly cheap. The rumors about the Bulgarian being hotter are fake, but check all Bulgarian especially for cracked necks, they are notorious for it. The CZ52 is NOT well suited for ccw, the round is high velocity and small diameter meaning it would probably go through a bad guy and exit with enough energy to continue to do damage.

seattle fog · 07-10-2008, 09:49 PM

I have a CZ52 and like it a lot...I had the sights replaced with Novaks.
I used it as my training weapon when I went through Defensive Handgun training; lots of looks from the other students at the range. Thinking of selling it or trade for a CZ82.

phoenix79 · 07-10-2008, 10:23 PM

Do you know which Novaks were fitted to it? I'm assuming you got the old makarov.com ones but they haven't sold those for several years. Thanks!!!

seattle fog · 07-11-2008, 05:55 PM

No - this was done a few years ago professionally by thesightman in Renton,WA
Angie Butrick- The Sightman
If you need me to, I can contact him and ask.

LEE3370 · 07-28-2008, 03:15 PM

I love mine. Got two of them. One, I had makarov.com install the Novak low profile sights. The other looks the same except it has stock sights. Both have the firing pin upgrade and extended ported 9mm barrels. I have altered the extractors so both feed the 9mm's without a hitch.
Click on the picture and it will come up bigger.

NRAJOE · 07-28-2008, 03:24 PM

I once had 8 of them...

All 3 yrs in original gray...
All 3 yrs in rearsenaled black..
And 1 xtra black I was always gonna send off for customizing...

Got laid off 4 1/2 yrs ago and sold all but the xtra black one until I got another job.

Fun to shoot and powerful...
The last time I was at an indoor range a guy was shooting a .45 XD next to me.
After he was done shooting he waited out in the store to find out what I was shooting...he said the noise and concussion was something else!

I showed him my CZ52 and he said he'd never saw or heard of one, but was definately going to find one.

If he had asked on the range I would of let him shoot mine (he tryed to buy it but I said "Sorry, my last one")

knsflash@sbcglo · 08-12-2008, 01:02 PM

I have 2 and have really enjoyed them. I replaced the firing pin in one after reading all the stuff. However I have never had a pin break nor have the two smithies I usually go to who work alot on them. Ammo has never been a problem and I fire everything I can get my hands on. I shoot well over a hundred rounds a week from them. Do clean them after each session. Feeding problems are usually from weak mag springs. They are the best buy on the market along with the TT-33 and Cz-82.

jimbo-indy · 08-16-2008, 12:10 PM

I love my '52. Mine is a 1952 production with markings indicating it was issued. Original gray. Didn't have any problems but installed the hardened firing pin, heaviest possible recoil spring and Makarov.com trigger upgrade kit. What a difference. The trigger is now lighter and really crisp. As good or better than my son's SA 1911.
I shoot S&B commercial ammo to collect the brass to reload. Hand loads are Hornaday XTP over a bunch of H-110. Pistol is very accurate and the fireball is a hoot, especially with the reloads. I would carry it more except that it will go though almost anything. We shoot at a range shared with local law enforcement. Found a discarded Level 2 vest in the trash. With surplus ball ammo, the '52 went through it and the barrel we duct-taped it to. Doubled the vest over for 2 thicknesses. Still went flying through like nothing was there. Hopefully, the hollowpoint XTP's will expand and lessen the penetration to reasonable levels. Check out "Box of Truth" . They tried several pistols on a NATO regulation helmet. The 7.62 X 25 penetrated while 45 ACP, 357, 40 S&W and others would not.

Jim Haynes · 08-27-2008, 03:20 PM

Does anyone know where I can buy a 9mm barrel for my CZ52? I can buy 9mm much cheaper than the 7.62. Plus, the 7.62 is not very good for concealed carry, because of the high velocity and small bullet. The larger 9mm bullet will not generally go through the target and cause collateral damage.
I have looked all over for one, but the supply seems to have dried up. Jim Haynes, jhaynes1@flash.net

K75RT · 08-27-2008, 05:23 PM

Jim,
Try here they are an excellent company to deal with...
Cope's Distributing

chuckh · 08-29-2008, 07:37 AM

Harrington Products are back at

go to MSN Search type Harrington Products

or harringtonproducts@FPNMail.com

Chuckh

06-30-2008, 10:35 PM	#1
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 300 Trader Rating: (0)	Looking into CZ 52 I just landed into my possession two CZ 52 pistols. They aren't mine, and the guy that is letting me check them out just has no idea anything about guns and wanted me to check them out. I didn't know what they were, but the import mark clarified that, and after reading some info here on the forum, I am thinking I may want to purchase one of these. I have read about the firing pin, and before I do make any purchases, wanted to locate a firing pin for purchase, as well as a source of ammo. So if anyone has any info on the gun itself, pros, cons etc...and ammo availability, please share it with me in hopes of a new acquisition. I posted in the Mosin sub forum that a guy backed out on a 91/30 sale for $125, so I can use that money for the CZ 52. Any info is appreciated. Thanks! __________________ I would consider myself a "Mosineer" since I undoubtedly have the disease.....

06-30-2008, 11:04 PM	#2
squirrelbaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,072 Trader Rating: (0)	ive always wanted one, i have heard that you should avoid the balgarian milsurplus ammo becouse it is a hotter load, dont know if its true though. __________________ "My Shotgun SAYS I AM the POLICE !"--Mooseman684 "I like Turtles!" youtube kid

07-01-2008, 07:35 AM	#3
blaster Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: big pine key, florida Posts: 400 Trader Rating: (0)	I bought 2 replacement firing pins that are supposed to be machined steel from J&G sales for about $10. ea. for my vz52 s. even when you know not to dry fire it, some times it happens. I shoot them a lot and never had any problems. I pretty much only shoot my reloads in them any more, easier to clean and more power with jhp bullets. I bought mine when they were $89 for good condition. the supplies at the major distributors are drying up, the last ones I saw advertised in shot gun news were for $120 for good condition. I just looked and couldn't find any ads with them in. I'd make an offer of $100 ea. and get them both, they are powerful, reliable and fun pistols. __________________ peace through superior firepower

07-28-2008, 03:15 PM	#9
LEE3370 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Southern Indiana Perry County Posts: 396 Trader Rating: (0)	I love mine. Got two of them. One, I had makarov.com install the Novak low profile sights. The other looks the same except it has stock sights. Both have the firing pin upgrade and extended ported 9mm barrels. I have altered the extractors so both feed the 9mm's without a hitch. Click on the picture and it will come up bigger. __________________ GOD, COUNTRY, AND FLAG

07-28-2008, 03:24 PM	#10
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,014 Trader Rating: (0)	I once had 8 of them... All 3 yrs in original gray... All 3 yrs in rearsenaled black.. And 1 xtra black I was always gonna send off for customizing... Got laid off 4 1/2 yrs ago and sold all but the xtra black one until I got another job. Fun to shoot and powerful... The last time I was at an indoor range a guy was shooting a .45 XD next to me. After he was done shooting he waited out in the store to find out what I was shooting...he said the noise and concussion was something else! I showed him my CZ52 and he said he'd never saw or heard of one, but was definately going to find one. If he had asked on the range I would of let him shoot mine (he tryed to buy it but I said "Sorry, my last one") __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

07-01-2008, 10:27 AM	#4
DWFan Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: N. Texas Posts: 490 Trader Rating: (0)	I'm hoping to grab a CZ-52 before they disappear. My buddy picked one up for $100 and it already had the Harrington firing pin and hd recoil spring in it. The trigger pull is a bit much, almost 7 lbs in his gun, but this thing sure shoots. He's running 1600+ fps with 90gr Hornady handloads.

07-01-2008, 02:49 PM	#5
phoenix79 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 218 Trader Rating: (0)	The CZ52 is a great gun to shoot. The ammo is available easily and fairly cheap. The rumors about the Bulgarian being hotter are fake, but check all Bulgarian especially for cracked necks, they are notorious for it. The CZ52 is NOT well suited for ccw, the round is high velocity and small diameter meaning it would probably go through a bad guy and exit with enough energy to continue to do damage.

07-10-2008, 09:49 PM	#6
seattle fog Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 21 Trader Rating: (0)	I have a CZ52 and like it a lot...I had the sights replaced with Novaks. I used it as my training weapon when I went through Defensive Handgun training; lots of looks from the other students at the range. Thinking of selling it or trade for a CZ82.

07-10-2008, 10:23 PM	#7
phoenix79 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 218 Trader Rating: (0)	Do you know which Novaks were fitted to it? I'm assuming you got the old makarov.com ones but they haven't sold those for several years. Thanks!!!

07-11-2008, 05:55 PM	#8
seattle fog Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 21 Trader Rating: (0)	No - this was done a few years ago professionally by thesightman in Renton,WA Angie Butrick- The Sightman If you need me to, I can contact him and ask.

08-12-2008, 01:02 PM	#11
knsflash@sbcglo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1 Trader Rating: (0)	I have 2 and have really enjoyed them. I replaced the firing pin in one after reading all the stuff. However I have never had a pin break nor have the two smithies I usually go to who work alot on them. Ammo has never been a problem and I fire everything I can get my hands on. I shoot well over a hundred rounds a week from them. Do clean them after each session. Feeding problems are usually from weak mag springs. They are the best buy on the market along with the TT-33 and Cz-82.

08-16-2008, 12:10 PM	#12
jimbo-indy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 11 Trader Rating: (0)	I love my '52. Mine is a 1952 production with markings indicating it was issued. Original gray. Didn't have any problems but installed the hardened firing pin, heaviest possible recoil spring and Makarov.com trigger upgrade kit. What a difference. The trigger is now lighter and really crisp. As good or better than my son's SA 1911. I shoot S&B commercial ammo to collect the brass to reload. Hand loads are Hornaday XTP over a bunch of H-110. Pistol is very accurate and the fireball is a hoot, especially with the reloads. I would carry it more except that it will go though almost anything. We shoot at a range shared with local law enforcement. Found a discarded Level 2 vest in the trash. With surplus ball ammo, the '52 went through it and the barrel we duct-taped it to. Doubled the vest over for 2 thicknesses. Still went flying through like nothing was there. Hopefully, the hollowpoint XTP's will expand and lessen the penetration to reasonable levels. Check out "Box of Truth" . They tried several pistols on a NATO regulation helmet. The 7.62 X 25 penetrated while 45 ACP, 357, 40 S&W and others would not.

08-27-2008, 03:20 PM	#13
Jim Haynes Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Richmond, TX Posts: 10 Trader Rating: (0)	9mm barrels Does anyone know where I can buy a 9mm barrel for my CZ52? I can buy 9mm much cheaper than the 7.62. Plus, the 7.62 is not very good for concealed carry, because of the high velocity and small bullet. The larger 9mm bullet will not generally go through the target and cause collateral damage. I have looked all over for one, but the supply seems to have dried up. Jim Haynes, jhaynes1@flash.net

08-27-2008, 05:23 PM	#14
K75RT Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 273 Trader Rating: (0)	Jim, Try here they are an excellent company to deal with... Cope's Distributing

08-29-2008, 07:37 AM	#15
chuckh Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1 Trader Rating: (0)	Harrington Products are back at go to MSN Search type Harrington Products or harringtonproducts@FPNMail.com Chuckh