Ceska Zbrojovka vz. 61 (Skorpion) Machine Pistol / Submachine Gun (1961)
At its core, the Skorpion is a cross between a pistol and a submachine gun.
Outwardly, the Skorpion enjoys a unique appearance thanks to her design. The pistol grip is relatively straight yet ergonomic to fit in a dominant firing hand. The trigger is held within a wire ring with the magazine feed directly forward of it. The receiver contains all of the working components with the cocking handle featured along both forward sides. Iron sights are fitted across the top of the receiver at the front and rear of the design. The barrel protrudes a short distance ahead of the forend. The weapon can be stabilized against the shoulder by way of a folding wire stock assembly. When not in use, it simply folds over the top of the receiver.
In addition to its submachine classification, the Skorpion is sometimes regarded as a "machine pistol" due to her compact size. The size is made possible by an internal telescoping bolt component around the barrel assembly. The cartridge specific to the Skorpion also provides lower recoil than her contemporaries and makes "machine pistol" operation possible. As such, she is often treated as a pistol and can be carried in a holster.
Depending on the specific variant of Skorpion, the weapon can be chambered to fire the .32 ACP (standard Czech cartridge), the 9x19mm Parabellum, the 9x18mm Makarov or the .380 ACP cartridge from a 10- or 20-round detachable curved box magazine. The 9mm forms feature a straight box magazine. The firing action utilizes the blowback principle with a close bolt. Sighting is accomplished via a front post and flip-up rear sight. Effective range is out to 25 meters but this varies depending on cartridge type. Muzzle velocity is rated at 1,050 feet per second. Rate of fire is between 850 and 900 rounds per minute depending on cartridge type.
The Skorpion is a select-fire system that employs three modes of operation - safe, semi-automatic and full automatic. For special operations, the Skorpion can be fitted with a sound suppressor. Additional optional accessories include a forward vertical grip, solid stock and flashlight. In fact, utilizing the full plate of available accessories can make the Skorpion appear more akin to an assault rifle than a submachine gun. Three different caliber Skorpions were offered in the 1960s though never pressed into production. However, the 1990s brought about the vz. 61E, the vz. 82 and the vz. 83, these featuring the .32 ACP, 9x18mm Makarov and .380 ACP calibers respectively. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
MilitaryFactory.com does NOT sell equipment/weaponry. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information. Our disclaimer. Email corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com.
Specifications for the
Ceska Zbrojovka vz. 61 (Skorpion)
Machine Pistol / Submachine Gun
Country of Origin: Czechoslovakia
Manufacturer: Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod -Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic; Zastava Arms - Serbia
Initial Year of Service: 1961
Overall Length: 270mm (10.63in)
Barrel Length: 115.00mm (4.53in)
Weight (Empty): 2.87lbs (1.30kg)
Cartridge: 7.65x17 Browning SR; 9x19mm Parabellum; 9x18mm Makarov; 9x17mm Short
Action: Blowback; Closed-Bolt
Feed: 10- or 20-round detachable curved magazine
Muzzle Velocity: 1,050ft/sec (320m/sec)
Rate-of-Fire: 850 rounds per minute
Range: 82ft (25m; 27yds)
Sights: Flip-Up Rear; Adjustable Front Post
Variants:
vz. 61 - Base Production Model
vz. 61E - Chambered for the .32 ACP cartridge; plastic pistol grip.
vz. 64 - Proposed vz. 61 variant; chambered for 9x18mm Makarov pistol cartridge; never produced.
vz. 65 - Proposed vz. 61 variant; chambered for 9x17mm Short cartridge (.380 ACP); never produced.
vz. 68 - Proposed vz. 61 variant; chambered for 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge; never produced.
vz. 82 - Chambered for 9x18mm Makarov pistol cartridge; 113mm barrel; straight-box magazine.
vz. 83 - Chambered for the .380 ACP cartridge; straight-box magazine.
CZ 91S - Civilian Market Variant; straight-box magazine.
CZ 868 - Modified carbine form based on the original Skorpion machine pistol; integrated stock and foregrip; optics mounting; optional silencer; straight-box magazine; underbarrel accessories mount.
Operators: Afghanistan; Angola; Czech Republic; Egypt; Indonesia; Libya; Mozambique; Serbia; Slovakia; Uganda; Yugoslavia
BY YEAR:
• 1700 to 1799
• 1800 to 1899
• 1900 to 1909
• 1910 to 1919
• 1920 to 1929
• 1930 to 1939
• 1940 to 1949
• 1950 to 1959
• 1960 to 1969
• 1970 to 1979
• 1980 to 1989
• 1990 to 1999
• 2000 to 2009
• 2010 to 2019
• VIEW ALL
• Compare Guns
BY TYPE:
• Anti-Aircraft Weapons
• Anti-Material Rifles
• Anti-Tank Weapons
• Automatic Rifles
• Bolt-Action Rifles
• Carbine Guns
• Flamethrowers
• Flintlock Guns
• Grenade Launchers
• Hand Grenades
• Lever-Action Rifles
• Machine Guns
• Mortars
• Musket Guns
• Pistols / Handguns
• Recoilless Rifles
• Revolvers
• Rocket Launchers
• Shotguns
• Silenced Guns
• Sniper Rifles
• Special Weapon Systems
• Submachine Guns
• VIEW ALL
SPECIAL:
• 18th Century Warfare
• 3 Soldiers Statue
• Battle of Mogadishu
• Chainmail Armor
• Firearm Types Defined
• French Military Victories
• Medieval Crossbow
• Medieval Longbow
• Vietnam War Casualties
• Vietnam War Memorial
WORLD WAR 2:
• British Guns
• French Guns
• German Guns (ALL)
• German Rifles
• Italian Guns
• Japanese Guns
• Soviet Guns
• US Guns
• US Infantry Regiment-Level Guns
• Machine Guns
• Pistols
• Submachine Guns
• Sniper Rifles
• VIEW ALL
WORLD WAR 1:
• Pistols
• Rifles
• Machine Guns
• Mortars
• US Guns
• VIEW ALL
KOREAN WAR:
• Machine Guns
• VIEW ALL
VIETNAM WAR:
COLLECTIONS:
• Ancient Weapons
• British SAS Weapons
• Civil War Guns
• Colt Guns
• Glock Guns
• GROM Polish Special Forces
• Guns of Libya
• Guns of North Korea
• Guns of Syria
• Guns of WW1 & WW2
• Heckler & Koch Guns
• Kalashnikov Guns
• Modern Russian Guns
• Navy SEAL Weapons
• Spetsnaz Weapons
• Weapons of Desert Storm
• Wild West Guns
• Winchester Guns
HOLLYWOOD/GAMES:
©2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • Content ©2003-2013 MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Site Contact Email: militaryfactory at gmail dot com. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® trademarks and protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws.
Top MF Stuff: 2013 Military Pay Scale | Military Ranks | WW2 Weapons | Sniper Rifles | Kts to Mph | WW1 Aircraft | Automatic Rifles | Aircraft Cockpits | Vietnam War Weapons | Main Battle Tanks | Submachine Guns | Shotguns | French Military Victories
Most photographic images appearing on this site are courtesy of the United States Department of Defense and are approved for public use. Other images acquired through the public domain. Digital art work courtesy of Dan Alex. Business Consulting by Kyle Williams. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information.
