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Ceska Zbrojovka vz. 38


Semi-Automatic Pistol


Czechoslovakia | 1939



"Entering production in 1939, the CZ vz. 38 semi-automatic pistol served the Czech Army very little - its supply taken over the invading Germans."

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Ceska Zbrojovka vz. 38. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
80 ft
24.4 m | 26.7 yds
Max.Eff.Range
830 ft/sec
253 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity
Physical
The physical qualities of the Ceska Zbrojovka vz. 38. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
206 mm
8.11 in
O/A Length
117 mm
4.61 in
Barrel Length
2.01 lb
0.91 kg
Weight
Semi-Automatic; Double-Action Only (DOA)
Action
.380 ACP (9x19mm Browning Short)
Caliber(s)
9-Round Detachable Box Magazine
Feed
Iron Front and Rear (Fixed)
Sights
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Ceska Zbrojovka vz. 38 Semi-Automatic Pistol family line.
CZ vz. 38 - Base Series Designation
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/27/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Many Czech-originated weapons of World War 2 (1939-1945) went on to see wide scale use by parties other than the host country. Such was the case with the CZ vz. 38 series semi-automatic pistol. Lauded for its rugged design and ease of maintenance, the weapon proved difficult to shoot single-handedly owing to the considerable trigger pull required. A special tilting feature (a hinge at the muzzle end) allowed for relatively easy cleaning of the gun (or disassembly altogether) as the barrel and slide could be raised for access and removal. Design of the pistol was attributed to Frantisek Myska and entered serial production in 1939 though only limited numbers were available by the time of the German invasion (1939).

As a semi-automatic handgun, the v. 38 relied on a Double-Action Only (DAO) trigger system. It was chambered for .380 ACP (9x17mm Browning Short) which gave it good man-stopping capabilities and fed from a 9-round detachable box magazine inserted into the base of the grip. Many facets of the design were highly conventional including fixed sights over the slide, a ribbed section at the action end of the slide and a slight overhand of the slide structure over the shooter's hand web. The trigger loop was given a rather oblong shape which provided easy access to the trigger assembly. The cartridge ejection port was set at the middle of the slide.

Production of the gun spanned into 1945 but the stock quickly fell to the conquering Germans once the dust had settled. Some were then shipped to German ally Bulgaria with modified manual safeties. For the Germans, the pistols were generally used by local police and security elements and not the frontline army force - with many critiques of the overall feel and action being laid upon the weapon.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Ceska Zbrojovka vz. 38. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Ceska Zbrojovka Strakonice - Czechoslovakia
National flag of Bulgaria National flag of Czechia National flag of modern Germany National flag of Nazi Germany

[ Bulgaria; Czechoslovakia; Nazi Germany (captured) ]
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Image of the Ceska Zbrojovka vz. 38

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