CZ 52 springs

[Battis]

I recently bought a CZ 52, made in 1954. It's in really good shape. I haven't fired it yet (trying to find brass), but in reading about these guns, some shooters replace the 14 lb recoil spring with a Wolff 18 lb spring to tame the felt recoil. I'm thinking that a lighter (but still functional) load would do the same thing. Any ideas?

Also, does anyone know if a Forster neck reamer will fit in a Lyman Universal trimmer (forming cases from .223 brass).

[Winger Ed.]

Of course it would work.
It'd be the same as putting a lighter spring in a 1911 for lower power target loads.

For full house loads, I'd get the heavier spring.
For me, recoil isn't as much of a concern as battering the frame would be with the softer one.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

I bought new reloadable brass from Starline. I tried to form some from .223, not good as the base is slightly smaller.

[Battis]

Graf has it in stock, but they won't sell it to me because I live in MA (even with a NH shipping address).
The spring looks fine - I'll leave it, at least until I shoot the gun. The recoil springs that I've replaced in older guns were usually the same as the original factory springs. Wolff offers a few choices for this gun.

[jrayborn]

I've used 223 brass successfully without reaming. Works ok. Proper brass is worth it but you spend time looking for it before and after firing it... :)

[Battis]

The only source I can find is Graf. Even Starline is out (it's backordered). I'll try converting the .223. I have the Lyman Universal trimmer, but they don't sell a reamer. Forster does. From what I've read, a 19/64 drill bit will work.

I got lucky. Bayou Brass & Ammo had some in stock, and they're shipping it to me.

[GhostHawk]

Plan on replacing the firing pin and check the rollers for wear.

[Battis]

That's what I'm looking for - any info on these guns. Springs, firing pins, etc. Never handled one before I got this one. They seem to be popular, and there's parts available.

[redneck1]

I like them , got mine at a gun show with a 9mm barrel 5 extra mags , holster , cleaning and a spare parts kit that had a recoil spring and firing pin in it .

When the tok ammo was cheap I used to pull bullets dump the powder and re-load the primed case with a .312 dia 110 grain bullet For the veteran shoots at the club I don't think anyone made brass for them at the time , and they fling brass all over the place as mentioned . I'd have a hard time putting the effort needed into making cases for one because of that unless you shoot somewhere without grass .

[Texas by God]

The firing pins are known for breaking, but I never had a problem with the pistols that my brother and I had. They are good 100 yard pistols although they point badly with a one hand hold. The only recoil problem I had was the sharp edge of the trigger blade hurt my finger after a few magazines fired. A dremel with a Kratex bit solved that.
Neat pistols, but a bit too Euro for me. When the inexpensive surplus ammo dried up, I let mine go.
I do remember my brother dispatching a range bull that had a broken front leg. The CZ52 only took one shot to end his suffering.
And I took a gobbler through the base of the neck with one shot with mine. I filed a flat on the bullet noses for hunting.
I still have a few of those surplus rounds in case a CZ52 or Tokarev show up.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[Battis]

I stripped the gun down, pulled the factory firing pin, then spent ten minutes looking for the firing pin spring. Then I read some more and learned that it doesn't exist. There's a replacement firing pin available from a company called Harringtons, and that pin has a spring, but that replacement pin and spring might disable the decocker, maybe allowing the decocker to fire a round. The current pin looks good and I'll make some dummy rounds when I get the brass.
The rollers look slightly worn. The good news is that the gun isn't hard to work on, and parts are available at decent prices.

[schutzen-jager]

7.63 Mauser cases are interchangeable with the 7.62 Tok. - the recoil spring is heavy because the Czech 7.62 is loaded to much higher pressure then the other com bloc ammo specs - got mine when century was selling them complete w/accessories fo $90.00 - fired 600+ rds of hot chi com sub gun ammo with no firing pin problems - century recalled them in apx. 1993 for modification of the hammer drop safety defects -
fyi prior to the lifting of import restrictions they were so rare they were selling for $3,000.00 + - made many collectors cry when thousands were imported in late 80's , early 90's -

[Battis]

The reason I mentioned the recoil spring was because of what Wolff sells:
Reduced Power...: 12.5 Lb.
Factory Standard.: 14.5 Lb.
Extra Power.........: 16.5 & 18.5 Lb.

I wonder about "reduced" and "extra power" springs in a gun this old. Sticking with the factory specs makes sense to me.

I found the Century Arms import marks.

[schutzen-jager]

the Czech's are well known worldwide for their quality steel + firearms production - like i stated mine shows no signs of firing pin wear or problems , nor with the factory rollers or cams - iirc some of the later importers were selling ones put together from misc. parts guns + not the factory inspected + rebuilt by the factory -

[Battis]

Mine came with the holster, extra mag and cleaning rod. The store tried to pull a fast one on me, saying that the holster, mag and rod weren't supposed to be sold with the gun. Then, why did you display them with the gun?
It worked out OK.
The price should make those of you who bought one years ago happy that you did: $450 for the entire set up.
They had another one with no holster for $435.00

[schutzen-jager]

the two i received from Century in early 90's was a Czech arsenal refurb + refinished that included two new original issue mags , new military marked holster , new cleaning rod , + new military issue lanyard with each one -

[nhithaca]

Original firing pins are made of cast steel and will break at some point. Only real issue with the design.
They are not the most ergonomic hand gun and do tend to bite you due to the stiff recoil and sharp edges. The eastern bloc countries never did pay much attention to comfort.
Try shooting the mil surplus ammo at dusk; big fireballs. Also, at an indoor range, the noise is way above any 9mm or 40. Plus the steel baffles at the indoor ranges make all kinds of sparks due to the steel cased bullet.

[Battis]

I have two handguns that came with extra barrels: Ortgies: .32 & .380, and an Astra Star Super: 9mm Luger and 9mm Largo. I read that the CZ 52s can take a 9mm barrel. I'm not interested, but curious how they handle the 9mm. Anyone try it?

[schutzen-jager]

they do work with no other modifications , but i have not seen any 9mm barrels available in past decade except from individuals priced at 50 times their original cost - iirc the cz52 were originally designed for 9mm p , but the USSR would not allow it , so they went with the 7.62 but with a much more potent loading -

[redneck1]

Except for a noticeable noise reduction with 9mm I can't say it feels any different or is more or less accurate . I'm not recoil sensitive so I can't comment on that except it feels about the same to me .

Has anyone ever had to change their rollers ? I think I might have put 500-600 rounds threw mine and they look the same as they did when I cleaned the grease out of it when I brought it home

[schutzen-jager]

shooting mine regularly since 1993 with reloads + surplus ammo including 600 rounds of hot chi com sub gun ammo + no signs of any wear on any parts anywhere -

[Battis]

I had to use my C&R license to buy it out of state. Apparently, putting a 9mm barrel in the gun makes it no longer C&R eligible.
I bought the Ortgies with my C&R, but, because they were made in both calibers, I can swap those barrels and it's still C&R.
I bought the Astra with my regular license to carry, and I can swap the 9mm and 9mm Largo barrels all I want, even though the 9mm barrel was after market.
No big deal, but interesting.

[Texas by God]

I improved one of mine (IMO) by d&t the slide stop for an Allen screw to serve as a slide release. I stoned the trigger/ sear/hammer surfaces. I replaced the rear sight with a 1911A1 sight, and I contoured the grip frame and rear trigger guard for a better feel.
We shot a couple thousand rounds of Yugoslavia ball through 3 CZ52s and never had a spring or wear problem- or a jam.
Yes, they are loud.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[schutzen-jager]

I had to use my C&R license to buy it out of state. Apparently, putting a 9mm barrel in the gun makes it no longer C&R eligible.
I bought the Ortgies with my C&R, but, because they were made in both calibers, I can swap those barrels and it's still C&R.
I bought the Astra with my regular license to carry, and I can swap the 9mm and 9mm Largo barrels all I want, even though the 9mm barrel was after market.
No big deal, but interesting.

it would only be a non C+R if you tried to sell it as a C+R with the 9mm barel installed or any other modifications - just because you acquired it as a C+R there is no legal requirement that is has to remain a C+R permanently -

[GhostHawk]

I run mine on 3 grains of Red Dot below the Lee .214 100 gr Truncated Cone tumble lube groove boolit. This solved a lot of problems that round nose bullets that were running into rifling and resisting going into battery. Since switching to this bullet I have not had a single one refuse to go into battery and no failure to feed events.

3 grains of Red Dot is probably not blazing fast, but is quieter with less muzzle blast to distract and disorient me. Shoots well to sights in nice tight groups.
I'm happy with it. YMMV.

PS I got mine as a box of parts with a broken fireing pin. Rollers looked good so I just got a new firing pin and eventually figured out how to lock it into place.
Then my friend who "gave" me a worthless box of parts wanted cash. I told him I could take the pin out and give it back. (much to his dismay) We ended up me giving him 100$ on a 200$ gun but my time and parts had to count for something.

[schutzen-jager]

.214 seems small for a 7.62 x25 -

[Battis]

it would only be a non C+R if you tried to sell it as a C+R with the 9mm barel installed or any other modifications - just because you acquired it as a C+R there is no legal requirement that is has to remain a C+R permanently

I wondered about that. Lots of mis-information concerning C&R (here in MA at least).

[schutzen-jager]

I wondered about that. Lots of mis-information concerning C&R (here in MA at least).

state laws can be stricter than federal laws , but they con not conflict with them - check with your states attorney general + get a response in writing to be on the safe side -

[GhostHawk]

Sorry typo, should have been .314.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I just seen this thread.
I've owned 4 or 5 CZ52's over the years.

I've never reloaded for them, I've only shot Mil surp ammo...and all the flavors I ever got were HOT. The felt recoil is better described as muzzle jump ...and there is surely more than any other semi-auto pistol I ever shot. I never replaced any springs.

I've experienced one firing pin issue. Everyone talks about them breaking, but what I had was a wear issue. I believe what happens is over time and lots of shooting of hot mil surp ammo, the striking surface of the firing pin wears or more better put, it gives off micro chips of the cast metal they are made from, because it didn't look peened. Anyway, it wears until it becomes too short to fire consistently. I ordered a aftermarket firing pin made from tool steel, I don't recall the seller, it was 20 years ago.

In the 1990s, my shooting buddy (may he RIP) and I, each ordered a 9mm barrel from Century that were suppose to be "drop in" and they were, but original mags wouldn't feed reliably from a fully loaded mag, it would work consistently if only 2 or 3 rounds were in the mag. He figured out a mod that would function fully loaded, and converted two mags for each of us...but that made the mags dedicated to 9mm luger only.