How's the quality of the CZ52 pistol?

Question

much better than the Tokarev?

Answer 1

Pretty much identical to the Tok. I was going to use that as an example but you said it first.

They can be a bit sharp around the edges when new, but the most I've ever had to do for customers was file/fit a new mag here and there. Never had any real work done on any of them.

No one that's ever bought one has ever regretted it, though.

They're good, cheap, solid as a rock weapons. The 7.62x25 is a fine round. Pick it up by the half case, though. It's cheap and plentiful....don't let the sellers tell you otherwise.

Addendum:

I gotta argue with you on this one, Grizzly. You're blowing smoke, sir. You even contradict yourself in a couple of places.

"Stronger", when applied to a firearm, is a meaningless adjective invariably used by folks who are trying to sell you something. Unless you're implying that Tokarevs are exploding in folks' hands, which they are not, it's meaningless. Both firearms will outlast the shooter....that's the only "strong" that matters. If you're saying that you can reload a hotter than market round for the Mak than the Tok, you already said that handloading was too expensive to do. When your ammo is popping off at 18 cents a round, why even bring up the topic? (I'd love to see your load data, though.)

Just checked....sportsmansguide has 7.62 Tok at 12.5 cents a round. Can't beat that with a stick.

The 7.62x25 Tok is "somewhat lacking in the power department"? You know, you are the first person I have ever heard that from. In a LOT of years of owning/shooting/reloading for the Tok, several diff Mak's, 52's, even a PpSh once, I have never heard it was lacking in power.

Fact is, standard milsurp 7.62x25mm (not submachinegun) tops out at 480-500ft-lbs. Standard Sellier and Bellot, box-marked "safe for the TT-33 (Tokarev)" cranks out 483ft-lbs. Cheapo Wolf ammo, box-marked "Tokarev" http://cheaperthandirt.com/18990-48139-254.html puts out right at 510ft-lbs at the muzzle.

By comparison, 9mm milsurp tops 350ft-lbs. 9mm +P doesn't even break 400ft-lbs.

As to your "a Glock or a Sig is more proven".....all I can say is huh???

Answer 2

I own 2 and like them very much. One retains the original grayish finish, while the other was rearnsenaled with a blued finished.
They are pretty good in terms of quality, but you may need to put a stronger main spring in them if they have violent ejection. They have a cast firing pin so if you dry fire it, expect to replace it. The guy who wrote the article for the cz52 on surplusrifle.com dry fired his until it broke the firing pin, and if I recall correctly it was only 9 times.

Quality versus the Tokarev? I guess that depends upon your opinion. The CZ52 may need these 2 pieces I mentioned shortly after you buy it. I never heard of a Tokarev breaking a firing pin. Some Tokarevs are down right awesome. I would love a Polish Tok, but the only one I ever saw in person was $500. I myself would prefer a Tokarev, but settled for the CZ52.

Answer 3

I'm gonna have to go with the Walther P22 here. It is big enough to hit something with, but still small. Baby Browning, and CZ-52 are the only other pistols that you have listed that I'd even touch. Hard to hit anything with the Baby, and the CZ-52 is large framed-making it large. The only thing you have on your want list that the CZ has going for it is cheap surplus 7.62x25 ammunition. Some of these CZ's are 9mm, but I wouldn't call that ammo cheap anymore. .22 isn't the best self defense round. (Often fails to go bang.) Better decide if you want cheap ammo (.22) or more expensive reliability (centerfire.)

Answer 4

I shot one and they are ok, but the triggers can be horrible. The one I shot broke at such a high weight that I flinchediwth anticipation (my first time firing the hot 7.62x25). Ammo can be had cheap and their are web sites where you can upgrade your cz-52 (better firing pin, for example.)
For the sheer novelty, I think the tokarev is more interesting. But I would buy two "toks" to spread the wear from hot, factory 7.62x25. Have fun and get a 7.62x25. I wish I had when I was a swinging single (before the real bills came).

Answer 5

Unlike the Tokarev and PA-63, both sub-standard products of communist 'slave labor', the Czech CZ-52 is actually a good quality weapon, at least in its' original 7,62x25 chambering, which is also a communist theft(clone) of the .30 Mauser, of Broomhandle fame. With its' 'rolling lock' breech mechanism, it is FAR stronger than a Tokarev, in either the original 7,62, or the 9mm conversion, which is prone to feeding problems from the longer 7,62 mags.
Even the 7,62 is somewhat lacking in the power department, unless one has the experience and equipment to reload this .30 Mauser clone, both of which are considerable investments.
Even with the reasonable price tag, for anything other than a 'fun gun', invest your money in something more proven, like a Glock or SIG.
I know, I have made brass from .223 and 9mmMagnum cases, before .30 Mauser brass became available again, loading them with .30 carbine hollowpoints, just to get a decent load for the CZ-52 I have experimented with.