Ceska · Pistol
CZ vz. 70
Blowback (semi-automatic) · .32 ACP · introduced 1970
Also known as CZ 70, vzor 70, VZ-70
About the CZ vz. 70
The CZ vz. 70 is a Czechoslovak compact double-action semi-automatic pistol chambered in .32 ACP. It is a lightly modernized version of the earlier vz. 50, sharing the same blowback-operated, fixed-barrel layout inspired by the Walther PP, with an exposed hammer, single/double-action trigger, frame-mounted manual safety, and an eight-round single-stack magazine. The vz. 70 differs from the vz. 50 chiefly in finish, grip panels, and a revised safety lever. It served as a Czechoslovak police and military service pistol until being replaced by the 9mm vz. 82, after which surplus examples were widely exported.
Derived from the vz. 50 police pistol of the late 1940s, the vz. 70 carried the Walther PP's influence behind the Iron Curtain, soldiering on as a Czechoslovak sidearm into the 1980s before surplus guns flooded the Western collector market.
CZ vz. 70 specifications
General
- Type
- Pistol
- Action
- Blowback (semi-automatic)
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer-fired
- Trigger
- Double action
- Calibres
- .32 ACP
- Magazine capacity
- 8 rounds
- Magazine
- Detachable box magazine
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 96 mm (3.8 in)
- Overall length
- 167 mm (6.6 in)
- Height
- 114 mm (4.5 in)
- Weight (empty)
- 0.71 kg (1.57 lb)
Barrel
- Rifling
- Right hand
- Grooves
- 6
Materials
- Barrel
- Steel
- Receiver / frame
- Steel
- Slide
- Steel
- Stock
- Plastic
- Finish
- blued
Performance
- Muzzle velocity (typical)
- 282 m/s (925 fps)
- Muzzle energy (typical)
- 188 J (139 ft·lb)
- Effective range
- 25 m
History
- Introduced
- 1970
- Discontinued
- 1983
- Production status
- Discontinued
- Country of origin
- CZ
- Designer
- Jan and Jaroslav Kratochvíl
Features
- Fixed barrel
- Exposed hammer
- Single stack magazine
- Fixed sights
Safety
- Manual thumb safety
Many vz. 50 pistols were refurbished to vz. 70 standard. The takedown uses a hinged trigger guard, a Walther PP-derived feature.
This is a variant of the CZ (Ceska Zbrojovka) 50.
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