vz. 58

The vz. 58 (vzor 58, 'Model 58') is a Czechoslovak-designed semi-automatic and selective-fire rifle that was adopted as the standard service rifle of the Czechoslovak People's Army and later the armed forces of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Despite its superficial resemblance to the AK-47, the vz. 58 is a completely different design internally, featuring a short-stroke gas piston, a tilting bolt locking system, and a milled receiver. It was developed at the Konstrukta Brno facility and entered service in 1958. Over 900,000 were produced, and it saw extensive service in conflicts across the developing world.