Your favourite weapons - Eastern European

[StainlessSteelCynic]

To go along with the favourite US weapons thread, I figured perhaps we should have a few more such topics, so here's a thread for you to tell us about your favourite Eastern European weapons, the ones used by Warsaw Pact members.

For me, straight up it has to be the Czech 9x19mm CZ-75/CZ-85 pistol. Although designed for Western sales (very possible done to take advantage of Moldauhafen, a special lot in the port of Hamburg that gave Czechoslovakia access to the sea - read more here), it's since been taken into use in one form or another by Czech Republic police and has been the basis of a number of successful pistols in Western Europe and the USA (e.g. Tanfoglio T95, Jericho 941, Sphinx AT 2000)

CZ-75


And as a second favourite, I've been a bit of a fan for the Hungarian AMD-65, I know it's "just another AK" but to me it looks kinda cool!

[Draq]

Cz75, cz52, vz52/57, vz58

[.45cultist]

CZ 75, CZ52, Polish PM-63 SMG. 147gr in the CZ75.

[waiting4something]

As far as the best weapons in Eastern Europe, the Chechs got it going on. I like the Vz-58 better then all the other Warsaw Pacts AK's. Also as mentioned above there Cz-75 pistol, which was a lot nicer then anything the other Pact countries were making at the time. If Italy is considered as Eastern Europe because it's a Warsaw Pact nation, I would go with a AR-70 and a Beretta 92fs over the Chech weapons. A Beretta 93R would make for a cool pistol too.

[mpipes]

Hungarian AK-63D
Czech CZ-75
Polish Wz.89 Onyx

[Silent Hunter UK]

Originally Posted by waiting4something

As far as the best weapons in Eastern Europe, the Chechs got it going on. I like the Vz-58 better then all the other Warsaw Pacts AK's. Also as mentioned above there Cz-75 pistol, which was a lot nicer then anything the other Pact countries were making at the time. If Italy is considered as Eastern Europe because it's a Warsaw Pact nation, I would go with a AR-70 and a Beretta 92fs over the Chech weapons. A Beretta 93R would make for a cool pistol too.

The Czechs have been making great weapons for decades; one reason Hitler invaded in 1939 was to get his hands on the factories.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Yeah, the Czechs never really went for the AK so it's not surprising with their history of gunmaking that they decided to design their own rifle. I reckon they made it look outwardly like an AK just to keep the Russians happy!

The Czech ZH29 rifle from 1929 was certainly interesting, it's claimed to be one of the first successful self-loaders. Personally I prefer the look of the Vz.52 but the ZH29 is a rifle I'd like to own for curiosity value.
Speaking of the Vz.52, if I was going to take one, I'd have to take two! One in the original 7.62x45mm and one in 7.62x39mm - any excuse to have more than one of them!