Sa vz. 64 Skorpion

Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod (CZUB) · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1964

Also known as: Samopal vzor 64, vz. 64, Skorpion vz.64, CZ 64, Sa 64

Overview

The Sa vz. 64 Skorpion (Samopal vzor 64) is a Czechoslovak select-fire submachine gun, the .380 ACP (9mm Browning Short) export variant of the Sa vz. 61 developed by engineer Miroslav Rybar and manufactured by Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod. Introduced in 1964, the vz. 64 was one of a family of Skorpion derivatives designed to broaden the weapon's appeal to foreign customers by chambering it for more powerful cartridges than the original .32 ACP. Mechanically it retains the compact vz. 61 layout: a closed-bolt straight-blowback action, a telescoping bolt wrapped around the barrel, and the signature rate-reducing plunger housed in the pistol grip that tames what would otherwise be an uncontrollable cyclic rate. The vz. 64 added machined compensator cuts to the barrel and used straight box magazines to suit the slightly larger .380 ACP round. Like the original it folds to just 270mm with its wire stock stowed, allowing it to be carried and fired from a leather holster, making it a highly concealable personal defence and covert-operations weapon.

Specifications

Weight (empty)	1300 g (45.9 oz)
Weight (loaded)	1590 g (56.1 oz)
Overall Length	517 mm (20.35")
Folded Length	270 mm (10.63")
Barrel Length	115 mm (4.53")
Height	108 mm (4.25")
Width	43 mm (1.69")
Sight Radius	148 mm (5.83")
Action Type	Blowback
Firing Mechanism	Closed Bolt
Trigger Type	Select Fire
Magazine Capacity	20 rounds
Magazine Type	Detachable Box
Muzzle Velocity	320 m/s (1050 fps)
Muzzle Energy	315 J (232 ft·lbf)
Effective Range	50 m (55 yd)
Maximum Range	150 m (164 yd)
Rate of Fire	900 rpm
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Rifling Twist	250 mm (9.84")
Number of Grooves	6
Frame Material	Steel
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Steel
Finish	Blued

Calibers

.380 ACP · primary — also known as .380 Auto, 9x17mm, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short, 9mm Browning Short

Features

Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector
Features: Select Fire, Folding Wire Stock, Rate Reducer Mechanism, Closed Bolt Firing, Compact Design, Muzzle Compensator, Stamped Steel Receiver, Telescoping Bolt, Holster Compatible, Iron Sights, Flip Rear Sight

Base model

Skorpion-Vz-61

Service history

Operators

Czechoslovak People's Army · as Sa vz. 64
Libyan Armed Forces
Egyptian Armed Forces

Conflicts

Cold War (1947-1991)

Production

Production years: 1964-1970s

Produced in limited numbers as the .380 ACP export variant of the Sa vz. 61 family; far fewer built than the 200,000-plus base vz. 61 in .32 ACP.

Origin

Country of origin: Czech Republic

Designer: Miroslav Rybar

Notes

The vz. 64 was never adopted in large numbers by the Czechoslovak military, which retained the .32 ACP vz. 61; it was produced primarily for export and as one of Rybar's caliber-expansion prototypes. It sits between the base vz. 61 (.32 ACP) and its sister derivatives the vz. 65 (9x18mm Makarov) and vz. 68 (9x19mm Parabellum). The .380 ACP loading raises muzzle energy over the .32 ACP original while the added muzzle compensator helps counter the higher cyclic rate of roughly 850-900 rounds per minute. The weapon ejects spent casings vertically through a port in the top of the receiver and feeds from 10-, 20-, or 30-round straight box magazines.

Background

When engineer Miroslav Rybar's compact vz. 61 Skorpion proved a success, he set about adapting it to heavier cartridges to widen its export market. The result was a short-lived family of derivatives -- the vz. 64 in .380 ACP, the vz. 65 in 9x18mm Makarov, and the vz. 68 in 9x19mm Parabellum -- each keeping the pocket-sized silhouette that let the Skorpion disappear into a pistol holster. Rybar's early death in 1970 cut short further development, and the small-bore .32 ACP original remained the definitive production model, leaving the vz. 64 a comparatively rare collector's variant.