URZ AP

The URZ AP (Univerzální Ruční Zbraň Automatická Puška) is modular weapon system of Czechoslovak origin.

URZ AP (Univerzální Ruční Zbraň Automatická Puška)
TypeBattle rifle; modular weapon system
Place of originCzechoslovak Socialist Republic
Production history
DesignerJiří Čermák
Designed1967
VariantsAP, LK, TK, T
Specifications
Length995 mm
Barrel length500 mm
Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
Caliber7.62 mm
ActionDelayed blowback
Rate of fire800 rpm
Muzzle velocity800 m/s
Feed system50 round belt
SightsIron

Development

The “series of weapons” concept was first pioneered by the French with the Berthier machine rifle and the Stoner 63 was developed by Jiri Cermak in the late 1960s, who also designed the SA Vz. 58 rifle.[1] The weapons series was to replace everything from submachine guns to general purpose machine guns. The URZ APT used the receiver, which in all variants were belt-fed from a cylindrical container.[2] Most unusual for a Warsaw Pact country, the URZ AP was chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO as it was intended for export.[3]

The URZ AP is a 7.62×51mm NATO calibre delayed blowback battle rifle. The weapon uses a rotating bolt delayed blowback operation with 2 lugs with rollers to overcome a quarter twist to accelerate the bolt carrier and unlock. To ease extraction, the barrel has a fluted chamber to prevent ruptured cartridges. The select fire capability fires from a closed bolt in semi-auto and an open bolt in full auto. The belt feed uses a feeding rotor found in the ammo box.

References
  1. "Ing. Bohuslav NOVOTNÝ - pravá ruka Jiřího Čermáka" [Ing. Bohuslav NOVOTNÝ - right hand of Jiří Čermák] (in Czech). Archived from the original on June 13, 2023.
  2. F, Nathaniel (December 13, 2014). "Ten 20th Century Military Rifles History Has Forgotten". The Firearm Blog. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022.
  3. Popenker, Maxim. "URZ rifle and machine gun weapon family (Czechoslovakia)". Archived from the original on March 25, 2023.
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