Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod
Česká zbrojovka a.s. Uherský Brod (CZUB) is an engineering company based in Uherský Brod, whose main activities include the production of service, hunting and sports firearms. It is owned by the Czech company Česká zbrojovka Group SE, which also owns other companies with related production programmes.
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| Joint stock company | |
| Industry | Firearms |
| Predecessor | Česká zbrojovka Strakonice |
| Founded | 1919 (Jihočeská zbrojovka) 1936 (Uherský Brod factory) |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | |
| Revenue | 4,996,687,000 Czech koruna[1] (2017)  |
| 773,098,000 Czech koruna[1] (2017) | |
| 675,162,000 Czech koruna[1] (2017) | |
| Total assets | 4,777,464,000 Czech koruna[1] (31 December 2017) |
| Owner | Česká zbrojovka Group |
Number of employees | 1800 |
| Parent | Česká zbrojovka Group |
| Subsidiaries |
|
| Website | www.czub.cz |
CZUB currently has around 1800 employees. It is one of the largest Czech exporters, sending its products to more than a hundred countries around the world. The company is among the top ten small arms manufacturers in the world and five that manufacture automatic firearms.
History
1936 – Establishment of the arms factory in Uherský Brod
Today’s Česká zbrojovka a.s. was built as part of a large-scale transfer of strategically important production capacities of the former Czechoslovakia as far as possible from the western borders threatened by Nazi Germany. In Uherský Brod in the south-east of Moravia, a brand new arms factory was established, which was one of the most modern and most efficient factory worldwide, and which, in the first years of its existence, was successfully engaged primarily in the highly demanding production of aircraft machine guns.
1949 – Start of the production of Sa vz. 26 submachine guns
After World War II, the joint-stock company Česká zbrojovka was nationalized and its branch factory in Uherský Brod, which became independent in 1950, gradually became the main Czechoslovak manufacturer of small firearms. Its most famous products from the immediate post-war period were the Sa vz. 23 submachine guns, chambered in the common 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge (Later the 7.62x25mm Tokarev in vz. 24/26 after Czechoslovakia joined the Warsaw Pact). The Sa vz. 23 were the first production-model submachine guns with a telescoping bolt, which the bolt wraps around the barrel, which made the vz. 26 shorter and more compact than the other submachine guns at the time. By 1953, 545,000 were produced in Uherský Brod, 345,000 of which were of the 7.62 mm Tokarev variants.
1959 – Start of the production of the vz. 58 assault rifle
The vz. 58 assault rifle (Designated as a submachine gun in the Chechoslovak military) chambered in the 7.62×39 mm cartridge, was a Czechoslovak alternative to the Soviet's AK-47 with an original design. This exceptionally well-designed firearm was produced in Uherský Brod for the national armed forces as well as for export until 1984 and the total production volume reached about 920,000 units.
1962 – Start of the production of the vz. 61 Škorpion machine pistol
The well-known compact vz. 61 Škorpion machine pistol was an ingenious and very successful attempt to fill the gap between submachine guns and semi-automatic pistols. More than 200,000 of these machine pistols in the standard .32 ACP cartridge were produced in Uherský Brod until 2000, and small batches of these machine pistols in the .380 ACP version were produced in the 1990s.
1975 – Start of the production of the CZ 75 pistol
The CZ 75 semi-automatic pistol, revolutionary in a number of aspects, was the work of the well-known designer František Koucký, who worked on its development based on an assignment of today’s Česká zbrojovka a.s since 1969. This firearm with perfect ergonomics and unique double-action trigger mechanism co-defined the category of Wonder Nines, i.e. large capacity SA/DA pistols chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, and has long been one of the most popular of them.
1992 – Founding of Česká zbrojovka, a.s., Uherský Brod
Privatization of the state-owned enterprise Česká zbrojovka transformed it into a joint-stock company, which concentrates its activities in its main plant in Uherský Brod on the development and production of high-quality firearms, while utilizing its remaining capacity for the production of high-precision components for the automotive and aerospace industry. It is a Czech company owned by Czech shareholders.
1997 – Founding of the CZ-USA subsidiary company
The position of Česká zbrojovka, a.s. on the world’s most prestigious firearms market has significantly strengthened by the establishment of the subsidiary distribution and service company CZ-USA. This subsidiary started its activities in California, but in 1998 it relocated to Kansas City, Kansas, where it still operates. Within the creation of the international holding Česká zbrojovka Group, CZ-USA became an independent business entity.
2004 – Acquisition of the firearms production of Zbrojovka Brno
In order to preserve the famous tradition of firearms production in Brno, Česká zbrojovka a.s began preparing to take over the Firearms division of Zbrojovka Brno, a.s. The newly created company, originally named BRNO RIFLES, started its activities at the turn of 2006 and its domain was the production and development of break action firearms. In 2008 it became a subsidiary company of Česká zbrojovka a.s. In 2010 the company was renamed to ZBROJOVKA BRNO, s.r.o.
2005 – Acquisition of the Dan Wesson Firearms brand
Česká zbrojovka, a.s., through its subsidiary CZ-USA became the owner of one of renowned American arms brands – Dan Wesson Firearms. This company, originally a revolver maker founded in 1968 by a grandson of the well-known Daniel B. Wesson, with its Czech-American management soon became one of the most distinguished manufacturers of modern clones of the famous M1911 pistol.
2011 – Entering the market of firearms for armed forces , beginning of the rearmament of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic
Beginning of the mass production of the new generation of CZ 805 BREN A1/A2 assault rifles, CZ SCORPION EVO 3 A1 submachine guns and CZ 805 BREN G1 grenade launchers, which were used to rearm the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic.
2016 – Building of assembly capacities in Peru
Česká zbrojovka a.s significantly penetrated foreign markets by opening a separate space for the assembly and repairs of CZ pistols at the FAME army plant in Lima, Peru. The Czech company participated in the project by supplying modern equipment and tools and training of technical personnel. This enabled the Peruvian company to assemble CZ guns, provide service and sell them on the Peruvian market and then throughout Latin America. It was the first case of technological transfer of Česká zbrojovka a.s to this promising region.
2018 – Absorbed into CZ Group holding
Since 2018, Česká zbrojovka a.s has been part of the international holding Česká zbrojovka Group SE that, in addition to the parent plant in Uherský Brod, gradually incorporates other companies with related production and development programmes.
2019 – Start of the production of CZ firearms in the United States
In cooperation with CZ-USA, the production of the first CZ firearms was launched in Kansas City, Kansas. These include selected models of the successful CZ P-10 series of pistols. Other versions were added in the same year, namely CZ P-10 F (full-size), CZ P-10 SC (semicompact) and CZ P-10 S (subcompact).
Notable developments
Over the years Česká zbrojovka has developed several revolutionary or highly influential designs in various fields of small arms, most notably:
- vz. 23/25 submachine gun with overhanging bolt
- vz. 52 roller locked automatic pistol
- vz. 61 Škorpion ultra compact submachine gun with rate reducer
- vz. 75 high-capacity automatic pistol with cam unlocking
Current production
Pistols
- Series CZ P-10
- CZ P-10 F
- CZ P-10 C OR
- CZ P-10 C
- CZ P-10 SC
- CZ P-10 S
- Series CZ P-10 NATO
- CZ P-10 F 9x19 NATO
- CZ P-10 C 9x19 NATO
- Series CZ P-07/09
- CZ P-07
- CZ P-09
- CZ P-09 FDE
- Series CZ P-07/09 NATO
- CZ P-07 9x19 NATO
- CZ P-09 9x19 NATO
- Series CZ 75
- CZ 75 B
- CZ 75 B Ω
- CZ 75 P-01 COMPACT
- CZ 75 P-01 COMPACT Ω
- Series CZ SHADOW 1
- CZ 75 SP-01 SHADOW
- CZ 75 SP-01 SHADOW ORANGE
- Series CZ SHADOW 2
- CZ SHADOW 2
- CZ SHADOW 2 SA
- CZ SHADOW 2 OR
- CZ SHADOW 2 URBAN GREY
- CZ SHADOW 2 ORANGE
- Series CZ 75 TS
- CZ 75 TS ORANGE
- CZ 75 TS CZECH MATE
- Series KADET
- CZ P-07 KADET
- CZ P-07 KADET URBAN GREY
- CZ P-09 KADET
- CZ P-09 KADET URBAN GREY
- Adapter CZ SHADOW 2 KADET
- Adapter CZ P-07 KADET
- Adapter CZ P-09 KADET
- Adapter CZ 75 SP-01 KADET
Rimfire Rifles
- Series CZ 457
- CZ 457 VARMINT
- CZ 457 MTR
- CZ 457 ROYAL
- CZ 457 PREMIUM
- CZ 457 AMERICAN
- CZ 457 LUX
- CZ 457 TRAINING RIFLE
- CZ 457 JAGUAR XII
- Series CZ 512
- CZ 512
- CZ 512 TACTICAL
Centerfire Rifles
- Series CZ 527
- CZ 527 VARMINT
- CZ 527 VARMINT LAMINATED
- CZ 527 VARMINT MTR
- CZ 527 CARBINE
- CZ 527 CARBINE SYNTHETIC
- CZ 527 NIGHT SKY EDITION
- CZ 527 LUX
- CZ 527 AMERICAN
- CZ 527 THUMBHOLE
- Series CZ 557
- CZ 557 VARMINT
- CZ 557 VARMINT LAMINATED
- CZ 557 VARMINT SYNTHETIC
- CZ 557 ECLIPSE
- CZ 557 LUX
- CZ 557 LUX II.
- CZ 557 LUX LH
- CZ 557 LUX SA
- CZ 557 AMERICAN
- CZ 557 AMERICAN LH
- CZ 557 RANGE RIFLE
- CZ 557 PREDATOR
- CZ 557 SUNSET VALLEY
- CZ 557 GREEN VALLEY
- CZ 557 GREY VALLEY
Semi-automatic rifles
- Series CZ BREN 2Ms
- CZ BREN 2MS .223 REM 11"
- CZ BREN 2MS 7,62x39mm 11"
Semi-automatic carbines
- Series CZ SCORPION EVO 3 S1
- CZ SCORPION EVO 3 S1 CARBINE
- CZ SCORPION EVO 3 S1
Submachine guns
- CZ SCORPION EVO 3
Tactical rifles
- Series CZ BREN 2
- CZ BREN 2 5,56x45 8"
- CZ BREN 2 5,56x45 11"
- CZ BREN 2 5,56x45 14"
- CZ BREN 2 7,62x39 mm 9"
- CZ BREN 2 7,62x39 mm 11"
- CZ BREN 2 7,62x39 mm 14"
- Series CZ 807
- CZ 807 5,56x45 mm 16"
- CZ 807 7,62x39 mm 16"
Battle rifles
- CZ BREN 2 BR 7,62x51 NATO
Sniper rifles
- CZ TSR
Grenade launcher
- CZ 805 G1
Older products
Handguns
- ČZ pistol, Modell 27 Kal,7.65 mm
- ČZ pistol, caliber 7.65 mm
- ČZ pistol, caliber 6.35 mm
- Model LK 38 pistol, 9 mm caliber
- DUO pistol, caliber 6.35 mm
- Target pistol, Model ZKP 493
- CZ 40P (Limited run, no longer in production)
- CZ 45
- CZ 50
- CZ 52
- CZ 70
- CZ 82 and CZ 83
- CZ 100
- CZ 110
- CZ 122
- ZKR 590 Grand revolver, in calibers .38 and .22 and 7.62 Nagant short
- CZ 40B Joint venture with Colt
Smallbore rifles
- Model 242
- Model 243
- Model 244
Bigbore rifles
- CZ 550
- CZ 557
- CZ 584, calibre 7x65R; 7×57R; 5.6×52R; 6.5×57R; .243Win; .308Win, etc.
Aircraft machine guns
- LK 30
- MG 17
Submachine guns
- Škorpion vz. 61 (.32 ACP a.k.a 7.65×17mm Browning SR)
- vz. 48 (9×19mm Parabellum and 7.62×25mm Tokarev).
Shotguns
- The CZ 581 Over and under shotgun, 12/12 bore;
- The CZ 585 Over and under shotgun; the over and under rifle/shotgun; the CZ 582 prepared for SKEET shooting
Miscellaneous
- Signal/flare pistol
- Components for the infantry fire-support machine gun models MG 34, MG 81, and the K 35 anti-aircraft cannon
- Alarm/starting pistols: UB 070 and 071
- Signal pistols: 44/67, produced between 1981–1983
- Target pistol: Model ZKP 493
- Air rifles: Z 47, 235, 236, 237, 612, 614, 618, 620, 624, 630, 631, 632, 634, 800, 801 and 802
- Air pistol: Model ZVP, 4.5 mm
- Gas-fired pistol: The APP Automatic
- Air pistol: Tex, Model 3
- CO2 pistol: Model CZ 75D Compact, 4.5 mm
- Three shot automatic shotgun: CZ 241, 12, 16 and 20 gauge)
- Over and under shotguns: 12, 16 and 20 gauge
- Over and under ČZ models: 581 and 584 - 586
- Hunting rifles: ZKK 600, 601 and 602, calibers ranging from .243Win-.248Win
- Rifles: The ZKW 465 Hornet and the ZKW 465 Fox
- Small bore rifles: ZKM 452, 561, 573 and 581
- Rifles: ZKW 465, 680
- Rifle: CZ 537
See also
- Česká zbrojovka Strakonice
- Zbrojovka Brno
- Category:Semi-automatic pistols of Czechoslovakia
- Gun politics in the Czech Republic
References
Literature
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod. |
- Česká zbrojovka official website
- CZ-USA official website
- CZ Firearms Factory Tour - The History of CZ, 1934-1945 on YouTube
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Firearms. |