Skorpion Vz61 7.65mm sub machine gun

01. Original name Skorpian Vz61  
02. Other official names Originally known as the Samopol vzor61 (submachinegun model 1961)  
03. Popular names Skorpion Vz61 7.65mm sub machine gun  
04. Chamberings 0.322 ACP (7.65x17mm), 9x19mm Parabellum, 9x19mm Makarov and 0.380″ ACP  
05. Designed by Miroslav Rybar  
06. Design date 1961  
07. In service date(s) 1961 to present  
08. Adopted by USSR; 19 countries currently plus other prior to the breakup of the USSR   
09. Production quantities 200,000 approx.  
10. Mechanism Select fire, straight blowback closed bolt  
11. Weight 1.30kg (2.87lb) as original variant  
12. Mountings The weapon can be carried in a normal leather holster  
13. Practicality in action   
14. Comments / Other information The Škorpion is a select-fire, straight blowback-operated weapon that fires from the closed bolt position. The cartridge used produces a very low recoil impulse and this enables simple unlocked blowback operation to be employed; there is no delay mechanism and the cartridge is supported only by the inertia of the bolt and the strength of the return springs. As the bolt is relatively light, an inertial rate reducer device housed inside the wooden pistol grip lowers the weapon’s rate of fire from 1,000 rounds/min to a more manageable 850 rounds/min. . Skorpion Vz 61 7.65mm Sub Machine Gun (Czechoslovakia – commercial) Introduced in 1961: chambered for the 7.65mm automatic pistol round – muzzle velocity about 1050 fps; cyclic rate 800rpm; uses 10 and 20- round-box magazines; weight without magazine 2.83lb. Unusually light and compact but low powered. Larger versions were made in 9mm short, 9mm Makarov and 9mm Parabellum.