VZOR 70 .32 ACP 7.65mm - VZ 70 VZ70 CZ70 Excellent Condition

CENTURY IMPORTED VZ70 32ACP 3.8” 8RD NRA RATED EXCELLENT CONDITION

Czech VZ70/CZ70 Pistol in .32ACP/7.62mm Browning

HAND SELECTE FEE $30 (BEST OF 10)

The Vz. 70, also known as the CZ 70, is a Czechoslovakian semi-automatic pistol developed as an update to the earlier Vz. 50 (CZ 50) and produced by Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod from 1970 to 1983. Designed primarily for police use, it was also exported commercially and widely used by Czechoslovak security forces, including the SNB (National Security Corps), until it was replaced by the Vz. 82 in 9mm Makarov.

Specifications and Features:

• Caliber: 7.65x17mm Browning (.32 ACP)
• Action: Blowback-operated, double-action/single-action (DA/SA) with an exposed hammer
• Weight: Approximately 710 g (unloaded)
• Length: 167 mm
• Barrel Length: 96 mm
• Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds, single-stack magazine
• Sights: Fixed, small, mounted on the slide
• Safety: Frame-mounted manual safety lever with three positions (fire, safe, decock); pulling the lever down engages the safe mode and decocks the hammer, while pushing it up reveals a red dot indicating fire mode
• Grips: Typically molded plastic (originally Bakelite in the Vz. 50), with a new grid-like dimple pattern instead of grooves for improved grip
• Trigger: Flat-faced, serrated; DA trigger is notably heavy (often exceeding 12 pounds, described as gritty and long), while SA is light and crisp
• Slide: Features a fine wave pattern under the ejection port to reduce glare

Design and Improvements: The Vz. 70 is a refined version of the Vz. 50, heavily influenced by the Walther PP series but with distinct differences in safety placement and disassembly. Key updates include:

• A more angular grip with a larger tang (recess for the web between thumb and finger) for better ergonomics
• A shorter safety lever wing and a hammer with a hole for weight reduction
• Minor cosmetic changes like a different finish and checkered black grip panels (replacing Bakelite in many cases)
• Improved blending of frame edges to remove sharp angles

Performance:

• Accuracy: Adequate for its purpose, capable of hitting a 10-inch target at 25 yards in single-action mode under optimal conditions. However, the heavy double-action trigger hinders rapid or precise shooting.
• Recoil: Light due to the .32 ACP caliber, though stiffer than expected for such a small round.
• Reliability: Known for being robust and reliable, though the thick grip and small sights make it less ideal for modern concealed carry compared to contemporaries like the Walther PPK.

Historical Context: Introduced in 1970, the Vz. 70 continued the Vz. 50’s role as a police sidearm, with production reaching approximately 745,000 units, many for export. It bears Cold War-era aesthetics, with a solid steel construction and a utilitarian design reflective of Soviet-influenced manufacturing. Some Vz. 50s were refurbished to Vz. 70 standards, making differentiation tricky, especially since serial numbers continued from the Vz. 50 range (starting at 650001). Government-issued units often feature a crossed swords stamp, and the last two digits of the manufacture year are stamped on the slide near a proof mark (lion over “N”).

Use and Legacy: The Vz. 70 served reliably until the 1980s and remained in limited use by Czech police into the mid-1990s. It was exported to countries like Cuba and reportedly supplied to various groups during the Cold War. Surplus models are popular among collectors for their historical significance and affordability, though the .32 ACP caliber is considered underpowered for modern defensive use. Its design, while dated, offers a glimpse into Cold War-era firearms development, blending Walther-inspired functionality with Eastern Bloc ruggedness.