The ZK 471 (later renamed the ZK 473) is a prototype Czech submachine gun.
History[]
Designed in 1947 by Czech engineer Josef Koucký, an employee of ZB, the ZK 471 was one of a number of submachine guns tested by the Czech which incorporated the idea of having the center of gravity of the magazine as close as possible to the gun's bore axis.
The first prototype was designed in 1947 and presented to the VTÚ in March that year; the weapon performed poorly compared to other similar weapons of the time due to its complex action. Another version, a paratroop version, was produced and was known as the ZK 473 p. The project was canceled in November 1947.[1]
One ZK 471 survives in the Czech Military History Museum.[1]
Design Details[]
A very strange and unconventional submachine gun, even by modern standards, the ZK 471 is a blowback-operated submachine gun with an unconventional layout despite fairly normal looks.
The weapon has a very unique feeding layout and system; the magazine is inserted diagonally into the weapon from the back of the receiver. The weapon has a large switch on the left side of the weapon; this acts as a rate reducer. Toggling the lever appears to adjust a buffer on the inside of the weapon, adjusting the rate of fire in the process.
The only real safety the weapon has is the small notch the charging handle can rest in when cocked. The weapon has a two-stage trigger to allow for pseudo-select fire modes; however, the two stages inside the trigger are noted to be rather close together and so firing single shots may require additional training.[1]
Variants[]
- ZK 473 p.
Paratroop variant. One prototype was produced; the prototype does not survive today and was most likely destroyed.[1]