POTD: The 9mm CZ Vz. 68 (ZB 68) or Skorpion Evo 2 SMG
Many of you probably know about the original CZ Skorpion, the Vz. 61. It is a pretty compact and lightweight SMG, however, being chambered in .32 ACP, it’s a rather underpowered gun. Now, I bet not many of you know that there was actually a 9x19mm (9mm Luger) version of this subgun which never entered production though. This experimental bigger sibling of Vz. 61 was dubbed Vz. 68 (a.k.a. ZB 68, a.k.a Skorpion Evo 2) and it is what we are taking a look at in today’s Photo Of The Day.
This family of CZ submachine guns was designed by a gentleman named Miloslav Rybář. He designed the Vz. 61 in the 1950s. The reason why it was chambered in the rather weak .32 ACP cartridge is that this SMG was to be used by the Czechoslovak police and their service pistol, Vz. 50, was chambered in … you guessed it, .32 ACP. Later, Rybář designed three other models of this subgun – the Vz.64 chambered in .380 ACP, Vz. 65 in 9x18mm Makarov and finally the biggest member of the family, the Vz. 68 in 9mm. None of these three guns was mass produced. After 1989, CZ resumed the project of the 9mm Skorpion and it was nicknamed Skorpion Evo 2.
Being chambered in a much more powerful cartridge, the VZ. 68 is a larger and heavier gun than the Vz. 61 (the bolt alone is twice heavier). The gun used 20 and 30-round magazines which have a straight box shape and although it may seem like not an ideal shape for a tapered cartridge like the 9mm Luger, CZ claims that the magazines worked fine due to the patented follower design. The rear sight had three settings for shooting at 75, 150, and 250-meter distances and there was also a provision for mounting a reflex sight. The gun had an option of having a wire stock or a Vz. 58 style fixed stock. The Evo 2 also featured a bottom Picatinny rail, threaded muzzle, and extended charging handles.
Despite all these attempts, this gun never saw any significant production and only 85 Evo 2 SMGs were ever made. Well, as you know, there is CZ Scorpion Evo 3, but that’s a completely different animal.
If you want to learn more about the Vz. 68, click here to read Ceska Zbrojovka’s article about this submachine gun.
Pictures by Česká zbrojovka a.s., www.czub.cz
Managing Editor Being a lifelong firearms enthusiast, Hrachya always enjoys studying the history and design of guns and ammunition. Should you need to contact him, feel free to shoot him a message at Hrachya@TheFirearmBlog.com
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Still waiting for someone to reproduce those oversized cocking knobs again. I have 5 Vz.61's, 2 of which are SBRd (one looks original, one has a threaded barrel and a Vz.58 side folding stock as well as an AR15 trigger guard, pistol grip, and red dot...I got bored and the spare parts bin was just calling to me haha). I do love the Vz.61 platform though and I understood the purpose of it for it's time but that wire stock isn't great. It's helpful for keeping it on target for full auto fire but the sights are better suited for arms extended pistol shooting and the one I fitted with a Vz.58 stock is much more comfortable to shoot.
Where does one get a vz-61 barrel? I bought a parts kit and thought the rate adjuster was the barrel...