vz. 54 () is a Czechoslovak bolt-action sniper rifle chambered in 7.62ÃÂ54mmR.
The sniper rifle was developed in Czechoslovakia between 1949 and 1951. Initially, the ZG 49 sn variant chambered in 7.92ÃÂ64 mm was tested, but the final decision favored the 7.62ÃÂ54mmR cartridge. The second prototype was based on the Soviet Mosin-Nagant, from which the action was adopted. Selected bolt parts were optimized and the best barrels were chosen. The stock design incorporated features from pre-war vz. 24 rifle production.
The stock with pistol grip was newly designed; the fore-end is relatively short, exposing the front half of the barrel. It has only one barrel band. The bent bolt handle was purpose-made, unlike the simply cranked ones found on Soviet Mosin sniper rifles. As a result, the stock has a cutout to accommodate the bolt handle.
The primary sight is a fixed Czech Meopta 2.5ÃÂ6 telescopic sight with only 2.5ÃÂ magnification (compared to 4ÃÂ or 3.5ÃÂ magnification in Soviet PE and PU scopes). The backup iron sights consist of a sliding rear notch adjustable from 50 to 1200 meters, paired with a front post.
In the 1990s, existing police vz. 54 rifles were modernized. They were fitted with new stocks featuring adjustable cheek rests and bipods. The original scopes were replaced with PSO-1 scopes (4ÃÂ magnification) as used on the SVD.