ZK-466: CZ Makes a Folding Submachine Gun (Ad-free)
Added 2025-10-17 12:00:07 +0000 UTCThe ZK-466 was one of the post-war submachine guns developed in Czechoslovakia as part of the competition for a new Czech military SMG. Deve
The ZK-466 was one of the post-war submachine guns developed in Czechoslovakia as part of the competition for a new Czech military SMG. Developed by Josef Koucky (who was also designer of the ZK-383 before the war), it is a 9x19mm open bolt simple blowback system with a collapsing stock and folding magazine well using ZK-383 magazines. It was designed in 1946, and it was Koucky’s sixth design project for the year (hence 46 6 in the designation).
The ZK-466 was part of the large trial in 1947, and a different system won the military contract. After that, Brno attempted to sell the gun on the export market instead. It was marketed as a pilot’s survival weapon on account of its compact nature, but was unable to find any interested buyers. A total of 22 were made, with the largest sale being five examples sold to WF Bern in Switzerland in 1949. A second slightly improved model was also made, but this didn’t attract any additional interest and the project was dropped by the end of 1950.
Thanks to the Czech Military History Institute (VHU) for graciously giving me access to this one-of-a-kind prototype to film for you! If you have the opportunity, don't miss seeing their museums in Prague:
https://www.vhu.cz/en/english-summary/
Comments
Ian: I'd be honored if you elect to publish this question, but doubly so if you are wearing that really cool OD, silk brocade smoking jacket. My lifelong career was as a design engineer since 1963 and then subsequently opening a gunsmith shop in 1982 as a nighttime job. However, in retirement of both careers and being a certifiable gun nut, I find it impossible to de-program my brain and stop designing. It's either a DNA-thing or maybe some sort of rare blood disease. Anyhow, since the popularity shift from KeyMod to M-LOK about 15-years ago, I decided to dive into the physics of both in terms of reliability, ease of the attach-detach utility and the dreaded recoil shock loosening (early MOE and VLTOR notwithstanding). I know that SOPMOD and other testing committees have a history of reviewing these methods. I do not know if either have been approved, under MIL-STD-1913 or approved for combat weapons. Personally, I would not accept either design for military use, but certainly be looking hard at the modified Weaver rail system, especially the original from Picatinny and the final 1913 design standard. In my 45-years of gunsmithing I have installed all four methods many times. The Weaver and the (so called) Picatinny mounts are quick and easy for the shooter to attach – detach, are reliable, strong and seem to find the scope zero consistently. Whereas, for the soldier in the field the KeyMod / M-LOK can be frustrating, if not suicidal. It's one thing for a hunter to casually sit on his couch and attach his scope with M-LOK mounts, but the poor warrior in the field would be risking disaster. I know what pressure-under-fire is from my Vietnam days. Those guys do not need any distractions or equipment failure while engaging the enemy. The reason I say that is because there have been too many of my customers asking me to “un freeze” a M-LOK or KeyMod that failed to cam in, or settle into its seated position. Naturally, what the less than expert shooter does when his scope won't seat properly is to apply more extra torque to the screw hoping for a good final result. The result usually is a trip to my shop to un-jam everything and possibly smooth-out the damage to an AR-15 aluminum floating handguard. When asked to bore sight a new installation using M-LOK, I use a thread locker for obvious reasons, but also to discourage the hunter from “fiddling.” On the other hand, if a guy has a “Pic” rail or maybe a quad handguard, I just demonstrate the proper torquing procedures for whenever he adds or removes some accessory. I've gone very long here, but really wanted to express the context of my concern; Has the military, of any branch, approved the use of M-LOK or historically, the KeyMod systems? Many thanks, Keep 'em coming, Bob Betts, The Gun Doctor (Haven't lost a patient yet)
Gun Doctor Bob
2025-10-20 18:11:33 +0000 UTCthe connection of uppbut still some upper and lower not so much and though it looks right I don't care for the folding mag. otherwise neat features. the buttplate contured to fit the grip is an idea. ok the sa vz 2... is better but still a well thought out design. looks like production in numbers but prototype.
Guido Schriewer
2025-10-17 18:31:09 +0000 UTC
