This is a major redesign that takes an open-bolt blowback SMG and turns it into a BATFE-legal closed-bolt semiauto handgun. All it took was a ground-up redesign of the lower receiver, and all-new internal parts. Surprisingly, the firing mechanism is a miniature version of the M1 Garand, which explains why I could get a 3.5lb trigger pull after a little tweaking with Nanolube.
This produced admirable results the first time on the range, although I replaced the cheap walnut "civilian" grips with some even cheaper military ones.
This was shot at the usual "social interaction" range of seven yards. It has no more recoil than a .22 handgun, but the sights, marked "75" and "150" are pure wishful thinking. I couldn't even hit the paper at 50 yards, which didn't surprise me.
However, this is one weapon where "spray and pray" is quite effective at close range. I could see something like this as a modern cavalry sidearm, to go along with a modern saber. Fortunately for horses, major powers no longer fight on horseback.
Aside from more appropriate grips, I hit some sites to buy more 20-round magazines ($20 each, cheap in today's world), and some (Czech) GI surplus holsters and cleaning kits. Assuming the worst when it comes to military surplus, I bought two of everything, and got one decent example out of it.
On the top row, the belt holster on the left was mildewed, but the one on the right cleaned up nicely. It's designed to wear on a belt, with a cross strap to help support the rather hefty weight, while still protecting the VZ61 with a ten-round magazine. Under the flap is a military acceptance stamp with a 1970-something date. Very solid and substantial.
The bottom row shows two "concealment" shoulder holsters. They're made of rather flimsy cowhide, rather than the pigskin used in the belt holster. All the elastic straps and clips indicate this holster was designed more for concealment, rather than shooting. Straps and flaps cover everything, and the magazine is kept in an internal pouch, rather than in the weapon, ready for use. Again, the one on the left is pretty ratty, while the other one is in decent shape, and cleaned up nicely. This is the first time in ages that I've tried to rejuvenate leather goods.
And in between is a complete GI cleaning kit, made by combining what was in two separate kits. Nothing special, but having it appeals to me sense of completeness, and "getting while the getting's good".
Here's the VZ61 (oh, BTW, "vz" is short for "vzor", Czech for "model". Slavic languages seem to have a shortage of vowels.) It's a lot more classy than the cheapo black Cordura-and-Velcro hip holster that came with it.
All told, an amazing little package that combines accuracy with easy shooting. Much easier to master than a "normal" handgun. As a SMG, it would be a deadly little item at close range. As is, it's still a blast to shoot.