Czech SA23

Go Back to Submachine Gun

Go Back To Weapons Home

	Weapon: Czech SA23 Type: Submachine Gun Country of Origin: Czechoslovakia Year Adopted: 1948 Caliber: 9mm Luger Action: Blow Back Fully Automatic Overall Length (mm): 445.0 Weight (kg): 3.00 Effective Range (m): 200

The Czech SA23 submachine gun, also known as the Sa vz. 23, was designed by Czech engineer Jaroslav Holecek in the late 1940s and officially adopted in 1948. It was part of a family of submachine guns, including the SA24, SA25, and SA26, which were differentiated by caliber and stock type. The SA23 was one of the first firearms to use a telescoping bolt design, allowing for a more compact and balanced weapon. Chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, it featured a straight blowback action, a side-mounted magazine, and a simple yet effective design that made it highly reliable in the field.

Production of the SA23 and its variants was undertaken at the Ceska zbrojovka arms factory in Uhersky Brod, with tens of thousands manufactured during the late 1940s and 1950s. The submachine gun saw widespread adoption by the Czechoslovak military and was exported to several countries allied with the Eastern Bloc. Its straightforward design made it easy to produce and maintain, ensuring its popularity in both military and paramilitary roles. Despite being replaced in frontline service by more advanced firearms, the SA23 family remained in use for decades, especially in secondary and reserve units.

The SA23 gained notoriety for its innovative design, particularly the telescoping bolt mechanism, which influenced later submachine guns, such as the Israeli Uzi. Its compact size, rugged construction, and reliability in adverse conditions earned it a strong reputation among users. The SA23's historical significance lies in its role as a pioneering firearm that demonstrated Czech ingenuity in small arms design during the Cold War era. Today, it is regarded as a collector's item and a symbol of post-war Czech firearms innovation.