The Czechoslovakian Vz.61 Skorpion remains one of the most iconic and sought-after machine pistols of the Cold War period. While complete original Skorpions are rarely imported to the U.S. anymore, dedicated builders can recreate them from demilled parts kits with proper instructions, tools, and components. This guide will walk through getting ready for your Vz.61 from a kit.

Acquire All the Necessary Vz.61 Parts:

The starting point is purchasing a quality demilled Vz.61 parts kit. Reputable surplus dealers like AKOptions, What a Country and Desert Fox offer kits rebuilt from original factory components. You'll also need a 922r compliant semi-auto receiver optimized for the build which can be 3D printed or bought online. Round out your stash with a proper Skorpion barrel, sights, grip, and of course your Vz.61 magazines for the full complement of Vz.61 build parts.

Study Instructional Resources to Understand the Build Process:

Tackling a Vz.61 kit build without understanding how the components properly fit and function together is a recipe for disaster. Thoroughly study technical manuals and guides (such as the Sa Vz.61 Pistol Instructions Manual) on the disassembly, operation, and takedown fundamentals of the platform. How the trigger group, bolt, recoil springs, and other parts interact must be understood before assembly. Experience with AK builds helps, but the Skorpion has its own intricacies to master.

Obtain Proper Tools for Pressing, Drilling, Riveting, and Fitting:

You'll need certain specialty gunsmithing tools to successfully complete the build including a sturdy drill press, rivet jig with quality rivets, barrel press, bench vise, steel punches for pins, and proper-sized wrenches for the barrel nut and other fasteners. While not necessarily required, a jig to aid drilling the receiver helps get holes aligned properly. Steer clear of low-quality drill bits or tooling - your investment will pay dividends in a smooth build.

Exercise Safety Precautions During the Build Process:

As with any firearm build, safety comes first. Wear eye protection and work gloves when drilling metal and pressing in components. Double and triple check drill hole placement before boring them out. Use a bench block to cushion pins during insertion. Verify repeatedly that proper headspace is achieved after barrel pressing to ensure it's safe to test fire.

Follow Proven Instructions Closely Every Step:

Numerous online build guides and videos dedicated to the Vz.61 platform exist to provide steering through the assembly process. Lean heavily on these resources when tackling particularly tricky assembly steps, like pressing on the barrel or installing the fire control components. Stay true to the receiver and jig manufacturer's instructions as well. Save customization experiments for later builds.

Extensively Test and Refine Prior to Live Fire:

Once your Vz.61 build is mechanically complete, extensively cycle it with dummy ammunition to check for function and binding issues before considering live fire. Make any tweaks necessary like smoothing out tight spots or holes until the action reliably cycles freely. Vz.61 build groups on forums like Gunboards are helpful for troubleshooting advice. Take your time getting the build operating smoothly via iterative test fitting and refinement.

With the right parts, thoughtful assembly, and extensive testing, successfully creating a Vz.61 Skorpion from a kit is an achievable and highly rewarding endeavor for devoted Cold War firearms collectors. Build at your own risk! Your resulting machine pistol will be a unique replica of this iconic firearm. Handle safely and have fun!

If Czech models aren't your thing, check out this write-up on lesser known fast surrounding the creation of the original AK47 rifle!