Among the nations of the Warsaw Pact, only Czechoslovakia designed and produced its own infantry assault rifle - everyone else used the Kalashnikov. The Czech vz.58 is often mistaken for an AK because it has the same basic layout, but is in reality a completely different gun mechanically and has no interchangeable parts with an AK. It is a short stroke gas piston system will a pivoting locking block like a Walther P38 pistol and a unique linear hammer for firing. The vz.58 was produced from 1958 until 1984, and underwent no substantial modifications during its service, although various new bolt-on parts are available today for commercial sale.