For Those wanting a VZ-58

[grendal1989]

So I recall several members looking at getting VZ-58s and I came across this deal in the CZ forum I frequent.

JG sales had Century VZ2008 for $399 (still a VZ-58) which is an amazing price for what it is, and compared the the quality of AK you can buy for that.
Here:
www.jgsales.com/-p-4624.html

If I am not allowed to post this, please delete at your pleasure.

Just passin on a deal.

[Horse]

Century US made receiver - no thanks.

You can get an AMD for that price.

[grendal1989]

I thought that too when I first encountered one, being the proud owner of an almost all Czech VZ-58 from Czechpoint.

After shooting one, and seeing how rare their problems are on the VZ forums(apparently who ever they farmed out the receiver production to did a pretty good job) and the ones that did were either quick fixes or quick trip back to Century under warranty (Quick? Surprised me too) were squared away.

Does it have the fit and finish of my Czechpoint? No. Can you outfit it with an optic and/or rails and ammo for the price difference? Yes. If you are on a tighter budget, which most of us are right now, I would say its a good value.

I will now take the time to mention that I completely understand the hesitation with century, as I had a problem with my Century AMD-65 jamming(ironic right?), to the point that it took a trip to my gunsmith (who swapped the bolt and carrier with one that head spaced better). I am sure we all remember the Tantals(insert shuddering here) but evidently Century is putting out a better product and service as of late(clearly they heard of their reputation). Are all of them perfect out of the box? No, but their price point wouldn't permit that. So, buy the best you can afford and know what comes with it.

[hwi]

Any idea what kind of barrel it has on it? I'd imagine US made p.o.s., but it doesn't say.

I do want a vz.58 and this low price is tempting, but I am thinking it may be better just to wait a little longer and get one from Czechpoint.

[grendal1989]

It is US made Green Mountain barrel. The plus being that you can swap muzzle devices and can attach a bayonet(for whatever thats worth). Though I don't forsee myself swapping muzzle devices very much anyway, the Slovak brake works well and is "correct." Down side being it isn't chrome lined or hammer forged. But those two US parts do allow you to take surplus mags out of the box.

If you decide to wait on the Czechpoint you will not be disappointed. Though, if you know how far out till you will have money, you can sorta plan ahead, since they have a 2-3 week ship delay and they don't charge till it ships. Also, of note they have the VZ pistols now....which I feel calling my name

[Horse]

yeah - those VZ pistols look REALLY nice

[grendal1989]

I know, practically screams "sbr me." Almost makes me want to go through all that government paperwork and registration.

[tada]

Ok, my Vz. 58 is finally getting in shape:

rifle as is with GunExper side folding stock:



Hanguard:



Spring cover:

sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/47322_4035113444207_1486165646_n.jpg

None of these parts requires any alterations of rifle itself. Both handguard and spring cover are field stripped using no tools, both keeps zero when using optics and are aligned for use of backup sights or redo dot/magnifier combo. They are made according to Czech mil-spec and they were tested by military prooving comissopn in VTÚM Slavičín. Saddly our army had no interest in modernizing Vz. 58 rifles.

Things that are missing on my Vz.58 - flashlight - i need thorntail mount, but theres stupid thing called ITAR..., red dot sight - cannot trust my life on vortex, backup sights - tommorow!

So thats my rifle...

[hwi]

I dig that handguard. Nice looking Vz for sure.

[tada]

Ok, I fought my lazzines bravely today and I made some pics...

First lets take a look at rear spring cover:

It is held in space by a lever which is similar to quick detach mounts for optics etc.



For disasembly you pul the lever down, press the rear pin out:



Lever sets cover both horizontaly and verticaly, when you lock it, the dost cover won´t move at all:



Spring guide block is held in place by 2 hex screws which are set to match each rifles specific tolerances:





And as a whole:

[tada]

And now the handguard, it is an ingenious piece of design. You will not find 2 Vz. 58 with exact same tolerances. Every rifle is different. So how do you solve that problem, to mount any equipment so it helds in place, retains zero and still is disasmbled using no tools? Well, this is how you do it:

In front it is held in place by 2 levers, which are little bit flexible, to match each rifle gas blocks, they are made in 3 different sizes:



For disasembly you pull back 2 buttons at each side of hanguard and lift the upper part upwards:



In back you can see the hooks that held it in place:





Here you can see spring loaded wedge, which is attached to disasembly buttons. It engages into the hooks in rear of the upper handguerd and holds it in place. Springs are really super stiff and tolerances are extremly thin, so it is super precise solution:



Lower hanguard is held in place by 2 rings attached to a barrel in front and in back:

front one


rear one:
sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181850_4050591191141_248696159_n.jpg

both od them



Rings are held by hex screws which are scewed from bottom side of handguard, easily accesible. And trust me - you dont need free floated barrel on Vz. 58...

Tommorow I´ll maybe do video to show it in more detail.

[hwi]

If you had an optic on that rear spring cover rail would it lose zero when you take the rear spring cover off the gun?

[tada]

10 out of 10 people says it would not. Both handguard and dust cover will hold zero.

I haven´t been to range yet, I´m ill - on antibiotics, so....

[masakari]

Dec 9, 2012 17:20:11 GMT -5 tada said:

Ok, my Vz. 58 is finally getting in shape:

rifle as is with GunExper side folding stock:



Hanguard:



Spring cover:

sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/47322_4035113444207_1486165646_n.jpg

None of these parts requires any alterations of rifle itself. Both handguard and spring cover are field stripped using no tools, both keeps zero when using optics and are aligned for use of backup sights or redo dot/magnifier combo. They are made according to Czech mil-spec and they were tested by military prooving comissopn in VTÚM Slavičín. Saddly our army had no interest in modernizing Vz. 58 rifles.

Things that are missing on my Vz.58 - flashlight - i need thorntail mount, but theres stupid thing called ITAR..., red dot sight - cannot trust my life on vortex, backup sights - tommorow!

So thats my rifle...

wow.
how can I make a rifle like that in the US? are any of those rails available here?
I have wanted a VZ58 since the day I handled one... its such a 'perfect' design. this setup has me dreaming about it again!