AK or VZ-58?

AK or VZ58?

  • just fix up the romanian AK I already have

    Votes: 48 30.0%

  • buy a saiga and turn it into a bloated, over-accesorized mall ninja gun

    Votes: 21 13.1%

  • sell a kidney and buy a VZ58

    Votes: 91 56.9%
  • Total voters
    160
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Hold on, Gang -

CZ is intending to introduce a .223 Vz 58 sometime

In 2010.

Not only that, but also a .22 LR conversion kit for same.

Mind you, I'm not the least bit unhappy with the 7.62.

But for those of you jus' gotta have a .223,

Its out there.

isher
 
matai said:
So is there a difference between the SA VZ 58 and the Century VZ 2008?
Click to expand...

♠ The Czech Vz58 is built from all new parts, on military machinery (most likely in a former military factory).

☠ The Century "VZ 2008" is built from cut up military rifle parts on reverse engineered receivers by minimum wage piece-workers.
 
I'd stick with the D-Technik if I were you.

If you want a good mental image for the Century,

Think of a hundred drunken monkeys in a metal scrapyard.

Now, if you want to know what I really think...........

isher
 
♠ The Czech Vz58 is built from all new parts, on military machinery (most likely in a former military factory).

☠ The Century "VZ 2008" is built from cut up military rifle parts on reverse engineered receivers by minimum wage piece-workers.
Click to expand...

Actually, both of them are made from a mixture of new and surplus parts. Czechpoint/CZ both admit that "some" of the parts are .mil surplus, so while the barrels and receivers may be new, things like your top cover and handguards are going to be surplus on both. And the Czechpoint/CZ receivers were originally singlestack, but were milled out here in America to accept hi-cap mags. Both Century and Czech rifles use a certain number of US compliance parts anyways, but because the Century uses a US-made receiver, you can use fully-original surplus 30rd magazines in it without running afoul of 922(r). In comparison, the Czechpoint/CZ rifles use American-made plastic baseplates (and followers too, IIRC), which don't feel to me quite as sturdy as the originals (let alone cheap-$13 for surplus mags, versus ~$40 for new mags).

Honestly, IMO the newer plastic furniture feels way too cheesy. The original composite furniture is extremely comfortable; the VZ-58 has one of the best pistol grips I've ever handled. On the other hand, the newer black thumbhole-style stock from Czechpoint/CZ is one of the least comfortable stocks I've ever handled.

As someone who owns a Century model, and who's handled and sold the CZs, I'm not convinced that the difference is all that major. The Century certainly isn't finished as nicely, but it has the advantage of having a bayonet lug, and accepting surplus magazines legally. Plus it's got a threaded muzzle, so you can put whatever you want on the end of the barrel. Mine's been extremely reliable, and it shoots great. The real limiting factor in accuracy are the sights, and those are identical on both rifles.
 
the VZ is a better design, and a hell of a deal lately at as low as $600, but it's six of one and half dozen of the other in terms of function. but 20 years from now you're gonna be amazed at the shortage of VZ58.

as far as the century guns go, they are quite nice. i have seen several of them up close, and bought one some years ago. it is mechanically perfect, and runs flawlessly. think swiss watch, as compared to a stamped AK cornbinder.
 
coosbaycreep, since you already owned and ak you should give the vz58 a try you will not be dissapointed.

purchased through jg sales couple years back
111-1.jpg

113-1.jpg
 
Wes, $13 for surplus mags with US compliance parts, http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/produ...magazine-with-us-made-parts-complete-surplus/
30 round mag refinished, US compliant, $19 http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/produ...made-parts-refinished-complete-grey-or-black/

I've had three Century made rifles, two WASRs, one CETME, all three were horrible. The CETME couldn't make it through it's first magazine before it fell apart. Glad someone had better luck, but the D-Technik vZ-58 has been outstanding for me. The "milling" out of the mag wells is done on CNC machinery, BTW, not a guy with a Dremel, which was what it felt like Century did to the WASRs they milled out for high caps.
I had the Sporter stock, felt better than the original military one to me, but everyone is differant. Found a NICE new folding stock I will try as soon as I have $ to do so!
 
The saigas are reasonably priced, but the conversion sounds difficult to me, and paying someone for labor and the parts to do it makes the price not so appealing by the time all is said and done. The good thing is, I could still use all my AK mags, and I would have a stamped AK set up the way I want.
Click to expand...

I am absolutely pathetic with tools...and I did the Saiga 7.62x39 conversion last week.

I did it. Me <--- I did it.

Google offroad saiga conversion and you will get a good link showing you how. This is what you will need:

3/16" drill bit, preferably carbide ( i used titanium...worked ok)
1/8" drill bit works good for opening up spot weld
Screw drivers--1 each of philips and flat
Dremel or rotary tool (I also used a grinding wheel)
Center punch (I didn't use because I used a mill press)
Mill press and/OR hand drill
Drift punch (small or medium)
Files (I didn't use)
10mm socket (for pistol grip)
Cut off wheel and grinding wheel for dremel
Hammer

I can give you a good Saiga conversion parts list for about $130 if you want...or you can get a lot of more expensive parts like some custom folders...

~Norinco
 
It's $6 a mag...is it that big of a deal? I haven't seen a Century VZ...but I have seen their other work, and that is enough to convince me to buy elsewhere. YMMV, Mav. :)
 
you guys are not listening. the receivers in the century VZ2008 rifles are manufactured in the US by a professional machine shop. they are not hacksaw conversions done in the century warehouse. these guns are severely underrated and a great deal at this time. they are nicer than any AK i own, excepting the milled poly legend. and boys, i have some nice AKs.
 
you guys are not listening. the receivers in the century VZ2008 rifles are manufactured in the US by a professional machine shop. they are not hacksaw conversions done in the century warehouse.
Click to expand...
Heard you the first time...and still have very little confidence in anything that Century markets...perhaps if I saw one in person I could be convinced...but dialog ain't doin' it. :)
 
Burned once, twice shy. Century sucks, generally speaking, even when someone else is making the recievers.
 
Century had a "professional machine shop" making Galil receivers for them, too.

I won't go into that fiasco, but Century had to change suppliers (the new ones aren't much higher on the ladder, from what I hear).
 
Sorry, but I have to "ditto" here, won't touch anything with Century's billboard on it unless it's a milsurp imported in one piece. justashooter, I am glad you got a good one, but my previous experiance says do-not-trust-ever-again.
 
I know the Century Vz does not come with a chrome lined bore. Does the D-Technik guns come with chrome lined bores?
 
armoredman, thank you for the information. I am going to save my pennies for the higher quality item.
 
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