For fans of the VZ58 or anyone who wants a Non-AK .30 Russian Short Semi

[Monkeybear]

I ran across this on the internet. If I weren't strapped for cash I would buy two or six. You can get the parts kits pretty cheap here. Seems like a pretty cool project for do-it-yourselfers or fans of the VZ58 who don't have $1,500 but do have $300.

Well after 14 months and two submissions to the tech branch I am happy to say I have approval on my semi VZ58 receiver and compliance parts.

With the help of a larger manufacturer I will be bringing newly made semi auto receivers to market shortly. I couldnt get atf to sign off on the repair section as a non ffl item. According to the 1966 small arms of the world the Czechs were pioneers in investment casting firearm receivers and related parts. VZ58, VZ59, and scorpion receivers were all original investment cast. A large manufacturer that supplies the bulk of rec castings for the firearms industry is currently making the molds and will be providing the castings.

I will be offering the raw castings which based on samples are at the 95% point for around $200 and finished ready to assemble receivers for under $350 . There will be a discount for weaponeer members if Gary decides to run a GB on them. These are introductry prices for guys willing to put put up a small deposit and wait while the rec are being made.

The castings will require some finish machine work to the rails , bbl socket and the fcg holes to be drilled. A complete build pictorial will be posted and a bond on template will be provided with with the castings. Unlike the fal castings and ar forgings these will be something the average guy at home can complete , They will all be ffl item , no partial rec avail.

Now the catch, the molds just to get the project rolling is roughly the cost of a new Hummer and the first run of castings is going to run nearly as much . I have a good friend that going to cover about half of the upfront cost but I need to presell , as in take deposits on roughly 300 pieces , to satisfy the banker for the remainder of the money. Deposits would be fully refundable , no risk , mainly just earnest money to insure that I have a good number of these sold to avoid going in the poor house. As most of you know I run a small R+D shop and a project this size is just beyond my ability to front financialy . Deposits would be a modest $75 on the castings and $125 on the complete ready to assemble receivers. The castings would be delivered in roughly 4 months and the finished rec in 6 months . I believe these are good safe estimates, the bulk of the time is needed for the patern maker to work up all the molds.

If enough intrest exist this can be a reality but it is going to require deposits and a good span of time, but as I mentioned before deposits will be refundable if something unforseen pops up or I simply cant sell enough to make it work.

Hope this is the right place, seems like an awesome rifle.

What do you guys think, is it worth it? Anyone here have any experience with the VZ58? Anyone here gonna try it?

Comments welcome

 

[chestnut ridge]

I have put up "front" money for promised firearm developments;
and have gotten burned. I would rather wait and pay extra to have
the bird in hand. Also it is good to have some feedback on the item
before you spend money. Sometimes it is great to be first. Not here.

 

[silverlance]

id be willing to put down 75. i can always up it to the complete if it goes through.

weaponeer is a very respected site. lots of very knowledgable (impressively so) guys there. and, this guy is the real deal:

panaceabeachbum
Real Name: Richard
Gender: Male
Joined: September 18 2005
Last Visit: September 08 2007
Posts: 2950 [4.09 posts per day]
Location: United States
Date of Birth: March 07 1967
Homepage: http://www.thompsonmachine.net

 

[0007]

Sounds like a guy who is connected with Gary on the weaponeer.net website. Those guys are a pretty honest bunch, especially when it comes to building parts to facilitating making semi-autos out of full auto parts kits. There is probably more info about this over on that website.

 

[MudPuppy]

If panaceabeachbum is heading this up, I'd put up the deposit no problem--in fact, I'm going to.

The VZ58 parts aren't interchangeable with AKs, so the compliance parts might be a tricky and unexpected extra expense (but they have to be available, I think ORF had/has the completed rifles as well). And I think the barrels are less than 16in, so a longer, perma attached muzzle brake is in order.

 

[Gun Wielding Maniac]

I've got a VZ-58. Its a nice weapon. However, I wouldnt buy it for more then 800 dollars.

 

[Monkeybear]

Gun- How would you compare its recoil and accuracy with that of an AK?

 

[dstorm1911]

The VZ58 is a great rifle, however I build em on the OOW reciever/ kit it runs $700 and includes all FCG parts and 922R parts is truly 100%

Another option is the Czech made low cap reciever at $400 ya will have to finish milling out the magwell for HI cap, and complete milling for a FCG ya will also need to come up with your own 922R parts and a FCG etc...

The Weaponeer version IF it actually makes it to production will also require ya to finish it and come up with 922R parts and so on......

The OOW kit is ready to go, press in barrel,install barrel extension to bring to legal 16" , headspace drill pin hole the rest is assembly from a field stripped condition


MUCH more accurate than an AK and ya can swap back and forth between side folder and fixed stocks in a few seconds, a safty ya can actually activate without disrupting shooting grip, BHO standard, lighter and more compact than an AK...

The low cap versions are a totally different critter than the original Built on the OOW reciever, $750 all done if ya build it yourself....

 

[Monkeybear]

dstorm- Those are good points. It seems the OOW would be a good safe bet. Man I want one of these, if only I could actually afford one.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I like the vz.58 except that the folding stock seemed kind of junky on the one military example I've had a chance to fire. That may have been specific to that weapon, but it was quite wobbly. Otherwise, definitely a winner.

If they can be gotten for $750 for all the parts, including 922r compliance, I'd call that a solid price. I like them, but don't like them enough to pay upwards of $1200 for them.

 

[Gun Wielding Maniac]

I think the accuracy is about the same as an AK. Of course, I regard most of my AK's as pretty accurate for their intended task. It is about a pound lighter then my AK's. I personally have to use my index finger to activate and deactivate the safety... usually this means my grip shifts around. I dont have to take my hand off the grip to activate or deactivate the safety, but I don't regard it as being especially easier then the AK either. Recoil is slightly more snappy, due to less weight in the gun.

All in all, I think would do just as well with a milled receiver AK.

 

[dstorm1911]

I usually can get a VZ58 to shoot bout 1/2" tighter from the shooting machine than most Quality built AKs very consistently, As far as the safty I can flip it pretty easy might be these long fingers though

The side folders on all my kits are very tight but them they are all in unissued condition, I bout 16 kits 8 of ea fixed and folders (as the stocks can be swapped back and forth so easily) when Centerfire Systems was sellin em at $50 ea now they are up to $89 I think so yea with the OOW kit ya'd be up to $789 as ya don't have anything else to buy unless ya decide to get the Walnut wood furniture set from Prexis for $100 which is super nice, have done a few customer guns with it (mine are all original) and its got me very tempted as it does add a lil weight and just looks great.......

When it comes to demillin the kits ya are advised to simply split the old reciever stub off unless your press is at least 20 tons a few have made our 30 tons hydraulic pump groan a lil heating the reciever stub helps alot BTW if ya wanna keep it intact....... if ya aren't sentimentally attached to it then use a cutoff wheel to cut 90% through it then put a cold chisel in the cut and smack it with a hammer....

Anyone who has demilled a Rommy G will not even break a sweat over it....... the Barrel pin is much easier to remove.......

 

[The_Antibubba]

I hope someone more familiar with this "new" vz-58 can answer a few questions.

Is it being made for 7.62X39 or the nearly impossible to find Czech round?
What about the rest of the parts--furniture, mags, etc?

As a Californian the AK is prohibited by name and design (no Saigas either )--but the vz-58 is too obscure to have made the Evil list. And I'd have I'd have to omit the massacre-causing pistol grip.


But still...

 

[silverlance]

you are wrong about the saiga, my CA friend.
think off list saiga.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Is it being made for 7.62X39 or the nearly impossible to find Czech round?

vz.58's were always chambered in 7.62x39 as far as I know. The vz.52 (rifle, not pistol) was the one chambered in 7.62x45. The '58 was the Czechoslovak's answer to being forced to comply with Soviet standardization on the x39 cartridge.

 

[Monkeybear]

I ordered a kit from Centerfire with two of the magazine kits for 39.99. Then I thought about it and remembered that I don't have any money. I called and they were very nice and courteous as they canceled my order.