Review: CZ-USA vz-58 Tactical Sporter

[Ash]

The magazines are thick because they are aluminum.

Ash

 

[Nolo]

The magazines are thick because they are aluminum.

No, I knew that, I meant that the mag body seems longer by several millimeters than it needs to be. Turns out, it's because of that follower-BHO-thingie. An inefficient design, but it works.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Also for those who want to add flash hider, ya can easily thread the muzzle extension for AK FH but will need to add a lock washer or add a set screw to lock it in place

+1 what the previous poster on the topic said. At least on real .mil 58s, the thread pattern is reversed from an AK.

No, I knew that, I meant that the mag body seems longer by several millimeters than it needs to be. Turns out, it's because of that follower-BHO-thingie. An inefficient design, but it works.

They used it on the Skorpion machine pistol, too.

The big problem with them on 58s these days is that it's hard enough to get good AK mag pouches. Outside of the leather mil-surp ones floating around, there's just about zero available here in the US for the vz.58 mags, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Nolo]

They used it on the Skorpion machine pistol, too.

Well, yeah, but the Skorpion is so tiny it's hard to notice the extra size...

 

[FEG]

I'm looking at one of these in a local gunshop. It looks very, very nice, but I'm not sure it's a CZ-USA rifle. I want a legitimate CZ-USA rifle and this one doesn't have any rollmarks indicating that it is. What does the CZ-USA rifles rollmarks look like? FEG, if you had the time and didn't mind could you snap a few close up pics of each side of the reciever?

I don't have the capability to "black out" my serial #s. I will describe them for you of course. This is definitely a CZ-USA rifle, by the way. It came in a CZ-USA box and had the appropriate stickers (Kansas City). When I talked to CZ-USA, they supported it as their product.

RIGHT SIDE (side with safety and bolt carrier handle):

"PATENT PENDING" (near the top of the receiver, under the handle)

LEFT SIDE (side with sling swivel and mag release):

"vz-58 008xx
SA vz.58 SPORTER
CAL. 7.62x39"
(underneath rear sight block)

"D. TECHNIK A.S.
CZECH REPUBLIC
TGI KNOX TN"
(near the top of the receiver, near the front of the bolt carrier in battery)

I thought that the receiver was made in the Slovak Republic, but this marking seems to indicate that D. Technik a.s. is in the Czech Republic. Huh...


EDIT: I have yet to hear of a CZ-USA serial number higher than 00950 or so. That doesn't mean a whole lot, of course.

 

[cz75fan]

Thanks FEG, that helps a bunch. I guess the one I was checking out is not actually a CZ-USA import. From what I can gather InRange built or imported some of these. It did in fact have the Czech reciever and overall the rifle was very nice. Thanks again.

 

[FEG]

You can make your mag parts do double duty, if you buy a US made gas piston from Hotbarrel over on gunco.net. Once you have that, you'll only need one US part per magazine for compliance.

The basic switches I recommend are as follows:

Military Sporter: Hotbarrel gas piston, Lichtenberger pistol grip.

Tactical Sporter: Hotbarrel gas piston, TGI magazine floorplates.

I went with the latter option. Hotbarrel's piston works well, and it is conspicuously marked "USA." I went with the floorplates for two reasons. First, the TGI followers do not have a ridge or clip to retain the spring like the military followers. Second, the floorplates are the worst part on most of my mil surp magazines. It seems like a lot of CSSR soldiers liked to rest that little tab parallel to the bore on walls or whatever! The TGI floorplates fit well and are pretty tough.

 

[ROMAK IV]

I bought one, but it is the import model with the sngle stack magazines, They are clear and hold nine rounds. It is a fine rifle and I like the stock.

 

[nalioth]

Thanks FEG, that helps a bunch. I guess the one I was checking out is not actually a CZ-USA import. From what I can gather InRange built or imported some of these. It did in fact have the Czech reciever and overall the rifle was very nice. Thanks again.

InRange sells both types. Built on Czech receivers from customers parts kits and the CZ-USA imports.

I bought one, but it is the import model with the sngle stack magazines, They are clear and hold nine rounds. It is a fine rifle and I like the stock.

AMEN. Extra 10 round magazines are cheap at Tennessee Guns

 

[Texasred]

What material is the receiver on these?

 

[mrsig]

Milled steel.

- Sig

 

[PercyShelley]

There is a bolt catch, located on the underside of the receiver on the right side, near the trigger guard. A right-handed shooter can activate it with the trigger finger.

 

[armoredman]

I hope to aquire one of these fine rifles soon. How is it holding up since you posted this? Dumb question, where did you find out exactly how many imported/US made parts were in the vZ58 as sold through CZ-USA?

 

[The King of Pants]

For those looking for mags and pouches:

http://www.copesdistributing.net/product_info.php?products_id=734

 

[armoredman]

Should have one very soon, can't wait!

 

[armoredman]

Pick it up tomorrow!

 

[Ash]

Give us a report when you can.

Ash

 

[armoredman]

Yesterday I picked it up...

Wow.










Length of pull is longer with the vZ58 as opposed to the WASR, but they are almost identical length. The rifle is very easy handling, and fits me extremely well. My cheesy bathroom scale says the loaded vZ58 is at least 2-3 pounds lighter than the loaded WASR. Oh, and the scary thing is it also fits my WIFE extremely well...
If everything goes OK, I'll hit the range in an hour or so for first firing!

 

[billyhornsby]

Vz 58

I bought one a few weeks back and took it out to shoot at some targets at 50 yards. This is a fabulous rifle. Fires flawlessly and feels like you are handling a quality firearm. The AK and Mac 90 that I have shot just don't have the solid feel that the VZ 58 has. It is definitely a keeper. More than I expected.
Billy

 

[JJNA]

I am still wondering how one would put optics on this thing.

 

[Hoplophile]

Just wondering how much it cost and where you bought it from.

 

[armoredman]

Under $1000 from CZ-USA.
I was looking at the TNG mag floorplates/followers deal, and decided to see what it would cost for 10 of each - $131, and grab this, estimated shipping weight, 20#!!! Shipping is another $24!
Sounds like I'll stick to the factory mags.

I have an chest pouch from Blackhawk via Midway USA, holds 8 AK mags and two pistol mags, (seemed like the thing to get at the time...), and it WILL hold the vZ-58 mags, but they have to be down in there. When I can afford all the good updated factory mags, I fill the thing up.

 

[tipsovr]

Not to resurrect an old post or anything, but these rifles have come down in price recently. I saw them for $799 this past weekend at a local gun show.

Another quality aftermarket parts and rifle distibutor (who I have no connection to) is czechpoint-usa.com. They have all the goodies you could want for this rifle.

 

[armoredman]

Czechpoint-USA is a great company. Here is the VZ-58 after a few light modifications.



The folding stock, ergonomic pistol grip, vertical foregrip and quad rail can all be had from Czechpoint-USA. The cheapie Leapers red dot can be had for $50 on E-Bay. Hey, it works, until I can afford a good one!

 

[GunBugBit]

Does anyone have insight into why the VZ58 military folder shown here

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/rifle-vz58hc-fold.aspx

costs $390 less than the one shown here?

http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/products/vz-58-rifles/sa-vz-58-military-folder-polymer/