Review: CZ-USA vz-58 Tactical Sporter

[armoredman]

Thank you, it is very ergonomic, the only thing is the weight of the EOTech IS noticeable. I almost got the Aimpoint T1 Micro, but the price made me blanch.
No go yet on 20 round mags, BUT I might have a line on some 30s modified to 20. For some reason, 20 rounders are like gold.
MecGar could do it, if enough people bugged them to....

 

[Maverick223]

No go yet on 20 round mags, BUT I might have a line on some 30s modified to 20.

Sounds great, count me in for at least 2, probably 4. Thank you for your efforts, armoredman.

MecGar could do it, if enough people bugged them to...

I will plant the bug tomorrow...they will regret ever publishing their phone number.

 

[armoredman]

A little birdie whispered someone MAY be doing something about the domestic 20 round magazine issue, but it won't be until next year. We'll see, and no, no more info than that, sorry. As for the modified ones, no go, import laws again, sorry.

 

[Maverick223]

AM, please thank the little birdy, I really appreciate your persistence and help.

 

[jeepguy]

i just bought one of these today. paid $595 on sale at a gun show. it isnt the checkpoint or century version. it is made by 7.62 firearms in ohio & they make their own recievers. seems nice i think im really going to like it. i will let you guys know how it shoots, when i get a chance to go to the range. mine is the folder version with one mag, so picked up 1 extra mag & a vz 58 sling.

 

[armoredman]

Ohio Rapid Fire reciever. let us know how she shoots! Mags are cheap from czechpoint-usa.com.

 

[Afy]

We get the all original Vz 58's for about 450 Euros, with a sling, cleaning kit, and 2 magazines. These generally are unused Mil-Surp guns, that have had the happy switch 'disconnected' and certified as being SA only. Unfortunately a number of them are known to malfunction quite a bit. But since they are certified as semi-only the cops dont bother us.
I have one, and love mine. Like all CZ manufactured weapons it is great value for money.

 

[armoredman]

Malfunction due to being forcibly made semi only? Hmm.

jeepguy, ORF is out of business now, so if you have issues with that ORF reciever, you can't get any repair/replacement. If you do, czech out the Czechpoint offering - good luck!

 

[TOU]

armoredman...didn't I read something about the FA to SA converted VZ-58's being somewhat less reliable initially & that D-Technik & Czechpoint pioneered so patented changes that made them 100% reliable for the SA's? Hmmm...where did I see that?

 

[Maverick223]

...didn't I read something about the FA to SA converted VZ-58's being somewhat less reliable initially & that D-Technik & Czechpoint pioneered so patented changes that made them 100% reliable for the SA's?

Yep, that is a major problem with some of the CAI builds. I surmise that you heard about it right here.

We really need a VZ.58 Owner's Group/Club and let this ancient thread die...and now we have one, now yawl join the club!

 

[jeepguy]

armoredman the reciever says 7.62mm firearms llc medina ohio. you can see their website at 7.62 firearms.com. they also make m14 hammer forged recievers & other parts & complete rifles. i like their m14's as well, but i already have an m1a.

 

[Bohemus]

There is no Sa vz.58 general thread so I post it here:
Military vz.58 accident - bullet got stuck in barrel but far enougt to cycle the actin - soldier didnt noticed it and shot again - see the result below:
http://www.gunexpert.cz/products/havarie-sa-vz-581/
Too bad there is no photo of the barrel..
Soldier was shocked, but fortunately unharmed.

 

[Maverick223]

Bohemus, that is a testament to the durability of the VZ. Also, unless I missed something, it appears that the bolt came out unscathed...gotta love that massive hunk-o-steel.

BTW, there is a VZ.58 Club, as found here. I would like it to become a nice "meeting-house" for all things VZ...including those elusive 20rnd. magazines.

 

[pro2]

Czechs are CURRENTLY carrying the VZ-58 in Afghanistan. Witnessed first hand.

I cannot wait to add one to my safe!

 

[Bohemus]

Actualy there is one whole groove (correction needed) ripped off on the left side of the bolt carrier - clearly seen on first picture:
http://files.gunexpert.cz/200002903-8718a8812c/P1030154.JPG
According to the article the bolt flied away (range not mentiond) and they evaluated the pressure in barrel to 900MPa = 130 500 PSI no wonder it looks the way it looks...

pro2:
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/3549/73430101.jpg
not for long time
though vz will serve in other less fight exposed departments (or would be weapon of choice)..

p.s. I had chance to hold the vz's successor - CZ 805 and new Scorpion today and Cz staff said scorpin should be on civil maket by the end of the year and civilian CZ 805 by 2012. but the suggested prices is killer - 30 000 CZK (+-$1700) for scopion and 45 000 CZK ($2500) for CZ 805 - while semi-auto vz.58 costs 5900 czk...

 

[Maverick223]

Bohemus, that CZ805 looks suspiciously like a FN SCAR-L...who copied whom here?

 

[nalioth]

Maverick, not sure why, but the previous contender to replace the Vz58 was based on the Kalashnikov design. As you can see, the Czechs improved on Mr. Kalashnikov's design in many ways.

The Lada Cz-2000:

More info

(It took me a while to find it due to the folks at OOW naming their copy of the Vz58 the "Cz-2000".)

 

[Maverick223]

Maverick, not sure why, but the previous contender to replace the Vz58 was based on the Kalashnikov design. As you can see, the Czechs improved on Mr. Kalashnikov's design in many ways.

I don't doubt it (I can clearly see the SAFETY, sights, and cartridge has been improved upon, similar to the Galil), but I can't see how it could rival the VZ.58 (especially one chambered for 5.56NATO).

 

[Bohemus]

Maverick223: Price...

About CZ 805 and SCAR - CZ said they were inspired by SCAR but internals are more similar to G36 - cannot tell if its true, I had no chance to take it apart. Both concepts were in competition for next Czech army rifle (licenced copy of SCAR by Zbrojovka Vsetín - ZVi). When i plyed with CZ 805 at exhibition, I found some unpleasant issues -
safety interferes with trigger finger (like AR15) in fire position and in safe position it blocks bolt.. Why?! (that should go to CZ 805 thread)

 

[Maverick223]

Price...

Another reason why I think the VZ.58 should be converted to NATO standard 5.56mm and handed back out. It is a superb rifle platform, and while it isn't ideal, it has many more attributes than detriments.