VZ.58 Club:

[coalbed]

That bolt carrier does look a bit rough. The non mating surfaces of commie guns never recieve a finishing polish, but that one is a bit rougher than normal. It probably wont hurt the functioning of the rifle, unless the guides and matings are rough like that. Im not sure to what degree Century had to alter it for compliance, and that globby finish doesnt help the looks any, or the original Czech machinist might have been hung over that day, usually Czech machining is excellent though, maybe it was a rust bucket and had to be cleaned up with acid or something? Its anyones guess really. If it doesnt affect the normal operation of the rifle, you're going to have a tough time getting Century to do anything about it though, That I do know.

 

[Fishbed77]

I've been developing a little itch for a VZ and decided to drop by PSA's Fernandina store last week to take a look at the VZ2008s they have priced for $399. I had no intention to buy one yet, but of course one had to come home with me.

The gun looks pretty much flawless, and the receiver machining is nicer looking than any milled AK I've ever seen. It came with a brand new sling (Hungarian though - not Czech), brand new bayonet and sheath, brand new cleaning kit, and one brand new loose mag. The mag pouch that came with it contains 4 additional used mags. Two are in very good condition, and two have a good bit of paint wear, and some little dents here and there, but are quite functional. The pouch itself (signed by Paska, whoever he is ) was the roughest item - quite dry and a bit moldy. Some leather conditioner brought it back to functionality.

One interesting thing I noticed. The trigger guard appears to be unlike any I've ever seen on a vz.58 or VZ2008. See the photos below. It's narrower and doesn't have the pronounced recess at the mag release. It doesn't appear to be made by monkeys though, and it has an embossed stiffening rib and runs up to the reinforcing plate/escutcheon just like any other vz.58 trigger guard. The trigger guard works fine though, and does not interfere with the mag release (being much narrower that a typical vz.58 trigger guard).







I was able to put a few mags through it this past Saturday. I would have run more if not for the heat/humidity outside. I couldn't keep the sweat off my eye protection enough to see, so I packed it up after a short session. Reliability was 100% with the Red Army Standard I had on hand.

I was surprised with how soft shooting the rifle is. I expected a little punch due the the light weight and small steel buttplate of the folder, but felt recoil is quite a bit less than any 7.62x39 AK I've fired. Recoil is also pretty much straight back. Everyone says the wire folder needs paracord to battle cheek slap, but I felt none at all. All-in-all, I'm very impressed.

Folks always say they remember the days when SKSs were $89 and MAK90s were $179, and they wish they had gotten one.

One day we'll be talking about how we remember the days when VZ2008s were $399.

Just go get one.

 

[Eric_the_Red]

Hello all,
New member here! Usually you can find me as "anythingmilitarybuff" on surplusrifleforum.com and gunboards.com or "Eric_the_Red" on other sites.

Thought I'd post this here since there seems to be a reasonable amount of discussion about these rifles.

I've been searching high and low for a Czechpoint (D-Technik) Vz.58 Rifle. Looking for the following specifics:

- Excellent or new-in-box condition.
- Must have the "TGI KNOX TN" or "GIA KNOX TN" markings rather than the WAFFEN WERKS stamp.
- Must have the "US PATENT No. 7,373,868" markings rather than the "PATENT PENDING" stamp.

Is this something that you guys have come across from time to time?

I'm willing to pay top-dollar for an example that meets these criteria and have a new-in-box Colt AR-15 A2 (Model 6520) available for trade. Unfortunately, nobody's made an offer yet.

Any leads?

Thanks in advance!

- Eric

 

[ifit]

Welcome Eric, wow you know how to choose a good quality vz58. last month dan from czech point decided to sell 7 early vz58s on their website(all gone) all in original military grey finish with WIP furniture, never fired(brand new) only thing they used it for was on display at gun shows. Recently sold one to a friend, but if I come across one will let you know.

 

[cchiang1]

Why two styles of Trigger Guards and Front Sight Guards?

Fishbed77:
You have the "other" factory trigger guard. Although they don't seem to be as common, I have seen enough of them on CP and CAI rifles and in parts kits online to know that they are "factory original". I wish my VZ2008 had one, since I don't like the way that mine blocks my thumb from magazine catch. I have seen one person online who ground his trigger guard down to emulate the thinner style guard, but I'm concerned that I won't be able to match the re-paint of the trigger guard with the rifle's finish.

I'm curious as to which style of trigger guard came first, which one was considered deficient (causing the other style to be made), or if one style was designated for the paratrooper (folding stock) rifles, etc. I have the same questions regarding the two styles of front sight guards, full coverage versus the cut-down "ears" style. Does anyone out there know?

Cary

 

[sawdeanz]

Here's mine with my attempt at a paracord wrap.

 

[Eric_the_Red]

Welcome Eric, wow you know how to choose a good quality vz58. last month dan from czech point decided to sell 7 early vz58s on their website(all gone) all in original military grey finish with WIP furniture, never fired(brand new) only thing they used it for was on display at gun shows. Recently sold one to a friend, but if I come across one will let you know.

Ifit,
Thanks for keeping an eye out. It seems I missed the boat on the Vz.58 rifles and have been trying to acquire one ever since. A couple examples have come up on auction but I've missed them for one reason or another.

Time and patience will pay off, methinks.

 

[sappyg]

New member of the VZ club (2008). Love the gun but have an issue/ question.

On the second range trip with the VZ today I had 2 out of 40 light strikes on a primer. Just a very shallow dimple was all you could see. I doubt it's the ammo witch has been fine in two other guns.

I'm guessing either oil has gotten into the striker channel or Perhaps a week spring but I just don't know enough about the gun. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[barnbwt]

Are you getting a 'klunk' off the trigger before the light strikes, or silence? If not, you have striker follow in all likelihood (the 'gremlin' issue with CAI builds), otherwise, it's probably a bur or debris in the pin channel. A simple field strip will tell if the striker spring is bad.

Seems like there's an accelerating number of VZ owners

TCB

 

[Swampman]

Try soaking the bolt in carb cleaner and blowing it out, if that doesn't work, you could try one of these www.bonesteelarms.com/VZ-58-Striker-spring-BSA-vz58ss.htm
This isn't a personal endorsement of either the spring or the company, I have no experience with either one.
Just giving a heads up on a potential fix.

Or you could try calling Century. I've had good luck with their CS in the past when they could make it right by simply shipping out a new part. Just sound like you know what you're talking about when you call and they'll usually work with you.

 

[sawdeanz]

After getting my new vz2008 sighted in, I'm starting to rethink the wire stock. I thought I wouldn't mind it, or I could just man up. Well my cheek says otherwise. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but it felt like it bruised my bone.

So now I'm considering one of the ar stock adaptors. I think they are ugly but for the price a full stock kit is going it makes sense to do it this way since I already have an ar stock I can use, and it would also solve LOP issues for me.

My google-foo isn't working so well. What are your experiences on the various ones? I can't decide between an inline or angled one (for iron sights). I liked the idea of the Rauch tactical one (which had different height settings for its inline stock) but it doesn't look like its made anymore. Is the stormwerks and Mako the only game in town? The recoil reducer on the mako seems silly but if its made well I could live with it. I've heard there are sometimes fitment issues with the century arms receivers, what is the latest on that?

If this has been covered before, I apologize, but thank you for any updated info you can give me.

 

[Fishbed77]

I thought I wouldn't mind it, or I could just man up. Well my cheek says otherwise. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but it felt like it bruised my bone.

So now I'm considering one of the ar stock adaptors

You might want to try a simple paracord wrap before you go down this road.

One of the big advantages to the vz.58 IMHO is how slim, light, and handy the design is. Once you start to saddle it with AR-style add-ons, it becomes less so.

 

[ifit]

Picked up the Czechpoint/CSA VZ 58 Pistol in 5.56 yesterday, having owned a czechpoint vz58 since 2008 I already know I'm getting a quality built firearm with quality parts from a reputable and proven company. Some pics

 

[68wj]

After getting my new vz2008 sighted in, I'm starting to rethink the wire stock. I thought I wouldn't mind it, or I could just man up. Well my cheek says otherwise. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but it felt like it bruised my bone.

You may try eliminating the slant break.

 

[PabloJ]

The fit & finish one the ones I examined was superior to any AKM. I ended up with Chinese AKM simply because it was cheaper than Vz58. I'm not to concerned about finish of tools as long as they don't break or injure hand(s) when used.

 

[sawdeanz]

You might want to try a simple paracord wrap before you go down this road.

One of the big advantages to the vz.58 IMHO is how slim, light, and handy the design is. Once you start to saddle it with AR-style add-ons, it becomes less so.

That was with the paracord. I do agree with the AR-style being bulky and ugly. Though it looks like I can get some solid wood kits off ebay for a similar price so I might try for that instead.

 

[barnbwt]

You may try changing your shooting stance. From what I understand, AR guys tend to lean forward in order to drop their eye level to the sights, but if you do that on the VZ you will be leaning the front of your cheek on the wire stock. The upward angle of the fixed and folding stock comb is more amenable to lean to the side in order to obtain the sights (more like an old straight-stock rifle). In any case, you really need to keep it hard against your shoulder as opposed to hard against your cheek, again, owing to the stock angle.

One solution I'm looking into is adding a couple risers to the top of the stock that hold up a curved cheek plate that is closer to level and at the right elevation. Probably made from half a 1.5" pipe or something.

TCB

 

[sawdeanz]

You may try changing your shooting stance. From what I understand, AR guys tend to lean forward in order to drop their eye level to the sights, but if you do that on the VZ you will be leaning the front of your cheek on the wire stock. The upward angle of the fixed and folding stock comb is more amenable to lean to the side in order to obtain the sights (more like an old straight-stock rifle). In any case, you really need to keep it hard against your shoulder as opposed to hard against your cheek, again, owing to the stock angle.

One solution I'm looking into is adding a couple risers to the top of the stock that hold up a curved cheek plate that is closer to level and at the right elevation. Probably made from half a 1.5" pipe or something.

TCB

Hmm that sounds like that could be it, I was experimenting with the ar/tactical ak shooting style. Ill try what you suggest before dropping 50 bucks on something that might not even fit with my century. Let me know what you come up with regarding the improvised cheek rest

 

[sawdeanz]

EDIT: Nvrmd I figured it out. The answer is of course the striker-hammer is not long enough to reach the firing pin unless the bolt is in the rearward position and the locking bars are engaged.



HELP!

I was doing some dry firing today when I discovered the striker would release when the rifle is out of battery!!!!!! In fact at every distance I held the bolt carrier at, if I pulled the trigger the striker would release. Does every one else's do this? Is there some feature that I am missing that would prevent some catastrophic event from happening should the rifle fail to go all the way into battery? Do I need to call century right away? I was planning a range trip tomorrow but now I'm worried.

 

[Swampman]

Originally posted by sawdeanz

The answer is of course the striker-hammer is not long enough to reach the firing pin unless the bolt is in the rearward position and the locking bars are engaged.

If you'll change "rearward" to "forward", I'll second your hypothesis and add my own experience. I noticed the same phenomenon when I got my first VZ (a Century 2008 like yours). I found that when I actually placed a primed case in the chamber, I couldn't get it to detonate once the locking bars had started to lift out of their recesses.

Unfortunately, before I discovered that, I found that the rifle WOULD fire, even with the bolt carrier moved back about 3/8ths of an inch, which, unless you hold the weapon upside down and actually observe the locking lugs, is enough to make you feel considerably less than warm and fuzzy about the safety of your new rifle!

The bottom line is that I've tested two VZ2008's now and neither one will mark the primer in any way whatsoever once the locking lugs start to lift. Not even the light "kiss" that an AR will give a primer when it rides forward (an occurance that doesn't seem to bother anyone until it happens with an SKS, when the only possible fix is to install a firing pin return spring on the cheap, unsafe "commie gun" to bring it up to the much higher American safety standards, even though the M1 Carbine, M1 Garand, M14 and M16/M4 have never had one).

LONG LIVE XENOPHOBIA!

 

[sappyg]

Ran another 60 rounds through the new VZ 2008 today. Flawless... This, after degreasing the bolt and sticker and blowing out with compressed air.

Still need to drift the front sight a bit but the thing groups very well. Had the counter clerk at the range give it a go. (He's a terrible shot by the way.) His notable comments were that 'the recoil felt odd' compared to an AK and that the trigger was 'different'.

 

[Bohemus]

Rainy sunday on local shooting range -there is certainly something about straight stocks
No target photo as i was shooting plates.

FWIW, I'm pretty sure the original Czech arms manual used a word with Cyrillic letters, which might translate to "hammer" or "striker," but does not necessarily match what English gunnies have accepted for years as standard terms for these fire control group elements. It may work like a slide hammer, but it is called a striker

[offtopic history lesson]
Had it been written in 9th century it would have used Glagolitic alphabet which preceded Cyrillic, but any time later its local mutation of Latin script.
[/offtopic history lesson]

The part is called "úderník" which literally means "hitter" or "striker".

 

[coalbed]

"Hitter", As in "hammer" ? I was thumbing through 'Military Small Arms of the 20th Century' 7th edition (Ian V. Hogg & John Weeks), and was pleased to note that they also used the term "axial hammer" when describing the system. As Mr. Hogg is a specialist trainer in military ordnance and ammunition, has written or edited over 140 books, including government library referances, text books and manuals, in 11 different languages, as well as serving 27 years in the British Army, and was a contributing arms authority apppearing on the television series 'tales of the Gun', and was the editor of 'Jane's Infantry Weapons', ...I'll take his word for it.

 

[coalbed]

Ifit, that's really, REALLY nice looking pistol. How does it shoot? Id like to see it in action. Also, was curious about the 9mm magazine in one of the pics, were you checking an AR 9mm upper mag adapter in it or something? Congrats on your new baby, I hope to get one myself when funds will allow, but I think ill keep it 7.62x39 if only because of the large amount of rounds I have in the caliber.

 

[ID-shooting]

@SappyG

I have been doing some research on the VZ2008 triggers. Century did a trigger re-design but it appears some of the older version have been released. Curious, does your VZ2008 have writing on the right (safety) side of the receiver? When you open the action and remove the BCG, is your disconnect rounded or does it have a flat edge angled to the rear of the gun?

Google "trigger gremlin" and you will see what the issue is.

There is a fix for the older version but I am trying to identify where/when the change took place.