Vz.58 ... "trick" to reinstalling the return spring over the spring guide?

[MCMXI]

I made a post a few days ago in the Gunsmithing and Repairs forum asking about this but didn't get any replies. Maybe I'll have better luck here.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=518073

I painted my Vz.58 receiver cover yesterday and needed to bake the part in the oven (GUN-KOTE) so removed both springs i.e. the striker spring and the return spring prior to painting and baking. Now I'm having a devil of a time getting the return spring back on. I've searched online and looked through the Vz.58 manual but can't find any information (trick) on how to do this. It's particulary difficult since the guide isn't rigidly attached to the cover. I need to compress the spring and reinstall the return spring locking block ... what a royal PITA!! HELP!!

This ....

slides over this ....

resulting in this ....

 

[Uncle Mike]

I just bought one of those. I have not had the pleasure of messing with one yet, I have seen them over the years, but never delved into one.

Try the guys at the CZ forum, seems like a few knowledgeable heads over there!.....

http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php

Are you doing any mods to your VZ-58, or leaving it pretty much OEM? I'm going to be ordering a bunch of parts through the shop.

 

[MCMXI]

Uncle Mike,
Thanks for the link ... I'll check it out.

Are you doing any mods to your VZ-58, or leaving it pretty much OEM?

Leaving it stock ... heck no! So far I've added a carbine buffer tube and VLTOR EMod stock along with a FAB Defense picatinny handguard set and pistol grip. Those items alone are a HUGE improvement over the stock rifle. I also have a US made piston, an M4 style flash hider, a US made steel trigger and an extended mag release (from INFRATEK). I have a spare bolt carrier and plan on moving the charging handle to the left side. I was thinking about an Aimpoint for it too but will play with the iron sights for a while.

 

[Uncle Mike]

PM me some info on your mods... how was the factory barrel extension that is plug welded to the end of the barrel to get off. We used to do that on some of the SKS's back in the day, and some of them, it would have been easier to cut the end of the barrel off and rethread it! :banghead:

Czechpoint is coming out with a scope mount like the K-Var AK unit, but with a shorter P-Rail so to let the shells eject properly in about a month or so.

I decided to go with the folding stock by ACE, got a adapter and hinge from Storm Workz and slapped an ACE AKFX stock on it.

Waiting on either Czechpoint or Mako to get the aluminum P-Rail handguards in like the ones B&T or Zahal units, hope they wont cost as much. PRI also has the 'upper' handguard section with add on side rails, but no lower section, you have to use the one like you have or the OEM lower.

Where did you get the Fab Defense handguard unit from? I have several of the Mako style pistol grips, so that will be what it gets.

Still have to get one of the Infratek extended mag releases, although I wanted a NEIT ambi. mag release and the 'Quick Discharge Brake' they make IF they ever get them back in.:banghead: Have you seen the NEIT Tac Bolt Release, pretty cool! Why did you replace the trigger?

Looks like it's going to be fun!

 

[MCMXI]

Uncle Mike,
I'll PM you with any mod related information that I can think of. Good news ... I managed to make a tool that allowed me to reinstall the return spring. This is the post I made on the CZ forum this morning.

http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php?board=67.0

EUREKA!! I thought I'd figure it out in the end. I've had an 11" long, 1/4" diam. aluminum "screw holder" in my toolbox for years but have never used it. It has a rotating head on one end designed to hold slotted screws so that they can be positioned in hard to reach places. Anyway, I drilled a 1/32" hole through the rod about 1/4" from the end and filed flats on either end of the hole. I put both "hooks" located on the end of the spring guide in the holes and slid the spring down over the rod. I was able to compress the spring, remove the rod and insert the return spring locking block with ease.

Hopefully this will help someone else if they ever need to remove/replace the return spring.