VZ 58 with a left side charge handle?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Nope. No military has ever made left hand rifles. Except for the FAL. It's left hand operated. Safety, op handle and selector are all on the left side. Laughed at the CF Militia plug I overheard telling his buddy you couldn't shoot one left. Asked him how I managed to shoot expert with one.
"...left side charge handle..." It'd take a complete redesign of the receiver.
 
"...welder/machinist..." Don't even think about it. No welder is a smithy. Not all machinists are smithy's either.
 
Last edited:
Could be done very easily to my untrained eye, looking at mine, the flat is there on the bolt carrier, same as the other side, nothing on the frame for it to run into, except demand for such a thing would be lower than a company might want to pursue. Contact Dan at czechpoint-usa.com, and ask, they might have access to one over in the Czech Republic, never know. They carry everything else vZ-58!
http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/
 
Sunray said:
"...welder/machinist..." Don't even think about it. No welder is a smithy. Not all machinists are smithy's either.
Click to expand...
This isn't rocket science, and no 'smith is needed - just someone who is a good metal worker.

All one has to do is cut the handle off the one side and weld it on to the other . .

vz58_1071.jpg


Everything involved is a solid piece of steel . . .

vz58_1073.jpg
 
A left-side charging handle on the Vz58 seems like a solution in search of a problem. The angle of the handle already makes it pretty lefty friendly as it is.
 
Putting a left-side charging handle on the VZ-58 would make far more sense for a right-handed shooter than a left. As a lefty who shoots one, I wouldn't want it any other way. Were I right-handed, I likely would want to swap it over.

From a technical standpoint, it quite literally couldn't possibly be any easier of a modification. Not even Bubba could screw it up..all that's necessary is to chop it off and weld it back onto the other side. Then clean up the right side, and refinish.
 
Might look a bit funny, but I don't see any reason you couldn't have an ambidextrous vz58 with a charging handle on both sides pretty easily.
 
HorseSoldier said:
Might look a bit funny, but I don't see any reason you couldn't have an ambidextrous vz58 with a charging handle on both sides pretty easily.
Click to expand...
. . aside from the extra weight perhaps making some small difference in bolt movement(probably unnoticeable in a semi auto rifle).
 
Im going to buy a extra bolt carrier and having my gunsmith cut off the charge handle and then drill/tap and screw in a left side charge handle.

Will a different carrier change the head space?
 
Click Click Boom said:
Im going to buy a extra bolt carrier and having my gunsmith cut off the charge handle and then drill/tap and screw in a left side charge handle.

Will a different carrier change the head space?
Click to expand...
First, I'd recommend your guy cut the original handle with a bandsaw and tig it on to the other side. It'll be a lot easier than what you're suggesting, I think.

I'm not aware of any rifle where changing the bolt carrier does anything to the headspace (including the Vz58).
 
Home project with pictures - not mine

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287083&highlight=858
Well in my never ending pursuit to modify my surroundings, I finally broke down and went ahead and sorted out the "cocking handle on the wrong side" .. as I see it, on my VZ.

Let me start off by saying that I motivated myself for the task by first removing the original charging handle. Nothing like burning a bridge to keep you moving.

It was a pretty easy job. Lob off old handle, machine new meaner, 'cooler' handle, drill, tap, paint. Only thing left to do is finish the build off by giving her a head to toe duracote treatment.
Click to expand...
 
I have to say, I know less than nothing about AK-47s or vz. 58s and I've never wanted to own an AK-47 (and still don't). However, this thread got me looking at, and learning about, the vz. 58 and I think I'd like one. The fact that the reciever is milled is appealing but what sort of accuracy can one expect with factory ammunition and with reloads? Are optics an option ... I'll have to do more research I know.

As for the welding involved in swapping the charging handle to the other side, it'd be trivial for any half-decent welder. If I were doing this project, I'd cut off the existing handle, TIG weld it on the other side, clean everything up and then grit blast and apply a coat of GUN-KOTE 2400 then bake for 2-1/2 hours at 325°F.

:)
 
I know Tom Cole from Cadiz Gun Works can convert Saigas and add a left side charging handle. As I remember it was an additional charging handle and it was removable via a small bolt.
 
Accuracy is very good, a whole hell of alot better than any AK. However optics are limited, except mounts made for the gas tube. Definitly pick one up, you won't regret it.
 
Henry-Krinkle said:
Accuracy is very good, a whole hell of alot better than any AK. However optics are limited, except mounts made for the gas tube. Definitly pick one up, you won't regret it.
Click to expand...

I did just that a few weeks ago. I also bought a US piston, US steel trigger and US flash hider along with an Israeli grip, AR stock adapter and 10 surplus magazines. I've already had the Vz.58 in pieces a number of times familiarizing myself with how it works. I'm really pleased with it and may well end up with a few more. I'm going to order a spare bolt carrier, then remove the charging handle and weld it on the other side. I'll paint it with GUN-KOTE and see how it works out. If I don't like it I'll simply put the OE one back in again.

One thing I noticed about the "US" magazine that came with the rifle ... the bolt doesn't reliably lock back on an empty magazine. The surplus ones seem to work just fine.

Just have to order 500 7.62x39 cases and a box of 1000 bullets and start reloading.

:)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
AK47 or VZ 58 charging handle/safety on wrong side, sight radius too short?
2
Replies
39
Views
3K
HorseSoldier
H
G
  • Locked
The AR Charging Handle
Replies
7
Views
946
brian923
B
C
  • Locked
AR-15 with side-mounted charging handle?
Replies
19
Views
4K
Justin
Justin
T
  • Locked
Ameetec Side Charging Uppers
Replies
1
Views
660
rbernie
rbernie
R
  • Locked
Side handle charging AR upper
2
Replies
29
Views
3K
Hatterasguy
H
Back
Top