VZ58 model.

[doggy1953]

Anyone have any experience with this weapon? Pro or con?

Originally issued to the Czech army in 1958, the VZ58 is still in use by both the Czech and Slovak armies, their police and customs agents. Though similar to the other rifles of this style in appearance, the VZ58 uses a completely different bolt and fire control system. Even with a machined receiver, the VZ2008 is lighter than most similarly styled firearms with a sheet metal receiver. Our semi-auto version features a U.S. made receiver machined out of a bar of premium steel and a quality U.S. made barrel.

Thanks for any info in advance.

 

[barnbwt]

Czech out rolleyes the VZ-58 club thread here, and you'll learn more than you'll ever want to know...

I'd give an opinion, but my VZ is still in the mail on the way here!

Czechpoint (D-Technik's distributor of semi-auto VZ's in the US) also has some very good (if biased ) info on the gun, too

TCB

 

[VA27]

Met a guy at the range who let me shoot his. Lighter than an AK, more accurate than an older Mini30 (haven't shot the new one). I like it.

 

[Ignition Override]

doggy1953:

Maybe you can look up the nickname "Bohemus" (on THR).
He lives in the Czech Republic and has owned a 58 for a few years or so. The only drawback some people might have is the rifles can not use AK magazines, which seem to be cheaper.

These guns are totally different, therefore nobody should really expect any part to fit in both types of guns, other than the ammo.

 

[NWCP]

Rugged, light weight, reliable and very well made. I enjoy the heck out of mine and have had no issues right from the git go. Mags are pricey, but then I don't own more than 10-15 magazines for any battle rifle I own.

 

[Vhyrus]

As with most CZ guns, they took a good design and perfected it. As long as you can get a supply of mags its a great AK alternative.

 

[Moose458]

Love my CZ vz-58. If I knew then what I know now I would have 7 vz-58s and one AK instead of the other way around.

 

[navajo]

58

Two thousand rounds, zero hiccups. Light and accurate. Loads of fun.
Speaking of the Czechpoint version, no experience with the others.

 

[Buck Kramer]

I'm thinking about getting one too there's a local builder that wants to get rid of it for $350. I thought the price was crazy low until he told me he built it back in the 90's and only had about $95 into it. I probably shouldn't let that one go...

 

[Maverick223]

Here is a link to the aforementioned club. It's chock full of useful information and advice, but here is a quick run down...

There are two major imported versions of this rifle. One made by D.technik (Czech Small Arms) and the other by CAI. The former is a quality rifle throughout, but will set you back quite a bit more. The CAI copy (which uses decommissioned surplus parts) is not quite up to the standard of the Czechpoint/D.technik one, and QC is iffy (though most recent reports have been favorable), but you save a decent amount. Either way they beat the snot out of a AK platform IMO. To compare the two: they are a good bit lighter (particularly when compared to a milled AK), have much better machining/construction, have superior ergonomics (which is to say: an operable safety; a genius design IMO), better accuracy (most of this can be attributed to a short-stroke piston system, better trigger, and striker firing mechanism), a LRBHO built into lighter magazines, can be loaded via stripper clips, a very solid folding stock (if you choose that variant), and it is just as reliable (if not more-so). the only real drawbacks are the price (depending upon manufacturer), less parts/accessories availability, and the difficulty attaching optics (a point which is mostly mitigated with new mounts being marketed as of late). I like mine as much as my M1-Carbine (which, despite the difference in chambering, I think it compares better to than the AKM), which is saying a lot.

I'm thinking about getting one too there's a local builder that wants to get rid of it for $350. I thought the price was crazy low until he told me he built it back in the 90's and only had about $95 into it. I probably shouldn't let that one go...

I would make sure it's built (and, if possible, operates) properly, then jump all over that!

 

[fatcat4620]

Look at the weight loaded, almost 9lbs. Czech point has some crazy numbers. My romainian m10 is lighter loaded. It has a bolt hold open and property mags. It also has zero aftermarket compared to the ak. It it's a great firearm but you can't compare it to the ak, it only looks a little like one.

 

[Maverick223]

It also has zero aftermarket compared to the ak.

Not anymore. There are aftermarket furniture options, optic rails/mounts, more ergonomic parts (ambi-safety, extended magazine release, BHO release, et cetera), a drum magazine (but 10s and 30s are about the only stick magazines available at present), and various other accessories now available. It may not have the AK aftermarket, but it does have one, and it's growing quick.

 

[triage1998]

I love the vz.58 series.

Milled receiver, bolt hold open. Very handy rifle.

You can also change the fixed stock out for a side folding stock on in minutes with just the turn of a bolt versus having a AK taken to a gunsmith to install a proper side folding stock