Finding a VZ 58?

[Jakeiscrazy]

Anyone know about the availability of the VZ 58? Looks like a real slick set up for not a lot of money.

SN: Any random VZ facts are also welcome!

[FiremanBob]

Discontinued by CZ. Look on all the usual private sale forums.

[jdonovan]

chzechpoint is importing a copy, and they are in stock... as long as you can do with out the wood.

http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/products/ ... lable-now/

[762]

CZ when they sold them, did not make them. Czech Small Arms (a different company) makes them. CZ has just decided to stop selling. It's a great gun, it really is. Last round hold open, milled receiver, aluminum magazines, striker fired. A great gun. There are becoming more accessories all the time.

They ARE allowed in Canada, so they make IMO the best rail setup, but somebody stateside has decided to try to make a bigger widget.

[JackFlag]

CZ made the original select fire, full auto version from about 1958 to 1984. CZ hasn't made one since. Though many are still being rocked by the Czechs (though being replaced by the CZ Bren 805 rifle), Slovaks and a number of other countries. The Czechs gave a number to Iraqi/Afghani soldiers during the last decade.

Even when CZ sold the current civilian rifles available. They neither imported or made them. That was done by Czechpoint. Which imports them, modifies them and sells them. These are all made by Czech Small Arms in the Czech Republic. CZ simply put them in a CZ marked box and sold them.

Besides 7.62x39 varieties. CSA also makes the 58 in 5.56/.223 caliber as well as .222 (which is mainly made for countries where civilians can't own "military caliber" weapons.
http://www.csa.co.cz/en/15-produkty/23-sa58.html
They make three barrel length versions. As well as full auto variants for demos/military/police.

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Besides gunbroker and other places. Czechpoint is sold out of everything except for the single stack mag variants and the 7.62x39 pistol.
http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/products/ ... 2-x-39-mm/
They don't sell their rifles with the beaver barf because "CSA and them don't have access to good quality furniture anymore". Since the panic ended a few months ago. The barf can be found other places if you want it. Czechpoint has had the 7.62x39 rifles available a few times. But have sold out within a few days. Supposedly a few 5.56/.223 rifles are to be available at the end of Sept. But it's the end of Sept. now.

The one that jdonovan linked to is the single stack mag variety. You don't want that.
Besides Czechpoint the other major supplier of 58s is Century.
Some can be found here and perhaps other places:
http://centerfiresystems.com/rifle-vz58hc-fold.aspx
The big difference in the Century guns is that the barrels are brand new/made here in the USA. Are slightly longer than the original length barrels (which allows the easy removal of muzzle devices). These barrels are also not chrome lined. (The CSA/Czechpoint guns use original, chrome lined barrels. And since the barrels are (barely) under 16 inches. A permanently attached muzzle extension is tac welded on to the barrel end muzzle threads. If you want some kind of device on the end of the barrel. You must have the extension removed and a device welded in place.
As far as Century goes. These overall have been very good. But they can have the usual Century made issues. So you'd have to check them over carefully.

These guns are around half of what the Czechpont rifles cost. They used to be cheaper. They can be good guns, but again they're front Century. So you have to be careful.

Some data points as compared to the AK family:

All vz. 58 rifles possess a milled receiver; the vast majority of AK-47s utilize stamped sheet metal receivers and are not as rigid as the vz.58 receiver.
Even with the milled receiver it is almost one pound lighter than a stamped AK-47.
The bolt of the vz. 58 stays open after the last round in the magazine has been fired – the shooter immediately knows the firearm is empty and allows for quicker reloads.
The vz. 58 can be reloaded with stripper clips while the magazine is inserted in the rifle.
The vz. 58 has a more natural point of aim and is faster handling.
The safety is more ergonomic making a faster first shot possible with the vz. 58. Unlike the AK safety, the vz. 58 safety can be operated by just a forefinger with the hand remaining on the pistol grip.
vz.58 has no need for an ejection port dust cover as the receiver is completely enclosed. A cover (on the safety lever) must be used on the AK-47 to prevent debris from entering the receiver through the reciprocating charging handle slot.
The ejection port is HUGE. There is no chance of an empty case getting stuck in the action of the vz. 58.
The vz. 58 gas piston can be removed or exchanged without tools.
The alloy magazine of the vz. 58 is half the weight of the steel AK-47 magazine.
The vz. 58 is striker fired unlike the hammer fired AK-47. This reduces the number of parts and possible points of failure.
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I own a couple and love them. It's my favorite rifle. If you end up getting one or just want to know. I can point you to places for mags/accessories/etc.

The regular/same shaped/contoured handguards can heat up very quickly. Even with gloves on. So if you get one. Railed handguards and a forward grip may be advisable.

[JackFlag]

You live around the Richmond area.

Depending on where or when you get yours. Maybe we can get together and you can try one of mine out at a range.

I suggest you spend the extra money and buy Czechpoint rifle. But if you do go the cheaper Century route. Take all the necessary precautions that one would when buying a Century gun. And unless Century has changed their rules again. The warranty for a Century gun starts when it leaves their factory. So you could get a brand new gun with zero warranty time.

[GeneFrenkle]

Didn't realize the warranty period start time. Wow, learn something new every day.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[JackFlag]

Well. Like I said, they could have changed it within the last year or even two.

But that's what it was the last time I saw it. But regardless of whether Century has changed their policy or not. Ever doing it that way says something about their company and products.

[jdonovan]

as recently as last year it was still the 'from date it left the factory'.

They put out a BAD BAD batch of C93's and some folks got boned because it had sat on dealer/distributor shelves long enough.

[JackFlag]

as recently as last year it was still the 'from date it left the factory'.

They put out a BAD BAD batch of C93's and some folks got boned because it had sat on dealer/distributor shelves long enough.

I'd be boned too.

I'm not saying I'd never buy a Century put together gun. But I'd be very cautious/weary. Especially if their "warranty" is still like that.

I will say this. For whatever reason. Their vz. 58s seemed to be better quality overall than a lot of their stuff. I guess the drunken monkeys weren't that drunk when they put them together.

[Jakeiscrazy]

Great info guys, I really appreciate it. Sounds like I should wait for Czechpoint to bring them back(I'll give them a call in about a month) and if I can't find any info on that I'll look for a Century in person. Seems like they are hit and miss from year to year and batch to batch.

And yes I've definitely going to hunt down some "beaver chew" furniture it's awesome and just dates the rifle in a good way.

I always take some time to think and make sure I want to spend the money before I buy something but it's a cool rifle with a cool past that is still very functional.

[JackFlag]

Great info guys, I really appreciate it. Sounds like I should wait for Czechpoint to bring them back(I'll give them a call in about a month) and if I can't find any info on that I'll look for a Century in person. Seems like they are hit and miss from year to year and batch to batch.

And yes I've definitely going to hunt down some "beaver chew" furniture it's awesome and just dates the rifle in a good way.

I always take some time to think and make sure I want to spend the money before I buy something but it's a cool rifle with a cool past that is still very functional.

You can try calling them. Dan Brown, the man in charge there is very helpful. Just don't call them every day/week.

This is updated everyday with pertinent info. But besides the date. Hasn't been updated in a while (no new info).
http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/newsflash ... ml#news_26

Czechpoint had a couple of shipments of the 7.62x39 vz. 58s this year. The last one was a few months ago.

If I notice them for sale or coming up. I'll drop in here.

Don't forget Gunbroker. You may find one around the same price or a used one at a good price.

Here's a Czechpoint. NIB with 30 extra mags. It's at $1026.00 with one day left.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =366973917
Depending on condition. Those mags are $15 (for good) and $25 (for unissued).

Here's another Czechpoint one. It only has one mag. But the buy it now. $999.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =368686328
It must be "new old stock" sitting in someones backroom. Since it's in a CZ-USA box.

Oh and in case you haven't noticed (if it matters). The Czechpoint rifles used to come in two color. The correct gray (though there was about a dozen colors of gray, when CZ made the military rifles) and black. You'll most likely find the black. Since that was most popular here in the USA and Czechpoint doesn't offer gray anymore.

And because of importation laws. The Czechpoint won't have the bayonet lug on the front sight base.