CZ VZ-58 - opinions (particularly vs. AK)?

[wooderson]

http://www.czusa.com/news_events.php -

not sure this will show up, the image is in PNG


CZ's already got them on our shores in small quantities - don't know what one will run, but maybe sub-$800. I was looking at the better class of AK earlier this year, but this is awfully tempting for another couple hundred.

[Nick1911]

I've had a parts kit around for some time - I like the design, but can't vouch for reliability or accuracy. Design wise, it is very different from the AK.  Personally, I like the simplicity of the AK, YMMV

[Manedwolf]

It's striker-fired, not hammer-fired.

Dunno if that can match the AK's invincibility.

[RevDisk]

CZ's already got them on our shores in small quantities - don't know what one will run, but maybe sub-$800. I was looking at the better class of AK earlier this year, but this is awfully tempting for another couple hundred.

I personally don't know much about the VZ-58.  But I do know AK parts are much more common.  AK platform is very proven and $800 will get you a very decent AK.

[Bogie]

Or... $800 will get you a very decent AK, and plenty of ammo...

NOW, what do you wanna do with it? Are you looking at it just because of the cosmetics? What are you looking for functionally?

[Gewehr98]

Reminds me a lot of my VZ-52 SHE rifles, right down to the tilting block lockup - probably the same design bureau. 



If a person buys one, I'd recommend they stock up on magazines, too.  They'll never be as abundant or as cheap as 7.62x39 Kalashnikov mags. Think along the lines of 5.56x45mm NATO AK mags, or even worse, since the Czechs and Cubans were about the only folks who used them.

I've considered getting one to sit inside the gun safes next to my Czech VZ-52, but I'd probably pamper it on range day, depending on haw well I could find spare parts. That bakelite furniture doesn't look too resilient, very much like the bakelite grips on my CZ52 pistol and the ones installed on my Soviet capture/STASI Luger. This young lady obviously has the rifle mastered:



I'd love to give one an evaluation, with good handloaded ammo, vs. my milled Bulgarian SLR95, my milled Czech VZ-52 SHE, and my stamped Romanian SAR-1.  Could be interesting.

[RevDisk]

I've considered getting one to sit inside the gun safes next to my Czech VZ-52, but I'd probably pamper it on range day, depending on haw well I could find spare parts. That bakelige furniture doesn't look too resilient, very much like the bakelite grips on my CZ52 pistol and the ones installed on my Soviet capture/STASI Luger. This young lady obviously has the rifle mastered:

AH, now I remember where I saw one of those.  NATO HQ, security was being being pulled by the Czech and Bulgarians.  Bulgarians had these snazy APC's at the gates, and the Czechs had some very cute ladies (and some really ugly troll looking fellows) working the front security.   I needed to go somewhere in the HQ and the nice looking young Czech lady with pig tails and a lime green beret said I needed to hand over my weapons.  I chuckle, put one hand on the desk, and explain that ol Diskie doesn't hand over his weapon to no one.  But was she free for dinner at a nice Thai place down the road?   She smiles, plants her bayonet half an inch into the desk (and a lesser distance away from my hand), and tells me her weapon (said above rifle) under the desk is currently aimed at my lower region. 

...

I handed over my rifle.

[Bogie]

What's the best accuracy someone has gotten out of the things?

$550 or so will buy a decent M1 Garand...

[mfree]

We've had one in the shop, the furniture isn't bakelite, it's resin-pressed particle board.

I'm sure you could liquify someone's skull with it with impunity.

[Manedwolf]

We've had one in the shop, the furniture isn't bakelite, it's resin-pressed particle board.

I'm sure you could liquify someone's skull with it with impunity.

That sounds extremely flammable? Bakelite will not burn and is heat-resistant, why it's used for pothandles and hi-temp tool handles. That sounds like it'd go up like a fiberglass boat hull if it got too hot?

[mfree]

Just like nice dry softwood smothered in oil?

I wouldn't worry about it.

[Gewehr98]

What's the best accuracy someone has gotten out of the things?

$550 or so will buy a decent M1 Garand...

I don't get your question, Bogie.

One can own a Garand or three and still have room for a Czech rifle, too.  Are we limited to one autoloading rifle at a time? 

[roo_ster]

AK-derived or not, the Czechs make damn fine hardware [fondles CZ550].

[Bogie]

Betcha the Garand is more accurate...

[Gewehr98]

Betcha the Garand is more accurate...

And a Stolle Panda is even more accurate.  What's your point?

[wooderson]

NOW, what do you wanna do with it? Are you looking at it just because of the cosmetics? What are you looking for functionally?

Primarily paper fun & steel, maybe a few carbine classes down the road. A big part of my interest is having something in 7.62x39.

I am suckered in partially by it being a CZ product - love their pistols and bolt-action rifles (if I get one, I need that bolt action 7.62x39 to go with it...).

[Bogie]

Actually I'm into Grizzlies now...
 
Garand's prettier too...
 
Personally, for an AK variant, CZ not withstanding, I'd look for something with relatively available replacement parts, and buy a LOT of ammo... I like my bud's Bulgie... Fun thing... And I had a Norinco a few years back that I damn near lit up the front handguard on...
 
For $800, you could pick up an AR in 7.62x39...