VZ.58 / VZ 2000 / VZ 858 / CZ.58 Rifles

[BloodDiamondPants]

Hello Ladies and Gents,

I am a long-time viewer of Militaryphotos.net, and now a first time poster. I decided to sign-up specifically because of a thread that I found here about the VZ.58 Czech Assault Rifle. I own a civilian legal, semi-automatic version of this rifle, and am convinced that it is the finest all-round, general purpose Assault Rifle ever created. I love it! (It's an Ohio Ordinance Works VZ 2000 to be specific)

What I would like to ask—specifically with an eye to our Czech and Slovak friends on MP.NET—is what parts of the rifle seem to wear-out most frequently? I plan on keeping my rifle for a long time, but it is a rarity where I live, and I feel that I should try and lay hands on a few spare parts for the old girl. This is where I am hoping that one of you genteel folks could lend a helping hand. What parts should I be looking for?

Also, I noticed that some of the rifles that I have seen pictured have had a Galil-style folding stock added to them. Where can one of these be procured? I currently have my rifle in the “classic configuration” with wood infused plastic furniture, but would not mind updating the look.

Thank you all in advance,

BDP


P.S. Any additional information about this fine rifle would be most welcome. I can’t say enough good things about it, and would love to know any, and all details that you might wish to share.

[Polyshot]

Go to Canadian Gunnutz, tons of info about the Vz. 58 series over there in their Black and Green Rifles section:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/index.php

Vz.58's sell like hotcakes there because it is really a bang for a buck, and it is one of the few eastern-bloc B&G rifles that are legal to own in Canada(all AK variants are banned with very few exceptions)............

[BloodDiamondPants]

Thank you kindly Polyshot.

[Likvid]

what parts of the rifle seem to wear-out most frequently?
It's probably striker. Also piston spring, locking piece, extractor and ejector came to my mind and reciever cover is from quite thin sheet-metal, so it's somewhat sensitive. However, all parts are supposed to withstand about 10k to 15k rounds.

[BloodDiamondPants]

Thank you for the reply; most informative indeed. It is my understanding that the Czech 601st has deployed with the VZ.58 to Afghanistan several times now. Has anyone been able to find any reports on how well the rifles fared under such extreme conditions?

[Likvid]

From what I know, "new" rifles (I mean non-used, because there is no such thing like new vz.58), has some problems with sand, but after some "break-in" it's reputedly ok.

[Hippo]

OP, youre using name is awesome. Props

[BloodDiamondPants]

Hello Likvid,

I really appreciate your posts. You said that the 601st had some issues with sand in their operation of the Vz.58. Are you referring to sand collecting in the recoil and return spring underneath the rear dust cover housing? The one thing that so impressed me about this rifle is that when you pull the dust-cover/bolt assembly back...there is nothing there; no springs, no nothing; just a couple of generously spaced steel guide rails that are milled from the one piece receiver itself.

I have seen examples of people taking a hand full of dust, dumping it into the ejection port of an AK, and still being able to fire the rifle. While the Vz.58 is a smaller, and lighter rifle than an AK--with somewhat tighter tolerances--it has almost no moving parts (comparatively) and only a few springs through-out the entire design ( 4 total? And all of them located far away from the chamber). Also, since the entire front portion of the dustcover cycles back to expose the inside of the rifle (and at a higher cyclical rate than and AK) it would seem to me to be a better performing rifle in sandy conditions than even the fabled AK. The generous ejection opening, and higher cyclical rate, and the almost empty receiver, combined with the lack of moving parts would blow any and all dust out very quickly in my estimation. I am no expert however, but I was indeed curious as to where the dust could collect to cause a stoppage in the VZ? There just aren't many places for it to do so, and defiantly fewer than in an AK.

So, by my amateur analysis; the two large recoil/return springs are the only two places that jump out at me as a place for dirt to collect, and even then; the springs are so large that it would take quite a lot (I would think a good dunking of the entire rifle in a deep mud puddle might do it).



Regards,


BDP



P.S. God bless those Czech’s, they took an AK and made it even more simple, lighter, and reliable, while firing the same great round…and with the 4 channel, chromed barrel; more accurately too-boot!

[matjko]

The Czechs did not take an AK and make it better. The similarity between the two assault rifles is only skin deep. "Samopal vzor 58" is a completely different design, with tilting breech similar to what you find in Stgw.44 or Beretta 92 pistol, rather than the rotating bolt of the AK47.

[Hustodemon_Eso]

Yes, that's right. It is not a copy of AK47 at all. Same look is caused by same ammunition. You couldn't do totally different magazine for same cartridges. And other design is same like many rifles around the world. But internal parts are totaly different from AK. I will try to find some photos of internal parts.

Except the really huge magazine, which doesn't allow you carry more amunition is still excellent all-purpose infantry assault riffle. Our Special Ops. use M4, but for some tasks still rather use vz. 58.

There is a photo of custom civilian vz. 58 of my friend.

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/5234/s7300201ec2.th.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s7300201ec2.jpg)

[kremilek_a_vochomurka]

ČZ Strakonice and Luvo companies produce this interesant versions

ČZ2003H Standard

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/5593/cz2003hstandardiq7.jpg (http://img234.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cz2003hstandardiq7.jpg)

ČZ2003H/K

http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/3296/cz2003hlomitkokln5.jpg (http://img371.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cz2003hlomitkokln5.jpg)
ČZ2003H/L Target sniper
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7294/cz2003hlomitkoltargetdk1.jpg (http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cz2003hlomitkoltargetdk1.jpg)

MOD. 58/98 GL
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/5217/mod58lomitko98glgf7.jpg (http://img529.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mod58lomitko98glgf7.jpg)

and some accessory
http://www.luvo.cz/products/rifles/index.html

[Kocur]

God bless those Czech’s, they took an AK and made it even more simple, lighter, and reliable, while firing the same great round…and with the 4 channel, chromed barrel; more accurately too-boot!

Although it was responded to before - it's never enough of dismissing myths: vz.58 has nothing to do with AK apart from extremely general features, like being gas operated. The Czech rifle was designed totally independably from Soviet weapon.



I have seen examples of people taking a hand full of dust, dumping it into the ejection port of an AK, and still being able to fire the rifle. While the Vz.58 is a smaller, and lighter rifle than an AK--with somewhat tighter tolerances--it has almost no moving parts (comparatively)

Im affraid that Vz.58 has more moving parts than AK. The latter has bolt carrier and bolt moving back and forth, plus hammer turning on an axis. Vz.58's reciprocating parts are: separate piston rod, bolt carrier, bolt, the lock and striker.



and only a few springs through-out the entire design ( 4 total? And all of them located far away from the chamber).

From top of my head... AK has like two springs? Recoil spring and combinated one in trigger mechanism (or are there two of them there)?
Vz. 58 has two more: striker spring and piston rod return spring.

[BloodDiamondPants]

To whom it may concern:


The above is all too correct. One unfortunate thing about communicating over the internet, is that it robs one of vocal inflection, and body-english. My comments on the VZ.58 were a reflection more of enthusiasm for this fine little rifle than of academic fact; even expertise. That said, I thank you for correcting me.

I have owned a milled Arsenal AK-47--and enjoyed shooting it very much--but I absolutely love my VZ. In-so-far as personal opinion strictly applies; I prefer it hands-down to the AK; and though I am not a fighting-man; on first instinct, the VZ.58 is the rifle that I would choose to go to war with; given the hypothetical option of having one, and only one rifle with which to carry out all of my duties.

I thank you all for your comments, and if you can provide additional information—especially if you are a Czech, or Slovakian Military man (or woman for that matter)—please don’t hesitate to place additional comments here. It is appreciated more than you know by an enthusiast for this fine rifle; ate-up with its simple genius, and high quality of manufacture.


Thanks again,

BDP

[hurvicka]

My service rifle, worked with sand just fine.

[Scorpion]

BloodDiamondPants:
have you checked out http://www.vz58.net/ yet? They sell a couple of nice accessories for the vz.58.
From what I heard from soldiers the vz.58 has a thinner barrel than the AK which can cause problems when the barrel gets hot but I guess you shouldn't have that problem with a semi-auto.

[BloodDiamondPants]

Hello, and thank you; both of you. I haven't checked the thread in a couple of days (It didn't seem like there was as much interest in it as I had initially hoped).


hurvicka, hat's off, and thank you for your service! I hope you came through it alright. You said that you had no issues with sand while TDY; did you have any issues with heat build up, and the fore-stock? Thank you in more ways than one on this thread.

Scorpion; Yes, I have checked that sigh out, and I might very well purchase something from them, but for the fact that they seem to be continually "out of stock" on many items. Thanks for the "heads-up" though.


Regards all,


BDP