I have never noticed any VZ replacement parts or accesories on store shelves. But I'm not a big AK guy so....

 

While I respect your opinion, I was hoping for something a little more informative...

 

If they whereof better quality then a AK then you would see them on the wall and not the AK's. Ak's are like a Chevy small block engine time proven, durable, trusted, cheap and very reliable.

 

When one country and only one country produces a few 100K of something, and another 100 countries each produce a few million of something else it only stands to reason the one everybody and their drunken cousin produced is going to be more available than the lessor produced example. That does not automatically mean the more widely produced one is the better one.

 

im pretty sure vz-58's use different magazines than the ak which makes them harder to find and more money than an ak mag., but in my opinion the ak is better in general just because ... well its an AK:

 

Parts count. Mags need a US floorplate and follower based on most builds on the market. If you don't ask questions and know what your doing you could run afoul of 922.

Make certain the builder has a full parts count without the mag parts or the day you stick a surplus mag in the countdown timer to the pokey begins.

Other than that they hold up about the same. More bolt rebuilds needed. extractors wear quick.

 

uncle sam might act like a butt hurt little childish ***** if they catch you violating that law by adding the magazine to the weapon, bu they don't have psychic powers to know when you do. Something as insignificant as this should be disregarded and not obeyed.

 

I own a vz-58, I can tell you my experiance with the gun. I have never had a issue with it and the realiability is very good, very comfortable and is machined not stamped steel. Even with that it is lighter thatn a AK. I have read its more accurate. I seen on guns and ammo that the Viet kongs speacial units used the VZ and liked it better than the AK.
The only fault is that it is not as prolific as the AK so obviously it does not have as much support in way of parts and Mags. But other than that most unbiased reviews say that it is superior to the AK in almost everyway.

But try to use one first and see what you think. I love mine and is my goto gun.

 

I'd tend to go with the rifle that you always can easily find replacement parts / add ons for. That's going to be the AK.

 

I had the pleasure of fingering a few. They do seem to be built better then most of your standard AK's. I also have heard they are more accurate, but one shooter said he was prone to getting gases in his face a bit. He said he hadn't heard that from anyone else.

Overall I think its on par or better in construction then most AK's with the exception of MAYBE the Bulgarians. Then again its cheaper then a Bulgarian.

Wish I could be more help but cz58guy made a good review and personally if I didn't own a krinkov I might think about getting one.

 

If I was not already deeply invested in the AK system I might consider getting one or two or three.

Just remember to stock up on mags and parts if you choose either one.

 

Hey, while I am no expert on either I thought I would share this little bit of information with you ; The Czechs won the right to use this while the rest of the Soviet Union had to use AK-47's. That should tell you something!

 

Ehh? All that tells me is that Izhmash and Tula had lots of orders to fill and were happy to let Česká Zbrojovka equip their own soldiers.

Look, Ive seen this same thread pop up all over the net and Im sick of people describing the vz 58 as a better rifle. It has some distinct disadvantages and (a very few) advantages over the ak platform. A good side by side can be found here:

http://50ae.net/VZ-vs-AK/

Ive shot both, and neither is more accurate. Neither has a more ergonomic form factor. I mean with the AK platform you have a number of choices for stock types and accessories. With the VZ platform your severally limited.

Im not even going to get into the striker spring vs hammer crosspin and spring debate, but just do your research before posting this crap. :thumb:

 

Cowboy,

VZ parts and mags are available from CZ-USA, Czechpoint.com and Numrich(e-gunparts.com). They are very nice rifles, but like the other fellas said, it's not an AK-47.

 

There only real argument is your firearm philosophy.

The AK and AKM's are prolithic, that's just a fact.

Parts availability is dependent on your parts philosophy. For some, spare parts are complete weapons.

In which case, they would advise you to buy 2 or 3 or whatever firearm.

For others, it's keeping around what's most likely to fail, ie springs, extractors....you get the point.

The VZ is very nice, the only reason I don't own one now is because I'm heavily invested in the AK and the magazines for the VZ are proprietary .....otherwise I'd be all over one or 2 myself.

If I were to start over again, before the election spike in cost, I'd wouldn't feel shorted with a VZ at all.

Again, it's all dependent on your personal philosophy of owning firearms.

Buy 2 and invest in a parts kit, they are out there but you have to look for them....

sigh.....gunbroker has them

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=134292669

 

Thanks everyone for the info. I have pretty much made up my mind to get one. I followed the web sites and links you guys provided and it seems to me that parts, while not being interchangable with the ak, are available enough. I suspect that if time and finances allow, I will pick up an ak, if for no other reasan than just because I can:thumb:.

 

Well done. czechpoint-usa.com will get you spare extractor, firing pin, all springs and pivot pins, bolt etc. Numrich usually has czech surplus 30 round mags.

 

I think it really might be the ebst value for the $$$. I don't think they are as nice as the top-of-the-line AKs (like pre-ban stuff), but they are very solidly built and a worthy score!!

good luck, man, and enjoy!

 

If parts and mags for the VZ were as widely available as AK parts, I'd have a rack of VZ-58s in a second. It's better built and more accurate then the AK, not to mention a smoother shooter as well...

 

VZ-58 and AK-47 illustrated comparison

http://50ae.net/VZ-vs-AK/

 

Look it over !

When you look at the comparison on the link. Be sure to note that there are several more parts than an AK. This is what an AK an AK. For the money and all other aspects involved. The AK is a better value in the long run.

Randy

 

there is a consolidation of parts in the VZ, like the disconnector being a nub on the trigger bar, the spring that acts as a sear spring, safety detent spring, and top cover detent spring. in both the AK and VZ there's an excess of space in the receiver to compensate for fouling, dirt and grime, unlike western rifles. the short stroke gas system should also lead to cleaner operation. my only complaint about the VZ is the lack of an adjustable gas valve like the FAL has.

I don't see what the issue is, just get both.

 

I own VZ 58, new, purchased from Czechpoint.

My brother owns Romanian RPD, we usually go to range together every 2nd week.

Built quality:
VZ seems to be better built. Basically a nicely done and machined parts. It is hard to compare it to Romanian RPD as those are built from kits and use US made parts which are not necessarily made to meet original standard.

Weight:
Very important, VZ is MUCH lighter.

Ergonomics:
VZ has excellent ergonomics. Suits me very well, I don't even want to replace original furniture on it.

Accuracy:
RPD is more accurate, most people will disagree, but our results show that it shoots better.
We use 100 yards range, open sights.

Reliability:
RPD has better reliability by far. It does not mean that VZ is prone to something, it is not. It just hard to compare anything to AK platform in terms of reliability.
Official data from Russian Army says that the first minor malfunction of a Russian made AK is expected after 17000 rounds. Their newly created AN-94 pushed this to amazing 40000 rounds.


So far, I enjoy my VZ and have nothing to complain about it.
Please note, that VZ which are available through Czechpoint-USA, are newly made by original Czech or Slovakian manufacturer and are not kits or anything.
To compare them to an AK, it would be fair to use a newly made Izhevsk AK (AK-107, 108), only then you would see which one is really better.

 

My friend has one I talked him into buying and have shot that back to back with my Yugo AK. The VZ has more muzzle jump since there is no brake on it but still easy to shoot. Like stated before, Czechpoint.com is the place to buy accessories and parts.

I wouldn't mind having one also, just don't NEED it. I would get it if I were you and stock up on mags and some parts. I like the grey finish with wood impregnated stock like my friend has. :thumb: I would stay away from the VZ-2000 from CAI, they may be ok but the D-Techniks one is much nicer.

 

Back in the day when I was more into gun collecting than preparedness with firearms, I'd have bought one...however, if a prepper goes with this firearm and gets enough magazines he wouldn't be doing bad. It's a fine weapon.

The Internet can be visual, so why not a pic?

 

Depends on what you want to do with the weapon. If you plan on playing in the mud and not too worried about keeping it clean then the AK is best. It was designed for the peasant soldier who's tech skill level was sharpening the plow.

The Czechs have a long history of designing and building excellent fire arms. The famous Bren Gun of GB is a Czech design. Yes it has a few more pieces than the AK, (but allot easier than an AR), but is more accurate and is a nicer piece. Also, it locks open on the last round, (AK doesn't) and can be loaded from stripper clips.

The best VZ-58s are newly manufactured in the Czech Republic and imported by Czech Point USA. Century offers a kit gun, more or less, hence the lower price. I got my new from Czech Point. NOTE: the VZ DOES NOT use AK magazines but used vz mags are available.

BTW: In 1955 the Soviets wanted them to build the AK but the Czechs said they would build their own thank you but would use the Russian 7.62x39 round.
Good Luck

 

Go to CzchPoint USA for plenty of parts for the VZ-58

Mike

 

Good choice.

I too plan to pick up an AK. I believe that when the SHTF an AK a couple of mags and 200 rounds of cheap ammo will be worth more than gold for trading purposes.

Mike
Viet vet 68-69, 71-72

 

vietvetx2 your czechpoint is a kit gun too with a new semi auto receiver made in the czech republic. All the other parts except the american plastic trigger parts and mag parts are milsurp too. Actually the century has more czech parts than yours and a grand new u.s. barrel.