Well, I’m always behind the curve when it comes to fairly new stuff. Had a chance to ogle a Czech VZ-58 yesterday.
Beautiful solid receiver - definitely not el cheapo stamped.
A plus is the bolt hold-open.
The downside is that the bolt hold-open requires proprietary mags IIRC.
So, has thing thing retained all the utility of an AK and then some? Or is it a completely different beast?
Completely different beast than an AK. The only thing that they share is the cartridge.
The vz-58 is honestly my favorite 7.62x39mm rifle, and I’ve been an “AK guy” since the 80’s.
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=9923&highlight=czech
And right now you can get a NEW Czech vz-58, fixed or folder, for $650.00.
beauty. how much are the mags?
I have 2 of them here in my armory. Very nice gun and definitely underated. The only downside would be locating mags for them. They WILL NOT accept AK magazines. The spline on them is offset to the right of the mag as opposed to centered for AK mags.
Full retail is something like $30.00 from CZ USA but you can find surplus around $10.00 or so.
I bought a bunch of them before there were many rifles out, when they were almost giving them away.
Basically I wanted to know if one could get blue prints for a VZ 58 receiver http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=99996060,
and then have it custom machined to accept AK47 mags instead of the more expensive, harder to find CZ mags.
Also ball park how much do you think it would be to actually accomplish this?
Thanks
I don’t think it’s practical at all, and you’d wind up spending a lot more money doing that than just buying some surplus '58 mags.
That’s a good price. I just looked at one at a local shop for $959.00.
I just took home two of the vz-58’s that InRange is selling for $650.00.
Man, they are sweet! I took some quick pictures with my new camera, but the sun was already setting so they aren’t the greatest, but here they are.
The rifle with the muzzle brake is the vz that Troy built for me on a Slovakian receiver.
Can you tell me what is it on the muzzle? Not the break, but the two other rifles have some funny termination (Fig. No.4). It is supposed to be threaded muzzle with thread protector, at least thats how they are sold here and how they are set up in the army. Is it something required by the law in US?
The barrel extension is attached to bring the barrel to ( and likely a little past) the legal 16 inch US minimum. Anything shorter requires ATF approval including a $200 tax. Also the short barrels are prohibited in some states.
I’ve got a VZ.58 and have a couple questions on mags and furniture…
My CZ-USA rifle came with a plastic-floorplate mag, I guess this is the ‘legal’ mag with US-made floorplate / follower.
I bought other mags that have all metal parts. I guess these are illegal to use unless I add 2 US-made parts to the rifle, or add the plastic floorplate / follower to said mags, or a combination thereof? I’m thinking adding a US-made piston and floorplates will do it.
I want to swap the bakelite butt stock for the longer Zytel stock. Will my bakelite hardware fasten either stock? Or will the Zytel stock ordered from TN Guns have fresh hardware included? Anybody know? Thanks!
Some answers and one big “if” . With the standard Bakelite stock or the folders: 2 (two) more US parts are needed. I don’t know for sure which Zytel stock you are thinking of buying , but: The folders take a very short bolt and the solids (Bakelite/wood) take a much longer bolt.
Here’s the “If” & the “Maybe”: A thumbhole or skeleton stock might ( maybe)effect the US parts count requirement. I have zero experience or research with the thumbhole issue-- and a mistake could be a felony.
Hope this helps until the more experienced folks come around.
Would somebody post a link for me to the Vz. 58, costing $ 650? I am trying to navigate a friend in US. Thanks very much
I just got back from running my InRange vz-58 through the Vickers 2 Day AK class, and it ran 100% and was definitely a center of attraction.
You’ll have to call TN Guns and ask those questions about the zytel stock, I haven’t had any first hand experience with the thumbhole.
You’re correct about parts count.
Hope that helps. I’m sunburned, dehydrated, and grimy, but I had a great time at the class…time for a shower! 
Bugaboo, I posted a link earlier in the thread. The sale ended on the 30th.
As the proud new owner of a VZ-58 I will have to say it is an outstanding rifle. They are extremely light, extremely accurate, very high quality, and have many advantages over the AK/AKM. I knew nothing about them before this weekend, but it did not take many rounds to quickly figure out how great of a rifle they really are.
Sounds like Larry’s gonna have to run a separate VZ58 class. lol.
Me:
Dinger:
The vz58 is underrated, mainly because thery are in frequently in countered. I had two in 05-06’ (one fixed, one folder) and only one magazine for the two. I love the ergomonics better then an AK. Guns are more controllable on full auto plus as mentioned the bolt hold open on last round (+manual hold open). Stocks do seem more flimsy though. I was over with the MPs/EOD unit here this morning and they had three vz58 mags which they assumed were lightweight AK mags.
CD
I shot va_dinger’s VZ-58 at the Larry Vickers AK Class last weekend and it’s probably the smoothest AK variant (you know what I mean) that I’ve ever shot. If I wasn’t knee deep in getting my SLR-107CR set up like TheKatar’s AK-102 clone I’d be looking for one right now.