The Czech military Samopal Vzor 58 ("Machine Gun Model 58" or "Vz.58" for short) rifle variants are typically reliable and accurate rifles.
The silhouette of the vz.58 is similar to the AK-47, however this is very misleading. Chambered for 7.62x39 (M43 soviet) cartridge, this gun as no interchangeable parts with the Russian designed AKM. The VZ.58 has several engineering differences and design attributes that some operators consider to be superior to the AK. There are absolutely no interchangeable parts with an AKM.
See a fairly detailed comparison of the AKM design to the Vz.58 design HERE.
A few of the distinguishing features of the Czech Military issued VZ.58 (esp. as compared to the Russian Military AK-47 of the same era) are:
The silhouette of the vz.58 is similar to the AK-47, however this is very misleading. Chambered for 7.62x39 (M43 soviet) cartridge, this gun as no interchangeable parts with the Russian designed AKM. The VZ.58 has several engineering differences and design attributes that some operators consider to be superior to the AK. There are absolutely no interchangeable parts with an AKM.
See a fairly detailed comparison of the AKM design to the Vz.58 design HERE.
A few of the distinguishing features of the Czech Military issued VZ.58 (esp. as compared to the Russian Military AK-47 of the same era) are:
- Milled Reciver
- Striker fired action using linear spring, rather than hammer fired.
- Bolt uses a locking piece (like a P38) rather than a rotating locking bolt (AK, AR) or tilting bolt (SKS, STG44), or Roller-lock (The MP5 being the most infamous)
- Bolt hold-open (BHO) feature is standard in the design. There is an integral spring loaded pin captured in the receiver that locks the carrier and bolt back on the last round fired. The BHO mechanism works integrally with the unique magazine as the follower actives the BHO on the last round.
- The BHO Mechanism works independent of the magazine. Therefore when the magazine runs empty the carrier and bolt are locked open after the magazine is removed. (Just like an AR15)
- This also means that BHO can be manually engaged by the gun operator without a magazine in the gun (just like an AR15).
- Uses 30 round double-stack lightweight aluminum (non-rusting) mags, all with BHO standard.
- Steel side folding Para (vz58v) stocks and wood-poly ("Beaver barf") furniture are easily interchanged with modern quad rails and tactical stocks.
- Short-stroke gas system cycles faster than the AKM long-stroke system.
- Design is lightweight for a milled receiver gun (lighter than a stamped receiver AKM).
- Muzzle threads are 14RH rather than 14LH (AKM).
For a full list of what has been done (modified and enhanced) to turn this CAI vz.58V Para variant into a reliable shooter click the detailed description here:
What was done to this gun to make it a shooter...
What was done to this gun to make it a shooter...
Vz.58v Para Folder (ready to shoot and priced to sell)
w/ two mags, original removed parts, and accessories as described HERE...
The VZ2008 variant marketed by Century Arms. These builds included 922R compliance parts: a Green Mountain US Barrel (non-chrome lined), US steel gas pistons, US slant muzzle brake, milled receivers from at least 3 different manufacturers. Very nice Czech milsurp action and furniture parts. (As shown: Grip is polymer aftermarket, and muzzle brake is a Slovak style compensator)
