The Original CZ Forum

CZ LONG ARMS => VZ-58 semi auto rifle => Topic started by: armoredman on August 25, 2012, 11:55:24 PM

Title: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 25, 2012, 11:55:24 PM
Today when I tried to fire the rifle, I got the dreaded *click*. A close inspection revealed that the very tip of the firing pin had somehow broken off, leaving a concave crater that was ALMOST long enough to reach the primer - it left little half circles on one side of the primer. The amount of metal lost is very small, but just enough. When I broke down the bolt, (that's gonna be a pain to put back together - good thing I know a gunsmith.), I saw that the firing pin was a slightly different design that the pictured one in my 7.62x39mm hi cap manual. I wonder if that was the issue, as the rifle has performed perfectly for about 2000 rounds, give or take a few hundred, between the factory and me. I fired only factory or mid range reloads, nothing hot.
I sent in an e-mail to Dan at Czechpoint, and I don't doubt this will get taken care of toot sweet. Hey, compared to the Glock slide breaking while firing in front of me, this ain't nothin'! I can't wait to get it back into action - I have a bunch of lovingly prepared hunting loads to try!
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: Stevo on August 26, 2012, 12:53:24 AM
I've seen three or four reports of the same thing on 5.56 guns in Canada.

Do you have pic of the firing pin? I'm curious if it's different from the 7.62 pin.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 26, 2012, 12:38:06 PM
Well, I haven't stripped my 7.62x39mm vz-58 bolt down to compare firing pins, but this one differs from the one pictured in the hi-cap manual that came on disc. I don't want to break a bolt down if I don't have to - I'll lose something in this carpet. :(
I couldn't get the macro settings just right, so we have multiple pictures, but you can clearly see the concave area where a tiny bit of metal broke off.

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/vz%2058%205%2056mm/vz-58556mmboltandfiringpin.jpg)

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/vz%2058%205%2056mm/brokenfiringpincloseup2.jpg)

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/vz%2058%205%2056mm/brokenfiringpincloseup.jpg)

I am no metallurgist, wonder how this would happen.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: Varickm on August 26, 2012, 01:27:31 PM
Does the firing pin use a spring?
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 26, 2012, 01:35:30 PM
No, the only spring is in the extractor, actually.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: Stevo on August 26, 2012, 02:59:56 PM
Differs how? There are two versions of the 7.62 pin that I've seen, one have three "flutes" and the other having four.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: Varickm on August 26, 2012, 03:25:31 PM
Is there a step-down at the point where it broke?
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 26, 2012, 03:45:33 PM
Stevo, the one in the manual has four, this one has three. Dan will be able to say if they are the same.
Varick, you can see where it broke off, that's the rounded very front end of the firing pin. More like a chip than a break.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: Varickm on August 26, 2012, 03:53:45 PM
I guess it's just me, but the top photo looks like there is a step-down before it extends out a little further.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 26, 2012, 04:23:34 PM
The possibility exists, certainly, that there was a small nub that extended a wee bit farther - it's hard to tell.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: Stevo on August 26, 2012, 06:33:41 PM
Stevo, the one in the manual has four, this one has three. Dan will be able to say if they are the same.
Varick, you can see where it broke off, that's the rounded very front end of the firing pin. More like a chip than a break.

Thanks. The two styles are interchangeable on the 7.62 guns.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: Varickm on August 26, 2012, 07:56:36 PM
Wouldn't a slight step-down prevent an efficient transfer of energy? I don't know...maybe it's just the photo.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 26, 2012, 09:15:37 PM
The 7.62x389mm version had a "flare, like a collar, where this one is pretty straight, and the actual "pin" section is longer on the 7.62 version - wish I knew how to capture an image off a PDF to show the difference.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 26, 2012, 11:40:15 PM
Well, DUH! :o I looked closer at the firing pin - what's left won't fit through the channel. Must have been some smaller diameter section that snapped off.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 27, 2012, 01:20:21 PM
AND, as expected, Dan got right back to me first thing this morning and is shipping a redesigned stronger firing pin as I type this.
Sometimes I love saying, "Told ya so!"  8) ;D

Only thing left to worry about is fumble fingered me putting it back together right....  :-\ ;) Did I tell you the US Navy used to let me handle high explosives??? :o
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: painter on August 27, 2012, 04:30:14 PM
AND, as expected, Dan got right back to me first thing this morning and is shipping a redesigned stronger firing pin as I type this.
Sometimes I love saying, "Told ya so!"  8) ;D

Only thing left to worry about is fumble fingered me putting it back together right....  :-\ ;) Did I tell you the US Navy used to let me handle high explosives??? :o
They must have taught you well enough...

you have all your fingers.  ;D
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 27, 2012, 04:43:35 PM
Well, it seemed to work, we all made it home alive, and I didn't drop any ordnance. Well, none anyone SAW...:)
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: Varickm on August 27, 2012, 07:28:42 PM
I'm glad they are redesigning it. I knew that pin didn't look right.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 27, 2012, 08:10:35 PM
It's a better pin, betting the redesign started when the first one broke.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 29, 2012, 05:20:06 PM
It's here... ;D 8)
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: ObiWanBonJovi on August 29, 2012, 05:30:02 PM
pics, or it isn't

I'd love to see side by side vz 7.62 fp
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 29, 2012, 08:59:58 PM
No pics of the 7.62x39mm firing pin - I hate breaking these bolts down. BUT, here's a side by side with the broken one.

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/vz%2058%205%2056mm/brokenandgood2.jpg)

Functioning was excellent,

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/vz%2058%205%2056mm/vz223Jack50yardskneelingironsights.jpg)

Iron sights kneeling at 50 yards - I'm still no rifleman, but the rifle works....man. 8) ;D
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: andrewhyatt89 on August 29, 2012, 09:43:01 PM
Clearly Minute o' Rabbit.  Glad to hear its up and running and that Czechpoint continues to have such steller service in this time of extreme demand.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on August 29, 2012, 09:46:36 PM
It was mailed out literally when Dan read the e-mail. :)
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: Varickm on August 29, 2012, 10:49:53 PM
That's top-notch customer service.... I want a 5.56, but I guess I will have to wait until production picks up.
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on September 09, 2012, 09:58:56 PM
After I reassembled the bolt, all was good, BUT I noticed one case was left in the chamber, with the rim torn off - last round of the day.

(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/vz%2058%205%2056mm/tornbrass1.jpg)

Dan at Czechpoint got right back with me when I asked, and I figured it out - when I put the itty bitty plug back between the extractor spring and the extractor, I missed the spring hole, and it was riding on the spring itself, causing extreme compression and extra force on the extractor. When I tore it down and reassembled it, (I HATE tiny parts!), I function tested with empty brass, and everything seems to be working normally. I can't function test until my first weekend - retirement is over, back to work. :)
Title: Re: 5.56mm SA vz-58 suffers a set back
Post by: armoredman on September 14, 2012, 07:40:49 PM
PROPERLY reassembled bolt, (oops, my bad.  :o ), was function tested today...and a good deal more, darn thing is just so much fun to shoot! Everything worked perfectly.  8)