Hello, I am new to the forum although I have been eavesdropping lately when I got the VZ-58 bug.
I am a FFL located in New Mexico. A client who is a soldier serving in Korea has his internet purchases transfer through me. On his last visit, at Christmas, he had a VZ2008 transfer through me which appeared to be new. I honestly was not aware of the firearm prior to that. One of the gurus he talks to about what to buy suggested the VZ-58 platform so he found and ordered his VZ2002.
That sparked my interest so for the past few weeks I have been checking around for one that I could buy. I didn't want to pay a lot and was hoping to pay less than he had paid (~$750). I found a guy in MI selling two new VZ2002s for $550 but he was lazy about shipping and sold them locally. Very unprofessional to offer for sale and to ship but then not accept my sale. Anyway, not to be discouraged I checked around some more and for the same price I found a used VZ2002 but loaded with most of the goodies I would have added anyway. However, I didn't get the original folder and beaver barf doing it this way, but I can easily and for less money, buy those items.
As you can see in the picture, it came with a RH flash hider vs. the slant brake. The Fab Defense upper and lower handguard, pistol grip, butt stock, and cheek riser.
If you didn't notice, yes, a camo paint job. I have never had a camo firearm before so maybe it will grow on me.
In the butt stock compartment was the front sight tool, and to my amazement, in the pistol grip was a piece of paracord AND two rounds of Tula.
When I talked to the out-of-state seller (pawn shop) he said he had cleaned the gun and he should have checked the pistol grip as he just broke about 100 laws.
Questions:
1. When researching the add-ons while waiting for the rifle to show up, I asked what handguard furniture Fab Defense offered, their VP first said the same furniture fit the VZ-58 and VZ2008. I then asked him why the web site said the furniture was only for the VZ-58 and would not fit the VZ2008? After pointing out to him what his web site said, he talked to his engineers and came back and said I was right, they would not fit the VZ2008??? I did see the two ears broken off the heat shield, but I assume you need to do that on the VZ58 too. So, what is the difference between that portion of the rifle such that Fab Defense says their handguard won't fit? I assumed that other than the longer barrel, the furniture was the same, but apparently not?
2. I was surprised to see a flash hider vs. the slant brake. I am considering the brake from CNC Warrior as it is inexpensive and seems to function properly. Not to mention looking cooler than the flash hider.
3. This butt stock is attached with a metal hinge joint although I saw some were poly. I am glad this one is all metal and it locks up tight. It also has the spring in the tube to handle all that horrendous recoil
4. It is my understanding that these are made from parts kits or disassembled rifles and that CAI had a US company make the milled receiver and the barrel (possibly Green Mountain). I know the barrel is longer than the VZ-58 model so the brake wouldn't need to be pinned or welded to get 16". What other, if any differences are there in parts?
The front sight doesn't appear to be canted so that is a good thing. It just came with one mag so I am shopping for those. I was also eyeballing the CSA side-mount rail and optic riser but they were OOS.
Thoughts....