VZ 58 chest rig

[briang2ad]

Anyone know of a decent chest rig for the VZ 58? Thanks.

[RSR]

There's a Czech Army Vz95 chest rig.  Also an assault vest available.

Type 56 AK and South African R4/galil rigs (2 types in poop brown) also work if wanting milsurp.

3 Mag AR15 flap pouches generally hold 2 Vz58 mags, and 2 mag AR15 flap pouches generally hold 1 Vz58 mag...  The open top AR15 pouches are generally too narrow.

For molle, if running multiple mag types, HSGI's tacos are good.  Several makers of molle chest rig panels.

No experience, but Apex Gun Parts recently launched a gear store and has AK chest rigs.  Good luck!

[Hammer Time]

I'd love to see some pics of whatever you come up with, since I'm interested in historic examples.

But if you're just looking for a basic chest rig, I would think that just about any AK rig work.

[RSR]

*Just checked and the Strike Hard Gear and Grey Ghost Gear open top single mag pouches with bungees (3x shingle and 2x shingle respectively) that I have on my Vz58-oriented plate carrier (former front, other offhand side) are both no longer made...

SHG also made an AK chest rig at one point.  They still have a website, and wouldn't hurt to inquire about a custom run.

[sboone]

I use a UW gear swamp fox for AK mags, it holds AK, VZ 58, and AUG mags perfectly.  The covers latch, they are tight and don't rattle, a little break in but works very well with a little extra molle on the sides for TQ or other accessories.  The split front is nice and allows some breathing to keep air circulation.  I've been using it for 3ish years now, run it at Kalashnicon and it is not the limiting factor in my shooting.  In a game where guys are running battle belts for speed, it holds its own and unlike them, I don't lose mags off a belt when crawling around.  Despite the use and abuse it still looks really good and stitching is all 100%. 

They have a pretty solid lead time but it's worth every penny IMO

[RSR]

Have heard good things about swampfox.  They've intermittently closed to new orders recently, so definitely a substantial backlog.

[czgunner]

I think mine is from Beeze.

[Mods Added: How about leaving a link ?]

[gyr]

British Army Issue DPM Woodland IRR Chest Rig works very well for me.  The three front mag pouches hold two mags each perfectly.  The large admin. pouches on each side of the mag pouches could hold four more mags each, if that is your wish.  (Gets little heavy.). I prefer cleaning and maintenance gear, IFAK, spare water, dump pouch, etc.  Being milsurp, this rig is almost indestructible.  And it's very quick to put on and take off.  Add a battle belt for secondary weapons, butt pack and canteen(s) and you're good to go.

[briang2ad]

I now have a Chinese type 81 - they work.  The Chinese styles seem to work fine.  The Parashooter gear pouches CAN work, but the VZ mags are VERY hard to put them back inside and the clear plastic mags to NOT work in the Parashooter gear AK mag pouches.

ONLY the AC Unity mags work in the parashooter gear rigs.  Right now I will have to use the Chinese rigs for the regular and smoke VZ 58 mags. 

[czrob2]

I've been waiting a couple years for UW Gear to take more orders, but no bueno.

Does anyone have a new recommendation for 2024?  Bonus points if it fits Vz.58 mags better than something made for AK-47 mags.

[TJNewton]

I now have a Chinese type 81 - they work.  The Chinese styles seem to work fine.   

I also use these.  The VZ58 mags fit perfectly.  The wood toggles are robust and easy to use with just a little practice.  Some people sew in velcro but I don't find any modifications necessary.  Four stripper clips fit into each of the side pockets for a 200 round carry.  The only modification I made was to add a side release buckle to the bottom waist strap.  The waist strap was intended to be tied like an apron but was made for Chinese men much smaller than present-day Westerners (I wear a 2XL t-shirt).  The strap is not long enough for me to tie it, but long enough to clip together.  The side release buckle cost about 75 cents and weaves in securely. 

Try to get a surplus rig, although I have an aftermarket one, too, and it's fine. I've read the aftermarket ones can be touch and go.

These rigs extremely sturdy and durable and if it doesn't work for you, you're only out 20 bucks.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/305335859134?itmmeta=01HY5CMEVGDAA6X7MKNC3AXDFM&hash=item47176f77be:g:XHYAAOSw-aximHOi&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0D6fWpmMVeg8Ap6PuL7xPLuXYIGzDYCDcbLmX0%2Br0vY4QrMNJ5GjnVbVXzQhyln%2BcJ%2F1YDqKSfXuh%2FS9aUejxETKD7U6OJSi3JO%2BTKjAivk62jBQF8hj6qPL4vPMekMd42sSybH5yDhGYkr6Yg1sU%2F8dCWWRzrgrNWus3sILWMb2%2BY5sBd%2FIyYlCk4gXomdsQeWTb4ppYV2CyFUG8Co3ei9EmiI7VC3gU7g1SE1WPyZOgEwI2Z6z8AVx9s1TqnRxHMqcLoVNHStILdUMaPvLX8U%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-rt0azxYw

[RSR]

Yeah, just beware mildew on chinese surplus -- I've gotten some pretty nasty Chinese stuff.

[TJNewton]

Yeah, just beware mildew on chinese surplus -- I've gotten some pretty nasty Chinese stuff.

Surplus risk.  I got some East German pouches where half were NOS and the other half disgusting mildew farms.  The ruggedness, price, and all-out ingenuity of surplus gear balances that risk.

[RSR]

Surplus risk.  I got some East German pouches where half were NOS and the other half disgusting mildew farms.  The ruggedness, price, and all-out ingenuity of surplus gear balances that risk.

Yes, but even places like Sportsman's Guide or Cheaper Than Dirt (pre-price gouging downfall) sell some pretty funky surplus gear...  Non-US Sellers on Ebay often have return-prohibitive terms and conditions where returning for refund costs as-much if not more than the item purchased (provided individual items, not in quantity). 

From a consumer perspective, unfortunately ordering off of anti-gun Amazon may be your best bet, provided you check return rules on the front end...