CAI assembled VZ2008....good deal, or stay away?

[turnip]

Hey guys.

Just wanted to know what the general consensus was on the CAI VZ2008 sporters. Are they a good deal, or is it worth the extra money (really, twice as much) to just purchase a VZ-58 from our good friends at Czechpoint? Are there any real differences between the guns, and conversely; are there any similarities?

[2fewdaysafield]

Hey turnip!

I have no personal experience with the Century guns, but a number of folks on this board who I respect immensely hold them in very low esteem. If you are just looking for a cheap plinker, the CAI gun might foot the bill if you don't mind some frustration.

Conversely, if you think you might ever have to bet your life on a gun, I don't think you would want it to be from CAI.

Best.....2few

[armoredman]

Anyone holding me in high esteem better check his esteemer.
I won't touch anything Century assembled, only the C&R guns they import in one peice. Some have had good luck with CAI, but not me.

[turnip]

Thanks for the info.   I've always been leery of Century Arms stuff, but the reviews on J&G's website got me wondering. I guess you do get what you pay for

[2fewdaysafield]

Glad you are back Mr. A!

[armoredman]

Thanks, glad to be back - don't miss out on the return to life giveaway!
I had a CAI CETME years ago, and it worked for one magazineful, then never worked again. I managed to sell it to a tinkerer for what I paid for it, and it took him another $100+ to get it to run...never again.

[Road Dawg]

The assemblers at Century have the nickname, "Drunken Monkeys" among the mil-surp crowd for good reason.  I owned a Century assembled FAL, and let's just say when I sold it off I knew a LOT more about the FAL than I would have if I'd bought a functional rifle.  It was functional when I sold it, and a decent shooter to boot but only after a considerable amount of work by myself.  Their Galil builds interest me, but I won't touch anything from CAI.

[2fewdaysafield]

HEY NOW!!! Lets not be disrespecting perfectly good monkeys by comparing them to CAI assemblers! 

[armoredman]

I'd have to agree with that.
The only reason thier Golani/Galil clone is halfway decent is they got smart, and apprently contracted the work out...

[jmp8927]

That's what I have and I love it. I haven't handled anything other than mine, so I can't compare it with the others. However, the machining is beautiful with no marks anywhere. It also shoots very well. I got a 4 inch group at 100 yards using bulk Golden Tiger FMJ ammo. That was with irons sights also. Far as I know, the barrel is NOT chrome lined. However, 95% of all rifles in this country don't have chrome lined barrels. Clean it like it should be cleaned anyway, and it'll be fine.

[armoredman]

There ya go, that was what my boss at the range called a Wednesday gun. Built when they were sobered up from the weekend, and not drooling in anticipation of the upcoming weekend. Post a pic or two, sir!

[2fewdaysafield]

ROF lol lol lol LMAO lol lol lol

Oh Mr. A......you are a card!

Although, truth be told, for a while I knew a fella that had worked for GM for a number of years....the stories he told were enough to make any sane person not want to buy GM! 

[jmp8927]

Here are some pics. I've since taken most of that duct tape off, and put a layer of electrical tape around it to make it look better. I wasn't overly fond of the cheek weld on the tiny piece of metal.

[armoredman]

Well, looks like a nice one. One person here used a piece of foam pipe insulation to go over the folder for cofort during cheek weld. Another thought was wrapping with para cord.
Like I said, CAI can be hit or miss, and you hit one good. Mine hit me.

[DOJO]

Not sure if this is going to help me...

When I was buying my AK-74 build by CAI, I read a lot of information and it was like a roller coaster. Up and down, review are all other the place.
At the end all I can say it is like a gamble. Are you willing to accept the rifle if it is a miss, are you willing to deal with the CAI customer service, is what you need to ask your self.