VZ 2008 Problem

[0le]

I posted this on another forum last August. If any of you have seen it there, please forgive me for reproducing it here now. I have only recently joined this forum. I will say in advance, I did return it to CIA for warranty work. It was returned to me with a new piston only a couple of days back. I have not had a chance to try it out yet.

Hello all, I would like to state the problem I had, and ask your advice. I recently purchased a CIA VZ 2008. Okay, that may have been my first mistake, I understand that. The seller was selling it for a friend, and represented it as unfired. After purchasing, I disassembled, including the gas piston assembly, and inspected it, and it did, indeed, appear to be unfired. I scrubbed the bore, which looked very good, and lubed the action with CLP. The only thing which I was mildly concerned about, was that the chamber did not 'shine'. No pits or defects, just a dull look to it. I took it to the range to try it out. I brought 125 rounds of South African military, headstamped 13 over 88. Accuracy at 200 yards, after minimal sight adjustment, was fairly good. I did notice, what I thought was a rather sharp recoil for a mild round, which I attributed to it's light weight. Twenty five rounds from the first magazine, went well. Feed and function seemed to be fine. Six rounds into the second magazine, the action stopped cycling. Upon inspection, I found that the gas piston was bent, badly. It hung up, and would not cycle any more. It was bent badly enough that removal was difficult. All firing was consistent, no noticeable differences amongst any of the 31 rounds fired, up to the stoppage. What could have caused this? Should I try to return it to Century for warranty repair or just get another gas piston? Is this an indication of another problem, such as an oversized gas port? The gas pressure should be self regulating through the gas vent ports, shouldn't it? Other short stroke piston operated arms, such as the M1 carbine, fire for thousands of rounds with no deformation to the gas pistons. Your thoughts and advice on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to post the pictures. As I am not sure that Century has corrected the issue, any help or advice from you would be appreciated.

[Sheepdog]

I wouldn't bother with Century. I don't know if they transfer warranties or not. But (unless it has changed) the Century warranty starts as soon as the gun leaves their factories. So if it sat in a store for a year. No more warranty.

I'd simply buy and try and new piston rod. I don't know if Century uses newly made ones or surplus. But it could have simply been a bad one. Not properly treated, etc.

Original surplus:
https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/cPath/63/products_id/521

New, US made:
http://bonesteelarms.com/VZ-58-US-made-gas-piston-CNC-23151.htm

[Denzien]

Looks like those parts places have just about everything but the lower receiver.  Is that right?

[Varickm]

Check to see if your piston spring is still intact and in good condition.  Worn-out piston springs can cause binding, resulting in a bent piston. Others have reported this problem. If you're interested in an improved chrome silicon piston spring, PM me.

[ObiWanBonJovi]

It wouldn't suprise me if the century piston wasn't properly heat treated.  I know it took us a bit to get it right, it has to be a 2 step heat treat, as the end has to be harder than the shaft.  I would try a surplus piston, as century has enough u.s. parts even without the piston.

[RSR]

I'm new to the VZ 2008 too.  My other rifle is a Century Golani Galil...

But Century parkerizing chambers has been known to occur.  Don't think that fully explains your issues, but could explain the dark chamber and at least some of the added stress on the piston.  Wouldn't hurt to grease your rails either.  I typically use rem oil to start w/ new weapons to friction polish the rails to start (sometimes follow up w/ very high grit sandpaper and polishing compound if really rough and I can't afford to shoot it polished immediately). 

[jwc007]

I posted this on another forum last August. If any of you have seen it there, please forgive me for reproducing it here now. I have only recently joined this forum. I will say in advance, I did return it to CIA for warranty work. It was returned to me with a new piston only a couple of days back. I have not had a chance to try it out yet.

As I am not sure that Century has corrected the issue, any help or advice from you would be appreciated.

And you won't know until you actually shoot it.  I would get 200 rounds of the cheapest 7.62x39mm and go out and shoot it up and see what happens.
Endless speculation is only fuel for the bonfire here.  You need to let us know what happens afterwards.

For Posting Pics, see this FAQ thread and my posts in it.  http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=14704.0
No excuses, we want pics!

But Century parkerizing chambers has been known to occur. 

After examining the Chamber of my Vz2008, it's barrel chamber was definitely NOT parkerized. Plus, Century does NOT actually build it's Vz2008.  They only market it, exclusively, from another Company that builds it and they are known for building quality hardware.  These are NOT the quality of the budget WASR series Ak's.  Much better!!!

600 rounds downrange so far and no issues.

Have also worked on some of the Century FAL Sporters, whose quality varies considerably, but I've not run across any Parkerizing in their Chambers. Most were built with surplus hard-chrome lined barrels that were not refinished.  Had to look through a few of those to get a good one.

[0le]

Range Update:  I just returned from an afternoon at the 'club'. It seems that Century did a good job on the warranty work. I fired 100 rounds through it, and I am quite satisfied. The sharp recoil seems to have been tamed, and the feed and function was flawless. According to the invoice, they checked headspace, polished the chamber, polished the bolt and carrier, and replaced the gas piston, as well as cleaning and checking fit and function. I am satisfied with the results from them. It seems to be the rifle I thought it could be. It is a pleasure to shoot, light weight and accurate. My only complaint would be the two and one half months it took to get it back. Thanks to all for the advice and information.

[lostinvt]

I love my VZ 2008 and have no issues with it.  However I can see how it could jam and even cause a bent piston from something getting stuck in the locking mechanism which is wide open from the bottom that would prevent the bolt carrier from lifting the locking claws. Of course manually pulling the bolt back wouldn't work to well either. I would think the original VZ58 would have the same problem so it's not fair to condemn Century if this is the cause of the jamming problem.  So always check for any foreign objects getting up through the open magazine well before loading and cycle the bolt manually a few times before loading a magazine to be sure it moves freely.

[0le]

This was not the cause. When the magazine is 'in battery' it is impossible for any foreign object to get into the mechanism from the bottom. If a foreign object were to get in, it would have to come from the top, causing a failure of the bolt/carrier to close, not failure to open. Any rifle that poorly designed and susceptible to jamming by a foreign object in the mechanism would never be selected by a national military as their service rifle. Considering that the main competitor this rifle had was the Kalashnikov, it would have to be better designed than that.

[omar787]

hi guys just got my vz fron CIA n after looking at everything the only thing i could find was that my gas piston was not chrome at all more just like dark brown i haventshoot it yet should i get a new one(piston) help please thanks!!!! 

[vblue42]

Ive never seen a chrome piston. Regardless its not standard for them to be chrome.

[omar787]

ok didnt now i that thanks,but its does make a dif or not sorry bout the questions im new to this plattaform 

[vblue42]

The piston is stainless steal so it doesn't need to be chrome lined. What you received is what everyone receives with this rifle. You have nothing to worry about.

[omar787]

ok thanks guys n sorry for the dumb questions