VZ 58/2008 Newbie

[Sheepdog]

What is involved in replacing the lower handguard with the Bonesteel? Thanks.

To replace the lower handguard with any other lower handguard. You'll need a large hammer and a punch (1/8 IIRC) and a rubber mallet. I'd have to look at my directions for the right size. punch. A vise could help, but I did mine in my lap.

You'll punch out the roll pin holding the handguard in place. Put on the lower and use the mallet to force it in to place (this will be a very, very tight fit). Then punch in the replacement (supplied) roll pin.

[RedState]

Thank you.

[Sheepdog]

Thank you.

No problem. You're welcome.

[pinkbunny]

So, I finally got my VZ in. Two issues, one small, one not small:
1. The folding stock realease is gritty. I hope that will smooth out in time?
2. The sear is rusty.  Anyone know if that is salveagable, or if I need to get a new trigger/sear? Will post a picture in a second.

[/img]
[URL=http://s1349.photobucket.com/user/pinkbunny19/media/IMG_0178_zps0e543d15.jpg.html]

[vblue42]

For the first issue you can remove the nut/push button at the bottom of the folding mechanism and clean it. Its surplus so its probably got dirt in it.

For the second issue scrub the sear with a brush to get all the rust off. Once thats done you'll have a better idea how deep the rust is. If you determine its just service rust oil it and you should be good to go.

[Sheepdog]

The Century rust gremlin strikes again.

[RSR]

Bonesteel foregrip is much wider than NEA.  If you do the AK magazine grip, then it's a non issue.  If you hold like a standard rifle, it might be.  The NEA hanguards are available and Canada vendors do ship to the US.  Just use a Capital One card w/ no foreign transaction fees and you're good (prices listed there are Canadian dollars which are a little less than 1:1 American last I checked).

That said, Bonesteel sells all of the CNC muzzle accessories for same price as CNC, so it makes sense to just order from them for one shipping. http://www.bonesteelarms.com/VZ-58_c2.htm

To your first post, this is a great summary of differences between Czechpoint and Century -- and why I decided the buy Century.  Well that and the ability to buy 2 of Century's plus 15-20 mags for the price of 1 Czechpoint; Century is a much better deal these days.  (I also think Czechpoint's pricing in this latest panic is much like the crap Cheaper than Dirt pulled -- if you double the price on most of your individual parts and increase the price on all your guns by 50%, that doesn't do a lot to earn repeat business in my book; at the old pricing Czechpoint might have made sense, but not anymore).  I'm believe in capitalism, but price gouging and profiteering is unacceptable...

Don't waste the extra money on a D-Technik.

Now, this is just my opinion based on the new D-Technik I just picked up from TGI (Tennessee Guns). I already have a CAI (Century) VZ-2008.

The only major benefits I see to the D-Technik is that it has a surplus chrome lined bbl, some gun smiths will not work on a Century, and it has a nicer "paint job" than the Century.

Also (someone correct me if I'm wrong) the D-Technik is sold as new....the Century is "used". Both use surplus parts though so I'm not sure how they break that down.

In any case, the reasons I think the Century is a better buy....one is cost. $429 vs. $594 (or $899 from Czechpoint-usa.com).

2) The Century has an American made bbl (green mountain) which is very accurate (though it is not chrome lined).
3) The CAI has an American made receiver....so you can use full surplus mags without worrying about 922r compliance for mags.
4) The CAI uses a steel trigger group. The D-Techniks use plastic (but you can convert to US made steel parts for 922r compliance, but it's another $62).
5) The CAI has a parkerized finish that I *think* is phosphate coated. While the D-Techniks look nicer at first....I'm guessing the CAI finish will be more durable.
6) The CAI receiver was designed as a double stack....not a single stack sporter like the D-Technik that is machined to accept double stack mags. My D-Technik is pretty tight with the mags....I'm hoping it will break in. The CAI is perfect.
7) CAI uses a 16" legal, already threaded bbl with a slant brake. You can buy a good compensator for $26 from www.cncwarrior.com if recoil reduction is needed.

That's my short report on why I like the CAI better. I'll see if I can come up with any more stuff...I feel like I'm leaving something out.

Source: http://www.xcrforum.com/forum/7-general-discussion/7380-if-you-considering-vz-58-a.html

Not specifically mentioned above are that Czechpoints have pinned barrel extension that does not allow for the easy changing of flash hiders, compensators, etc.  Addtionally, the Czechpoints do not come with gas blocks that have the bayonet attachment. 

Also, perhaps most importantly, the Century monkeys aren't assembling these rifles.  They're manufactured by B & R Machine in Ludlow, MA...  Century is just the one distributing/re-selling them from that assembly subcontract.

[RSR]

For the folding stock.  I took a can of rem oil and flushed out that push button, from both top and bottom, when it was open, closed, and in between. 

That helped alot.  Push the button several times and then do it again.  I didn't disassemble to inspect, but I'm thinking it's probably excess parkerization but could be some internal corrosion as well.  For me, it went from near impossible to open, to able to open, with sometimes needing to jiggle to stock a little...

[pinkbunny]

Thank all of y'all for the help and information.

I have the bonesteel upper and lower handguards, which I got after reading about the heat issues the beaver barf ones have. I am having trouble aligning the upper with the takedown pin. Is there any trick to this I am missing?

[Franz Maurer]

czechpoint's warranty does not cover messed up sights per the guy in charge

so if you have a problem with sights they'll offer you your money back but refuse to admit any wrongdoing

the'll say they've sold thousands of rifles therefore they must all be good.

it's some kind of "logic" or somthin'

[Brasky]

For the folding stock.  I took a can of rem oil and flushed out that push button, from both top and bottom, when it was open, closed, and in between. 

That helped alot.  Push the button several times and then do it again.  I didn't disassemble to inspect, but I'm thinking it's probably excess parkerization but could be some internal corrosion as well.  For me, it went from near impossible to open, to able to open, with sometimes needing to jiggle to stock a little...

+1. I could barely budge the button on the folding stock when I bought it. Now it's very easy an smooth. Just oil it and work it a few times, also make sure you don't touch the stock when you push the button. It can cause it to bind

[jwc007]

For the second issue scrub the sear with a brush to get all the rust off. Once thats done you'll have a better idea how deep the rust is. If you determine its just service rust oil it and you should be good to go.

+1 ! Hit it with a good penetrating oil like PB Blaster or ATF, and then a stiff toothbrush.

[pinkbunny]

So, I have a VZ2008. Let me explain what I see as the issues, in my patented long-winded fashion. 

So, you just got a VZ2008. Upon getting it, you notice that the "crisp 5 pound trigger" is anything but crisp, and closer to 12 pounds. Also, you notice that your bolt catches when putting the gun back together or riding the bolt home, meaning you have to either slam the bolt(assembling), or not ride the bolt(any other time). You later learn this is a symptom of not having a "tabbed carrier," and that the "VZ gremlin" may or may not strike you.

You later learn that the "VZ gremlin" allegedly, even if it doesn't strike now, will strike as the gun wears, whether that be a week or twenty years down the road. Better get that fixed. But no one seems to be able to fix it. obiwanbonjovi used to weld on tabs on bolt carriers, but(understandably) is too busy at the moment. Bonesteel(I think the same person as obiwanbonjovi) used to sell bolt carriers with the tab, but no longer. You can buy a bolt carrier from czechpoint with the tab included, but they don't weld that bit on.
-----------------
There are two alternatives to getting a tabbed bolt carrier:
1. Monkeying with the disconnect spring. But this causes it to wear faster.
2. Buying a expensive disconnect from vzrifle.com
----------------
But if you get the disconnecter from vzrifle.com, you can't use the excellent fire control group offered by bonesteelarms. 
On the other hand, I had read that in this rifle, it is not the sear, but the striker spring(a part unrelated to the fcg), that affects trigger pull.

----------------
Do I try to improve the trigger with the bonesteel fire control group?
Do I try to fix the gremlin issue with the vzrifle disconnector?
Do I attempt to lessen the trigger pull with a new spring?
Am I completely wrong about these issues?


What have most of y'all done?

[jwc007]

I've not had any issues, but were I you, I would contact Century about getting your Vz2008 serviced and note that you have purchased it, New In Box.

[vblue42]

Keep in mind the VZ Gremlin is an issue with any semi auto VZ, not just with Century rifles. And I'm not sure it's still an issue with Century rifles as they may have addressed the issue without a tabbed carrier.