? about buying a vz58 / bolt ?

[dustman28]

Im thinking about buying a vz58, guy says its original surplus im going to include a link to the ad

http://www.armslist.com/posts/2540150/orlando-florida-rifles-for-sale--vz58

My ? is that he says after firing off a magazine the bolt doesn't stay fully open, it stays half closed but once a new mag is inserted it can be pulled back and fired just fine. Im wondering what might cause this and what sort or parts/cleaning I may need to correct this before I buy this gun. Thanks

[vblue42]

It's built on an ORF receiver and in my opinion not worth that price especially if there is an issue. You can get the same package in a VZ2008 from Aim Surplus for 500 dollars.

[dustman28]

Thanks for the info, that's why im here. I had seen the aim guns but according to their site they are sold out. Any info is appreciated as im trying to learn as much as I can about this gun before getting one. I would like one that's not built out of crap parts that has the wood look to it. I cant tell one receiver from another but I did google that one and it doesn't get good reviews it seems like.

[vblue42]

Which one did you Google?

[Forced March]

Czech Point USA makes a pretty good product, out of the three I own I've only had one that didn't work right, and I am told that is unusual.  I have also worked on quite a few of them.  vblue42 is right, that is an aftermarket receiver, and done right shouldn't be a problem.  Sound to me like the 'bolt hold open' component isn't operating properly.  There is a spring in there that I have found when installed upside down or damaged, jams inside and doesn't allow it to operate properly.  Worth looking into.  Though that rifle in the listing is at the high end of it's value  Ask what type of coating has been applied to the receiver, this may tell you the origin of it.  Examples maybe; rattle can, powder coated, blacked and such.

FMF

[dustman28]

I googled the one you mentioned and the first link was a bunch of hate. I wasn't planning on paying what he wanted but not knowing much about these guns I didn't want to get to deep into some sorta repair or odd ball hard to find part. Granted I enjoy tearing down my guns but I don't enjoy it that much.

[vblue42]

Yeah I just read the same article from this forum. It was from 2011. Thousands have been sold recently with the Aim Surplus deal and most reviews have been excellent. I wouldn't pay the money for the one you're looking at. If you are going to spend that kind of money spend it on a rifle from Czechpiont. IMO however they don't justify their price when the Century's are just as nice for half the price.

[Forced March]

Century has some recalls from time to time.  But a very good product for the price.  CzechUSA has a better fit and finish to their guns, and no possible gremlin, should you get a Century with a 'gremlin', I am a welder offering his services.

FMF

[puffrbelly]

Greetings All,

+1 for the AIM Surplus CZ58 (VZ2008) deal.  The fit and finish on mine was most excellent.  Plus the 4 Extra Mags, Bayo and Sling just make the deal a bit sweeter.    I've seen these on GUN-Smoker without the Extras starting at $495.00.    If AIM has em' I say get it from them.
 
Chief Bob

[RSR]

You'd be super lucky to find the VZ2008 for the $400 range, which is about the price you'd have to find it at to make it on par with the AIM package.

That said, there are several folks selling the VZ2008 for less than $500 now, which IMO is a tremendous value.

[dustman28]

Thanks for the info. Ill be keeping my eyes open for the right deal. I do like the aim setup with the mags and bayonet, I tend to like a older/original look to my guns.

[RSR]

AIM are back in stock: http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1CVZ2008&name=Czech+VZ58+(Century+Arms+Mod+VZ2008)+7.62x39+Rifle&groupid=11

[cz671]

Just a heads up, finally gentlemen on another forum slugged his new/latest vz2008 barrel and came out to be .308 so if you plan on shooting Russian 7.62x39 ammo which is .311/.312 out of the .308 barrel it's just something to consider

[RSR]

Just a heads up, finally gentlemen on another forum slugged his new/latest vz2008 barrel and came out to be .308 so if you plan on shooting Russian 7.62x39 ammo which is .311/.312 out of the .308 barrel it's just something to consider

It's really a non issue, if anything a net positive, provided the chamber is properly cut for .311 bullets...

I believe US military specs for 308/30 caliber barrels is .3065 to .3095.  That's a 0.003" spread, which is the same between .311 and .308.  .308 bullets are allowed up to .309 diameter I believe so that's a max spread of 0.0025 from minimum chamber.  Most folks that pull the bullets find Europe/Russian 7.62x39 HP running .310 to .311 and FMJ .309 to .310.  Only the .311 diameter bullets could present a problem, and even then your diameter is only over 0.0005 inches (at one-tenth of one percent, 0.1%) for a .311 diameter bullet.

The primary smaller bore benefit is that Hornady 7.62x39 VMax and several other expensive 7.62x39 ammo loadings are in fact using .308 bullets. Running in a .311 barreled gun will reduce accuracy, possibly substantially and possibly even keyholing these premium loads.  (And you too can reload 7.62x39 w/ the same 308 bullets you run in other 30 caliber platforms w/ no performance degradation in your .308 barreled VZ 2008.)

Secondary benefits are that tighter bores may improve bullet stabilization/accuracy, and allow for more barrel wear to occur before losing substantial accuracy with .311 Russian ammo (something to consider w/ neither chrome nor nitriding on these barrels).

Point being, until someone provides credible evidence of chamber sizing issues, which I haven't seen even mentioned, there's not a substantial reason for concern.

EDIT: Some Hornady's 7.62x39 bullets are in fact .310; others disagree.   Regardless, many other US ammo manufacturers' 7.62x39 bullets are not -- and especially for reloading the Russian spec bullet selection is thin.

[RSR]

P.S. I believe the Tula 154 grain Soft Point is .310.  Golden Tiger FMJ is .309.  And then most of the Russian stuff - Tula, Wolf, Barnaul is reported to be in the .308 range. 

The only makers I've heard to be exclusively in the .311 range are S&B, Prvi Partizan, and Lapua, and I don't buy from any w/ the cheap russian stuff available.

Again, the russian HPs do tend to run a little wider than the FMJs...