Again, most of the questions being asked were already covered here:
http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=61017If wanting/needing clarification, come on back here and ask.
My take -- the CSA/Czechpoint weapon is now $1200 retail.
With it you
1. cannot easily change muzzle devices and likely need to pay a gunsmith to detach permanent and re-permanently attach muzzle devices,
2. there is no bayonet lug (no bayonet, and no original Czech bipod availability without changing out your front sight body), and add'l cost to add,
3. the receiver used on these is identical to less than 5% of the global market which affects the ability to run certain "global" accessories like the guneXpert ambi safety (to manipulate safety w/ thumb if right handed shooter w/o removing/releasing grip on pistol grip),
4. you have to buy several more US compliance parts if you want to legally run/attach surplus magazines w/o buying US mag parts from Czechpoint, (figure $100+ here)
5. you darn well better demand that your CSA barrel is chrome plated w/ these b/c there are several different sizes of surplus barrels and when you need it rebarreled/shoot out your current one, good luck finding a surplus barrel (let alone one with the exact diameter of yours -- anticipate needing a new US barrel and quite possibly receiver if the barrels you can find are all smaller in diameter than your receiver),
6. Czechpoint's US trigger is a plastic/polymer -- really? No one is even willing to accept and upgrades that on even a $120 marlin 22 rifle,
7. and lastly, the CSA no longer include the original beaver barf furniture, just a cheap (my opinion) black polymer.
The VZ2008 avoids most of these issues. Costs 1/3rd to 1/2 of the CSA VZ58 and despite the non-chrome barrel, replacement barrels are easily available, swappable w/o having to modify receiver, and you can definitely melonite a Green Mountain barrel for EVEN BETTER barrel life than the chrome plated one the czechpoint comes with.
The chrome barrel and that Czechpoint tabs their bolt carriers are the primary arguments in favor of the VZ58s over 2008. And it doesn't matter to me as I actually prefer park on military style rifles I plan to use (less issues w/ solvents, etc), but some folks prefer the CSA VZ58 gloss paint appearance over the VZ2008s' park.
There's also been recent discussions to the advantages/disadvantages of the 308 VZ2008 barrel vs the 311 to 310 VZ58 barrel. It's another thread, but read up. I see no detriment to the VZ2008 barrel being 308 b/c the chamber is correct for 7.62x39 (all that really matters) and in fact a net benefit if wanting to reload and have a wider selection of 308 caliber bullets for reloading... Some premium US 7.62x39 commercial ammo also appears to use .308 bullets despite advertisement to the contrary. Oh, and a 308 barrel vs 311 barrel of exact same materials will lead to longer accurate service life, switching from narrower to wider bullets as the non-chromed barrel wears. Once the Czech chrome wears off, the barrel will have many fewer rounds before it begins to keyhole...
From my perspective, if you want a platform to customize and shoot, choose the VZ2008. If you want a collectible item/safe queen/investment piece, go w/ the VZ 58. With the recent increase in prices by Czechpoint -- it was $699 to $799 just a few years ago (VZ2008 at the time in the $400 to $500 range, where it remains), the CSA/Czechpoint VZ58 has risen to $1200 these days and, for me, doesn't make sense from a value proposition. Not saying they aren't fine rifles, they are, just that in relation to the other ways I could be spending that extra ~$800-$1000+ I'd need to spend to make a new VZ58 have all the same functionality/features of the VZ2008 platform, it's not a good value for me -- when you can buy 2-3 VZ2008s for every VZ58, it makes more sense than the VZ58 if you want to use one platform for home defense, trunk gun, and have a spare in reserve... Something to be said for spares in depth and platform commonality IMO. Or spending money in ammo, on training, other additions to your armory, something for the wife, etc...
