Number of VZ58s and variants imported into the US

[RSR]

Anyone know or know where I can find the number of Number of VZ58s and variants imported into the US?  Curious about Century's production #s, CzechPoint's, and Parts Kit quantity and eventual scarcity. 

Wikipedia says there were about 920,000 produced, but curious about how many have made their way to the US as complete guns and/or parts kits.

Thanks!

[RSR]

BTT.  Bueller?  Bueller?  Bueller?  Bueller?

http://youtu.be/KS6f1MKpLGM?t=16s

Thanks!

[RSR]

Really curious about these numbers.  Looking into doing some group buys and might splurge to qualify for lower rates and resell the rest if I know there's a market for them.   Based upon the limited response/interest on the Ambi Mag Releases, I'm questioning buying anything in 100 quantities which is the volume needed for best rates.

God forbid.  The wife: You spent how many dollars on gun parts that no one wants!?

In particular, I'm considering a tactical bolt release and bipod group buy.   But will be posting re: that in a month or so.

[phlydude]

The century rifles are built using a US made receiver and a US made barrel. Any of the VZ2008s shouldn't be included in the counts as the parts that come from overseas are likely spares


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[RSR]

My understanding is opposite -- Century using demilled parts kits and CSA using NOS parts from armorer repair kits and/or newly manufactured parts for their builds. 

Just wondering if anyone knew Czechpoint/Dtechnic production numbers and/or Century?

Thansk!

[phlydude]

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1CVZ2008&name=Czech+VZ58+(Century+Arms+Mod+VZ2008)+7.62x39+Rifle&search=Vz2008

Century International Arms VZ2008 7.62x39 caliber semi-automatic Rifles. Originally issued to the Czech army in 1958, the VZ58 is still in use by both the Czech and Slovak armies, their police and customs agents. Though similar to the other rifles of this style in appearance, the VZ58 uses a completely different bolt and fire control system. Even with a machined receiver, the VZ2008 is lighter than most similarly styled firearms with a sheet metal receiver. Features a U.S. made receiver machined out of a bar of premium steel and a quality U.S. made barrel. All metal parts are bead blasted and coated with a non reflective finish. Includes 5-30rd magazines, Magazine Pouch, Bayonet & Scabbard and Sling. Leather mag pouch, mags and accessories will vary in color and condition!


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[RSR]

BTT. 

Anyone know Century's production numbers?  To help us guesstimate maybe we can share our serial numbers -- ballpark, not exact -- to crowdsource estimates?

I emailed their corporate and all I got was a: "We only have a few thousand left to sell" answer.  Not sure why it's apparently some sort of trade secret...

I know of at least 3 separate iterations of Century.  The first gen and earliest had the Czech spec receivers with narrow rails (if I had to guess, I'd say it was an ORF receiver).  The second I'm aware of are the B&R Machine market receivers.  And the third gen are the most recent ones.

(x=a number I'm not listing, but serial # examples if I have them).

Palmetto State Armory showed 2700 in stock yesterday... Not sure of inventories elsewhere. 

Here are the highest #s I have:
1st -- I don't have one so don't know the serial # convention or have any quantity insight.
2nd -- B&R marked, "VZ08-002xxBR" serial number, a number in the high 200s
3rd -- Just Century marked, "VZ08PM-0028xx" serial number, a number in the high 2800s.

Curious if we can crowdsource the answer.  Thanks!

[bugboy]

Mine is a VZ08-003xxBR

[TJNewton]

Mine are VZ08PM-0086xx and 0092xx.

[87CZ75]

I think both mine and my fathers we just got from AIM Surplus are in the 0069XX range, so lower than TJNewton's.

[yellowdatsun]

Mine VZ08 is 8504, picked up 3 weeks ago.

Speaking of rarity, I had my first instance yesterday where the guy at Sportsmans didn't have a clue what a VZ58 is. When I mentioned the rifle, he just had a deer-in-headlights look, where you could tell he obviously didn't know what I was talking about. When he asked another employee for ideas on the optics I was looking at, he just said "it's a project he's working on". Ha!

[RSR]

Thanks all!  Please keep them coming.

My rough guess is about 20k of these were made total by Century, with 10-15k currently being in owners hands.  As far as how many Czechpoint is selling and has sold, I have no idea. 

For comparison, Canada only had "9,394 CZ-858s" in country at time of the ban: http://www.cztalk.com/The-Canadian-Government-coming-for-CZ858-rifles.html

[Radom]

This isn't very helpful, but I may be able to get the number of Dtechnic rifles imported by CZ-USA.  I'll send an email when I log off from here. 

[Sheepdog]

I'm guessing zero from CZ-USA. Dan Brown over at Czechpoint told me that ALL the D-Technik/CSA guns were imported by Czechpoint.

[armoredman]

I would hazard a guess the companies are not likely to give you exact numbers as a company security measure. The only place that would have exact numbers imported of actual rifles, (DTechnik/CSA) would be the US State Dept. As for the Century rebuilds, AFTE might know, they might not - I have never been a firearms manufacturer for profit, so I don't know exactly what requirements there are. I would think the reporting only comes at point of sale, and that's only on bound book as the Brady check only says "long gun/Handgun", IIRC.

You would also have to look at home builds on both Century receivers and OGW receivers, plus OGW complete rifles sold back in the day.