Few questions about new CAI VZ2008...

[87CZ75]

My birthday was yesterday and my father surprised me with a VZ2008 from Aim Surplus (he got himself one too ).  As much as I am a CZ buff and wanted one of these rifles, I have to admit I don't know much about them.  I've been reading through the forums trying to find info, but I still have a few questions:

I have the stuck side folder issue, as does my father, so we're soaking the folding mechanism in brake free overnight before we take them apart.  What I can't find is info on how to disassemble them.  I haven't hit YouTube yet, just here, but I thought someone might be able to explain it or point me in the right direction.

My second question is about this "tabbing" business.  What is it, and why are you all doing it?  I have found pictures of tabbed bolts, people who are offering to do the work, etc., but I still don't know what the issue is in the first place that this is supposed to remedy.

Last think I wanted to ask is about parts compatibility of the VZ2008's with ambi-safeties.  Do they work on these rifles, or only on the true Czech built guns?

Thanks for putting up with the newb questions guys.

Eric

[Sheepdog]

I've gotta run. But this will get you started: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_4_99/145592_Tabbed_bolt_carriers_and_the_vz58_gremlin.html

Much easier for me to do a quick search than explain it myself.   Simple answer. You may have reliability/firing issues (even with the modified disconnector that Century put in) without a tabbed carrier. It may show up at round 1, 100, or 1000. Or it may not show up at all. Century can't do the tabbed carrier because CSA/Czechpoint owns the patent and sued them when Century was doing them at couldn't by law. So Century came up with their "fix". But their fix is 100%.

[Vlad the Inhaler]

My birthday was yesterday and my father surprised me with a VZ2008 from Aim Surplus (he got himself one too ).  As much as I am a CZ buff and wanted one of these rifles, I have to admit I don't know much about them.  I've been reading through the forums trying to find info, but I still have a few questions:

I have the stuck side folder issue, as does my father, so we're soaking the folding mechanism in brake free overnight before we take them apart.  What I can't find is info on how to disassemble them.  I haven't hit YouTube yet, just here, but I thought someone might be able to explain it or point me in the right direction.

Mine was the same way. I used some 3-in-1 oil drops to get it to where it'd at least move. I've found with my stock, that the hole the hinge rides through has a small amount of play when folded. Meaning, when the stock is folded up along the receiver, moving it vertically (talking maybe a couple hundredths of movement), it'll change the angle of the button in the hinge, making it either impossible to press in or easy to press in. So, with the gun on your lap (barrel facing to the right) wiggle the stock up/down while trying to press the button. It'll move. Also, the paint on the button helps it stick more, so after a little time that'll wear and help with it to press in easier. Whatever you do, do NOT hit the button to "free" it up. My FFL guy was saying that's how he did his and I just cringed.


Also, the but of the stock can and will hit the receiver, and if hard enough will wear the parkerized finish off the receiver. I suggest lining the outside of the but stock with something that won't allow it to slam into the receiver, or rest on it in a gun case. As going over bumps in the car will allow it to move on the receiver and cause wear.

Make sure to take yours (and your dad's apart) and inspect ALL the main internals. Mine had a poorly cast gas piston with high spots that became clear after removing the piston spring and rotating the piston while manually working back and forth. Had this been ignored, it could have failed or froze causing issues. My striker also had a bunch of gunk on it, causing it to stick. I polished that for smoother operation and hopefully even wear over time. I'm not a smith and know little about these, but these are points I caught with mine.

[TJNewton]

You're on the right track by soaking the folder hinge and getting ready to take it apart to clean.  Do a search on this site and there are a lot of threads about it.  To take the retaining nut off, there's a special tool like a standard screwdriver that has notch in it to clear the bolt threads.  On mine, however, I was able to remove the retaining nut by padding the nut to avoid scuffing, and using a pair of pliers.  I did it slowly and deliberately as I didn't want to cross-thread the bolt or nut.  After cleaning, I was able to reassemble using just my fingers.  Be sure to reassemble with blue loctite on the threads to avoid stripping them out during normal use. 

[wanderson7262]

The Zahal butt pad will keep the butt of the folding stock from touching the receiver. It's overpriced for what it is, but it does work and hasn't come off mine yet, and does not interfere when folded.

[RSR]

The Zahal buttpad is essentially a cheap tupperware lid...

IMO, not at all worth it.  I went with the AK buttpad that Apex sells and am very happy, much better quality than the UTG one I also own.  It also adds ~1" to length of pull for a better sight picture.  But stock won't lock folded without taking it off which is easy to do. 

There are lots of mods and tweaks, and a lot of good reading already on the boards.  I prefer google over this site's search, go to google and "site:czfirearms.us search words", no quotes in search bar and it'll pull up a bunch of info in similarly disjointed threads to this one with new owners that bounce around topics that you wouldn't know was there just from thread titles.

A few threads down is another newbie that has recommended spare parts, critical upgrades, etc, for this weapon system.

Welcome and happy birthday!

[87CZ75]

Great info everyone, thanks for the beginner help!  

My dads stock button freed up overnight soaking (button will press in with normal finger pressure), though it still feels noticeably gritty, but mine is still being stubborn.  I am being careful not to force it though.  I think I may let it sit one more night before I try to disassemble mine.  We'll experiment with his in the mean time. 

Thanks for the various heads up about the stock rubbing on the receiver and the butt pad options.  Also, thanks RSR for that tip on using Google.  I didn't know I could do that kind of search. XD

TJNewton, I think we were just going to take a large screwdriver and grind out the middle to make a tool, but your idea actually sounds like it may be easier.  Thanks for the heads up on that.

Vlad the Inhaler, thanks for the heads up on parts.  I think I actually read the thread where you were talking about the piston, and had already planned to snag some of the Bonesteel chromed pistons as preventative maintenance.

One more question I forgot to ask last night; are the Century VZ2008's US made barrels chrome lined or no?

[Sheepdog]

No the barrels on the the 2008 are not chrome lined. For better or worse, most shooters probably wouldn't know or find the difference to be that much of a difference. 

It a little bit more of a big deal if you shoot corrosive ammo.

[87CZ75]

No the barrels on the the 2008 are not chrome lined. For better or worse, most shooters probably wouldn't know or find the difference to be that much of a difference. 

It a little bit more of a big deal if you shoot corrosive ammo.

Probably just be shooting all the Wolf I had laying around for my old Norinco SKS para, so no worries about corrosive ammo more than likely.  I was just curious for cleaning purposes.  I think I might still get a Bonesteel piston for that reason.

[yellowdatsun]

But at least that's something you can do at your discretion, and not something that *broke*. I will likely do the same, but just not yet. I got mine 3 weeks ago.

[Cheapo]

The Zahal butt pad will keep the butt of the folding stock from touching the receiver. It's overpriced for what it is, but it does work and hasn't come off mine yet, and does not interfere when folded.

Just got this buttpad of amazon, rifle comes in today. i'll let you know how it fits. Seems like a much cheaper alternative to the Zahal one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TUSK06/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[yellowdatsun]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TUSK06/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I just received mine 2 days ago. It fits the metal folding stock perfectly. Almost like it was made for it. I may use some automotive weatherstrip adhesive to affix is semi-permanently. It also DOES allow the folding stock to click into it's forward position. Plus being rubber, it's not going to jack up the finish on the receiver when it's folded. Probably the best $10 you can spend on a folding stock VZ08.

[RSR]

Highly recommend this one over the UTG for the metal stock: https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/products_id/2519

UTG for fixed stocks.

I have two actually.

This one is a softer rubber: http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Model-Combat-Butt-Pad/dp/B002TUSK06

This one is a harder rubber but comes w/ a strap: https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/products_id/2519

Slightly different grip nubs on the back too, so possibly one is for wood stocks and one is for for folders?

I put the strap on the softer rubber one since I decided that the softer provides better recoil absorption but YMMV.  First had the softer and decided I wanted to try one with the velcro strap for a cleaner look than the paracord I'd been using...

Update:
Looked at the Apex one, it came in a guntec USA package: http://guntecusa.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_85&product_id=254

The Amazon came in a UTG package, so look like different products.

FSE's page tells you more about it being modeled after a soviet grenade launching buttpad (and theirs might be a third addition, or the same one guntec is repackaging):
http://www.fseusa.com/product_info.php?products_id=339

I got one of the buttpads like Zahal is selling on ebay (here is an example: http://www.zahal.org/products/butt-stock-pad-for-original-vz-58-folding-stock?path_parent=153451 )

Basically, it's cheap somewhat soft plastic like bargain brand tupperware lids.  Maybe adds 1/8-1/4" to the length of pull.  Other than the small nubs for grip, I really don't see the point.  It allows the stock to fold and looks more substantial in pics, but save your $.

My advice is to go w/ the Apex one above for the folding stock.  Higher quality, better made, and cushions recoil but w/o all the bounce of the softer one.  I'd recommend only running the softer UTG one on your fixed stocks as the Apex one with a more scalloped stock attachment hole and being denser rubber is less likely to fit.