The Original CZ Forum
CZ LONG ARMS => VZ-58 semi auto rifle => Topic started by: Rowe-75 on June 27, 2010, 05:44:47 PM
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I have read that the VZ2000's were pretty crappy. What about this VZ2008 (http://www.classicarms.us/) (they are a little past halfway down the page)? I am assuming this is Century International Arms... What are the odds of the receivers being better quality than the 2000 models? I suppose they haven't realized the importance of chrome lined barrels yet? $489 dollars with free shipping sounds like a steal for a VZ... But that depends on if the quality has gone up. All I have been able to read is on the 2000 models and are most indecisive reviews and the writers of the reviews can't really compare it to the VZ58 since they don't own both.
I also noticed they have 82's with two mags and holster for $199 (http://www.classicarms.us/firearms.htm).
I am in no way affiliated with these companies, just looking for some answers ??? and opinions :-\ on the VZ2008 and trying to share what sounds like a good deal on the 82's :)
Thanks guys,
-Jeremy
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Same thing, hit or miss quality/build wise, in my limited experiance. I have not seen/shot/handled one personally, but IIRC it's a Century build, and in my experiance, not worth the hassel. If Century decided to send me one to overcome the negative feedback...I'd think about it.
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That's what I have and I love it. I haven't handled anything other than mine, so I can't compare it with the others. However, the machining is beautiful with no marks anywhere. It also shoots very well. I got a 4 inch group at 100 yards using bulk Golden Tiger FMJ ammo. That was with irons sights also. I don't know what the problem was with their older models. I didn't even know they had older models. Far as I know, the barrel is NOT chrome lined. However, 95% of all rifles in this country don't have chrome lined barrels. Clean it like it should be cleaned anyway, and it'll be fine.
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CAI is selling their VZ2008 receivers - these are new milled units they outsource from North Country Engineering and apparently use in their VZ2008 builds. Any speculation on whether they would take FCG parts from Czechpoint or from CNCWarrior? Has anyone out there picked up one of these yet, and any comments on the quality?
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I contacted Century two weeks ago and they are not selling the receiver as of two weeks ago even though it is on their website. If they have changed that I would like to know. Has anyone contacted Century in the past two weeks about their receiver? and if so what is their price for just the receiver?
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They are listed in the current catalog for $199 (this is from memory, but should be close).
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I have not been able to find a dealer that can get them. I just called another dealer and they told me they can not get them. If anybody has a dealer that can get them, I would be interested. No offence to Dan at Czechpoint but that would be a savings of $150 if they are available. I'm still trying to save the money to buy a receiver for my build.
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$199.87 and says "Comming Soon" so they are not available yet.
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The sears and disconectors from czechpoint or cncwarrior will work, but the triggers will need to be modified, they use a different autosear block, that requires the triggers be narrowed. Cncwarrior will be releasing receivers soon around the $280-$300 range, as another alternative.
CAI is selling their VZ2008 receivers - these are new milled units they outsource from North Country Engineering and apparently use in their VZ2008 builds. Any speculation on whether they would take FCG parts from Czechpoint or from CNCWarrior? Has anyone out there picked up one of these yet, and any comments on the quality?
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That's what I have and I love it. I haven't handled anything other than mine, so I can't compare it with the others. However, the machining is beautiful with no marks anywhere. It also shoots very well. I got a 4 inch group at 100 yards using bulk Golden Tiger FMJ ammo. That was with irons sights also. I don't know what the problem was with their older models. I didn't even know they had older models. Far as I know, the barrel is NOT chrome lined. However, 95% of all rifles in this country don't have chrome lined barrels. Clean it like it should be cleaned anyway, and it'll be fine.
Do we know if the receivers that CAI are selling are the same ones they use in their VZ58 look-alikes? JMP seems to like his. Is anyone else who's had access to a Vz2008 able to comment on the quality of the machining?
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The Century build has a somewhat rougher looking receiver, but overall it feels and handles exactly like any other VZ58. They are built from Czech parts kits with US receivers and barrels. They have plenty of them in shops here to look at and handle. They do not have a chrome-lined barrel, but neither does my Yugo SKS. They do have a bayonet mount and threaded barrel though, which allows you to change muzzle devices. They also have a steel trigger and not a plastic one. The safety lever on the Century faces 9 o'clock to fire, which seems more ergonomic than the military-correct Czechpoint which faces away from the shooter at 3 o'clock.
My WASR 10/63 AKM is a Century build and it is fine. Since this is the CZ forum, expect mostly a severe loyalty to Czechpoint products. If Czechpoint cannot import the new VZ58 with a short barrel, as is soon coming to Canada, it is likely my next VZ58 will be a Century because they are much more affordable. Czechpoint has great service but you can return a VZ58 to Century too. I think it's worth the chance to buy a Century gun because they are not reporting the earlier problems they had with their receivers. They have learned to build a reliable product.
Sure, you can still buy one with major problems. My Czechpoint had problems out of the box too, but they fixed it right. I just shipped it back to them the same as I would have my gun shop return a faulty rifle to Century. My Czechpoint had a $1000 price tag in the box before the hundreds I could spend on aftermarket upgrades. The money I could save on a Century VZ58 would more than pay for the upgrades with cash to spare. For those of you with unlimited cash to spend, live large. The rest of us mortals can't afford to be gun snobs.
In the end, it?s up to you to take the chance. We can compare Chevys and Fords next. Both made millions of cars that were great and a few that even exploded, like the Pinto. Century had a bad name from their earlier builds and some of them are still out there. But the rifles I see them building now are much better, except their Tantals, which they can?t get rid of. Century is arguably the biggest importer of Com bloc rifles ever in the US. It is unfortunate that they have a bad rep from some products and service. You can search the internet for hours and find many more favorable reviews of the VZ2000 recently than bad experiences by actual owners, especially recently. Unless you knew exactly what to look for, a Century and CZ VZ58 would look and feel identical in your hands at a glance. Blindfolded, you could only tell them apart by the direction of the safety, if you knew to test it. It is reasonable to assume they would both shoot similar groups with the same length barrel and milled receivers.
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I am glad you have had good luck, that's great. I haven't that's just me. I do prefer Czechpoint due to personal experiance, and once again, that's my personal experiance. I hope CAI has fixed thier issues - my "warrantee" ran out before my CETME came to me.
And I liked the Pinto wagon! :)
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. . . . The safety lever on the Century faces 9 o'clock to fire, which seems more ergonomic than the military-correct Czechpoint which faces away from the shooter at 3 o'clock. . . .
Is the operation of the safety mechanism the way Osage describes because of the safety lever and fire control group parts and pieces that are used, or is it due to the geometry of the mounting hole locations on the receiver? Does anybody know if you could use ObiWan or Czechpoint safety and FCG parts on a VZ2008/CAI receiver to put the Fire position at 3 o'clock?
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All you have to do is add a slot to the selector or purchase an already modded one from czechpoint
. . . . The safety lever on the Century faces 9 o'clock to fire, which seems more ergonomic than the military-correct Czechpoint which faces away from the shooter at 3 o'clock. . . .
Is the operation of the safety mechanism the way Osage describes because of the safety lever and fire control group parts and pieces that are used, or is it due to the geometry of the mounting hole locations on the receiver? Does anybody know if you could use ObiWan or Czechpoint safety and FCG parts on a VZ2008/CAI receiver to put the Fire position at 3 o'clock?
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If I were to modify the safety on mine, I would upgrade to the new ambi-safety by North Eastern Arms. There is a lot of discussion about it on the canadiangunnutz forum. First run prototypes have some play in them, but the next ones should be good. I think real military Czech VZ58's have the 'fire' position at 3 o'clock, because I remember reading somewhere to 'aim the lever at what you are shooting at'. The reason they are oriented to fire at 9 o'clock is because the receivers were reverse engineered for a US market. This holds true for the Ohio Rapid Fire, Ohio Ordnance and others, but it can be modified to suit your needs. I'm not sure how it is on the CZ858 models in Canada.
As for receivers, I do not believe rifles built in Europe for exportation to America and Canada are the same receivers as their military uses, which are full auto. Just like Century WASR 10's built in Romania, which lack the evil third hole, they are specifically tailored for a different market than the military. I think the Ohio Ordnance receiver looks the closest to the real thing, but the safety is oriented backwards. Personally, I like the fire position at 9 o'clock on Century guns. I think it's easier to pull it off safe with your index finger than it is to push it away from you to fire.
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If I were to modify the safety on mine, I would upgrade to the new ambi-safety by North Eastern Arms. There is a lot of discussion about it on the canadiangunnutz forum. First run prototypes have some play in them, but the next ones should be good. I think real military Czech VZ58's have the 'fire' position at 3 o'clock, because I remember reading somewhere to 'aim the lever at what you are shooting at'. The reason they are oriented to fire at 9 o'clock is because the receivers were reverse engineered for a US market. This holds true for the Ohio Rapid Fire, Ohio Ordnance and others, but it can be modified to suit your needs. I'm not sure how it is on the CZ858 models in Canada.
The NEA Safeties have the left side selectors reversed and thus do not fit tight to the receiver. Some people address this by putting a washer in against the receiver to shim it up. We are selling these pre-production selectors at a discounted rate and will offer the production left selector at cost to anyone that has bought a pre unit (the mechanism is the same, just the left side that gets updated). There was such a demand for these that the majority wanted the option of getting them now and upgrading them later.
As for receivers, I do not believe rifles built in Europe for exportation to America and Canada are the same receivers as their military uses, which are full auto. Just like Century WASR 10's built in Romania, which lack the evil third hole, they are specifically tailored for a different market than the military. I think the Ohio Ordnance receiver looks the closest to the real thing, but the safety is oriented backwards. Personally, I like the fire position at 9 o'clock on Century guns. I think it's easier to pull it off safe with your index finger than it is to push it away from you to fire.
The VZ's we have in Canada are in fact select fire Czech military rifles. The only difference being is that they removed the auto sear and welded in a block straddling the trigger group at that point. Should you wish to for other than legal reasons you could turn back time with a new sear and a steel chisel in about 5 mins.
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Yeah, ATFE would give birth to a full size Holstein on the spot if we had one of those down here. I doubt there is a single transferrable select fire vz-58 in the US...dagnabbit...
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land of the free my ass... should be down there spewing brass and fire at all of gods creation. ;)
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Well, we have several states, including my home state of Arizona, that have passed Firearm Freedom Acts, to state firearms made inside the state boundries that don't leave AZ aren't subject to federal oversight. Hasn't been through the courts yet, and so far they exclude select fire, but maybe in a few years, if the court challenges work out, (Montana is first, I believe), we might be able to make vz-58 select fire recievers for AZ. Maybe.
Would be GRAND to roll back NFA '34!