CZ VZ 58 - Opinions?

[Tallinthesaddle]

I ran across this semi auto 7.63 X 39 rifle a few weeks back at Academy sports and started looking into them. They cost more than most AK's, even though they do not share any parts. Yesterday at Gander Mountain they had one (only semi on their entire rack)
and it was a pleasure to handle. Anyone had any experience with one?

[RECIT]

I looked into them before I bought my Ak. I was in the same boat as you. They handle very nice, fit and finish was excellent. Mags are hard to come by and expensive and they are quite a bit more money than just about any Ak. I went the more common route to avoid any headache. Good luck to ya and post some pics if and when...

[MechAg94]

I have heard about them. I heard they were something more like a modernized SKS design than an AK.

The collector and shooter in me would love to get one, but the cost of the rifle plus magazines would be higher than I can afford right now, even without the current semi-auto prices. I didn't realize some of the local stores actually had them. I assumed I would have had to order it.

[WarHawk-AVG]

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=95" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://world.guns.ru/assault/as33-e.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Its built around the Russian 7.62x39...you wont be able to do much shooting unless you use WOLF steel cased or whatever...the ballistics of the 7.62x39 are very similar to the .30-30 Winchester. The vz. 58 bears a superficial resemblance to the Soviet AK-47 but the two weapons are not related.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa_vz._58" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oh wow!
http://www.cz-usa.com/data/downloads/su ... s/VZ58.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Looking at the manual..it appears the gas operating system is a short stroke (gas kicks the operating rod just a little bit, then it returns with its own spring) and the bolt momentum then cycles [the bolt and operating rod mechanism are NOT one piece!!]..by looking at the manual and drawings the Sa vz. 58 is very very different from the AK