Vz.58 Longevity and Parts

p.Rundle

p.Rundle

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
24   0   0
Location
I dunno where I am but I know where you can stick
Aloha folks, I have a couple of questions and thoughts that I would greatly appreciate input and advice on. It'd ease my mind and make me feel a lot better about my investment into the Vz. world.

Without trying to toot my own horn, I have one hell of a Vz. It's a tan CSA model with an Alpha Rail from Zahal and a Magpul CTR on it, as well as a Magpul stubby and a Bushnell (maybe Aimpoint by the end of the summer :cool:) TRS-25. I also might do a multicam pattern on it as I made my own stencils and bought 7 different spray paint colors (all flat and pre-tested to verify quality). Safe to say, as a university student, there is a lot of money in my gun. I also love to train, and with summer, I am probably going to shoot about 3K through it. At least. Hopefully more. On days when I go hard, I put 400 rounds, or more, through it.

I bought the rifle Sept. 2015 (~1100 round count since then). How long do the Vz.'s run before you start to see issues and in what parts are said issues found? I would like to buy some spare parts, because I'm kinda a weirdo SHTF-kinda guy and just like having the ability for long-term care of a gun, especially a gun I have a lot of money invested in. How long do barrels last? Mine is chrome lined, so that'll extend the heck out of it. How long until the locking lugs on the dohicky break? Etc, etc on parts breakage.

Where can one buy a parts kit (hopefully including a piston) and will the parts included in the kit be gremlin-proof? I REALLY do not like the idea of that gremlin thing, so that's important to me. Also would headspacing be an issue on a replacement bolt? I'm new to the practical side of gun ownership, even though I've been reading the technical/historical stuff for my entire life, so now is the time to learn even more.

Thank you guys so much for any help, maybe I'll post some pics post-camo of the gun in the camo section!!

P
 
Last edited:
I have a 2014 VZ 58 7.62x39 and have put over 3500 rounds through it. There was only one problem around 2000 rounds mark - the bold broke. I got it replaced by NS and has been working flawlessly since then. The bolt carrier on VZ 58 is tabbed from the factory, so no "gremlins". My usual shooting session with it is 250-300 rounds, never had FTF or FTE. I also got a CZ 858 from the last Wolverine shipment, just so I can compare reliability with my VZ. So far have put 250 rounds in one session without any problem and so far do not see any advantages or disadvantages to my VZ.
Cheers
 
Honestly you could probably put 15,000 rounds through it before you started to see wear and tear on your rifle. As for parts breaking its going to be different from gun to gun. Everyone has its own corks. Ive owned a ton of these rifles and only had one where my piston was out of spec from the factory, other than that these things have been flawless.
 
Firing pins, strikers and piston return springs seem to be about the only parts that break on a reasonable timeline, barring defects.
 
barring a defect. non hammer forged barrels see around 10,000 rounds before they see a drop in accuracy. then north of 20,000+ before they get shot out. lots of tests out there
 
I can definitely see how the strikers break,.... such a light piece of metal, feels like a part out of some Airsoft gun. Thats goes for pretty much every other part on the VZ 58 rifles too. Thats one of the BIG things I like about the SKS over the vz's, when you examine the parts on an SKS, there bulky and heavy, you have no second guessing that the gun is going to last you a LONG long time :ar15:
 
So where do I go to buy replacement parts? I want to buy an extra bolt (that is tabbed to prevent the gremlin), an extra canting piece thing that actuates under the bolt, an extra firing pin, extractor and ejector and springs. Probably a piston too. Maybe a few of each should I need it.

Also, will headspacing be an issue on a new bolt?
 
IMO, you're better off just stocking the common wear items and buying another VZ58 if redundancy is a concern.
 
p.Rundle said:
Awesome, much appreciated. I asked to see if the bolts are gremlin-proof.
Click to expand...

It is the bolt carrier that is tabbed, not the bolt.
The parts in the parts kits are surplus military parts so a carrier would not be tabbed.
Dlask, wolverine and evil bay have parts.


Main things I see wearing in my 858 are the striker, firing pin and ejector, but a complete bolt and locking piece would be great to have.
 
quote_icon.png
Originally Posted by p.Rundle
Awesome, much appreciated. I asked to see if the bolts are gremlin-proof.




PM sent.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom