CZH2003 woes...

[mr_trout]

In the past I had experienced some problems with cases failing to eject, and I had always assumed it was due to an unclean chamber. Lots of people had that problem with their vz-58/858s so I just remained extra diligent about cleaning. This is one of the rifles marked "CZH2003 S/L", and it is the long variant.

I cleaned it excessively and eventually had the chamber polished on the recommendation of the gunsmith. Lately the problem happened more and more frequently, as in a failure to eject after only 5-10 rounds after the chamber was just thoroughly cleaned. It simply rips the edge of the cartridge off.

The gunsmith then did a lead chamber cast to see if there was a visible bur or other obstruction that would cause this problem. He thought about reaming the chamber but he didn't have the tools needed for 7.62x39. He suggested I send it in to the Canadian distributor, but I bought this rifle used on the EE.

EDIT: Just to clarify, from the lead cast it shows the chamber had a slight ridge (probably an imperfection from the factory) that causes the occasional case to stick. This is apparently fixable using a finish reamer. They would have to order the tool but they are $140 or so.

 

[Satain]

That does not sound like a sticky chamber sencerio. Please post some pic's of the bolt & of an assembled rifle open chamber. Cuz I think the spring is shot in the extractor but can be sure tell I can see it.

 

[buckbrush]

if your rifle has a chromed bore and chamber, a finish reamer won't help you, the chrome is to hard for the reamer.

 

[Curtton]

the most important question: were you using commercial ammo?

 

[mr_trout]

Thank you all for responding.

the most important question: were you using commercial ammo?

Surplus ammo. The previous owner used exclusively non-corrosive ammo and not this czech garbage so maybe that was why he never had any extraction problems.

if your rifle has a chromed bore and chamber, a finish reamer won't help you, the chrome is to hard for the reamer.

When I bought it the idea of a non-restricted rifle with a chromed bore appealed to me and this was the main reason I went for a vz-58L. I was kind of wondering how reaming would work on a chrome bore.

That does not sound like a sticky chamber sencerio. Please post some pic's of the bolt & of an assembled rifle open chamber. Cuz I think the spring is shot in the extractor but can be sure tell I can see it.

I was thinking it was a problem with the extractor at first when the rim of the case was torn off, but when that empty case is stuck in the chamber it can be almost impossible to pull out.

I took a brass rod, rounded out one end a bit and carefully lowered it down the barrel and then hammer the case out.

The problem sounds almost identical to the AR guys using wolf ammo in this thread on THR:

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-281909.html

Only on my rifle it can happen 10 rounds after a thorough chamber cleaning.

 

[Stevo]

The Czech ammo is not "garbage". In fact, it's the exact ammo your rifle was designed to shoot. I've put 700+ rounds through mine in a single day with no issues. There is something mechanically wrong or improperly maintained on your rifle.

Are you cleaning the chamber with lacquer thinner?

 

[mr_trout]

The Czech ammo is not "garbage". In fact, it's the exact ammo your rifle was designed to shoot. I've put 700+ rounds through mine in a single day with no issues. There is something mechanically wrong or improperly maintained on your rifle.

Are you cleaning the chamber with lacquer thinner?

Ohh definately. I used thinner before I took it in for the gunsmith to polish the chamber this last time, and that was when he proposed doing the lead chamber cast.

 

[Stevo]

Ohh definately. I used thinner before I took it in for the gunsmith to polish the chamber this last time, and that was when he proposed doing the lead chamber cast.

I've never used lacquer thinner on either of my rifles. The only time the chamber gets cleaned is when the factory bore brush gets runs through it. No stuck cases in about 6-8k through both rifles.

Is the chamber chromed, or just the bore?