Modifying VZ-58 to accept AK mags

[zZ_denis]

Sorry to ask but could you post a picture of your AK mag castle ? just for s**ts lol.

What i would maybe recommend is if your a 12.5 holder and have an AK , take a caliper and measure the dimensions of the magwell , then take a side by side picture of the two facing up .

Then take the receiver to a machinist and have them mill out the difference ?

Dunno really just trying to offer constructive advice.

How about a picture of some roadwork i did in front of my house?

If i had a CZ right now to take the measurements from, i probably wouldn't be asking this question.

Have you considered an SKS-D?

Already have one, i like the ergonomics of CZ better.

zZ denis, there are enough differences between the 2 mags to make this conversion difficult: the front catch on the AK mag would sit right about where the feed ramp is inside the CZ reciever, below the feed ramp is a clearance cut for the CZ mag, material that would most likely need to be welded in, machined and heat treated to form the lip to catch the front of the AK mag. The AK mags just squeeze inside the magwell width wise and you could simply remove some of the paint from the CZ magwell for a nice fit. The final part is the rear mag catch/release tab. On the CZ it is offset to the left side, while the bolt hold open is on the right. There is enough material in the center that you could machine it towards the right to center the mag release, and use a spacer for the left side to keep it centered. Then you may or may not have to rework the mag release to function with the tab on the AK mag. Then any feeding issues will need to be addressed. The follower in the CZ mag sits up higher than the AK's follower does, but the AK mag wont fit high enough into the CZ reciever for me to see if there is sufficient bolt clearance and if the lips/follower are at the same height as the CZ mag once inserted. Until you permanently modify the rifle, theres no telling if it will work properly or not, at that point your balls deep and all-in so absorbing any and all expenses to make it work will be the only way out. Its up to you, but it may get real messy and expensive

Thank you, this is exactly the reply i was hoping for.
It seems that the best way would be to just use the AK rear mag catch assembly(along with the trigger guard). It could be riveted or welded in place.

As for the front catch, are you sure its not roughly in the same spot for both mags?
It seems to be, on this picture (courtesy of Curtton):

Would someone be able to take a measurement for me?
-Insert the CZ mag, make a mark on it's spine where the bottom of the receiver (part between the mag catch and the BHO button) touches it (it would be bellow the locking lug on the mag). Remove the mag and measure the distance from the mark on the spine to the top of the feed lips.

I would then be able to compare it to the distance from the top of the locking lug to the top of the feed lips on the AK mag. (which is approx 27.5mm) This would tell me if the AK mag would sit high enough in the CZ rifle.

I will buy a CZ rifle only if this conversion is doable, that's why i want to get as much of info as possible.

 

[winnipegger]

Why not buy a cz measure and stuff yourself and sell it off if it's not doable? i think it will be tough to get someone to measure everything you need vicariously.

Also i find it funny that even though you specifically said don't try to talk me out of this i want to see if it's possible (not cheap or easy but possible) and like 5 people decided anyways to post don't do it replies!

 

[zZ_denis]

Why not buy a cz measure and stuff yourself and sell it off if it's not doable? i think it will be tough to get someone to measure everything you need vicariously.

I was hoping that someone tried/considered a similar conversion before and would have some input on it.

Also i find it funny that even though you specifically said don't try to talk me out of this i want to see if it's possible (not cheap or easy but possible) and like 5 people decided anyways to post don't do it replies!

I actually added it to the original post after a bunch of "dont do it" replies

 

[Megaxyu]

I am also very interested in having AK mags fit into another firearm.

 

[H Wally]

From experience from another project, about the easiest and coincidentally ugliest (and actually not all that easy) way is to cut the mag well out and fabricate a heavy sheet metal mag well, then weld it in. Not easy, not simple, not attractive, but it'll work.

 

[iloveak47]

I am also very interested in having AK mags fit into another firearm.

nice fist post!

 

[tactical870]

Seriously? CZ mags are like $25 each.....

 

[Blindeyes]

another +1 on why. You can still only have 5 rounds. The gun won't shoot any better.Why would someone even bother, what a waste of time.

 

[DAR 701]

another +1 on why. You can still only have 5 rounds. The gun won't shoot any better.Why would someone even bother, what a waste of time.

The OP has AK mags coming out the arsehole. He would like to use his vast collection of 5/30, 5/40, 5/75 and 5/100 AK mags in a rifle that he can actually take out of the house and shoot while his AK's collect dust.

 

[supernova]

Because $700 plus tax and possibly shipping is alot of cash for something that *might* work, while asking a few questions on a gun forum is free. Then having a gun to sell and probably taking a loss. This seems easier to me but...

Why not buy a cz measure and stuff yourself and sell it off if it's not doable? i think it will be tough to get someone to measure everything you need vicariously.

Also i find it funny that even though you specifically said don't try to talk me out of this i want to see if it's possible (not cheap or easy but possible) and like 5 people decided anyways to post don't do it replies!

 

[supernova]

Denis
Nice driveway, did you get the squirrel? They can be hard to kill... Anyways, is this the measurement you need? You can kind of see the sharpie mark on the back of the CZ mag (left) where the bottom of the reciever sits with the mag inserted. The measurement was 24mm from that mark to the top of the feed lips.

I pushed the AK mag in a little further, the problem looks to be the CZ feed ramp, the top of the AK mag hits it and wont let it rotate in. AK mag in CZ:

CZ mag in CZ:

With the bottom of the front catch on both mags sitting level with each other, the AK lips come up higher, and with a round in the mag you can clearly see it sitting up higher than in the CZ mag. This would probably be the biggst prolem. The lps may hit the rails that the bolt carrier rides on, and may not clear the bolt as it comes forward. Unfortunately I cant figure that out without modding my own rifle. It looks like if you remove some material from underneath the feed ramp, add an AK mag catch under the CZ reciever and remove some paint from the CZ magwell, it just might work. If Curtton can mod the mags to fit the rifle, then you should be able to mod the rifle to fit the mags.