From CSA: The reason for the broken bolts in the VZ58

I agree, your explanation is not very informative Nisser17. You have to be more specific about what problems you encountered.

Also, the point i was making was that although your own personal experience might be a certain way, taking into account the problem reports from both platforms overall, both seem to have pros and cons in equal amounts.
 
Bought a brand new CSA VZ58 in .223 this summer. About 900 rounds through it so far. No signs of wear or fractures, etc. Bolt, wear points and locking surfaces still look perfect Very reliable gun. Sights were reading low by about 8-12 inches at 100 yds out of the box, but no other complaints. Mine throws brass high enough to hit the ceiling of the shelter over the shooting lanes.
 
Comic Book Guy said:
Bought a brand new CSA VZ58 in .223 this summer. About 900 rounds through it so far. No signs of wear or fractures, etc. Bolt, wear points and locking surfaces still look perfect Very reliable gun. Sights were reading low by about 8-12 inches at 100 yds out of the box, but no other complaints. Mine throws brass high enough to hit the ceiling of the shelter over the shooting lanes.
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Maybe you should read the OP again, you might have a deffective gas/piston system, which could lead to your bolt breaking. CSA has indicated that brass being thrown with that level of power may be a sign of that defect.
 
Nisser17 said:
I own both in 7.62, now as far as my rifle's go the CZ is the go to! the CZ has just about double the CSA in rounds and has held up 100% better than the CSA which has after about 1 crate really started to show a short round count life.

I hate to say that after spending almost $1100 on it but it is what it is and it's not a a CZ.

Maybe in the future once CSA has some time with the platform it will be up to CZ standards but at this time they are not.
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Yes but when you state the truth some time's it hurts for those who can not stand to realize it for being the truth.
Computer Commando's Unite!
:p
 
Crazyest Canuck said:
Yes but when you state the truth some time's it hurts for those who can not stand to realize it for being the truth.
Computer Commando's Unite!
:p
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Now you're just being thick.
Nobody said CSAs didn't have problems. We did say however that CZs do to, in equal amounts. I guess maybe you're the one who cannot stand that truth....
 
I used to own a CZ 858, went through maybe 3-4000 rounds before it developed the gremlin and didnt even click every other time I pulled the trigger so I sold it fairly cheap. Then I bought a VZ 58 and went through maybe 500 rounds before the firing pin broke on me. I'm exceptionally disappointed in both brands. I am in the process of having the CSA repaired under warranty, but I won't really ever trust it again. Not to mention the front sight post on my CSA was waay off to the right. It still shot straight enough but what a f****** ugly thing to look at when you spend close to $1000 on something.
 
is there some kind of major parts shortage for CSA rifles in 5.56? mine came with incorrect head space and was ripping brass cases in two when ejecting.... sent it in to movie arms over 6 months ago and no progress :(
 
here's an update..

so I was told by CSA that I had a problem rifle, so I sent my rifle in to Movie Arms.

I just got my rifle back.

1. I measured the size of the returned piston with the one from a CZ858 - it has the same diameter head!
2. There is a gouge on the side of my NEA handguard (bottom)
3. the spring and bearing that holds the upper handguard pin in are missing!! In other words the pin can be freely removed and is no longer attached to the upper handguard.
4. they did not send me any reimbursement for my shipping it to them
5. they did include a work order. They said they examined the gas head, replaced the piston, fired 20 test shots and then cleaned it.

So the reason why I sent the rifle in, was that CSA told me (based on my serial number) that my gas hole was 3mm rather than 2.5mm like it should be. So I decided to check it when I got it back since the piston looked exactly the same size as a stock CZ 858 piston. I got two drill bits, one slightly over 2.5mm and one slightly under 2.5mm. The smaller one fit inside the gas hole no problem, the larger one did not. So it appears at least from my test that my gas hole was 2.5mm after all??

Yes I should probably have checked all this in the first place, but I only just thought of the drill bit idea, and because the gas hole is drilled at an angle it does look at least 3mm large. Anyway, if I get my shipping reimbursed, I'll call it a day (I have a spare spring and pin holder).
 
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So here's the million dollar question: if you can measure your gas hole yourself and are able to determine its' exact diameter, can CSA send you an updated piston that should've been installed in your rifle in the first place?

It seems kind of ridiculous for everyone and their brother to be sending in their CSA rifles to some gunsmith shop and then to have to wait 6 months if most owners can do the required "check & repair" themselves in 2 minutes flat.


In essence, can updated replacement pistons be obtained or bought by the customer? If so, where from?

:(
 
I think it's worth doing the "drill bit" test that I tried and report back. It would be interesting to find out how many can fit a drill bit larger than 2.5mm in the hole.

FYI - I did a clean on the weekend, and the bolt that they gave me had pitting and the chrome had come off the head. In other words, it looks like they gave me some used one, instead of the near brand new one I had. I called them up and Graham said they would set it right for me.
 
superlative said:
here's an update..

so I was told by CSA that I had a problem rifle, so I sent my rifle in to Movie Arms.

I just got my rifle back.

1. I measured the size of the returned piston with the one from a CZ858 - it has the same diameter head!
2. There is a gouge on the side of my NEA handguard (bottom)
3. the spring and bearing that holds the upper handguard pin in are missing!! In other words the pin can be freely removed and is no longer attached to the upper handguard.
4. they did not send me any reimbursement for my shipping it to them
5. they did include a work order. They said they examined the gas head, replaced the piston, fired 20 test shots and then cleaned it.

So the reason why I sent the rifle in, was that CSA told me (based on my serial number) that my gas hole was 3mm rather than 2.5mm like it should be. So I decided to check it when I got it back since the piston looked exactly the same size as a stock CZ 858 piston. I got two drill bits, one slightly over 2.5mm and one slightly under 2.5mm. The smaller one fit inside the gas hole no problem, the larger one did not. So it appears at least from my test that my gas hole was 2.5mm after all??

Yes I should probably have checked all this in the first place, but I only just thought of the drill bit idea, and because the gas hole is drilled at an angle it does look at least 3mm large. Anyway, if I get my shipping reimbursed, I'll call it a day (I have a spare spring and pin holder).
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Is your rifle in 7.62x39 barrel 11.7inch?
 
twyeh said:
Is your rifle in 7.62x39 barrel 11.7inch?
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Tagged for interest as I have the same rifle.....It seems like most of the problems are with the 5.56 version...Please correct me if Im wrong.......superlative: Did CSA give you a serial number range to know which are problematic or did you give them your specific number and they said to send it back...If its a range of numbers can you tell us what that range is??...Thanks
 
snipz said:
Tagged for interest as I have the same rifle.....It seems like most of the problems are with the 5.56 version...Please correct me if Im wrong.......superlative: Did CSA give you a serial number range to know which are problematic or did you give them your specific number and they said to send it back...If its a range of numbers can you tell us what that range is??...Thanks
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From what I understand, SBRs need a bigger gas port to run better, due the the shorter barrel resulting in less back pressure. If this is the case, the shorties do need a bigger gas port to run properly.
I suspect the problem rifles are full length ones with the larger SBR gas ports, especially the ones in .223/5.56x45 resulting in way too much back pressure which are killing them bolts.
 
Have broken 2 S.A. VZ 58 bolts (.223) in less than 400 rds with only 2 days of shooting. Do not have the box or receipt anymore. Can you give me an address where I can purchase replacement parts from please. I would like to breathe some life back into it. Took 4 months to get the first replacement bolt back on warranty.
 
So if CSA is telling people if theirs is a problem rifle, is there a SERIAL NUMBER range (batch all affected) or was it a random manufacturing error. Would CzechPoint USA or just the factory in Cz republic know this.
 
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