2014 CSA '58 handguard removal?

[Cross94]

Don't know if I'm late to the party or what, but from what I can tell the 2014 production VZ 58 hanguards have a slightly different take-down than the earlier versions I've seen. The heatshield is technically two pieces; the tabs that are normally welded on to the main portion are now separated with their own bracket (as pictured below). Glad I didn't have to cut or file anything off, so this was a nice surprise to me.

That aside, I'm now having severe issues getting the lower handgaurd off. The pin isn't budging at all in either direction, and yet I don't see any other way to get it off. Already made a small scratch in the receiver while trying to use a push-pin and hammer, so needless to say I'm starting to get a bit more cautious here. Do you just have to keep hitting the pin abnormally hard and pray it comes loose at some point?

 

[bfiles]

Same old style.

Lower roll pin needs a real good whack to get it out. Doesn't matter which way

 

[Cross94]

Weird, I've never seen a VZ58 with that particular heatshield. At any rate I guess it's back to the work bench with a heavier hammer. Thanks!

 

[bfiles]

I have had dozens of cz, csa, czh, fsn etc.. rifles amd they all have pretty much the same upper.

Anytime man

 

[Cross94]

Words cannot describe the shame and subsequent rage I'm experiencing right now.

Though admittedly, the scratch looks much worse in this photo than it does in-person.

...and the other side.

Day three, still can't get it out. Hammered the pin so hard that the damn buffer tube came loose, yet the pin remains exactly where it was. Seriously considering a gunsmith at this rate.

 

[supahdave]

May be a dumb question but you are using an appropriate punch tool and not a robbi screw driver correct? Few sharp hits with a hammer and punch should knock it right out

 

[Dangphool]

Something similar happened to me but on the pin holding the dust cover so I'm not sure if it is the same mechanics...

On mine, the ball bearing within the frame got stuck in the "open" position so that it would not catch the pin. This caused the pin to keep falling right out of the receiver as the ball bearing would not fall into the groove at each end of the pin. I couldn't fix it after some attempts at poking it with a sharp stick but it actually fixed itself when I said #### it and took it to the range. The recoil after several magazines, at some point, shook it free and allowed it to move up and down; thereby catching the pin.

Like I said, I'm not sure if the mechanics here are the same. I don't know if there is a ball bearing in the lower grip but if there is, you may have to apply some sort of force to the actual gun. Ie. fire it or tap the side of the metal where such a ball bearing may be located...

I'm sure one of the gunsmith types will quickly correct or corroborate my theory. I'd wait until then before attempting it

Good luck.

 

[bfiles]

All it is, is one single solid roll pin punched into the receiver holding the lower handguard on.

No bearings, no robbie head screws just needs an appropriate punch and a few good solid whacks with a hammer and the pin will drift out.

 

[bfiles]

And definitely don't make love to it, #### the #### out of it instead.

You will not hurt anything, unless you miss

 

[iwi]

Mine was exactly the same, I put a center punch on the head of one side to make a spot for the drill bit and then carefully drilled the head off. Then I drifted the pin out, it was very tight. it would not budge until I drilled the head off.