CSA VZ58 Sporter .223 - Extractor Issues?

[Brobee]

Hi there,

I got out to the outdoor range today (with a buddy...you know who you are and what a gas we had! Thank you! Give my condolences to the Italian Princess) and gave two CSA VZ58 Sporter Rifles a pretty good test drive.

Both guns exhibit minor extraction issues, and upon close inspection of the fired brass there is evidence the extractors are not only tearing at the rim of the case, but doing so in a manner where they engage what I would consider less-than-ideal surface area within the rim. The geometry of the extractor marking on the case have me wondering if the CSA folks actually put the work into re-engineering and manufacturing an extractor for their .223 guns, or if they rather simply used extractors on hand designed for guns set up in the original 7.62x39.

Both guns exhibit the same extraction issues with both factory winchester 55gr FMJ and my service rifle handloads (based on new winchester brass as well).

Anyone else having similar issues? Or would anyone else know about the engineering history of CSA's conversion of the platform from 7.62x39 to 5.56x45?

I'm less worried about the reliability aspect of the issue and more worried about brass longevity as the way the extractors are deforming the rim of the case there will not be many useful firings.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has some beta to share!

Cheers,

Brobee

 

[Cammy7s]

I had the same issues with my VZ in .223 when I first bought one. I sent it back and it was exchanged no hassle for a new one and it seemed to work fine while I had it, which wasn't much longer. I was a little let down on the condition of the spent brass as well. I was told things might improve after a "break in" period but I had my eyes on some other firearms and the CSA didn't last too long in my collection.

Really fun gun though.

 

[Sakonut]

Issues I've had with mine so far...4 or 5 times, I've had a round fail to feed upwards enough resulting in a projectile being forced into the case. As well, the first 500rds I shot were MFS 55gr FMJ (5 primer struck duds), 500 or so american eagle 55gr FMJ (with the above mentioned issue) One day, I slapped a few winchester 45gr HP I had kicking around into a mag and fired one round, BANG, and after that, nothing. Tried cycling several other rounds with no results after pulling the trigger.

Found out I managed to snap the tip of the firing pin off. My theory is that I managed to pierce the primer of the winchester varmint loads, I'm guessing they had softer primers than the MFS and american eagle stuff. Wolverine sent me a new firing pin which ended up being a 7.62 pin and needed some machining by a 'smith. Went back to american eagle and no more issues. Moral of the story, I'll be sticking with military style ammo from now on!

Overall, still very happy with my purchase