Help - need to make decision by 12/5!

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ATLTriggerman

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All,

I'm new to this forum and live in the states. I found this forum via interest in the Cz 58/858 and I'm very impressed with the level of expertise and information posted on this forum!

I know that AK's are restricted to everyone in Canada :mad:, but there is currently a great deal being run by Kvar on Russian built AK's:

http://w w w.k-var.com/shop/product.php?productid=17046&cat=353&page=1

I can get a 7.62X39 NATO stock version for $569 + dealer transfer fees as long as I buy by 12/5/09.

I really like everything I've seen and read about the CZ 58 and can get a similar setup on one here in the states from Czechpoint for $850 including tax & dealer transfer fees.

My question is this: For those of you with experience with both the CZ 58 and the good Russian Ak's, is it worth it to spend the extra money to get the CZ or should I get 1 (or maybe even 2 at the current cost) of the Kvar AK's?

I currently own a Sig 556 that I will be selling. I like its reliability and accuracy, but it is heavy, I already have $1200 into it and would need to drop another $300 - $500 to truly make it perfect. I also prefer the knock down power of the 7.62X39 and would like a lighter weight weapon if possible without sacrificing reliability/ruggedness.

Sorry, if this is lengthy, but thought it would help give some context on where I'm coming from.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
 
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i dont think you will find too many people here with AK experience the vz`s are nice rifles but if i lived stateside i would probably own a quality ak as the vz is too much money down your way. i would buy an ak then buy some ammo with the money i saved
 
Welcome to the forum. I can not give you any comparison to the guns that you had mentioned except that I had recently purchased the CZ-858 and find it reliable and accurate. The first time out was shooting 2-1/2" groups at 90 yards using iron sites and siting at the bench with surplus ammo. Anyway, not sure how the AK's shoot so hard to tell you if they would be a better deal. Good luck with your purchase.
 
I have experience with good AK's as well as an RPK. I also have extensive use with AR's and FN's. I currently have a CZ 858 and Ruger mini 14. If I could have an FN again, I would have at least two. That being said, the CZ is the next best thing. I find it to be considerable better in a number of areas over any AK that I have used. I believe the CZ to be more ergonomic, lighter, accurate, and better designed with things such as the piston system and the bolt hold open option than the AK design. The CZ was designed to keep dirt and sand out of the system as there are no "open" spaces to allow dirt to get into the gun unless the action is open. This contributes to a very good level of dependability when it comes to the CZ. Hope my $.02 helps.
 
I don't have experience with the ak but from your post weight is important to you and the cz is a good bit lighter. I love my cz it handles well and is a fine little rifle.
 
Welcome to CGC. I have own both AK47 and cz58 my opinion is they are verry close the nice thing about the cz is the standard milled receiver. You could find a milled receiver AK but your gonna pay for it. My opinion if your gonna get something nice and you want the AK platform get your self a Romanian AK74 the 545x39mm is the best. I love the accuracy of the ammo and it was verry inexpensive when I had one in the states and the coolfactor of shooting the famous poison bullet.
 
Thanks for all the replies!

I appreciate the warm welcome and prompt replies with advice.

I'm leaning towards the CZ58 for the quality of the gun, but the AK for the investment due to the good deal on the Russian one now that I'm sure will go back up.

I may just have to buy 1 of each and hope to get a good price when I sell my Sig;)

For anyone out there with experience on the Sig 556 or similar Canadian version, should I feel comfortable swapping it for a CZ58 as my main SHTF gun?

Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming!
 
CZ858 was the end all firearm of my collection. I haven't bought a single gun since because I don't see the point, it's my favourite piece in my 19 gun collection. I'm not a SHTF person or some kind of Alex Jones crazy, but if I had to go camping for a long time that's the only rifle I'd take. It's damn accurate, reliable, cheap to shoot, moddable as hell, and can put down medium size game easier than a .223 imo. I'm not going to go as far as saying they're better than an AR platform (because they're not) but we can take them into the bush hunting, which makes them a lot more desireable in this country. The nice thing too is that we have a small-medium size domestic accessorie industry cropping up, some machinists have begun making scope rails etc.

I'm biased when I say stick with the 858 over the AK, because I've never fired a fully auto WASR or AK47, I've only held them.
 
ATLTriggerman said:
I appreciate the warm welcome and prompt replies with advice.

I'm leaning towards the CZ58 for the quality of the gun, but the AK for the investment due to the good deal on the Russian one now that I'm sure will go back up.

I may just have to buy 1 of each and hope to get a good price when I sell my Sig;)

For anyone out there with experience on the Sig 556 or similar Canadian version, should I feel comfortable swapping it for a CZ58 as my main SHTF gun?

Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming!
Click to expand...

There is a reason the VZ-58 is priced higher than a AK and even prided over in certain parts of the world compared to the AK.
When the Soviets took over Czechoslovakia, they could have chosen a Kalashnikov variant like everyone else. But their own engineers came up with a different and better rifle design. And this great design is still used as their official rifle even till this day.

The only problem with the VZ-58 is that it does not have such an substantial resume compared to the prolific Kalashnikov. However I would say the Czech rifle holds its on with the theatres it has seen action.

For the SIG-556, we do have the original Swiss made SG-550/1/2 semi auto only version. I think it would be fair to say, the Swiss made one is substantially better made than the US variant. I would be equally happy with either one for a SHTF rifle in this case, but not with a SIG-556 unless you update the alloy parts to steel like the original SIG rifles.
 
I have a Classic Green Carbine and a cz 858 4v(~15" barrel) and of the two I actually enjoy the cz more. It handles extremely well, is cheap to shoot, and is light and accurate. It's a great gun. I have about 10000 rounds through my cz and it is a reliable rifle in my estimation.

The only problem I have with the gun is that the mags seem flimsy but there are if I remember correctly some steel mags being made by one of our site sponsors which you may be able to get down there which would fix that minor issue. Alternatively you could just by a truckload of mags. I think they are much cheaper down there aren't they?
 
Thanks again for all the input!

I especially appreciate the replies from those of you with experience with both the Sig and Cz.

I'm going to the range one last time with it this weekend and then will try to sell it.

Seems like the consensus is the Cz as long as you can get sufficient mags and keep some spare parts on hand.

The next question is, should I get the poly folder or the blond real wood variant? They're about the same price down here from CP. I like the look and flexibility of the folder if its a stable shooting platform and durable.

Thanks!
 
The factory steel folder works very well. LOP is identical to the fixed stock.
It depends on what you like, it shoots well on both, but fixed stock will always be more comfy compared.

I run one with a folder and one with a fixed stock, just to keep them diffrent and interesting.

The blond wood furniture makes the gun very ###y if that is what you dig, but for SHTF, a folder would work better in my view.
 
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