Proper cleaning technique for VZ 58?

CZ Shooter

CZ Shooter

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Or for any gun for that matter.....
Yesterday i posted inquiry into getting some non-corrosive ammo, but my hopes at getting my hands on anymore of the NORINCO stuff are fading quickly....
Therefore if i end-up getting the corrosive stuff, i would like to re-assure myself that i'm cleaning my rifle properly and maybe even pick-up few new cleaning tips....
First off i would like to apologize in advance, if a similar thread has been already posted and if i'm in the wrong section, feel free to move my post to the apropriate place....

Here's what i usually do:

I take the bolt assembly out and spray it with COMPLETE GUN TREATMENT (G96 brand) purchased at Canadian Tire....it claims to clean, lubricate and protect all in one.
I spray it down the bore, then brush the bore and wipe with clean patches
I wipe the bolt assembly to the best of my abilities and re-assemble the rifle.
I also spray and wipe the gas pushrod....

Howewer now that i might be forced to use the corrosive ammo i realize that every square milimeter of that rifle will have to be therally cleaned...
So here are my questions:

How do i get effectivelly inside the gas port (the part that actuallu bends down and connects with the bore)?

Also ...is my technique of spraying indiscriminatelly the whole assembly the right one?
There are so many tiny grooves and cavities in which i can't effectively reach with cloth and wipe them down, which wasn't a problem in the past, but now it would be a good idea to go the extra mile to make sure that i get even the tiniest of cavities wiped clean....

One more question...i always try to stay away from spraying the trigger group because it could attract grime and residue causing it to build-up and jam the gun...so how do i clean it properly after firing the corrosive stuff?

I realize that some of my questions may seem a bit odd, but i'm scared to death of neglecting any part of my rifle and since i have no previous experience with corrosive ammo, i'd rather be safe than sorry...

Thank you in advance for any tips/suggestions.....




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The corrosive part of corrosive ammo is salt. It is soluble in water or ammonia (ie. Windex). Many people will flush extremely hot (boiling, if possible) water right through their gun to flush out the salt. If the water is very very hot it will evaporate more readily, rather than getting trapped in small spaces. Make sure to use an oil based cleaner / protectant after using water to protect against rust. It is recommended that you flush out the gun with something to dissolve the salts rather than just using a cleaner, as oil based cleaners can actually trap the corrosive salt against the metal.
 
If i run the water through bolt assembly...do i need to take it apart to the actual firing pin?...I immagine that the water would collect in there, even if the outside appears to be dry....

Also...can i spray the trigger group with ammonia and then give it just one quick burst of lubricant, wipe where i can reach and consider it job done?
 
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Hi CZ shooter,

Now I know that it might sound ridiculous to some, but I have had problems with rusting from corrosive ammo before, so here is what I do these days:

Field strip gun. Take parts to bathtub. Flush bolt, and any other parts that may have been in contact with gas with boiling water. Use a funnel to pour boiling water down the barrel and flush the gas system.

Pat dry with a towel.

Spritz with methyl hydrate to absorb water.

Pat dry and then blow dry.

Clean as normal and then treat liberally with G96 gun treatment.
 
CZ Shooter said:
If i run the water through bolt assembly...do i need to take it apart to the actual firing pin?...I immagine that the water would collect in there, even if the outside appears to be dry....

Also...can i spray the trigger group with ammonia and then give it just one quick burst of lubricant, wipe where i can reach and consider it job done?
Click to expand...

The barrel and the gas system are the only areas that I have ever seen significant problems in. If you are going to run water through the bolt or trigger assembly though, make sure to dry them out thoroughly and then re-lube them.
 
After the range use a funnel to pour boiling water down the barrel (Windex is optional, but I doubt Czech soldiers are issued Windex)

Take out the piston and wash the gas port with boiling water as well.

Clean the piston, etc. Otherwise normal cleaning; make sure the bolt / carrier is clean.

Most of the VZ's parts are chrome lined; it's a pretty tough rifle.

If it starts to rust after 20,000+ rounds of corrosive ammo or if you have driven a truck over it; throw it away and buy another.

The CZ-858 does not have a chrome barrel. so extra precautions may apply.

This is a good link on corrosive ammo.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/corrosive/index.asp
 
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Spritz with methyl hydrate to absorb water.
Click to expand...

Methyl hydrate...that's the gas line antifreeze...right?

After the range use a funnel to pour boiling water down the barrel (Windex is optional, but I doubt Czech soldiers are issued Windex)
Click to expand...

Would a mixture of windex and water work even better?

Also i heard that dipping the parts in transmission fluid does good job removing harmfull deposits...could anyone confirm this?

Also...what do you guys think of the "degreaser" types of solvents, i tried it before and they did nice job removing pretty much everything (including the plastic grips on my CZ 75)...?
 
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Great link OC3.....i just wonder why does the guy "swab" the reciever with a windex coated patch....why not just spray it in, that way you get even the hard to reach spots and don't end-up missing anything......and it would also save time?
 
I can't believe how you guys are screwing him around.

You could download a manual. FYI, corrosive ammo will not affect the gas system on a self loading rifle nor the bolt. It will not affect the functionality of a properly maintained firearm. However, you must maintain proper cleaning procedures at all times. That is once every 600 rounds fired. Kinda hard to do when you're in a firefight:eek:
 
I've used just about everything to clean my VZ58, and I don't have any rust or corrosion damage. Usually I'll pour soapy boiling (or as hot as I can find) water down the barrel and through the gas port. Then I'll submerge the bolt and springs and what not, shake them around. While they're still hot, I'll pat all the pieces down with a clean rag, and run a couple patches down the barrel; then I let everything sit for about 20 mins. After that time period the pieces are always dry, so I give it all a blast of RemOil (the spray can version) and slap it all back together. Never had a problem with this routine and I've only shot corrosive with my gun.
 
I have put allmost 3000 rnds thry my vz58 all corrosive ammo

I have left it for days to a week before cleaning i have NEVER EVER used windex or water

I use CLP or hopps #9 NOTHING else I have ZERO rust or pitting

do what you feel you have to but for me its not worth the effort to do as the others have suggested and I have not needed to as my rifle is fine

I have an sks thats been shot about 10 times and cleaned twice no rust either
 
The only thing I do differently with my VZ58 compared to my other rifles, is the boiling water trick.

Just pour boiling water down the barrel and over all the components, then clean as usual.

I only use corrosive, and never had a speck of rust.
 
I have put allmost 3000 rnds thry my vz58 all corrosive ammo

I have left it for days to a week before cleaning i have NEVER EVER used windex or water

I use CLP or hopps #9 NOTHING else I have ZERO rust or pitting

do what you feel you have to but for me its not worth the effort to do as the others have suggested and I have not needed to as my rifle is fine

I have an sks thats been shot about 10 times and cleaned twice no rust either
Click to expand...

Wow...that's not bad....with this corrosive stuff, i was under impression, that the rifle will get rusty, if i get stuck in traffic for too long on the way home from gun range LOL.....

Thanx guys for everyone's opinion...i will probably use the boiling water trick, just to stay on the safe side....
 
The rust won't happen unit its humid. If you live in a dry area it will never rust. I have shot a sks on a rainy day & there was rust on the gas piston at the range! Chrome plated bores help too.
 
contact148 said:
I have put allmost 3000 rnds thry my vz58 all corrosive ammo

I have left it for days to a week before cleaning i have NEVER EVER used windex or water

I use CLP or hopps #9 NOTHING else I have ZERO rust or pitting
Click to expand...

+1 I used G96 and Hoppes #9 with the same results
No aquarium treatment needed here ;)
 
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