VZ-58 Lightning Bolt
- Thread starter Rick911
- Start date
- Location
- East of Home, West of the Rest
The NEA version or just the Lightning ones?
jcoulson64
CGN Regular
- Location
- Somewhere in the Western Colonies
NEA changed their manufacturing process on them. Most of the early Left Side and Ambi bolts were merely welded, which was found to occasionally break off. NEA changed and began threading their handles into the bolt carrier as well as welding them later on. I have a few ambi and left hand bolt carriers from pre and post change. The post ones are nicer with a better finish imo. The old style welded ones from various manufacturers were prone to have their handles canted at odd angles.
You win sir. I can run my CZ as functionally fast as an AR so long as I have the ambi mag release. I mean, people seem to forget that the CZ is essentially ambi anyways. You can stroke the bolt carrier right on top with your palm right against where the piston hits and it will return to battery. Reaching around is ideal because it trains good habits but there is no need for a support side charging handle.
-chris
- Location
- East of Home, West of the Rest
Haha thanks. The lure of AR mag adapter and ten rounds are tempting to but I've stayed away. Everyone talks about wanting an AK type gun and the 58 is close as it gets for us. Really except for the safety there isn't a lot different about running a vz and an ak. Seems many get a vz to be an AK stand in and the promptly try to make it function and feel like an AR.
The AK Lightning Bolts are made by Colorado Shooting Sports, not NEA. I don't believe NEA made any with welded on handles.
CSS's welding was substandard. I've got an ambi bolt carrier that broncoo welded up and it's been rock solid through many thousands of rounds.
CSS's welding was substandard. I've got an ambi bolt carrier that broncoo welded up and it's been rock solid through many thousands of rounds.
There is no need, but it's a nice improvement. Releasing the bolt after it catches on the last round is no biggy. But I find cocking it back with my left hand to be a PITA.
Makes me wonder why they even put the bolt on the right hand side in the first place... design flaw?
- Location
- East of Home, West of the Rest
No just different school of thought. Many commie guns are that way. SKS, AK47, vz58, SVT38/40, vz52. Even the US did it with the M1, M1 carbine and M14.
The idea is if you are messing around with the bolt you aren't shooting so the support hand can keep the gun supported as it is long and the trigger hand (the right hand generally) can manipulate the action. When battle rifles gave way to lighter assault rifles this stayed the same for many of the eastern block guns. The AR took things into the "always at the trigger" with the right hand and using the support hand to work the action. The technique has been carried over to the vz and ak but the designs have been left the same.
The idea is if you are messing around with the bolt you aren't shooting so the support hand can keep the gun supported as it is long and the trigger hand (the right hand generally) can manipulate the action. When battle rifles gave way to lighter assault rifles this stayed the same for many of the eastern block guns. The AR took things into the "always at the trigger" with the right hand and using the support hand to work the action. The technique has been carried over to the vz and ak but the designs have been left the same.
lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
Well said. This is what I see also. I'll keep my AR for itself and not make a 58 run like it.
The only mod I'd make for myself to the bolt handle is a Galil style. I've always liked that style and works well for me.
- Location
- East of Home, West of the Rest
I fell into the trap as well, with an AR stock adapter and an ACE stock on my 11 inch CSA. That has been replaced with a fixed stock painted black from an 858 as I'm not a fan of the folder. Only real add ons now are an AK slant brake and a Dlask extended mag release so it is easy to activate, much like the AK system.
Its way more enjoyable for me shooting it in this setup. That's just me though, to each their own.
Its way more enjoyable for me shooting it in this setup. That's just me though, to each their own.
jcoulson64
CGN Regular
- Location
- Somewhere in the Western Colonies
I have a LH bolt carrier that is welded. I believe it is an early NEA but it is possible it was one of the NEIT arms ones right before they joined up. Ive never gad any reason go distrust the welds, i just prefer the fit and finish of thd newer NEA carriers.
The threaded in ones are nice. I believe you're correct in that the Neit Arms ones were the welded-only models.
There's nothing wrong with welding if it's done correctly, like my broncoo model. The CSS ones that I've seen break don't look like there was very good penetration on the weld.
- Location
- Parksville Vancouver Island
I think picture would speak a thousand words Stevo
To add to this debate I do wish that a local Canadian company would offer this as a regularly stocked item.
- Location
- East of Home, West of the Rest
There was one. They stopped.
Dude in G.P.
CGN Regular
- Location
- Having Fun on The Firing Line
The first one you had that was done locally, broke because of lack of penetration or lack of preheat or something like that. My CSS Lightning bolt hasn't broke yet, few thousand rounds and counting on it. But the CSS ones have broke, i know of two people who have had theirs break.
I do think the screwed idea is best, then welded solution is the best.
Heh, was nice to see my rifle in the first post.....
