VZ/CZ 58/858's in 223 - issues?

H Wally

H Wally

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So I've never really gotten into the meat and potatoes of the issue, but there are several different manufacturers of 7.62x39 and .223 CZ 858's on the market. I don't particularly know all of them, other than the 7.62x39 models mostly seem to mainly have cosmetic differences.

However, I do understand that the .223 versions had issues at some point, but I don't know what they were, how to identify them or how when they were resolved. I'm hoping to get some more info on this as I'm deciding between the x39 and 223 models and don't have much to go on.
 
CSA 223 had a gremlin mod done. Will be a tab welded to the carrier group, Very noticeable. I dunno much about it other then mine had it done and I gave it to my father. He does like it. He has a VZ 58 2003 Sporter with the 15.4" barrel in 762 and he likes that as well.
 
Two different guns:
Cz858s, milsurp. Only offered in 7.62x39
Vz58, new manufacture by CSA. Lots of barrel and caliber options. Mostly .223 and 7.62x39 here in Canada.

I had two Vz58s in .223 that had to go back to North Sylva for fixing. Turns out somewhere along the way in the CSA facility they picked up some 7.62x39 parts that made life difficult. North Sylva does all the warranty work for CSA in Canada.
 
Had the .223 version had to have it repaired under warranty . Works fine now. Wanted the .223 because the Norinco .223 ammo has lead core and I can shoot it indoors at my range. I cant shoot the Norinco 7.62 X 39 ammo because it has a steel core and damages the range.
 
I bought mine about three years ago (VZ 58 5.56 collapsible stock). Initially fired about two hundred rounds through it with no problems, but I noticed it ejected cases rather forcefully. Contacted North Sylva, and they told me to send it away for work. They checked my gas ports, replaced the bolt and piston, and sent it back to me within three weeks. Fired another two hundred through it and everything is looking fine. I like it so far, but I still haven't done any real accuracy tests yet. Bought a scope mount for it though.
 
The VZ58 in 5.56 is nowhere near as popular as the 7.62, but they are good guns nonetheless. Quite accurate. I have hit beavers at quite a distance with a 5.56 no problem. There were a few teething issues with those rifles, but the new ones seem to run just fine.
 
IIRC the .223 had gas port and headspace issues, I had a tilting block fail on my 762 csa, the tilting block is what sets your headspace, my orginal had a 5(IIRC) and I ended up with a 3(IIRC). I think it is prudent to check headspace on any new firearm...
 
So as for the tilting block i never knew they were diff sizes i have spare ones with diff bolt carriers that i'v changed out on my vz and my cz. Is this bad ? I'v never had any problems.
 
How would someone know if their CSA VZ58 in .223 was having issues? What are they? Mine flings brass but it was my first semi-auto rifle and I am not sure how far or what direction their supposed to go. Mine generally fly pretty far forward.
 
My father has a VZ58 .223. A good sign it is not working properly is failure to extract 100% of the time. He sent it to Movie Arms to be repaired and before they could look at it North Sylva took over the repair contract. It was sent to them and they looked at it. They claim they put 40 rounds through it with no problems and sent it back. We took it out to the range and it would not function with Norinco, Remington, ect. Very frustrating to say the least. Also, not the least bit impressed with North Sylva's warranty department...
 
My VZ58 was occasionally ripping ejected cases in half (Norinco ammo).
Dropped it off at North Silva and was told it may be 2 or 3 weeks before they could look at it.
They checked it out, replaced the gas piston which was oversized,test fired a bunch of ammo and had it back to me 3 days later!
They suggested I not use the Norinco ammo. I use that ammo in my Mini 14 and Colt AR 15 instead. The VZ does tend to extract ammo pretty harshly.
Needles to say I had a great service experience.
 
mattcwc said:
So as for the tilting block i never knew they were diff sizes i have spare ones with diff bolt carriers that i'v changed out on my vz and my cz. Is this bad ? I'v never had any problems.
Click to expand...

The tilting blocks should be numbered 1-5 IIRC, folks should checking headspace when you start swapping out parts...
 
Had both calibres, CSA in .223 and 858. 858 is a dream to run, never had a single issue with it, the .223 did not like chinese ammo at all, had at least one fte per mag when you're really giving 'er.
 
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