Vz58 vs?

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wilbur007

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Hello all - I have a question for the vz58 owners out there. I used to own a Ruger mini 14. It was a useful bush gun/plinker/coyote rifle but I lent it to my mother to help with pest control and she won't give it back. Take a moment, if you will, to picture a grey haired, 66 year old lady who likes to walk her land with a mini 14 strapped across her back. More than one coyote came too close.

The mini 14 worked well for me. It ate everything I fed it and always went bang. It was easy to strip and was accurate enough for my purposes. I'd like to replace it but the vz58 in .223 has come across my radar as being similar, if about $100 more. (MAN has the mini 14 gone up in price!) The mini has a slight advantage with its conventional rifle stock but the vz58 sounds super reliable. And then there are those LAR magazines...

Any thoughts on the vz58 vs the mini 14? Anyone had both and have a strong preference either way?
 
The 5.56 version isn't finiky anymore and they all were flawed including the 7.62x39 version during the over gassed issue production run. New production has all that fixed and my 5.56 Vz 58 had the issue but CSA's excellent warranty covered it. The gun has been flawless ever since. The AR-15 magwell conversion is okay. When I first got the conversion, it wouldn't hold the bolt open on the last round ever. I took it off and went back to original for a short while. Then I came up with the idea to bend the last round bolt hold open tab out a bit and now it works almost 99.9% of the time holding the bolt open on the last round. LAR-15 magazines function well and that says a lot since they don't work well at all in my T97. The ammunition is more expensive but I had a CZ 858 in 7.62x39, now I have a CSA in 5.56. I'm not going back. Cleaning is easier and you can find decently cheap .223. Also to mention I started reloading 1 year ago and .223 is one of my planned cartridges to reload for balls on consistent target loads and also hot loaded .223 hunting loads. If you go 7.62x39 then you may as well just go SKS.

I have a friend that owns a Ruger Mini 14. Even though its not the most accurate rifle ever, he loves that gun and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't trade it for my Vz 58 he just likes it too much. You have a difficult decision.
 
CSA is a nice gun and has many similarities to the Mini, I have had both and a Mini will mount a scope much easier right out of the box. CSA has cheaper mags but for hunting the mini has a better 5 round mag. I think for hunting I would carry a mini.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I do have a difficult decision. I hadn't considered the 7.62x39 round which adds a whole 'nother twist to things.
 
wilbur007 said:
Thanks for the replies everyone. I do have a difficult decision. I hadn't considered the 7.62x39 round which adds a whole 'nother twist to things.
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Which ever decisions you make between the three rifles, You aren't making a bad decision with any. I personally like how the Mini 14 comes with scope rings in the box. Can scope it right away while either 7.62x39 or 5.56 Vz 58 require the side rail, the mount, and rings. Chances are the place that sells you the gun doesn't have any of that in stock. Not really a big deal just it does cost a lot if you're buying all new.
 
I was considering one of these as a 5.56, but my love for the VZ in 7.62x39 runs too deep. A mini 14 is still a possibility.. but I'd really like to see how they stack up against the T97.
 
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