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finally found one! Vz52/57


jjjxlr8

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I've been searching for one of these uncommon rifles for a couple of years now and finally received one today!

 

Czechoslovakia developed the Vz52 in the late 40's which used the odd 7.62x45 cartridge. Under pressure from Russia, Czechoslovakia re-barreled the Vz52 to fire the Russian 7.62x39 cartridge and call it the Vz52/57. Most of these can be found in like new condition as they never really saw much service. There were some that came through CAI back in the late 80's that were heavily used in Grenada and Somalia, but most are in great shape like mine.

 

The Vz52/57 was replaced by the fantastic little Vz58 rifle. The Vz58 rifles have recently become quite popular due to the cheap VZ2008 rifles that CAI has been cranking out.

 

Here's the Vz52/57 with it's Vz58 replacement:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_0526_zps5dadb6df.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_0533_zpsa39b2c20.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_0534_zps166ae2b7.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_0535_zps1ae8287e.jpg

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I'm always a little cautious with CAI rifles but I think that for the most part, the VZ2008 rifles have been pretty solid. They are a bit different than the original Vz58 in that the barrel is longer so that it meets the legal requirement and can have a threaded muzzle device. The original barrel (like mine pictured above) is only just over 15" and most of them just came with a simple thread protector muzzle nut. The original flash hiders like the one on mine were also used, and I had to "permanently" attach it to meet the legal barrel length. The VZ2008 rifles from CAI usually come with an AKM style slant brake which isn't appropriate. They also come in more of a charcoal grey finish rather than the original battleship grey colors. Personally, I like the original glossy grey finish, but I like weird stuff!

If I didn't already have a Vz58, I would certainly buy a VZ2008. They were very inexpensive a few months ago.

 

I can't speak for the VZ2008, but the Vz58 that I have is a great little rifle. Milled receiver, striker fired (light trigger), the rifle is 1 lb lighter than an AKM, and with the correct muzzle brake it has minimal recoil so it's easy to keep on target. You can also get them with the more modern wood impregnated resin furniture and even a metal side-folding stock.

 

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/6lug979_zpsf6dd6cb0.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/6jntxe9_zps413c7eca.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/img56928ze_zpse1767ff6.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/084_zpsa37adaf1.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/zalohy_zps02d5e974.jpg

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I had a chance to shoot the Vz52/57 yesterday - fantastic! It's a much better than I expected. Accuracy was very good and because the rifle is fairly heavy, it was quite pleasant to shoot and easy to keep on target for rapid follow up shots. The M1 Garand style trigger was very nice, too.

 

I think one factor that helps accuracy on this rifle is that the barrel doesn't lay in the channel of the stock and only contacts with a special bushing at the front of the handguard. The back of the receiver only makes contact with a recoil lug at the back of the stock, kind of like the M1 Carbine.

 

To remove the barreled action from the stock, you remove the upper handguard by pressing in the spring clip on both sides, then use the tip of a bullet to depress a spring loaded pin at the front bushing and then the whole thing can be lifted out of the stock - no tools required. The trigger 'pack' can then be removed from the receiver by pull away the tirgger guard, just like on the M1 Garand. I really like the design of this one!

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I've been dying to get some range time with a VZ58. I hear the Czech's did an outstanding job with this platform.

 

They really did.

 

When I first shot my Vz58, I was a little put off by it's somewhat small size and it's light weight. I had the resin furniture on it at the time, and with the weird glossy grey paint, the thing kind of looked and felt like a toy - until you pull the trigger! I suspect this platform would be LOTS of fun in it's original full-auto configuration. I think the muzzle brake really helps reduce any muzzle rise.

 

I was lucky enough to shoot a full-auto AKM once and it was fairly difficult to keep on target due to muzzle rise. I really had a hard time controlling more than a 3 to 5 round burst. The Vz58 seems like it would be much easier to keep on target than the AKM.

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They really did.

 

When I first shot my Vz58, I was a little put off by it's somewhat small size and it's light weight. I had the resin furniture on it at the time, and with the weird glossy grey paint, the thing kind of looked and felt like a toy - until you pull the trigger! I suspect this platform would be LOTS of fun in it's original full-auto configuration. I think the muzzle brake really helps reduce any muzzle rise.

 

I was lucky enough to shoot a full-auto AKM once and it was fairly difficult to keep on target due to muzzle rise. I really had a hard time controlling more than a 3 to 5 round burst. The Vz58 seems like it would be much easier to keep on target than the AKM.

 

You should try out a Krink on full auto :eek: I will say my favorite AK/AKM variant is the RPK, but I still haven't got any time behind a VZ-58. Once I lock down an Arsenal AK shortly, I plan to snag up a VZ-58. I have succumb to the mystical communist rifles :D

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I've never even handled a Krink before. I bet it's fun to shoot. :)

 

I used to have a couple of RPK rifles, one was a milled receiver Arsenal RPK in .223 and the other was a very rare preban Chinese 87S in 7.62x39. The 87S came with a 75 round drum. :)

Both were new in the box and I never ended up shooting them before they went on to other collections. I'm sure they are great in their original full-auto configurations. I suppose the big heavy barrel is overkill for semi-auto shooting. Neat though!

 

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_7963_zps7de0d93f.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_7967_zpsc4fa9fe3.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_7976_zpse80afe57.jpg

 

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_7781_zps11999175.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_7793_zps6c0f1eee.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k239/jjjxlr8/IMG_7794_zps8f9133c5.jpg

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You should get the VZ2008 first as they are available at a cheap price right now. Once these are gone, there may not be anymore and the prices will increase.

 

Arsenal AKs are OK but if you have a problem their customer service is horrible. I recently purchased TWO Arsenal SG31-68 AK74 rifles($2400) and one had a canted front sight. I had to fix it myself as they would not cover the return shipping. Here's my experience with them...

http://www.theakforum.net/forums/14-general-discussion/169778-i-thought-arsenal-akms-were-supposed-top-quality.html

 

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?groupid=827&name=Czech+VZ58+%28Century+Arms+Mod+VZ2008%29+7.62x39+Rifle

Edited by jjjxlr8
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That's why I was searching for the 52/57 - so I could use a commonly available cartridge.

 

The 7.62x45 ammo hasn't been imported in many years. I'm not sure the stuff has even been produced in the last 20-30 years.

 

A Vz52 for two Russian SKS45s? Sounds like you got the better end of the deal if the rifles were in good condition and in their original configurations.

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