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The_Dunedan · 03-09-2010, 06:08 PM

I'm not saying the VZ-58 is a bad weapon, it's not. I personally prefer it to the AK when comparing handling, ergonomics, weight, etc. The mags -are- available, as are the requisite spares. However, they're none of them cheap, although methinks that soon dealers who stocked up at the tail end of last year's buying rush may soon be dumping stocks. The Czech design is beautiful, and I love it, but it has its' intrinsic downsides due to market conditions that need to be addressed. Also (and this is potentially important) its' reliability under combat conditions has not been properly tested, at least not -nearly- to the degree of the AK. Sacrificing the AK's legendary reliability is occasionally worth it, but taking that risk in a weapon that costs a bit more and is much harder to find parts and mags for? Don't get me wrong; for all I know the VZ-58 is even more reliable than the AK. A column in Shotgun News recently suggested as much. But it doesn't have the combat record to prove it, unlike the AK. When given the choice between the two, at least at first, I'd stick with the AK. After I'd learned that and got used to the unique zeitgeist of Warsaw Pact small arms, -then- I'd invest in the VZ-58.

A word about the Czechs and Slovaks, or Czechoslovakia in this era. They always marched to their own drummers. Ignoring the USSR's demands, the initially adopted a sort of ".308-lite," a 7.62x45mm round which later earned a reputation as an excellent manstopper during the Rhodesian bush wars. When the Soviets forced them to adopt the 7.62x39, which the ballistic eggheads and general gun-nuts in Brno regarded as insufficiently powerful, they deliberately designed their own rifle around the cartridge. I love the VZ-58 for this reason alone. It also seems to have been much more designed around the prospect of serving as an oversized submachinegun rather than an undersized rifle, if that makes any sense, and handles beautifully. It would make a superb CQB setup. But IMO one should learn/own/stock for the AK and AR first since they're much more common not only worldwide but locally as well, and easy to find replacement parts for in the event of excessive wear or failure. Sadly, the VZ-58 never saw much export success, hence the lack of parts and mags. They're out there, but harder to find. Just IMO, if I were you I'd use the VZ-58 to fill out an already expanding collection. If I was just starting, I'd go for the inexpensive Romanian that'd get me used to the unique demands of living and practicing with an AK. Then after a few rounds and a bit of setting aside, I'd go for the VZ. Bear in mind my position makes me slightly if unconsciously biased.

03-09-2010, 06:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
The_Dunedan Junkie	I'm not saying the VZ-58 is a bad weapon, it's not. I personally prefer it to the AK when comparing handling, ergonomics, weight, etc. The mags -are- available, as are the requisite spares. However, they're none of them cheap, although methinks that soon dealers who stocked up at the tail end of last year's buying rush may soon be dumping stocks. The Czech design is beautiful, and I love it, but it has its' intrinsic downsides due to market conditions that need to be addressed. Also (and this is potentially important) its' reliability under combat conditions has not been properly tested, at least not -nearly- to the degree of the AK. Sacrificing the AK's legendary reliability is occasionally worth it, but taking that risk in a weapon that costs a bit more and is much harder to find parts and mags for? Don't get me wrong; for all I know the VZ-58 is even more reliable than the AK. A column in Shotgun News recently suggested as much. But it doesn't have the combat record to prove it, unlike the AK. When given the choice between the two, at least at first, I'd stick with the AK. After I'd learned that and got used to the unique zeitgeist of Warsaw Pact small arms, -then- I'd invest in the VZ-58. A word about the Czechs and Slovaks, or Czechoslovakia in this era. They always marched to their own drummers. Ignoring the USSR's demands, the initially adopted a sort of ".308-lite," a 7.62x45mm round which later earned a reputation as an excellent manstopper during the Rhodesian bush wars. When the Soviets forced them to adopt the 7.62x39, which the ballistic eggheads and general gun-nuts in Brno regarded as insufficiently powerful, they deliberately designed their own rifle around the cartridge. I love the VZ-58 for this reason alone. It also seems to have been much more designed around the prospect of serving as an oversized submachinegun rather than an undersized rifle, if that makes any sense, and handles beautifully. It would make a superb CQB setup. But IMO one should learn/own/stock for the AK and AR first since they're much more common not only worldwide but locally as well, and easy to find replacement parts for in the event of excessive wear or failure. Sadly, the VZ-58 never saw much export success, hence the lack of parts and mags. They're out there, but harder to find. Just IMO, if I were you I'd use the VZ-58 to fill out an already expanding collection. If I was just starting, I'd go for the inexpensive Romanian that'd get me used to the unique demands of living and practicing with an AK. Then after a few rounds and a bit of setting aside, I'd go for the VZ. Bear in mind my position makes me slightly if unconsciously biased.