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J@G vz2008 folding stock
vincent denaris
Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
J@G vz2008 7.62-39 it has a folding stock, a milled receiver.Is it worth-it? The folding stock,good or bad? Can i replace it? I invite all invo.
Comments
I know as a fact that the "milled" receivers on the CAI Galil clones are cast, supposedly by Caspian arms, and these are probably the same.
VZ folding stock is supposedly decent for a wire folder.
Edit: Note "for a wire folder". . .this is not going to be as comfortable to shoot as a true full stock, but you make up for it with better portability of the gun. You can improve the feel/cheek weld of wire-folder stocks a little by putting some pipe-insulation foam on there, or wrapping them with cord.
I don't know if a VZ58 FIXED stock is easily dropped in instead of the folding stock (probably yes), but I do know that standard AK-type stocks will NOT fit this gun (or at least not without major fitting).
In general, AK parts and mags do NOT fit these VZ58 guns and this is potentially problematic if you want to start fancy customization. If you want a fixed stock version, I'd suggest just buying one to start with.
Is it worth it? Speaking generically, I don't think $350 for a folding stock 7.62x39 military type rifle is a bad price. I think the question is whether or not you'd be better served with a true AK-type gun at roughly the same price. The answer to that depends on what you are trying to do with it.
Edit: Advantages of a VZ over an AK, are slightly smoother operation during firing, nicer looking and more ergonomic grip and furniture, lighter (aluminum) magazines, and last-round bolt hold-open features.
Disadvantages? Mags and spare parts are harder to find and likely more expensive (though you may never need them). Much harder to customize.
If you want the best quality in an AK, buy an Arsenal.
Neal
"You get what you pay for, sometimes less."
Neal
Cast receivers for AK's are new, so no one can predict the life of them. But, early in production, the Russians switched from milled receivers to stamped, & made millions of rifles with stamped receivers without complaints from the users.
The design of an AK is such that the receiver just basically holds the trunions and magazine in place. Its not subject to super-high operating forces and that's why you can get away with one made out of stamped sheet metal.
With respect to cast receivers, its true that these are new to AKs in particular, but they're not new to firearms in general.
Springfield Arms has sold lots of cast-receiver M1as, and those don't seem to disintegrate or crack. All Ruger revolvers are built with cast frames and those are considered the strongest mass production revolvers out there. Ruger builds its bolt action rifles on cast receivers; I've never heard of one failing.
Caspian arms (who supposedly makes the current receivers for CAI) has been putting out cast-receiver 1911s for at least a decade and some of those pistols have gone through tens of thousands of rounds. By the way, Caspian uses Rugers facilities to cast its parts.
So I think there is no reason to believe a cast-receiver rifle like this VZ-58 can't hold up just fine to an ordinary service life of tens of thousands of rounds.
On folding stocks, I agree that an ordinary fixed/wood stock will be more comfortable to shoot, particularly if you're shooting a lot of rounds. Biggest advantage to a folding stock is better handling in close quarters (ie getting in and out of a vehicle, etc) and easier storage.
I just checked, and there is actually more out there in the way of parts and accessories for these VZs then I thought. Apparently there ARE ways to convert a VZ-58 to take different aftermarket stocks for AKs and such:
http://www.stormwerkz.com/Description_Pages/VZ58_STOCK_ADAPTER_03_Views.html
There are some Israeli aftermarket parts available too:
http://www.zahal.org/products/collapsible-butt-stock-shock-absorber-for-vz-58-polymer-version
This company has a bunch of spare parts for the VZ-58, including several buttstocks to choose from (including an interesting skeletonized fixed thumbhole one), plus, they import entire guns and make them US compliant:
http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/
I thank you all for the info. looking for a ak crome barrel, stock or less,who has the best price?
Sorry. . .not sure I understand the question.
Are you saying you are looking for an AK with a chrome-lined barrel, and you don't care what sort of stock it has?
Well, plenty of them have chrome barrels. If it were me, I'd actually be more concerned about the type of stock and overall build quality than whether or not is has a chromed barrel.
Biggest advantage to chrome barrels is that they are resistant to corrosive ammo. They're also slightly easier to clean . . .assuming you're actually going to clean your gun! But unless you plan on shooting corrosive ammo AND neglecting your gun (which, actually is SOP in many parts of the world with AKs), then I think you'd be fine with a non-chrome lined bore.
To answer the question, if you don't count the sporter "Saiga" rifles, I believe the cheapest AKs on the market right now are the Century rebuilt Romanian ones at around $400 or so.
I believe the older ones (which were modified from single-stack guns) have original Romanian chrome-lined barrels. The newer ones are likely build on parts kits with American made NON-chrome barrels. Note that the single-stack conversions aren't particularly known as great guns, but they will likely be the cheapest.