'Splain to me the ergonomics on the VZ rifles....

AK-47 » VZ58

AK Sponsor:

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 'Splain to me the ergonomics on the VZ rifles....

Posted: 2/11/2014 3:55:38 PM EDT

The $479 rifles at J&G are calling my name but: it has a thumb safety, but its on the wrong side? How do you actuate that without moving your thumb off the pistol grip? How does the mag release work? Looks awkward.

Posted: 2/11/2014 4:12:32 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
The $479 rifles at J&G are calling my name but: it has a thumb safety, but its on the wrong side? How do you actuate that without moving your thumb off the pistol grip? How does the mag release work? Looks awkward.

View Quote

Assuming you are right handed. You work the safety with your thumb and pointer finger. It's far to stiff to work with one finger. You can flip it on safe with just your thumb but to put it back on fire takes two fingers. At least on mine.

And on the mag release you grab the mag with your fingers and hit the release with your thumb.

Posted: 2/11/2014 4:38:23 PM EDT

[#2]

I couldn't find any photos of the magazine release process on a Vz. 58/Vz. 2008 specifically, but the mag release works similar to an AK-47/74:

The main difference is that the release paddle on the Vz. 58/Vz. 2008 is in front of the trigger guard, not below it. There's a cutout on the left side of the trigger guard, so that your thumb can reach the magazine release paddle.

And if you think the $479 Vz. 2008s from J&G are attractive, then you'll really love the $499 Vz. 2008s from AIM, which come with an additional 4 magazines (5 total), a bayonet, and a sling. All for only $20 more: http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1CVZ2008&name=Czech+VZ58+(Century+Arms+Mod+VZ2008)+7.62x39+Rifle&groupid=11

Hurry! Only 9 left!

Posted: 2/11/2014 5:23:13 PM EDT

[#3]

These rifles are a steal. If you have to have a rifle in 762 39 this is the one to get or two.

I hate AKs, they are junk to me. The VZ is a well thought out, well crafted machined rifle, it only resembles an AK at a distance.

The safety is perfectly located. You don't have to second guess the position because your trigger finger is right on it. With an easy motion it swipes off.

The only thing the mag release has in common with the AK is position. The paddle is protected side by side with the last round bolt hold open. If you want big controls the aftermarket makes them. I prefer the more protected snag free factory.

Shoot one side by side with an AK. Smoother softer simpler and accurate in a lighter rifle.

It is a hidden treasure.

Posted: 2/11/2014 5:57:31 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:

Assuming you are right handed. You work the safety with your thumb and pointer finger. It's far to stiff to work with one finger. You can flip it on safe with just your thumb but to put it back on fire takes two fingers. At least on mine.

And on the mag release you grab the mag with your fingers and hit the release with your thumb.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
The $479 rifles at J&G are calling my name but: it has a thumb safety, but its on the wrong side? How do you actuate that without moving your thumb off the pistol grip? How does the mag release work? Looks awkward.

Assuming you are right handed. You work the safety with your thumb and pointer finger. It's far to stiff to work with one finger. You can flip it on safe with just your thumb but to put it back on fire takes two fingers. At least on mine.

And on the mag release you grab the mag with your fingers and hit the release with your thumb.

You can't use the new mag to knock out the empty mag like on an AK?

Posted: 2/11/2014 6:11:27 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
You can't use the new mag to knock out the empty mag like on an AK?

View Quote

No. The magazine release paddle is in front of (and shielded by) the trigger guard.

Posted: 2/13/2014 12:36:21 PM EDT

[#6]

I know they won't let me post links here unless I spend money, but copy and paste this youtube link to see safety operation/mag changes/bolt release using the NEA/NIET Arms equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz-zLNrV83w

Posted: 2/13/2014 5:13:45 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
These rifles are a steal. If you have to have a rifle in 762 39 this is the one to get or two.

I hate AKs, they are junk to me. The VZ is a well thought out, well crafted machined rifle, it only resembles an AK at a distance.

The safety is perfectly located. You don't have to second guess the position because your trigger finger is right on it. With an easy motion it swipes off.

The only thing the mag release has in common with the AK is position. The paddle is protected side by side with the last round bolt hold open. If you want big controls the aftermarket makes them. I prefer the more protected snag free factory.

Shoot one side by side with an AK. Smoother softer simpler and accurate in a lighter rifle.

It is a hidden treasure.

View Quote

As someone that owns a pile of AKs I totally agree with this.

Posted: 2/14/2014 2:59:13 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:

No. The magazine release paddle is in front of (and shielded by) the trigger guard.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
You can't use the new mag to knock out the empty mag like on an AK?

No. The magazine release paddle is in front of (and shielded by) the trigger guard.

The new VZ2008's don't have the guard in front of the mag release. Haven't tried the AK-style mag drop, but I think theoretically you could do it.

Posted: 2/14/2014 3:00:39 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
The $479 rifles at J&G are calling my name but: it has a thumb safety, but its on the wrong side? How do you actuate that without moving your thumb off the pistol grip? How does the mag release work? Looks awkward.

View Quote

The Vz 58 safety is designed so that, when on safe, your right index finger crosses the safety lever and you can't comfortable reach the trigger. You can flip it from safe to fire with your right index finger rather easily. Also, think there may be ambi mods out there.

Posted: 2/14/2014 7:32:28 PM EDT

[#10]

My brand new VZ2008 has part of the trigger guard obstructing the mag release.

Posted: 2/15/2014 12:17:23 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

The Vz 58 safety is designed so that, when on safe, your right index finger crosses the safety lever and you can't comfortable reach the trigger. You can flip it from safe to fire with your right index finger rather easily. Also, think there may be ambi mods out there.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
The $479 rifles at J&G are calling my name but: it has a thumb safety, but its on the wrong side? How do you actuate that without moving your thumb off the pistol grip? How does the mag release work? Looks awkward.

The Vz 58 safety is designed so that, when on safe, your right index finger crosses the safety lever and you can't comfortable reach the trigger. You can flip it from safe to fire with your right index finger rather easily. Also, think there may be ambi mods out there.

The funny part is the Century ones are backwards though, so the can't comfortably reach the trigger part applies when it's on fire, not safety like it was designed

Posted: 2/15/2014 2:21:44 PM EDT

[#12]

Though I'm guessing at what you're trying to say. (Your sentence structure is weak above).

Technically the Century rifle's safeties are going the correct way. Though neither was is "wrong" per se. On the select fire 58's. The safety is:
-paddle down- safe
-paddle rear- semi
-paddle forward- full

Posted: 2/15/2014 2:38:50 PM EDT

[#13]

I understand Mantis just fine. Probably has something to do with the same public schools.

Posted: 2/15/2014 4:14:31 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Though I'm guessing at what you're trying to say. (Your sentence structure is weak above).

Technically the Century rifle's safeties are going the correct way. Though neither was is "wrong" per se. On the select fire 58's. The safety is:
-paddle down- safe
-paddle rear- semi
-paddle forward- full

<a href="http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Master_Mold/media/selector_zpsff495c1f.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/Master_Mold/selector_zpsff495c1f.jpg</a>

View Quote

Thats perfect... for a lefty.

Posted: 2/15/2014 6:48:16 PM EDT

[#15]

I understand what you're saying. But nothing is perfect.

It's nothing that training can't overcome.

She can do it. I bet you can.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQrOVY8ufvw

Posted: 2/16/2014 6:35:52 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

The funny part is the Century ones are backwards though, so the can't comfortably reach the trigger part applies when it's on fire, not safety like it was designed

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
The Vz 58 safety is designed so that, when on safe, your right index finger crosses the safety lever and you can't comfortable reach the trigger. You can flip it from safe to fire with your right index finger rather easily. Also, think there may be ambi mods out there.

The funny part is the Century ones are backwards though, so the can't comfortably reach the trigger part applies when it's on fire, not safety like it was designed

Not on mine.

When on S/Safe, the safety hangs straight down, and gets in the way of your trigger finger. It's immediately apparent that it's on safe when you grip the rifle:

To flip it to F/Fire, you flip the safety lever rearward, which puts it up out of the way of your trigger finger:

Posted: 2/16/2014 6:37:26 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
The new VZ2008's don't have the guard in front of the mag release. Haven't tried the AK-style mag drop, but I think theoretically you could do it.

View Quote

I'm not sure what you're referring to. My recently manufactured Vz. 2008 has the magazine release in the standard Vz. 58 position, as do all of the Vz. 2008s that I've seen.