The mostly helpful guide to New VZ-58 owners or potential buyers.
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08200_zps082471f3.jpg

The VZ-58 is totally different from a AK-47. This firearm is from former Czechoslovakia (the area it came from is now called the Czech republic) and was originally created for the 7.62 by 45. The Soviets then forced them to re-chamber the gun to the standard 7.62x39 of the Warsaw pact.

It has a tilting lock mechanism, last round hold open, ergonomic safety (trust me, it's easier to use than it looks with practice), and a lighter milled receiver than the AK.

Let us start with the magazines:
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08202_zps77fc0ccd.jpg
IVAN, WHY THE F#$@ DID YOU DO THAT?
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08212_zps14f455f2.jpg
They have a little tab on the back the of magazine for the bolt hold open. (call it BHO)
These magazines are made out of light aluminum alloy, and are similar to the weight of plastic Tapco magazines. "That is creepy light"- Friend.

The gun doesn't accept AK-47 magazines, because they are inferior.

The receiver and parts:
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/points_zps34b62a66.jpg

Locking areas
Dual trigger spring. (one for full and one for semi. This arrangement causes a very heavy trigger pull.) *ONLY CENTURY VZ-2008 RIFLES*
BHO
Peening from the bolt stopping, this is normal wear and tear,
Disconector
Ejector
The sear is in-between the yellow and blue circles.

Lock-up:
Open
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08197_zpsc785bd93.jpg

Locked
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/morpoints_zpsa563aa2a.jpg
Lock up areas with locking tabs
BHO

Bolt carrier group:
The bolt and locking piece are chromed, and the bolt carrier can accept sks stripper clips.
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08207_zpsa464d1dc.jpg

The bolt can be taken apart into four components. The bolt, locking piece, carrier, and striker. Oh did I forget to mention that this is a STRIKER FIRED gun?

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08211_zps4039c90e.jpg
The striker is the pin-like thing in the back. It is hollow.

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08226_zpsb1b8450e.jpg
Note that the spring cover is riveted onto the spring assembly. Also note the striker spring.

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08223_zps80d1b7d2.jpg
Striker in cocked position.

Gas system:

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08218_zpscb0bc34c.jpg
The heat shield can be removed by pressing on the pin and pulling the cover upwards. the piston is then pulled back and lifted out.
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08219_zps92efc847.jpg
Issues with the upper front hand guard on a VZ2008:
The tabs are ripped out so the heat shield can be removed and then parkerized.
The tabs may be bent inwards to remove wobble, but this will cause difficulty in removal and replacement of the heat shield.

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08227_zpse98087ce.jpg
The piston is similar in design to the SKS, it uses a piston to push the bolt carrier back.

Furniture:

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08221_zpsbaaa9933.jpg
Such beautiful tiger striping
The furniture is made out of wood impregnated resin that is lovingly called "beaver barf" by the Canadians.

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08220_zpsdedc04e0.jpg
The folding stock may need to be wrapped in paracord for some, this was not the case for me. The folding stock for a VZ-2008 will be hard to open, because the whole stock is parkerized as an unit. The bottom nut is held in by a staked bolt, preventing the user from removing all of the dust from the Parkerizing.

My stock is starting to wobble due to it breaking in. I would prefer the solid stock if I had the choice, as the folding ones are prolific and easy to find.

The sights:
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t676/Phillip_Chung/DSC08222_zps1093181e.jpg
All you need to know is that the setting U will raise the sight higher than the setting 1. (zero the thing at 1)

The competition:
The VZ-58 is to the right, the WASR is to the left.
We were supposed to hit three bottles and the wooden paddle fives times after that.
We could use any ammo combination in two magazines.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/ginY4TTnDM4[/youtube] (this won't work for some reason)
We are such great shots

*Will update and improve even more later*

Prepare to get a mallet for your folding stock, the century ones are parkerized as an unit.

This.


I oiled and hammered on mine for a long while until it began to move freely.  Shoots like a dream except that the front handguard gets quite hot.  Thinking about getting some real wood furniture rather than the beaver barf it has now.

Is your vz 58 pictured a vz2008?..... Disregard I just noticed the ak 47 slant break .....so it is.   Don't  forget to let the newbies know about why the csa/czechpoint vz 58s and vz2008s are different.   Since this is your thread I would let you explain.

I will talk about the different types when I update again. (I already pointed out some problems with century and their unique trigger system.)