We live in an AR / AK world. Both are great options as a go-to gun for everything from a weekend range trip to TEOTWAWKI. But they’re not the only options. These platforms have spawned some offshoots like the SCAR and JAKL and American companies are starting to produce good quality AKs for the first time. There are also us weirdos that are into bullpups but we’ll save that for another time. Today I want to preach the gospel of the Vz58; more properly, the Czech V.Z.58.

One outstanding carbine that is talked about very little is the Czech-made V.Z.58. I could write at length about its history, from its predecessor the V.Z.52 to how the (then Czechoslovakia) Czech Republic told the Soviet Union “Nyet, the AK is not fine, we will be using our own gun.” I could even mention how that resulted in a Warsaw Pact standard 7.62×39 rifle that had zero parts compatibility with its AK counterparts…

But, others have covered this in detail, so I’ll skip it. ~ mostly. Ok, one fun fact to impress your friends: Much like the plastic fantastic pistols we all ran before the current 2011 craze, this rifle is technically striker-fired!

In this Vz58 review (overview?) I want to focus on why this is still a great gun. I’ll show that it can be modernized just as well as the similarly nearly 80-year-old AR and AK designs, and hopefully share some of my enthusiasm for what I think is the most overlooked (capable) rifle out there.

VZ58: Czech-ing Pros and Cons

Note: More than one company has brought this gun into the US (like Century); the gun you see here is a Czech Small Arms (CSA) model I purchased some time back to replace a Bren 2.

V.Z.58 Pros

1. The barrel is made by Walther, arguably one of the best barrel makers around (all due respect to FN and HK).
2. While not exactly common per se, the Vz58 is not a “moon rock” like a Valmet or an HK93.
3. Most major gun dealers like Atlantic Firearms get these in stock regularly (and damn, the 12-inch “pistol” would be sweet).
4. It’s relatively light. Despite being a milled receiver the rifle weighs about a pound less than a stamped AK. Overall, the rifle is downright diminutive.
5. Keeping it fed isn’t too difficult. Magazines, especially surplus, can be found at reasonable prices.
6. Most models will take an AR stock.
7. It runs. I don’t know if it is even possible to get a round stuck in the upper receiver. The design of the bolt and cover basically creates an ultimate convertible top that is sort of like shooting an AK with the dust cover off when it opens under recoil. Which is pretty cool.
8. While the bolt is reciprocating (I’ll pause while people who unironically own Aks and M1s clutch their pearls), VZ sells a left-side option. However, since it is essentially an entirely new bolt carrier, it will run you a little more.
9. It makes your Slav Squat look really good if you’re wearing the right camo tracksuit.

V.Z.58 Cons

• The price is a bit high compared to a quality AR and AK.
• The aftermarket for these guns kind of sucks.
• The sling that typically comes with it is made for children. You literally cannot transition shoulders even fully extended unless you wear it as a neck loop only. However, the mounting points are solid, so a replacement is an easy fix. I like the Vickers AK sling from Blue Force Gear.
• The magazine paddle release that comes standard on the VZ58 is a little small, especially stuck next to the bolt release. After-market options are available, but I haven’t personally explored them yet. I know they do make an aftermarket option (see below) that allows you to activate the (ambi-) mag release with your trigger finger without breaking your grip. This will let you throw the empty mag free during the reload a la Real Spetznaz Style®.  

Nyet! Rifle is fine!

Setting the VZ58 Up to Run

I’ve run this gun in a few classes and it can hang with the more popular options, though most people around me looked at it at it like it was an AK I ordered off of Wish.com.

When it comes to parts and upgrades, you’ll find VZ58 accessories like weapon lights and optics to be more common than specific VZ58 parts. That’s obviously because lights and optics and such are usually platform-agnostic, while trigger kits and actual mechanical upgrades are not.

I dare say I like this better than the Bren 2 that replaced it in the Czech military.

When it comes to VZ8 accessories, I really only had to make one addition to my “tactical model.”

The gun began just a 14.5” barrel with pinned muzzle device, modern pistol grip, and folding stock. All I did was add a Bonesteel upper handguard rail. Think of it like an Ulimek on an AK.

Due to the design of the VZ, it attaches easily and very securely thanks to a captured takedown pin. It also includes tensioning screws to further lock things down tighter than a nun’s….free time on Sundays. This rail allows me to run an Aimpoint T-2 in co-witness.

Unfortunately, there is a small downside to this rail design. The manufacturer didn’t undercut the front edge in such a way that the final slot in the rail is unusable. I feel like that last slot would have been just what I needed for where I wanted to run a weapon light mount, but the design forbids it.

If you are a fan of Cold War guns, or really just any historical military weapons, this is a great addition to your collection. You can put it on the rack right next to your CETM-L. They make a pistol version with a 7.5” barrel, which is even more appealing than an 11.9″ barrel.

Note that they also offer VZ58s chambered in 5.56, but like the AK, this rifle wasn’t designed to be run with that cartridge, so I’ve stayed away from them. But at the same time, I’ve never actually heard anything bad about a VZ running that good old red-blooded American round, so don’t let my hesitation dissuade you!

VZ58 Parts and Accessories

VZ8 for Sale

VZ58 Rifles and Parts: Current retailer stock and price comparison

Ambi Magazine release:

VZ 58 Tactical Ambidextrous Magazine Release | VZ58 USA

Left Side charging handle:

VZ 58 Bolt Carrier – Left Side Charging Handle | VZ58 USA

Bonesteel upper rail:

VZ 58 Optic Mount Upper Hand Guard – Bonesteel Arms llc.

Magazines (Compare Prices by Retailer):

CZ VZ-58 7.62×39 30-Round Factory Magazine

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Czech V.Z.58: Learn More

• Find the VZ.58 on Wikipedia
• Better than an AK
• Not Another AK Knockoff
• Improving on the most reliable rifle in the world
• More gun accessories

DO Czech VZ58