VZ58 pistol?

[nfa1934]

Does anyone besides Ohio Ordnance make a VZ58 receiver? I'm thinking about making a VZ58 pistol, but $695 for the receiver is more than I want to spend. I don't really need a milled receiver and I'm hoping someone makes a stamped receiver for less. I saw a chopped down VZ58 in this month's SAR and thought it would be interesting to build. I made this in PhotoShop, it's what I hoping to end up with. Does anyone forsee any potential problems?

[SLAMFIRE51]

The only prohibitive issue I can see is, as you said, the cost of the receiver.

[Megatron]

Does anyone besides Ohio Ordnance make a VZ58 receiver? I'm thinking about making a VZ58 pistol, but $695 for the receiver is more than I want to spend. I don't really need a milled receiver and I'm hoping someone makes a stamped receiver for less. I saw a chopped down VZ58 in this month's SAR and thought it would be interesting to build. I made this in PhotoShop, it's what I hoping to end up with. Does anyone forsee any potential problems?

A VZ58 pistol would be awesome! :jump:

[nfa1934]

I'll probably hold off on this idea until OOW starts production of stamped receivers. Only the first 1000 are going to be milled according to their website. $695 is way more than I want to put into the receiver, but I may go ahead and get a parts kit. It's always fun to take something to the range and get the "what the hell is that thing?" reaction.

[smittylite]

You can try here also once they get there's.

http://www.prexis.com/sten/42.htm

[nfa1934]

From what I understand, the VZ58 is lighter than an AK and the barrel is just under 16". Would it be worth the effort to shorten the gas system or would you just cut the barrel off and re-mount the front sight? The resulting pistol wouldn't be much longer than the pic I made, but the handguards would run almost all the way to the muzzle.

[nfa1934]

I called Prexis today. Their receivers will be in the $350 range when/if they get ATF approval. OOW actually has no concrete plans to produce a stamped receiver.

[Megatron]

I've sent an email to OOW asking if they would consider making a VZ-2000 pistol. Unfortunately,they said no. :(

[Q-gunner2]

The VZ-58 barrel cannot be less than 16", otherwise the 200 or so already made are illegal as there have been no add-ons.

I would love a VZ-58 rifle in original configuration... but doesn't 922(r) mean we need those US parts? Where would they be found?

[nfa1934]

The US parts requirement doesn't apply to pistols. A standard military issue VZ58 has a barrel length of 390mm (15.35"). I think OOW is adding an extension from the front sight post forward. The length of the VZ2000 from the front sight post to the muzzle looks longer than a standard military VZ58 (look up a pic of a VZ58 and compare it to the pic of the VZ2000 on OOW's website, the VZ58 is noticably shorter). The receiver kits OOW sells includes the necessary US parts to be 922(r) compliant, but anyone building a rifle with a parts kit needs to be aware that the barrel is .65" short. A self-built rifle will either have to be an SBR or have a barrel extension.

[Q-gunner2]

What makes me mad and nervous is my addiction to rifles.

I have that $1,000 sitting there, and I know I can cash it soon, it will likely be before I am 18 because the years to wait are close to- if they havent already- passed. But at the same time I want that gun to be BIG. I want it to own. I want to post a question here and only have like one member know WTF I am talking about personally.

A Commercial SVD (Tiger) was one of my thoughts, a VZ-58 rifle would be nice (how much do they run?), a PPSh-41 or 43 SBR semi-auto would be nice (Anyone seen semi-auto PPSh guns?)... stuff like that.

I am always tempted to run in and cash the money, but I always hide it away because I don't want to buy a gun I will regret.

[nfa1934]

The Ohio Ordnance Works VZ is $1250.

I think InterOrdnance used to make a semi PPSh-41, they are out there but would probably be hard to find. I don't know if I would want a semi version of a SMG though.

Is this going to be your first rifle? My first rifle was a Norinco AK-47S. You can't really go wrong with any of the AK variants (as long as it's well built with quality parts, I've seen some rough looking ones). The VZ would definitely get second glances at the range, but they are pricey (you could get a good AK for half the cost) and mags will probably be hard to find. Also, the VZ is not really an AK. It has similarities, but it's a different rifle from the ground up.

[Q-gunner2]

Nooooo... got several rifles. 2 Mosin-Nagants, an SKS, a Ruger Mini-30, an SVT-40, a Westernfield .30-30, a Marlin Model 60, and a Bobcat .50... and a Beeman magnum airgun.

The thing is this... all my guns were $425 or less, even the mint condition SVT. I want a gun that is an odd one or rare one that will be worth something (even though I know my SVT is worth around $850, I want something BIG). I mentioned the PPSh because I am into Russian guns... just throwing out ideas. Anyone have any?

[nfa1934]

If you really want something nice, nothing beats a real full-auto. Did you mention that you are around 18? With $1000 to start, by the time you are 21 you could have enough for a machinegun if you set up a fund and have the discipline to save for it. Plus, when you get close you can cash in your other guns. I've had friends who wanted machineguns, but kept buying pistols and rifles every few months. After a couple of years they could have had a full-auto instead of a pile of semis.

A real PPSh41 runs about $6-7K right now, but there are still a lot of interesting guns in the $3-5K range. I know prices will be higher, but that's something you can't really predict. Every time you're tempted to buy another semi, think about having your own (real) PPSh41. Trust me, even if it's a looooong time it will be worth the wait.

[Q-gunner2]

I am 16... the thought of a reall NFA registered weapon is tempting, but I think I'll stick to semi-auto weapons for now. I am one of those people who can never save $$$ for long...

[nfa1934]

The semi PPSh41 is called the SR41. From what I've read, most of them have serious problems. I think some of the last ones produced worked. There's one on Gunbroker right now, but I would be very hesitant to drop that much cash on a notoriously problematic weapon being sold "unfired" and "as is."

If you found one that worked, you could SBR it when you turn 21 :) .

[Q-gunner2]

Any other suggestions then?

[nfa1934]

If you're really into the Russian stuff, Vector Arms has a semi RPD for $2K. I know that's more money than you were talking about, but something BIG=$$$.

[Q-gunner2]

I saw that, but its actually Bulgerian :(.

A REAL Mosin-Nagant PU (not those POS's that Inter Ordinance made up) would be nice, but Im looking for something less common. The Tiger would be only $300 or so more (Saw one at the local gun show, Russian Tiger, woor stocks, VG condition, $1,300) but it is a commercial rifle. Two or three more SVTs would be cool, but I want a little variation.

In general, what com-block style guns would be available for around $1,000? I wish there were affordable DP MG's on semi... I like the BAR kinda look of the DP (no pistol grip, hold it by the rear stock) even though it would need recoil spring changes every 900 or so rounds... that would be a gun I would be proud of. I would pay through my ass on non-corrosive ammo for it, but I recently (2 or so months ago) saw a case of like 8 or so 47 round drums for only like $50. I would love that gun.

[nfa1934]

You could spend half your money on a decent quality AK, and spend the other half on something like a Yugo M92 kit to put away for later (with the barrel import ban, they aren't going to get any cheaper than they are now). A pistol or SBR built with the kit woud be a nice project in the future. I just ordered an M92 for a pistol buid.

[Q-gunner2]

Meh... AK's just don't get me going in real life. Ive seen them many times, I want one, but I don't want one now. AK's are the kinda thing someone buys, shoots 15K rounds of ammo through, then sells to you for half the price so you can shoot 15K rounds through it without any difference in accuracy.

Do you know of any DP or Russian MG's on semi-auto?

[KoldWarKid]

Don't mutilate historic firearms for the sake of making some basturdized pistol-zilla!


If they were as common as AK's in this country I wouldn't have a problem.

Oh yeah and, eat my ass BATF.

[nfa1934]

A parts kit built on a US manufactured receiver is not a historic firearm.

[KoldWarKid]

Having the Czech receiver destroyed to neccitate a U.S. reciever being added is bad enough, then some want to cut the barrel down.

All I'm saying is Vz-58's should be restored to as near to original configuration as possible IMO.

[Q-gunner2]

The barrel would not need to be cut down to make a pistol, it is already sub-16".

[nfa1934]

Having the Czech receiver destroyed to neccitate a U.S. reciever being added is bad enough, then some want to cut the barrel down.

All I'm saying is Vz-58's should be restored to as near to original configuration as possible IMO.

I agree that an original weapon should be left alone, for instance I would never even consider doing something like this to an original VZ58 (even one that had been crippled by being modified to semi), but having the receiver cut away is sufficiently mutilated to ruin any interest in it as an "original" weapon.

In a similar situation, I would be horrified if someone altered a C&R STEn (or even a rewelded original receiver) into a Sterling. However I wouldn't hesitate to convert a tube gun.

I would't worry too much about how uncommon they are as a US made copy. Ohio Ordnance is advertising the first 2000 of these with milled receivers. That means they probably have at least 2000 complete sets to build into "original" configuration (keep in mind that even these are being altered for barrel length). I would doubt that even a handful of the remaining kits in the US will be made into a pistol of any sort, and these will probably retain the original barrel length (shortening that thing will be an extreme pain in the ass) thus preserving the option to put the parts into original configuration if anyone wants to in the future. Keep in mind that a pistol can retain the original barrel length, however a rifle cannot (without a tax stamp, which people are unlikely to pay for a gain of less than an inch).

Since owning NFA weapons, any semi version of of a military rifle seems "mutilated." Also, there actually are VZ58 pistols floating around out there in the real world. Take a look at the captured VZ58 pistol from Iraq pictured in last month's Small Arms Review. They aren't factory, but they are out there.

In an attempt to be as faithful to the original as possible, an SBR VZ58 would be interesting (but I'm not going to pay a $200 tax on anything that doesn't keep going "bang" when you hold the trigger back).

Also, from what I understand, the kits aren't what's hard to find. Currently there is only one domestic manufacturer of receivers at a fairly prohibitive cost ($650). There is likely to be a situation of more available kits than receivers.

[Q-gunner2]

YOU WOULD NOT NEED TO CUT THE BARREL FOR A PISTOL!!!

A gun with no stock AND A BARREL OF LESS THAN 16" IS A PISTOL!!

It does not matter if the barrel is 15.9999999999", if it is less than 16" with no stock, it is a PISTOL!


A pistol, since it would not require a barrel attatchment, would be more accurate to the original gun. Of course, an SBR would be closest.

YAY my 900th post :D.

[SLAMFIRE51]

I believe as long as there is no provision for attaching a stock, a pistol barrel can be a mile long.
I've never seen any regulation stating the barrel has to be less than 16"

[Q-gunner2]

Slamfire is correct, my bad! It just means a rifle can not be shorter than 16".

[rbthntr64]

Riviving an old thread. Has anyone built one of these yet? :dunno:

[vit]

Riviving an old thread. Has anyone built one of these yet? :dunno:
Surly did.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/pistols2.JPG