Vz58

[DanTheMan]

Due to the nature of its design, roller-delayed blow back it is pretty much impossible to make a straight pull G3.

Mage an excellent base rifle for a "lever release"

[Fedaykin]

"Leaver release" G3...

CAN

WORMS

OPEN

[Fedaykin]

My main issue at the moment is with John Masefield (ODRC/FCSAS) out of action at the moment I struggle to get .223 62gr surplus local to me. Plenty of rural type gun dealers who can sell me shot gun carts or .22LR or even .223 with expanding tips but they kind of twist their faces up when I ask for FMJ.

An RFD who does .303 (PPU) and .223 62gr fmj within ten to fifteen miles of Loughborough would be nice!

I know I know! I need to start reloading but I have spent all my pennies so far...

[Fedaykin]

Whoops FCSAS?!

Now that would be interesting

[Fedaykin]

Problem solved! I was on a business trip to London so decided to drop into the Gunshop in East Barnet and picked up one hundred rounds of 63gr .223 GECO. Never been to the Gunshop before but I was highly impressed with what was stocked and the owner was interesting and informative.

He asked me what it was for and I told him a Vz.58 which surprised him! Apparently he owned a pre-ban semi-auto Vz.58 in 7.62x39! So we ended up talking Vz.58!

Alas he didn't have any .303 which he is apparently struggling to get.

[phaedra1106]

Looking at the order form it's a bit unclear, the rifle as shown doesn't seem to be what you get, the front rail, grip and stock shown are all extras yet the manufacturers (CSA) site shows them fitted as one the three standard packages available http://www.csa.co.cz/en/15-produkty/24-sa58-223.html

Stock options on the Caledonian order form are fixed solid (no picture shown and not on the CSA site) fixed skeletal or steel folding, to add the adjustable AR type stock I assume it's an extra £45 for the stock and another £30 for the small Stock Adapter? and £75 for the polymer Picatinny Front Guards (which appears to be the FAB Defense set at £34 on Amazon!)

[Fedaykin]

Indeed what is on the order form does not match the pictures or the standard CSA examples on the Caledonian website.

As it stands Scott only had the prototypes when he was putting together the webpage. My rifle is in the first UK batch so as it stands he hasn't had rifles in standard UK spec for the website. Actually when I put my order in the order form wasn't even on the website and we discussed a fairly unique specification over the phone. Scott has also had a recent bereavement in the family so I think we can cut him a bit of slack.

UK Section 1 examples don't have the barrel fitted to standard CSA examples and have Walther Lothar barrels instead. This presumably gets around any issues with Section 5 parts as the Walther Lothar barrels wouldn't have the gas port hole.

UK examples are also drilled for the side rail as standard.

Once Scott has had a few more imported in he will probably put a more representative rifle on the website, can't comment on his prices vs Amazon. He is still getting up to speed on the rifle and has always made it clear to me that I can go elsewhere for parts if I wanted. To be honest I would rather deal with Caledonian and Scott for all my parts as he is throwing in a pretty good warranty which makes up for anything being a bit more expensive. The base rifle cost of £780 plus a solid warranty is pretty good, if I am paying slightly more then internet prices for certain after market FAB parts I accept that within reason.

[phaedra1106]

Thanks for the extra information, very helpful indeed Will have to go look at a copy of Shooting Sports and see what the UK version looks like.

As you say the base price is pretty good and even with a few add-ons it would still be a lot cheaper than an AR build straight pull.

I'd be very interested to see some photos of yours when it arrives as I'm sure would everyone else

[Fedaykin]

Believe me I can't wait to put up the pictures myself! The examples in Shooting Sports are effectively the prototypes so are not entirely representative of standard UK Section 1 spec albeit very close.

As I said my spec is a bit unique and I have asked for a fair few parts not on the order form. Along with the bits I have sourced elsewhere I think you will all rather like!

[Fedaykin]

Well a bit of an update, the rifle is at Frankfurt airport. Apparently German security have held up the consignment of Vz.58, apparently they are leaving for the UK tomorrow...I hope!