VZ-58 or Yugo UF?

**NeverMore1701** · 02-06-2011, 18:40

I have it semi-narrowed down to a VZ-58 and a Yugo underfolder.

Looks like Centerfire Systems has a pretty good price on the 58s, do they take the same mags as a regular 7.62x39 AK? If not, how is mag availability? Replacement furniture?

On the Yugos, where is a good source for them? Generally good quality?

CarlosC · 02-06-2011, 18:48

The only similarities between the VZ and AKs is that they use the same ammo. No parts, including magazines, are compatible. Mags for the VZ are PLENTIFUL and quite affordable.

There are numerous sources for the Yugo underfolders. AIM and J&G are two that have them in stock. Generally, the Yugo AKs are excellent values. MAKE absolutely sure you buy one with an original style 1.5mm receiver.

CnRnut · 02-06-2011, 18:50

The magazines are different.
They can be found for @ $12 each.
I'd get the Yugo myself,then again I do want a VZ.
Guess I'm not much help.

**NeverMore1701** · 02-06-2011, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlosC

The only similarities between the VZ and AKs is that they use the same ammo. No parts, including magazines, are compatible. Mags for the VZ are PLENTIFUL and quite affordable.

There are numerous sources for the Yugo underfolders. AIM and J&G are two that have them in stock. Generally, the Yugo AKs are excellent values. MAKE absolutely sure you buy one with an original style 1.5mm receiver.

Good to know, are there any other downsides to the VZs, or the Yugos, for that matter?

Any other 7.62x39 AKs to consider in the $500 and under price range?

CarlosC · 02-06-2011, 19:11

For the VZ.....really, none that I know of. They're made from a milled receiver, but unusually light. They are really good guns.

The only bad thing about the Yugos is they are quite heavy, possibly the heaviest AKMs out there. They use beefed up receivers and trunnions and the heavy barrel is from an AK-47. The gas block is also more heavy duty. On the plus side, the heaviness makes for a very light recoil (felt).

**NeverMore1701** · 02-06-2011, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlosC

For the VZ.....really, none that I know of. They're made from a milled receiver, but unusually light. They are really good guns.

The only bad thing about the Yugos is they are quite heavy, possibly the heaviest AKMs out there. They use beefed up receivers and trunnions and the heavy barrel is from an AK-47. The gas block is also more heavy duty. On the plus side, the heaviness makes for a very light recoil (felt).

I'm assuming that the UF isn't quite as comfortable as a full stock, but is it bad?

I like the price of the VZ, and have heard good things about them (plus, I'm Czech, so I think it's neat), but if I want more AKs down the line, I'd like to keep common magazines.

CarlosC · 02-06-2011, 19:26

I don't have a problem with the UF, but some people do. Remember, they were designed to be compact, not for sharpshooting.

As for having different magazines.....variety is the spice of life.

**NeverMore1701** · 02-06-2011, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlosC

I don't have a problem with the UF, but some people do. Remember, they were designed to be compact, not for sharpshooting.

As for having different magazines.....variety is the spice of life.

This rifle, whatever I choose, is going to be a truck gun, so compact is good. I'm already pouting about stocking another caliber and mag type, I'm just weird like that

Any other AKs I should be considering in the $500 and under price range?

CarlosC · 02-06-2011, 19:40

You should be able to find a used MAK-90 for that much. They are well worth considering. The Chinese making poor consumer products, but excellent guns.

**NeverMore1701** · 02-06-2011, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlosC

You should be able to find a used MAK-90 for that much. They are well worth considering. The Chinese making poor consumer products, but excellent guns.

Not on Gunbroker, those guys are proud of theirs!

**NeverMore1701** · 02-06-2011, 20:25

So are all the Yugo UFs and VZ-58s assembled by Century? Exempt from the usual Century nonsense?

youngAR · 02-06-2011, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeverMore1701

So are all the Yugo UFs and VZ-58s assembled by Century? Exempt from the usual Century nonsense?

No, there's Czech rifles that are imported complete.

On a side note, the only downside to my VZ-58 is the side folder. I'd like some real wood furniture!

gp35fn · 02-06-2011, 23:16

The Yugo AK are all heavy, but recoil is very light even with the under folder, the VZ58 is light and handy-bolt remains to the rear on the last shot, isn't as heavy duty as the AK and you will need to pick up a extra firing pin. D-Tech from the Czech Republic makes the best VZ58 (parent factory) cost more then the century but worth it.
VZ58 top, Yugo M70 bottom.

cole · 02-07-2011, 00:26

Yugo UF. Love mine. Not an true AKM or chrome-lined but a solid UF value.

pumpedTSI · 02-07-2011, 19:30

Just thought I'd weigh in on this........just bought a $350 Century VZ58 and truthfully expected the usual "needs a little work" CAI product since I bought a Cetme a few years ago that needed "tweaking". When it arrived I was VERY pleasantly surprised......great looker and the work quality seems great, no twisted sights, burrs, hammer marks (although the only thing I could find was a few tap marks on the front sight underside) or file marks. The one piece machined receiver looks great, fit and finish is good and the kit they built it from had little to no wear on the internals, US made barrel is also well finished. I took it to the range and ran 7 or 8 clips thru it with absolutely NO issues. Its no sniper rifle and I'm no sniper but it had very good accuracy out at 100 yards and could have done better but for operator error. All in all I'm happy as hell for $350........

.30 · 02-08-2011, 14:55

I say save up a little more and get a czechpoint vz58. Its a better quality gun than the century vz's and yugo. With the vz you can swap out stocks easily plus it has a bho and better positioned safety. With the yugo your pretty much stuck with the underfolder. The vz is also much lighter than the yugo. I have both and i think id pick the vz over the yugo if i could only keep one.

**NeverMore1701** · 02-08-2011, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by .30

I say save up a little more and get a czechpoint vz58. Its a better quality gun than the century vz's and yugo. With the vz you can swap out stocks easily plus it has a bho and better positioned safety. With the yugo your pretty much stuck with the underfolder. The vz is also much lighter than the yugo. I have both and i think id pick the vz over the yugo if i could only keep one.

Only problem is I could get the Yugo UF AND the Century VZ-58 for the price of one of the Czechpoints

.30 · 02-08-2011, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeverMore1701

Only problem is I could get the Yugo UF AND the Century VZ-58 for the price of one of the Czechpoints

True, but century is a roll of the dice. Plus i think the new yugo's that are selling these days are the 1mm recievers, not the 1.5's.

.30 · 02-08-2011, 16:31

Plus if you search around some deals can be found. Waffen Works was running a $650 cz vz58 deal. I got mine thru Wholesale hunter on sale for the same price.

pumpedTSI · 02-08-2011, 18:37

Its your call on what rifle you buy but I'm hella happy with mine and that seems to be the consensus on these CAI VZ 58 rifles across the board......nothing but good reports. I say cruise the net boards and do your research and then buy.......most reviews are not from greenhorns who never had an AK based rifle in their hands, a lot are from guys that have used them in the dirt and others that are intimately familiar with what a "good" AK based rifle should be........again, do your homework on the net, its free and can save you a few $$$$$$......my .02

**NeverMore1701** · 02-08-2011, 19:06

Particularly stupid, but is it hard (or even possible) to swap a full stocked VZ to the side folder, or vice versa?

Reswob · 02-08-2011, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngAR

No, there's Czech rifles that are imported complete.

On a side note, the only downside to my VZ-58 is the side folder. I'd like some real wood furniture!

Pretty sure the "wood" furniture on a VZ is actually Bakelite (plastic)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeverMore1701

Particularly stupid, but is it hard (or even possible) to swap a full stocked VZ to the side folder, or vice versa?

Google says it's possible and easy.

gp35fn · 02-10-2011, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeverMore1701

Particularly stupid, but is it hard (or even possible) to swap a full stocked VZ to the side folder, or vice versa?

Takes about 5 minutes to switch from one stock to the other-done it several times.
As to the D-tech VZ58 compared to the CAI VZ58, with the D-tech you det a Czech factory reciever, origional chrome-lined VZ58 barrel, all made at the origional VZ58 factory, with CAI VZ58-you get a ORF reciver made by a now de-funct company known for soft recievers, and an after market barrel NOT chrome lined. Most actual AK forums have nothing but complaints about the CAI VZ58-caveot emptor!