My PSA Century Arms VZ2008

[Paisan]

I let my last AK (I know, I know) get away from me over 10 years ago, and never regretted the decision to go all AR pattern, all the time. A few weeks ago, I noticed a deal at Palmetto State Armory offering a VZ2008 with 5 mags, mag pouch, bayonet/sheath, sling and cleaning kit for $399.00. How could I go wrong? Well, according to any number of interweb commandos, I could go very wrong indeed. The list was long - glacial service from PSA, canted front sight bases, mutant FCGs that would be unreliable, corroded barrels, handguard temps approaching that of the surface of the sun, a couple of well-documented "gremlins" resulting in dead triggers, folding stocks that required sandblasting and the hammer of Thor to release, virulent strains of ebola virus impregnated in the beaver barf stock...OK, just kidding about that last one, but you get the idea. The phrase "the monkeys at Century Arms" was repeated often.

 

Well, I am happy to report a very, very, satisfying buying experience. First, PSA took exactly 4 business days to ship my rifle. When I opened the box at my FFL's place, I found a rifle in immaculate condition. 3 of the 5 mags were new and unused, 2 were only slightly used. Bayonet/sheath was new, sling was all leather and entirely serviceable with some scuffs. The mag pouch was as nice a piece of leather as has ever come out of an Eastern bloc nation. Thick, supple leather you could sew a strap on and sell to some hipster for serious ammo money. The folding stock was stiff, but a shot of Breakfree and some ooomph had it working in a couple of minutes. I took it home quite pleased with myself. But how would it shoot?

 

After a bit of a shocker finding reasonably priced 7.62 x 39 (have I made a mistake?), I cleaned and lubed the VZ and headed for the rifle club. I put up an enormous "Vote For XXXX" sign at 50 yards, in case I had one of the dreaded canted front sight rifles. With any of my ARs, I could hit this sign from NE Alabama on a clear day. I then plopped myslef down behind my range bag and fired 5 shots. The trigger was kinda long, kinda heavy, but smooth. It allowed good shooting if I did my part. Downrange, I discovered a tidy group about 2.5" with 3 round sinto almost exactly 1 inch! In my experience, few rifles have iron sights this well regulated from the factory. I was thrilled. Remember, this is a $399.00 rifle shooting Tula. a rifle that, by all accounts, should have spontaneously combusted somewhere between the factory and my FFL.

 

Over 2 nights of enthusiastic shooting, I have put 440 rounds of Tula through my new acquisition. Function has been 100% with no cleaning or lubrication. The sights are rough for my 50+ year-old eyes and the trigger is nothing to write home about, BUT they are perfectly functional and good enough to allow some pretty precise shooting. Rapid mag dumps are nothing, though the handguards do get pretty warm.

 

I bought this VZ because:

 

A. It was cheap

B. The Hildabeast will not want me to have it a couple years from now.

3. I can throw it in my trunk and not bury my head in my hands and weep openly if it were stolen - as I would if it were my Noveske, my DD, my BCM, my Colt, or my M&Ps.

 

I'm keeping it because its a damn good firearm, and it will never be worth less than what I paid for it.

 

Get one while the gettin's good.

[KorbenDallas]

Great overview! I've been eyeballing this for a while but that "too good to be true" price had me on the fence. Looks like now it's coming from PSA without the bayonet. Can't believe buds wants almost $200 more for the same package. I know my luck just when I save the cash it will be out of stock for months, and then when they get it back it will be at the buds price.

[Oh Shoot]

Very enjoyable review!

 

CIA seems to have sobered up their production lines anymore and gotten their exporters to get with the program too, even the Romanians with the WASRs. Seems screwed up rifles over the last year and a half or so are much more the exception than the rule.

 

- OS

Edited October 17, 2014 by Oh Shoot

[peejman]

I was sorely tempted by one of those, but I think I'd really rather have a PAP AK.  Good to hear a nice review of one. 

[CM1021]

I ordered one of these to match my fixed stock vz and am very happy with it.

[KKing]

I can't tell you how many times I've had this gun in my cart and talked myself out of it (not because of the weapon, because of the wife) but I don't think I can resist the urge much longer. I already have a lot of parts bookmarked for it, I just need to pull the trigger. Honestly 99% of what I've seen on them has been positive Edited October 17, 2014 by KKing

[Troutburger]

Nice review, How bout some pics for inquiring minds? 

[Erik88]

Thanks for the review. Is the stock comfortable? 

[Djay3]

Enjoyable solid report!

Isn't it a shock how some of the garden variety 7.62x39 can perform with some barrels! It's a round that deserves more respect than it sometimes gets.

[A.J. Holst]

Considering a VZ 58 from czechpoint is north of $800, that's a great deal.

What are the prime differences between a 58 and a 2000?

[CM1021]

Thanks for the review. Is the stock comfortable? 

The stock definitely isn't what I would consider comfortable. You will get a good bit of cheek slap or at least I did. I wrapped mine with a thin foam then paracord over that. It fixed it for me. 

[Paisan]

I'm glad you all enjoyed the review. To respond to some of the questions / comments:

 

 

Sorry, haven't taken pics, and don't know how to post. Autumn is a busy time for me. My sample looks like the best of the pictures you will see posted. Very attractive for a "commie gun".

 

"Comfortable" is not the right word for the stock, but it's not uncomfortable, either. Handy as heck, though. I wouldn't dream of swapping it out for a fixed stock. When folded, it's shorter than my 11.5 AR pistol, which allows it to fit neatly into a tennis racket case. As CM1021 said, I will be paracord wrapping mine soon.

 

Differences from a VZ58 are new, American made receiver, new Green Mountain barrel (also US manufacture), full 16" threaded barrel. May be more - I'm kinda new to this platform.

 

I have it on very good authority from an Industry Professional on M4C that Century has contracted out the assembly of post-2011 VZ2008s. He is of the opinion that this is why later models have better track records.

 

My sample left the factory in May 2014 according to the label on the trigger guard. All text on the receiver is on the left side.

 

150 more rounds fired without cleaning since the initial 440. These were mixed Tula, Wolf MC, and Wolf Poly, 100% function with all, including mixed mags. Not really surprising as there's hardly any real difference in the 3.

 

Parts and accessories are readily available at Czeckpoint and Zahal, among others.

 

I agree with Djay3, 7.62 X 39 is underrated and accuracy is more than adequate for a short to mid-range fighting carbine.

Edited October 26, 2014 by Paisan

[whitewolf001]

[hipower]

 

VERY GOOD!!!

[No_0ne]

The OP's review is pure fiction.  How do I know?  Because i read all about this rifle on Arfcom ...