Often dismissed as another Eastern Bloc Kalashnikov variant, the Czech vz.58 is its own unique firearm and showcases that country’s fierce firearm independence streak, even when within the sphere of the Soviet Union. Over the years, semi-automatic versions of the vz.58 have been imported for the U.S. civilian market. The broadest offerings to date are CzechPoint USA’s new-for-2025 lineup of vz.58 rifles and pistols.
Developed in the late 1950s as a replacement for the equally unique vz.52 rifle, the vz.58’s short-stroke gas piston system and tilting-block locking system are a sharp contrast from the Kalashnikov’s long-stroke operating system and rotating bolt. Its other “not an AK” features include a striker-fired (versus hammer-fired) mechanism and a bolt that locks open on an empty magazine. The vz.58 served the Czechoslovakian and Czech Republic militaries for 52 years and continues in use by law enforcement and military groups around the world.
CzechPoint USA is the U.S. subsidiary of Czech Small Arms (CSA), currently the only manufacturer of vz.58-type firearms. Major components are manufactured in the Czech Republic and shipped to the U.S., where they are assembled with the requisite number of American-made parts to be 922(r) compliant. CzechPoint, which has been offering vz.58-type firearms for nearly a decade now, has added several new models to its lineup for 2025. All of CzechPoint’s vz.58 firearms feature a rugged, milled receiver, just like the originals. Their chrome-lined barrels are supplied by Lothar Walther. Magazines, while proprietary, retail for $29 to $38 dollars, depending on capacity.
CzechPoint’s latest rifle model is the Military Black. It combines a matte black enamel over phosphate finish and authentic phenolic resin “beaver barf” furniture. It is available chambered in 5.56 NATO or 7.62×39 mm and has an MSRP of $1,920. The company has also introduced the compliant Liberty (MSRP $1,920) and Liberty CSM (MSRP $2,040) versions of its rifles with fixed 10-round magazines that can be loaded from the top of the action, for sale in California, Oregon, Washington, Connecticut and New Jersey.
Vz.58 pistols are available with a 7.5” or 12” barrel chambered in 5.56 NATO or 7.62×39 mm. They are also available with a Shockwave pistol stabilizing blade mounted. The pistols have an MSRP of $1,960 with or $1,860 without the stabilizer.
For more information, see the company’s websites for vz.58 rifles and pistols.
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