dakota.potts
New member
Looking to do my first NFA firearm on a Form 1 here soon. I'd like to build it from one of my rifles and not spend a lot of money. The goal is a package with an OAL as short as possible, reliable, and suitable for self defense.
For the AR 15, I know that I can get a .300 BLK 8" upper for under $400, which would be my absolute limit. However, even with the fancy short stocks on the market, the AR is going to be at least 4-5" longer than the VZ in the most collapsed position. A stock like the NEA CCS or LWRC UCIW will take that in about an inch, but that's a lot of money for a short improvement. After a lot of research, I think I'd be going with the .300 BLK. The LAW side folding stock is a choice, but I don't like not being able to shoot it folded
The VZ 58 is already a very compact package at about 26" folded. I see a lot of very short barreled variants, especially popular in Canada where they're a lot easier to own (compared to their normal firearms) and the VZs are popular.
I imagine the barrel on mine could be cut down to leave just enough room for a new front sight to snug up to the gas port, making the barrel about 8" and the OAL around 20" vs. 24" for about the shortest possible AR I can figure out with the same barrel length. I'm not sure there's any feasible low cost way of shortening the gas system, which I'd be open to, but it seems like cutting the barrel and moving the sight in is going to be the most feasible option I have.
So with the AR:
Easier to build
Very easy to revert to standard configuration
Leaves me open for other short uppers down the line without new SBR stamps
Subsonic .300 rounds might at least take the edge off of the noise and save some hearing if I have to use it
Ammo is a lot more expensive
Package is longer overall
Better accuracy and long range capability
VZ 58
Likely Cheaper
Shorter overall package
Cheaper ammo, more opportunity for training
Much more unique (just fun)
Recoil will likely be much higher since it already kicks.
7.62X39 in a barrel that size will be very loud, especially with any muzzle device
Not much opportunity to bring the gun back to original configuration
Anybody have experience with the VZ 58 SBR? There are plenty of resources for the AR 15, not so much for the VZ
For the AR 15, I know that I can get a .300 BLK 8" upper for under $400, which would be my absolute limit. However, even with the fancy short stocks on the market, the AR is going to be at least 4-5" longer than the VZ in the most collapsed position. A stock like the NEA CCS or LWRC UCIW will take that in about an inch, but that's a lot of money for a short improvement. After a lot of research, I think I'd be going with the .300 BLK. The LAW side folding stock is a choice, but I don't like not being able to shoot it folded
The VZ 58 is already a very compact package at about 26" folded. I see a lot of very short barreled variants, especially popular in Canada where they're a lot easier to own (compared to their normal firearms) and the VZs are popular.
I imagine the barrel on mine could be cut down to leave just enough room for a new front sight to snug up to the gas port, making the barrel about 8" and the OAL around 20" vs. 24" for about the shortest possible AR I can figure out with the same barrel length. I'm not sure there's any feasible low cost way of shortening the gas system, which I'd be open to, but it seems like cutting the barrel and moving the sight in is going to be the most feasible option I have.
So with the AR:
Easier to build
Very easy to revert to standard configuration
Leaves me open for other short uppers down the line without new SBR stamps
Subsonic .300 rounds might at least take the edge off of the noise and save some hearing if I have to use it
Ammo is a lot more expensive
Package is longer overall
Better accuracy and long range capability
VZ 58
Likely Cheaper
Shorter overall package
Cheaper ammo, more opportunity for training
Much more unique (just fun)
Recoil will likely be much higher since it already kicks.
7.62X39 in a barrel that size will be very loud, especially with any muzzle device
Not much opportunity to bring the gun back to original configuration
Anybody have experience with the VZ 58 SBR? There are plenty of resources for the AR 15, not so much for the VZ