Welcome everyone to the 181st edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only has a Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

In our last edition, our poll showed that you, the readers, (apologies for the technical difficulties) found the FAMAE SAF to be a hot gat.  

HGFC – Chilean Treasure or Miniature SIG Displeasure — Poll Results

At this time the original auction is still up with the current bid (at the time this article was written) at $2,907.  We don’t know how high the price will go, but congratulations in advance to whoever wins that auction.     

In this week’s edition of HGFC, we look at a modified VZ2008 chambered in 7.62×39. As is tradition, this Czech gat is currently up for sale on GunBroker for $899 Starting Bid or $949 Buy It Now.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP?

Classic Czech or Modified Train Wreck?

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Classic Czech or Modified Train Wreck?

Let’s see what the Staff had to say about this week’s offering:

“They somehow managed to take the cooler ak and make it worse then a normal one.” -Lucas D.

“Ahh the hipster’s AK. Packed with features you can explain at length as “technically better” than the AKM. If it can be detacticalized, it’s absolutely worth a grand. If the modifications are permanent, it’s a tragic waste of a collectible.” – Hop

Selling this retro gat is GunBroker seller jmccpc245, located in Salisbury NC.  Let’s see what they had to say about this modified VZ.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Classic Czech or Modified Train Wreck?

Authors Note: The item description has been truncated here in order to accommodate the format of this article.  For the full item description please visit the listing here.  

Rare Nice Century Arms VZ 2008 Sporter 7.62x39mm Semi Auto Rifle AK-47 Style W/ 16 Inch Barrel W/ Customized Folding Stock W/ Scout Scopes Mount W/ Primary Arms Red Dot Optic 

*This firearm is NOT legal in California*

Item Description

Up for auction is a nice Century Arms VZ2008 Sporter AK-47 Style semi automatic rifle chambered in 7.62×39 and is similar to the AK-47 type rifles that we are familiar with today. This rifle has a barrel length of approximately 16 inches and has a threaded muzzle. This rifle is equipped with a customized folding stock with a rubber recoil pad. It is also equipped with a Scout Scopes mount and a Primary Arms Red Dot sight. It also has a forward vertical grip mounted. This rifle appears to be in good mechanical condition and everything appears to work as it should. The bore is bright and in good condition. This rifle would make an excellent addition to anyone’s collection. Don’t let this one pass you by!  Please ask all questions prior to bidding. We will do our best to answer all questions to the best of our ability and in a timely fashion. Please take a look at the photos. You will receive the actual item shown in the photos. We do accept trades. Just let us know what you have.

Specifications and Features:

• Manufacturer: Century Arms
• Model: VZ2008 Sporter 
• Caliber: 7.62×39
• Action: Semi Auto
• Barrel Length: Approximately 16 inch threaded barrel 
• Finish: Black
• Stock/Grips:   Customized Folding Stock with added rubber recoil pad. 
• Bore Condition: Bore is in good overall condition. Bore is bright with strong rifling. 
• Sights: Fixed front sight. W/ Scout Scopes Mount and Primary Arms red dot sight. 

Shipping Amount: $35

Thanks for looking!

IN ADDITION TO ACCEPTING TRADES, WE ALSO BUY COLLECTIONS, ESTATES, AND EVEN SINGLE FIREARMS. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Classic Czech or Modified Train Wreck?

VZ-58 pattern rifles are always interesting to look at and explain to those new to the shooting community.  It’s one of those strange times where it looks like an AK, feels like an AK, but is absolutely not an AK.  Instead of a long-stroke gas piston, it uses a short-stroke system with an exposed bolt and carrier.  It’s a neat design where you can feed the magazine with stripper clips while still inserted in the rifle, but the magazines are proprietary.  There’s actually a review done on this rifle back in 2013 you can read here.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Classic Czech or Modified Train Wreck?

This has all the hallmark features of a rifle that was kitted out during the late 2000s.  There’s of course a vertical forward grip with some sort of feature built-in, and then, of course, a pad in an effort to make the stock more comfortable.  Can I see why someone would do it?  Sure, but you might want to start with something with better ergonomics rather than resto-mod a gun like this.  While I’m not the biggest VZ fan, I will admit they’re fun to shoot.  Sadly the lack of parts interchangeability puts the brakes on my wanting to own one.

So what’s a piece of late 2000s history like this worth and is this a project that’s worth salvaging?  Well and as always I leave it up to you, the readers to decide.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Classic Czech or Modified Train Wreck?

What do you think?  Is this VZ2008 a Hot Gat or overly modified Fudd Crap?  Be sure to let us know in the comments below, and cast your vote to let us know if this Rare Century Arms VZ2008 Sporter is a Hot Gat or Fudd Crap: