Thoughts on a VZ-24?

[Crusader]

There's a gentleman in my area trying to sell a VZ-24. I've never owned one so I wanted to see what everyone thought on them. I know the Czech rifles are very high quality so I'm not too worried about that.

What I had a question about is the bolt handle - this rifle has a bent handle similar to a German Kar98k, but the stock is not hollowed out around the handle knob like German mausers are. I had assumed this must make it a retrofit piece, but in some cursory searching apparently this was done on some rifles. Is there a way to tell? He says there are Waffenampts (sp?) on the rifle so this may have been done under German occupation. I've asked for pictures to verify that.

Does anyone have a good resource that I can read up on the VZ-24? He's also asking $400 which seems a bit steep to me since I can buy a RC Kar98k for that price if I wanted. What do you all think?


Thanks fellas

[Milsurp Collector]

It should have a straight bolt handle. Possibly someone put a K98k bolt in it.

After the Nazis took over Czechoslovakia the factory in Bystrica (Brunn II) continued to make Vz-24 rifles renamed G.24(t) - still with a straight bolt handle -until they converted to K98k production.

http://www.ycgg.org/pdfpages/ww2/g24%28t%29.pdf

http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?144-dou.-42-G.24%28t%29-and-Kar.98k

[emcon5]

Not necessarily. There were bent bolt VZ24s exported to South America.

[MRX9989]

If you are able to get a picture of the bolt we might be able to help you find out if it has a factory bent bolt or if it's some kind of sporterization attempt.

As previous posters have stated, some VZ-24s have factory bent bolts, both with and without stock cutouts. All would be considered somewhat rare today.

[glennsche]

i had one and didnt care for it much; it was too wide in the middle by the sights, it felt like a k98 with a beer gut.

the action was fine and in many respects was identical to the k98 as far as trigger pull and cycling.

the other thing i didnt like about it is the sights started at 300yrds.

i know you like mausers more than i do so if you dont have one maybe you'd get a more of a kick out of it than i did. As you well know i'm more into straight pull.

price i'd say is a bit high but not unreasonably so.

[Crusader]

Let's try this. If not I'll just post the link. This isn't the rifle, but its in the same configuration - bent bolt, straight angle, blued, and no stock cut-out. The rifle I'm looking at has most of the blueing left on the metal, much more so than this picture. Stock appears to be in about the same shape.

Good God it worked, I'm a freaking genious!


And Glenn, I need no reminding of where your loyalties lie. I have love for the straight pull too, but Mausers just take the cake as far as collecting in my opinion - especially with all the different receiver stamps to get

[Bobby Ricigliano]

As Glenn mentions, the VZ-24 stock is tangibly thicker and has a weightier feel than the slim, graceful K98. The sights are just about the same but the VZ has a neat winged front sight protector that is easy to put on and take off.

The only real downside to the VZ-24 is they are almost always scrubbed and beat up. $400 is near the high end for one so it ought to be in fine shape for that price.

If you want to be different, look at the M24/52C. The hybrid love child of the Czech and Yugo Mauser,

[SVT-40]

Here are a few pic's of probably the best vz.24. that I have ever seen. I was lucky to get this one!!!

[SVT-40]

There's a gentleman in my area trying to sell a VZ-24. I've never owned one so I wanted to see what everyone thought on them. I know the Czech rifles are very high quality so I'm not too worried about that.

What I had a question about is the bolt handle - this rifle has a bent handle similar to a German Kar98k, but the stock is not hollowed out around the handle knob like German mausers are. I had assumed this must make it a retrofit piece, but in some cursory searching apparently this was done on some rifles. Is there a way to tell? He says there are Waffenampts (sp?) on the rifle so this may have been done under German occupation. I've asked for pictures to verify that.

Does anyone have a good resource that I can read up on the VZ-24? He's also asking $400 which seems a bit steep to me since I can buy a RC Kar98k for that price if I wanted. What do you all think?


Thanks fellas

Does the number on the bolt match the serial number on the receiver? If the bolt is original to the rifle, the pattern of wear should be similar, and the font used for the serial number should match the receiver...

[MRX9989]

I just checked your image against my copy of Ball's Mauser book. From looking at the pictures it seems like the angle of the bolt does not match match a factory bent bolt. The only variant that has a finger groove stock and a bent bolt is the VZ24 high turret sniper variant.

My guess is that it was reheated and bent after it left military service.

Regarding VZ24 stocks, I currently own one that is "fatter" is definitely a post-war rebuild. My other VZ24 stock has more or less the same dimensions as a K98. Since I don't have the original rifle it was paired to I do not know if it was a contract or a Czech model.

You may want to take your rifle over to Gunboards.com or milsurpshooter.net for a better diagnosis.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Here are a few pic's of probably the best vz.24. that I have ever seen. I was lucky to get this one!!!

You can usually get anything you want if you have the coin, but I will echo the fact that I have never seen a VZ-24 that nice offered at any price. For a variant that tends to be in rough condition most of the time, that is quite astounding.

[mosinnagantm9130]

You can usually get anything you want if you have the coin, but I will echo the fact that I have never seen a VZ-24 that nice offered at any price. For a variant that tends to be in rough condition most of the time, that is quite astounding.

Considering the sheer numbers made, you'd think it'd be easier to find Vz.24s in good shape, but it really isn't.

[MasterChief]

Price seems high unless: it is German-modified and in good condition. The variations of these features are several and sometimes subtle. And oft-debated.

I would think we need some actual images of subject rifle to help narrow things down.

Best wishes. Dave

[CASEC]

I have a cz 24 action I need to build up into a rifle. Will a standard Mauser stock fit? if not where can I get a good stock for it?

[Crunch130]

A VZ-24 is the same action length as a K98k. I had to make some slight inletting mods to drop a K98k barreled action into a VZ-24 stock, but I suspect a VZ-24 should drop straight into a K98k stock.

Crunch

PS - SVT-40, that VZ of yours is incredible! Must be super-rare in that condition!