Cz 452

[fpgt72]

I also have a 452 trainer and it is by far the go to bolt rifle....like others have said it makes me better then I really am. It is my small bore gun of choice, even though I did not get to do any of that this year.

 

[CB900F]

RBernie & all;

The largest difference between the 452/455 platforms is the barrel attachment method. Whereas the 452 screws the barrel into the receiver, the 455 uses a slip-in method secured with two screws. The way it's done is in no way like that of the Ruger 10/22 either. The screws are radial to the bore axis, not parallel.

The 455 platform has had it's teething problems. There have been muzzle crowning, or lack thereof, issues, chamber issues, and lately the single-set trigger recall. Accuracy seems to be good but not over the whole spectrum, not as good as the 452 series. Which is not to say that specific guns aren't as good. But overall, it seems as though accuracy is down a tad in stock guns. Fixes are being worked out among the CZ cognoscenti, but if you don't want to work on the gun, you're stuck with the luck of the draw at this time. Again, they aren't bad, just not quite as good overall.

900F

 

[EastofTexas]

I knew CZ had an excellent reputation but all of this feedback just reinforces what I have read. I have wanted a CZ75 or 85 for years and may sell something to buy one.

My rifle is a trainer but the stock and finish are top quality. I believe but am not absolutely certain that I fired a Czechoslovakian made version of the AK (I know it was actually different from a standard AK) in Vietnam. We had a couple of AK's in my Scout Dog platoon's armory. We just used them for fun. I know one was Chinese and the I think the other was Check. Both were well finished and these were rifles that had be captured sometime before 1969. One had a folding stock. I have a picture someplace of a buddy and me holding the rifles and I will try to find it and scan it.

I am going to also buy a CZ hunting rifle and probably get a 308 but i might go 30:06.

Now if I could just afford to retire and move out west someplace.

 

[CB900F]

EastofTexas;

If you're wanting a centerfire CZ rifle, buy it fairly soon. T'were me, I'd be looking for a fullstock in 6.5 Swede. But no 550's are imported with a left hand bolt, so I'm out in the cold. Things being the way they are, go the .30-06 is my advice. I do believe, if memory serves me correctly, that the 550 is made in magnum and standard action lengths, but not short.

900F

 

[oldcelt]

I have had a cz 452 american for about 4 years. My only gripe is why would they put a cheap stamped trigger guard on such a fine rifle? Oh yes it is a tack driver.The only problem is cosmetic and I don't see i when I'm shooting.

 

[viking499]

Trigger guard problem solved........

http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=126598&CAT=3600

 

[ColtPythonElite]

DIP will sell you a snazzy trigger guard for about a 1/3 the cost of your rifle.

 

[Cee Zee]

No plastic, no aluminum on the sights or the trigger guards.

The mag well is plastic on the 452 and the 453. At least it is on the American. I believe it is on all models. Plus additional mags are almost always plastic. There are very few of the metal models around and they are much more expensive.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

The muzzle cap on full stocks is cheesy plastic. CZ knows it's not desireable, because they make a metal one to replace it.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Would you guys rather have a fancy looking plastic or alloy trigger guard like competitors use?

I'll take the rugged simplicity of the CZs just the way they are.

The Scout is a tremendous value, I don't want to ruin that with expensive cosmetic upgrades.

If you want a purdy gun, buy a Cooper. Just don't be surprised if it doesn't out shoot the CZs.

 

[fpgt72]

DIP will sell you a snazzy trigger guard for about a 1/3 the cost of your rifle.

1/3....heck that is closer to half of what I paid for a brand new 22lr version just last year.

 

[fpgt72]

The mag well is plastic on the 452 and the 453. At least it is on the American. I believe it is on all models. Plus additional mags are almost always plastic. There are very few of the metal models around and they are much more expensive.

I noticed that, I needed 3 for the game I play, all with 5 rounds in them each. The one that came with the rifle was metal, the others are plastic, and the plastic ones are CZ branded. I have not had problems with any of them, but you can tell.....I also think calling them plastic is a bit unfair, plastic mags seem to be the norm in the AR and AK world and no one has a problem with them, and to me it feels like the same stuff....only downside is for me is I only have had one plastic AR mag and I gave it away....I like the old time metal for me.

 

[rbernie]

The mag well is plastic on the 452 and the 453. At least it is on the American. I believe it is on all models. Plus additional mags are almost always plastic. There are very few of the metal models around and they are much more expensive.

The 452 UL that I bought last week has a metal mag (and magwell, IIRC), and certainly lacks the plastic magwell block of the 455.

 

[oldcelt]

Don't need a snazzy trigerguard, the rifle works well the way it is. Too expensive to fix a minor cosmetic problem.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

I went ahead & bought the D.I.P. trigger guard for my 452 American. The gun has been with me awhile & done such a good job dispatching small varmints that I thought it deserved the upgrade. It'd earned it in my estimation. Did it need it? No, I installed it & just made sure that the action screws torqued to the same value that they had been, & it shoots the same way it always has. Which is to say, just fine thenkewveddymuch.

I'm a happy camper & the gun looks better too.

900F

 

[I6turbo]

The mag well is plastic on the 452 and the 453. At least it is on the American. I believe it is on all models. Plus additional mags are almost always plastic. There are very few of the metal models around and they are much more expensive.

Actually, the 5-round metal mags are much easier to locate these days. The 5-round poly mag is much more scarce. CZ has 600+ metal ones available, and gunbroker and e-bay have plenty of the metal ones. CZ is out of the poly 5-rounders and they are pretty scarce online. The guns can/will come with either from the factory. I have 7 CZ 452s and 3 came from the factory with poly, and 4 with metal [Correction: 7 452s, 11 CZs total]. I actually prefer the poly, as do many other people who have used both. Nothing at all wrong with the metal, but the poly is just lighter, less risk of accidentally scratching the bottom of the gun when inserting it, etc. Either is fine, and if they only made one version there'd be no reason to complain. The metal mags cost about $4 more.

 

[I6turbo]

I'll also recommend the Trainer very highly. I have 12 CZ and BRNO rimfires and the Trainer is probably my favorite of all. Anyone who thinks they might enjoy a super fun and accurate .22, should do themselves a favor and buy a Trainer while they are available. There's almost zero chance that you'll regret it (unless it starts you onto the CZ addiction that many people get after their first).

 

[Cee Zee]

.I also think calling them plastic is a bit unfair, plastic mags seem to be the norm in the AR and AK world and no one has a problem with them

I didn't mean to insult those mags by saying what they are made of. I think they work just fine. They might not be as durable though but I'm not about to test them to find out.

It's good to hear that some of the mag wells are metal. I had thought some of them were but I wasn't sure. I said I wasn't sure in the post. It's a good thing that there are now metal mags available too. I haven't really looked for any .22 stuff in the past year since the ammo was so scarce. I just know that when I was looking for mags the metal ones were hard to find. I'll check out the CZ site to see what they have. I may have to get a couple of the metal ones.

 

[juk]

I love my 452 Trainer! Mine came with a metal mag when I bought it some 4-5 years ago. I threw a cheap takeoff scope on it not long after I bought the rifle and starting plinking away with bulk ammo. I went out with a friend one day and ran out of targets so we started shooting dirt clods and pinecones at 50 yards. We ran out of those and I started shooting weeds in half. I probably shot a dozen weeds in half and promptly went home and took the scope off. Ever since then, it has been an iron sights only rifle. I did get the yodave kit eventually. I now use the rifle to practice free hand, unsupported shooting at targets, squirrels, dove, and all kinds of things. A few years ago I was 18 shots for 19 dove all at 25 yards standing. My only regret is that I didn't buy another Trainer in 17. I would love a 452 FS with a 1-4 variable power Leupold, but that just isn't in the budget.

 

[redneck2]

I have a 453 Varminter with the single set trigger. Last time out, it was shooting .2's at 50 yards with Wolf Match.

 

[Cee Zee]

I have a 453 Varminter with the single set trigger. Last time out, it was shooting .2's at 50 yards with Wolf Match.

That's about what I get with my 453 American redneck. But I no longer use Wolf ammo. I don't get the same results with it I did a couple of years ago. I shoot Eley Match Black now if I want good groups or Federal Gold Medal Ultra Match if I want even better groups. It's kinda pricey though. I don't shoot a lot of it. I know it's the ammo because I had exactly the same issue with my Savage MkIIBTV. I think they aren't making Wold ammo as well as they did a while back.

Truth be told I'd probably have to work my way back up to that level now after basically taking a year off of shooting. I ordered a case of CCI SV about this time last year and I haven't seen much .22 ammo since I bought it. I did see some more SV and I bought some of it too but for the most part it's been hard to find good ammo or even decent ammo. And I hate to be without. I'd rather not shoot as to be without. You just never know when you might need some ammo. I could be invaded by an army of zombie flying squirrels bent on eating my grains or something. You really just never know. I do know that I'll have some ammo just in case. Regular flying squirrels are tough enough to nail. The zombie kind? Well I'm sure I don't have to mention that to you guys!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Wolf Match is ok, but is far from match quality, IMO. Eley Match is good for over twice the price, though.....I get good results outta Lapua Center X at a few bucks less than black box.

 

[redneck2]

I tried five different kinds of match ammo, some at maybe $20/box. Eley was one of them, though right now I don't remember which exact one. IIRC, they make several different levels. This particular batch of Wolf gave by far the best groups.

 

[Nighteyes]

I mentioned it before; perhaps it would be helpful to mention it again. Don't limit your search to match ammo.

I fed my 452 Varmint every type of ammo I could get my hands on, including several brands of match ammo (Federal, Wolf and Eley were represented). I kid you not; its favorite fodder is Federal High Velocity.

 

[redneck2]

My 2nd best is plain old Blaser