armoredman
Member
2010 saw a number of interesting developments in the firearms world, but one has almost completely slid under the radar. Almost, but not quite, because I am here, (cue dramatic music here 
), to talk about CZ-USA/CZ-UBs' interesting new rifle, something quite different for them, and for me.
Introducing the first .22 self loading rifle from CZ, the CZ 512.
Caliber .22lR/22WMR
Magazine capacity 5 or 10 rounds detachable
Rate of twist 1 in 16 inches
Weight 5.9 pounds
Length 39.3 inches
Barrel length 20.6 inches
Receiver finish Anodized aluminum
Frame Polymer
The 512 is unique in the fact that the receiver is half polymer and half metal, seen here in it's disassembled state.
Disassembly is odd, but easy enough once you follow the directions a few times. I had never seen a setup like this one before, but I certainly haven't seen it all!
IMPORTANT POINT! You MUST have that "tuning fork" device, (visible behind the single stage press), to guide the recoil springs back in place in the bolt before it can be reassembled - if you can, buy an extra one when you get the rifle! Without it, you have an interesting looking pile of parts that vaguely resembles a rifle.
The 512 I have has a fully adjustable rear buckhorn sight, fixed front with sight hood. The 5 round stock magazine also fits my son's 452 Scout, something HE hasn't overlooked, I assure you! The 22 mag version does not, however.
The stock is beautiful beechwood, exactly what I have come to expect from CZ. The rifle is easy to shoulder and easy to line up. My son liked it as well.
It proved to be a good shooter that first range trip, but the cheap ammo was a PAIN.
The loss leader bulk pack federal ammo was a joy killer, with frequent misfires even with good solid primer strikes. I vowed I would try something better when I took it out again, voila! I did!
Set up,
All shots were fired either like this,
or like this,
For a very good reason - my stool was busy...
How do YOU define quality father/ son time?
So I tried Aguila's 36 grain HP ammo, and got some respectable groups at 25 yards,
Then I broke out the junk ammo again, the Federal 36 grain HP...and the misfires commenced. GAH! I kept wondering what to do about the point of impact when the light bulb went off inside my very empty head, (and what a bright light THAT was!), HEY DUMMY! This things has ADJUSTABLE sights!
AHA! Out comes the Leatherman, (Not the best choice, I left s mark or two on the sight screws. ), and I proceeded to get those groups right down on the bull, as seen...oh boy. Camera memory is full, and I didn't bring another card. OK, you're just gonna have to trust me, as my cardboard box I had the target taped to, (target stand was busy, same place as the stool), went bye bye...sorry.
Only fly in the ointment - that trigger is gritty like beach sand. I am working it as well as I can, but of course, you DON'T dry fire rimfires, not unless you want to ruin either the firing pin or the chamber, as the old saying goes - bad juju. So it gets worked with shooting. I need to go buy some more 22lr ammo, something better than this garbage stuff, and I will be able to put many more rounds downrange through the 512. The trigger was the ONLY thing that bugged me a bit, as the rifle itself worked perfectly with the good ammo, and the ones that misfired had good solid primer hits, meaning it was the ammo's fault, not the rifle. Solid ejecting, far enough to be out of the way, not far enough to land in the lap of the next shooter over. That's a plus on a crowded range!
Overall, the CZ 512 is a nice rifle, accurate enough to be interesting, unusual enough to have for a collection, and certainly reliable enough to keep you shooting with a smile. Works for me.
), to talk about CZ-USA/CZ-UBs' interesting new rifle, something quite different for them, and for me. Introducing the first .22 self loading rifle from CZ, the CZ 512.
Caliber .22lR/22WMR
Magazine capacity 5 or 10 rounds detachable
Rate of twist 1 in 16 inches
Weight 5.9 pounds
Length 39.3 inches
Barrel length 20.6 inches
Receiver finish Anodized aluminum
Frame Polymer
The 512 is unique in the fact that the receiver is half polymer and half metal, seen here in it's disassembled state.
Disassembly is odd, but easy enough once you follow the directions a few times. I had never seen a setup like this one before, but I certainly haven't seen it all!
IMPORTANT POINT! You MUST have that "tuning fork" device, (visible behind the single stage press), to guide the recoil springs back in place in the bolt before it can be reassembled - if you can, buy an extra one when you get the rifle! Without it, you have an interesting looking pile of parts that vaguely resembles a rifle.
The 512 I have has a fully adjustable rear buckhorn sight, fixed front with sight hood. The 5 round stock magazine also fits my son's 452 Scout, something HE hasn't overlooked, I assure you! The 22 mag version does not, however.
The stock is beautiful beechwood, exactly what I have come to expect from CZ. The rifle is easy to shoulder and easy to line up. My son liked it as well.
It proved to be a good shooter that first range trip, but the cheap ammo was a PAIN.
The loss leader bulk pack federal ammo was a joy killer, with frequent misfires even with good solid primer strikes. I vowed I would try something better when I took it out again, voila! I did!
Set up,
All shots were fired either like this,
or like this,
For a very good reason - my stool was busy...
How do YOU define quality father/ son time?
So I tried Aguila's 36 grain HP ammo, and got some respectable groups at 25 yards,
Then I broke out the junk ammo again, the Federal 36 grain HP...and the misfires commenced. GAH! I kept wondering what to do about the point of impact when the light bulb went off inside my very empty head, (and what a bright light THAT was!), HEY DUMMY! This things has ADJUSTABLE sights!
AHA! Out comes the Leatherman, (Not the best choice, I left s mark or two on the sight screws.
), and I proceeded to get those groups right down on the bull, as seen...oh boy. Camera memory is full, and I didn't bring another card. OK, you're just gonna have to trust me, as my cardboard box I had the target taped to, (target stand was busy, same place as the stool), went bye bye...sorry.Only fly in the ointment - that trigger is gritty like beach sand. I am working it as well as I can, but of course, you DON'T dry fire rimfires, not unless you want to ruin either the firing pin or the chamber, as the old saying goes - bad juju. So it gets worked with shooting. I need to go buy some more 22lr ammo, something better than this garbage stuff, and I will be able to put many more rounds downrange through the 512. The trigger was the ONLY thing that bugged me a bit, as the rifle itself worked perfectly with the good ammo, and the ones that misfired had good solid primer hits, meaning it was the ammo's fault, not the rifle. Solid ejecting, far enough to be out of the way, not far enough to land in the lap of the next shooter over. That's a plus on a crowded range!
Overall, the CZ 512 is a nice rifle, accurate enough to be interesting, unusual enough to have for a collection, and certainly reliable enough to keep you shooting with a smile. Works for me.
