A few months ago, one of my vendors was closing out a particualr model of CZ rifle…..the CZ 457 Jaguar. For me, the claim to fame for this gun was the 29″ (thats not a typo) barrel. Between a barrel that is so long that a .22 has burned up all its powder long ago, and the Sparrow suppressor I dropped on the end of this thing (making it almost four-and-a-half feet long) shooting this thing with subsonic Remingtons sounded like a staplegun.
And, unsurprisingly, the gun was, with open sights at 25 yards, stupidly accurate. With the open sights and a solid rest, all shots touched in a group you could cover with a nickel. And, as much as I hate to admit it, my eyes ain’t what they used to be when it comes to open sights. (Hence the Glock upgrade to a red dot…more about that in a few weeks.)
CZ makes good stuff, but if you’re looking for a quality .22 that punches way above its weight class, go with their .22 rifles.
With subsonic HP and the Sparrow on the end, this flagpole is going to be pure murder on gophers if I ever manage to find enough time to spend a day out in the fields. I’m tempted to drop a scope on it, but thats what I have my Savage 93 for….
All in all, a good day at the range. I function tested some guns I’ve been meaning to work with, confirmed the zero on an AR, and had a real blast shooting the CZ 457. Not bad for a dreary rainy day here in western Montana.
L-o-v-e these CZ .22s long-time, baby. 452 Scout for my young son, mannlicher stocked 452, and the 457 Premium for me. Very good values, all.
Following. Having such a set up is an apocalypse version of a grocery cart. It will get you food to eat for survival in whatever fantasy camp version of a collapse occurs in your a.o. Just as easy as rolling those trolley carts down aisle plucking food off shelves at Lard Mart. Stay with iron sights, rig up for woods running with simple kit to just get grocery or dispatch pests or whatever else.
Nothing but positive to say about CZ rimfire rifes. The Scout barrels (16″) make for a compact rifle – maybe worth adding this option if available.
That long barrel you have there should provide some precise shooting.
Good find sir.
A bolt-action .22 with a stock made for grown-ups that’s stupidly accurate?
You’ve been reading my mind again.
What do you think of the CZ mags versus the Savage 93 mags? I like how accurate the Savage 93 can be but I absolutely hate the 93 mags compared to the Ruger American Rimfire mags. (No to mention the cross compatibility with other Ruger .22 products like the 10/22.) I know a lot of people love the CZ’s– great trigger, the American models have the “normal” safety, great accuracy, good balance, quality components, etc. But I haven’t handled one in person and I never hear anything about the magazines. Ease of loading the magazine itself? Loading and unloading into the rifle? Durability? Does it protrude enough to being annoying in the field or when you wish to carry it by hand? TIA
I have a couple of the bolt action Ruger .22’s that take 10/22 mags and I got them specifically for the logistics angle. While they are fine guns, and ‘accurate enough’, I don’ think they are as accurate as the Savage or CZ. The CZ mags are the most expensive, dealering out at around $25, but the build quality is obvious once you handle one. The Savage mags are good, and cheap enough(<$20) to be anon-issue. CZ makes a 10 and 5 round mag..I dont think either one is a hindrance for carrying the rifle. They load as easily as any other single stack .22 mag, although they have less sharp ridges than the Savage.
I have the ‘Trainer’ version. Same, just cheaper wood.
To my knowlege, CZ gets the serious accuracy with precisely and TIGHTLY bored barrels.
I have scoped mine, and does help my old eyes. That said, the sights, trigger, and shape of the stock are not designed for a scope. They are designed for offhand shooting. I find I prefer it as originally designed. If I need a scope I have other rimfires to use.
I agree, with standard velocity ammunition they are quieter than my last air rifle. Mine is not threaded, but I can imagine it would sound like a cat sneeze if it were and I used a suppressor.
IMO, the most underrated tool in a prepper’s bang category. As Frosty pointed out, its a grocery gitt’r. I once read that in days gone by, more American deer were harvested with .22LR than any other caliber. I can think of other parables for a deer.
I have long thought about the effectiveness of 10 rounds of .22 in a very small space as a solid deterrent to a home invader. Well, as long as they aren’t on some kind of magic juice.
The most recent CZ452 American looks beautiful. Haven’t ever held one, but all will be compared to gramps old Winchester 69A. 70 some years old, sights haven’t been fiddled with since I took it target shooting some 30 years ago. Still punches out the 10 ring at 25 yds. Oh, did I mention that it hasn’t been cleaned in 30 years? Still performs flawlessly. Took the kids to the range with their .22s. Kid could hardly hit the paper with the brand new Savage cadet. We loaded up gramps’ old Winnie, and he was a solid 9s shooter. Just so easy to shoot.
If anyone sees a decent Win 69A at their gun shop, please, please let me know.
The Czechs make good firearms. My CZ82. Would not trade it for anything. The Poles also make good firearms. The Radom plant specifically. P64 chambered in 9x18mm. Nice workmanship. Accurate. Just kicks like a bitch.
The eastern European countries made and still make excellent firearms.
Brno Model 1, and CZ 452 are basically the same blueprint. Bought a surplus Brno, stamped 1976 atop the receiver, and it is shocking how well it does. Scoped, floated, yadda yadda, it makes people call me liar, and wins bets for me.
We would go to the range every Sunday we could manage, and I would use most or all of a brick of 500. Bolt handle looked chrome plated.
10 round mags are worth it.