When CZ Was "CZ!"

phwebster · 2022-04-16T07:28:12-0400

I miss the CZ's of old. First it was dropping the non magnum 550 for the 557. That is now pushed aside for the 600. And more recently they dropped the dandy little CRF rifle line of 527's. I know its economics and Ruger set the tone with their successful American line taking front and center stage away from the 77 but I much prefer the old school CZ rifles. I am fortunate to own a 550FS in 6.5x55 and a 527 Carbine in 7.62x39. I had them out last weekend for a trip to the range and decided to pull out the rest of the CZ clan for a family photo. 452 Training rifle and a Ringneck 20ga book ends.

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Mr Fixit · 2022-04-16T08:19:45-0400

Have a CZ 550 American in .270 love it!! Always wanted one of those FS, just something about 'em.

TnHunter356 · 2022-04-16T08:20:54-0400

Very nice family of CZs 👍

It was a downright sin to stop production of the CZ550. Finding a used one today can be tough. Maybe my worst firearm decision was selling my mint 550 Carbine in 9.3x62 a few years ago. I do still have my Ruger 1S in 9.3x62 and my Verney Carron double rifle in 9.3x74R however.

bassetman1974 · 2022-04-16T08:53:21-0400

I bought a 452 zkm in 17 HMR in 2003, and a Ringneck 28 guage in 2005. Both excellent guns. The more the years went on the less I liked the looks of the CZ's. Quite a shame because I really liked CZ.

Of course this has happened to every firearms company that I liked in the last 20 years. I just buy the older stuff now with an exception to a couple Savage model 10's.

PaulMooney · 2022-04-16T09:39:52-0400

I'm jealous the 550FS in 6.5x55 and 527 in 7.62x39 have always been on my list.

phwebster · 2022-04-16T11:00:38-0400

The little 527 in 7.62x39 is just addicting. I carry it all the time. I have so many nice rifles that on paper are much more suited for deer hunting but I hunt with it all the time. I have shot a lot of deer with a 7.62x39 and they all dropped like someone flipped a switch on their lives. It is super accurate with factory federals placing a full magazine inside a 2" circle at 50 yards. Great little woods walker. It will probably be the last gun I part with before I am called to the great beyond. Hopefully many years from now!

Skyhunter · 2022-04-16T11:26:35-0400

CZ's certainly can be additive - sort'a like Marlin leverguns! I bought a 452 American (in .22 LR) about 14 years ago cause "everyone NEEDS a good bolt action" ,22 rifle. I was tired of looking for a good used Winchester or Remington. This rifle's accuracy is astounding!
My 2nd was a 527 in 7.62x39 purchased about 8 years ago. Like the 452, its accuracy has been impressive and has accounted for numerous deer and hogs since I brought it home.
The third and last one was a 455 in .22 mag. It's not quite as accurate as the 452, but it'll still shoot well enough to take cat squirrels with head shots at 50 yds.
I always wanted a 550 in 6.5x55, but never could lay hands on one.
CZ's decision to stop making the 452, 455, 527, and the 550 was very disappointing. I can understand the economics, but IMO, a blued steel, walnut stocked rifle is a joy to own and shoot! And when they look as good and shoot as well as these CZ's do, well - it just don't get much better! My CZ's certainly fill the "furniture rifle" niche for me.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

Steve_In · 2022-04-16T11:49:27-0400

When the 17 Hornet hit the market I wanted one of their little Mauser actions in left hand. Expensive then so buying one and putting a .17 barrel was real expensive.
The last I looked there were no left handed rifles in the line up.

Doubletap · 2022-04-16T14:25:58-0400

I'm thankful for every CZ rifle I own. My first was when CZ was being brought in by Magnum Research out of Minneapolis. They are "round top" rifles, set up to use Remington 700 bases. It's a great '06, in a house with several, ok, lots, of great '06's. Then the rimfires hit, a .22 452 Lux, then a .22 WMR Lux, then nearly on the same day, a pair of 527's- Hornet and Short Russian. A few years ago a 550 in 9.3 joined the mix. Every one shoots much better than you'd think they should.
The 527 7.62 dotes on Federal soft point, runs just under 3" 200 yard groups whenever I put it on paper. Shoots 2" with cheap steel cased stuff at 100. So light, easy carrying, and just plain a joy to shoot, it goes hunting a lot!
I could use a .270 550, but at the way prices are going up, it's looking slim for finding one I could afford.

Mr Fixit · 2022-04-16T14:52:49-0400

Here's my "sniper rifle" Cheap scope, works well enough, 4.5 x 14 x40 AO w/3" sunshade Breathe on the trigger and bang she goes!

rx7dryver · 2022-04-16T15:00:02-0400

The 452, 427, and 527s were great and are among my favorites. I will not own the crap they are pushing now. I got no idea why they made the decisions that they did.

rifrench · 2022-04-16T18:14:45-0400

I have a CZ 527 left hand chambered in ,223 Remington. I latched onto it at the last gun show in the area before Obummer's first term. It was the first rifle I bought after I decided that any more bolt actions were going to be left hand, to work with my dominant left eye,

Prickle Farmer · 2022-04-16T20:00:51-0400

I snapped up the last 452 in .22LR that my LGS had in stock when I saw the 'new' model coming and read a review about it.

I'm also happy to say that I own a 375H&H in 550, with the hog back stock.

MS9x56 · 2022-04-16T20:58:21-0400

phwebster said:
I miss the CZ's of old. First it was dropping the non magnum 550 for the 557. That is now pushed aside for the 600. And more recently they dropped the dandy little CRF rifle line of 527's. I know its economics and Ruger set the tone with their successful American line taking front and center stage away from the 77 but I much prefer the old school CZ rifles. I am fortunate to own a 550FS in 6.5x55 and a 527 Carbine in 7.62x39. I had them out last weekend for a trip to the range and decided to pull out the rest of the CZ clan for a family photo. 452 Training rifle and a Ringneck 20ga book ends.
View attachment 883331 View attachment 883332

Very nice display of quality CZ craftsmanship.

HAIRBEAR1 · 2022-04-16T22:27:41-0400

I've only got the 452 rimfire and it's a 1984/5 model hasn't missed a beat since I bought it new in rabbits,foxes and a couple of pigs.

Panbolio · 2022-04-17T01:22:01-0400

Bought my 452 Trainer the first year they came out in 17 HMR. Love it. I have owned a dozen or more CZ 452, 455 and now I have a Trainer in 22 lr in a 457 which is insanely accurate. The little 527 rifles are among my favorite. 204 Ruger, 223 and 7.62x39. I will always regret the several 550 FS versions I passed on because I never imagined they would be discontinued. Especially the 6.5 Swede and 9.3x62. Man I wish I had them in my safe now.

MS9x56 · 2022-04-17T06:40:26-0400

My biggest firearms related regret is not buying an FS in 6.5x55. But glad I got the 9.3x62.

Tenex · 2022-04-17T08:08:12-0400

I have the 452 in 17Hmr and it is unbelievably accurate

sealark92 · 2022-04-17T11:19:06-0400

Good Luck if you have a hankering for a CZ double barrel shotgun. They are on "allocation", but no shipments for 7 months. Trouble in Turkey?

rx7dryver · 2022-04-17T11:32:23-0400

sealark92 said:
Good Luck if you have a hankering for a CZ double barrel shotgun. They are on "allocation", but no shipments for 7 months. Trouble in Turkey?

I never had much desire for those. Just another made in turkey shotgun.

When CZ Was "CZ!"

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