A Guide for Brno Rim Fire Rifle Facts and Specifications Rim Fire Bolt Action Rifles: Dated by two digit number seen at left side forward receiver, behind barrel proof marks. Non dated receiver may indicate military contract firearm.
Brno 451 (#1)
Bolt action operated, .22 long rifle chambering, Classic beech stock, straight comb, no checkering, Schnable fore end tip, front and rear sling swivels. Hooded front sight, integral barrel collar w/ 3 leaf folding rear sight (50 / 75 / 100 meter), in-line bolt shroud safety, 22 ¾” barrel. Oval shaped port, 16mm receiver sight rail, recessed magazine well. Weighing approximately 4 ¾ pounds, 41” overall. Manufactured 1946 - 1957.
Brno 451 – Ex
Premium model of above model, w/ 200 meter maximum tangent sliding rear sight. Grip checkering noted on some models.
Brno 452 (#2)
Same as #1 above w/ 23 ½” barrel (25” option early models), select Walnut stock (D models – Action Arms importer). Three gas escape holes in receiver / bolt were added, as well as squaring off receiver port for more chamber access. Safety operation altered to work perpendicular to right side. Some select few models noted to have 12 band rifling. Manufactured 1946 – 1957.
Brno 454
Training rifle for the vz.24 7.92 bolt rifle. Has full length beech stock, finger groove in fore end. Wood hand guard above, w/ single band and ‘H’ pattern nose cap. Military tangent sights.
Brno 468
Entry level / garden single shot bolt rifle. 14 ¼” pull beech stock w/ grooved stock butt and schnable fore end. Bolt pull rotary safety with sliding feed tray, case extractor (no ejector). Sourdough shaped windage adjustable front blade, simple screw elevation adjustable rear sight. Overall length 37 ¼” w/ a 20 ½” barrel. Weighs approximately 4 pounds. Manufactured 1948 - ?
Brno 455 (#3)
Heavy target beech target stock w/ thickened forearm band forward the magazine, no checkering (Early models have checkered pistol grip), and had a single adjustable trigger. Heavy 27 1/2” bull barrel w/ rear barrel rail for open micrometer sights. Wide loop sling swivels for target sling.
Front sight had globe w/ inserts and rail bar mount mounted vernier micrometer peep sight option. Weighing 9 ½ pounds. Manufactured 1949 – 1956.
#3 Stecher Variation
Same as above #3, with optional double (set) trigger w/ longer trigger guard. Due to possible litigation with Walther because of trigger design, most models of Stecher were destroyed to remove threat. Only 60 known models are known to exist. Manufactured 1949 – 1956.
Brno 456 (#4)
Same rifle design as #3, with wider, improved adjustable trigger design, heavy target full forearm, single trigger. Some rifles noted to have screw operated barrel tuner spring for more accuracy. Manufactured 1957 – 1973.
456 Brno #4 Variations
Many of these variations were imported only by Bohemia Arms, Fountain Valley California (1992 – 2000).
ZKM 456 L: Target .22 lr. 27 ½” bull barrel, 10.1 pounds. Import began 1992.
ZKM 456 LK:
ZKM 456 LUX MI: Sport (Turned down) barrel, Sporter stock model, white liner at grip cap and buttpad. Barrel mounted front sling swivel. Approximately 300 units made.
ZKM 456 ST-MATCH: Adjustable cheekpiece / butt pad. Flat forearm, 9.9 pounds. 27 ½” barrel. Designed for 50 meter UIT target competition.
Brno 573 (#5)
Same features as #s 1, 2 and 4. Has Brno #1 barrel w/ Brno #2 receiver. Brno #4 trigger and safety system. Flush magazine well. Often referred to as the Egyptian (stamped Mansura) or Chinese Trainer, these rifles (approx. 15,000 production) were military contract training rifles for Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. There is also a second group which were manufactured in China from original Brno parts. Various nationality stamps / marks have been noted on some examples. Manufactured 1957 – 1973.
Brno 513 Hunter
Entry level .22lr bolt rifle, 5 round magazine, beech wood stock. Import began 1994 by Action Arms.
Brno 451 ZOM
Straight pull bolt action .22lr. Checkered forearm and pistol grip stock. Sling swivels. Trigger adjustment for pull and travel. Last rimfire bolt action rifle offered for sale by Brno.
Rim Fire Auto Loading Rifles:
Brno 581:
One piece walnut stock, 22 ¼” barrel, 38 ¾” overall Weighing 6 pounds and has 8 or 16 round capacity magazine. Aperture sight adjustable to 75 meters. Manufactured from 1957 - ??
Brno 511:
Improved 581 design. LUX model had select walnut stock. Special model had beech stock. Barrel collar w/ ‘L’ shaped folding 50 / 100 meter adjustable sight. 8 shot .22lr magazine (.22 Short model may exist). Weighs 6 1/4 pounds. Manufactured ? - ?.
Brno 611:
Lux model with select Walnut stock. Special model with plain beech. Updated 511 model design but chambered for .22 Magnum only. Take-down design, rounded rear receiver w/ 6 or 10 shot magazine. 20 ½” barrel. Two piece stock. Windage only adjustable forged rear sight w/ elevation adjustable forged front sight. Manufactured 1994 - ?, imported by Bohemia Arms 1994 – 2000).
Brno 611A:
Late model design of 611 described above, with some manufacturing shortcuts. Some internal parts were now stamped steel vs. forged parts. Sight attachments were now attached less securely (glued). Some models have been known for some problems, particularly with safety (premature firing), chamber mis-alignment (blow back), and disappointing accuracy. Not all – but some.
Brno 617:
Same description (and comments) apply as 611 above, except chambered for .17 HMR.
Brno factory closes doors April 2005
