CZ 512 in 22LR - Care to share your disdain/love for this rifle? Save me some money?

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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I've been debating getting this rifle for years. I absolutely love all my CZ 452s, but have passed on the 512 when it was on sale once or twice because despite some positive reviews, the design of the rifle makes me apprehensive. Having never owned a semi auto .22LR, I'd really like one for some variety, but it's hard to find one with features that don't make me cringe. The CZ 512 and the Dlask TUF-22 are the only two viable options IMO, and the Dlask site says the TUF-22 isn't available right now.

The polymer lower on the CZ bothers me. The fact that the butt stock is fastened to it, that it has to absorb the energy from the steel bolt, and that the bolt is riding on the polymer all just seems iffy. I know Glocks etc are probably made of the exact same material, so I'm not sure why I find it's use in this rimfire rifle so concerning. The rifle also uses the new CZ set screw barrel attachment method, but the receiver is only aluminum, not steel like the 455/457. Is there any concern of stripped threads since the set screws require decent torque? That CZ cheaped out and moved from a dual guide rod and recoil spring to a single is lame, as is the rear sight. It can't be adjusted on the fly like CZ awesome rear tangent sight.

I'm no engineer so what do I know? Maybe the polymer is crazy strong and wear resistant and will outlast me, maybe the barrel set screws will never back out or need re-torqueing. It just doesn't strike me as a rifle that would stand the test of time to be handed down.

Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Remember the Nylon 66 was a metal bolt riding on “pollywally” and they’re still going strong. See their advertisement with the block shooting. Mine works so great I bought the magnum version also. 2 springs to 1 was because of the “pain in the @@@) of putting it together without kinking a spring. You can get 5 round mags for them if the government screws us over. Ruger makes a 5 (Dlask) but never seen or heard of one in Canada.
 
I'm mostly a bolt-gun type, and have a soft spot for CZs. Except the 512. No first-hand experience owning/shooting one, nor will I. They just don't appeal to me aesthetically. Just my opinion, I'm sure some people wouldn't like the stuff I have. If I was even a gun owner. :)

I did explore the idea of buying a handsome one, a BRNO 581 and still may one day. One piece of feedback I've gotten from a few owners is that the trigger isn't great, which matters if you're chasing accuracy at all. I have heard the 512s are decently accurate though.

You mention the DLASK, never owned/shot one of those either, but I know a guy having great luck with a Thompson T/CR22. (10/22 clone, with upgrades)
 
I like mine. It's very accurate for a semi auto 22. Comfortable. Nothing has broken. Maybe not the most aesthetically pleasing but definitely not ugly. I started my CZ collection with a 452 Ultra Lux. Enjoyed it so much I bought a 455 stainless and 457 MDR Varmint. The 512 was the last one I bought. Each one has their own place but they are all accurate.

You don't hear a lot of guys ragging on CZ rimfires because there's not a whole lot to be disappointed about. Especially at their price point.
 
I bought a pair of the Tactical 512 in 22 WMR, my grandboy put in excess of one k rounds with only a handfull of issues all ammo related. I kept one unfired for pleasure. YMMV.
 
Only one 512 has come to our 100 Metre rimfire.
Performance not great and has not come back.
Testing of ammo should remain critical.
Very accurate is overused when proof is absent . . . not event a measurement for one group!
 
45CAT said:
Remember the Nylon 66 was a metal bolt riding on “pollywally” and they’re still going strong. See their advertisement with the block shooting. Mine works so great I bought the magnum version also. 2 springs to 1 was because of the “pain in the @@@) of putting it together without kinking a spring. You can get 5 round mags for them if the government screws us over. Ruger makes a 5 (Dlask) but never seen or heard of one in Canada.
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Well, I had a Nylon 66 tube feed. Reliable, and accurate enough that wen we hunted racoon for fir, it took about 1000 of them; but a target rifle, it was not.
 
I have one, owned it for about two years. I absolutely love anything CZ. Very reliable, the only issue I had was after 20 rounds the front sight popped off. Secured it back on and it has been absolutely flawless.
 
I got one of the black wood ones with no irons and the only thing I don't like about it is the dovetail rail for scope mount. it worked well for getting a scope mounted very low but I find the system miserable to get set up. ONCE set up though it's lovely.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...e-thread-!?p=18381422&viewfull=1#post18381422

Oh ant the black version has no checkering so you gotta do the gripping because it won't grip you back.
 
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45CAT said:
Remember the Nylon 66 was a metal bolt riding on “pollywally” and they’re still going strong. See their advertisement with the block shooting. Mine works so great I bought the magnum version also. 2 springs to 1 was because of the “pain in the @@@) of putting it together without kinking a spring. You can get 5 round mags for them if the government screws us over. Ruger makes a 5 (Dlask) but never seen or heard of one in Canada.
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I was thinking about the nylon 60, and Glocks and all the guns they are making with high tech polymer these days. I guess it might not be a downside, especially in a 22lr. That's one beefy steel bolt though, slamming back and forth against the receiver. No bolt buffer either like in a 10/22.


joe n said:
I have one, owned it for about two years. I absolutely love anything CZ. Very reliable, the only issue I had was after 20 rounds the front sight popped off. Secured it back on and it has been absolutely flawless.
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That's odd. Which part fell off? The little front sight post, the sight hood, or the entire front sight ramp?


uAJollyRogering said:
I got one of the black wood ones with no irons and the only thing I don't like about it is the dovetail rail for scope mount. it worked well for getting a scope mounted very low but I find the system miserable to get set up. ONCE set up though it's lovely.
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I really like the model you have, and was looking for one for a long time but never found one in stock in 22lr. It has the same awesome rear tangent sight that the Lux and UL have. What didn't you like about the dovetail? I know in Sootch's video on YouTube his 512's scope was sliding in the dovetail. Not sure if maybe he didn't tighten the bases. I would be using the J&P delrin scope ring bases with Burris Signature Zees. Hopefully that would grip sufficiently.


It's cool that you can buy 25 round magazines for them (yeah they're a bit long, but NBD), and while not a match rifle, reports generally seem to indicate it's the most accurate mass produced semi auto available right now. If it was a $500 rifle I probably wouldn't bat an eye, but at $650 or more it's in the same price range as an all steel (minus the magazine well) 457. The price seems high considering the materials used.
 
I hummed and hawd at the cz512 for a bit, as I like my CZs. But it’s never did anything for me.
The 511 and 581 on the other hand on my one day list.

You mentioned Dlask. My Dlask/Kidd biuld is sweet. Gold balls at 100yrds is easy on a calm day.
 
CanuckShooter said:
I really like the model you have, and was looking for one for a long time but never found one in stock in 22lr. It has the same awesome rear tangent sight that the Lux and UL have. What didn't you like about the dovetail? I know in Sootch's video on YouTube his 512's scope was sliding in the dovetail. Not sure if maybe he didn't tighten the bases. I would be using the J&P delrin scope ring bases with Burris Signature Zees. Hopefully that would grip sufficiently.
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The dovetail is just a pain because it will slide if you don't have the rings tightened just the right way. it seems like uneven pressure can have them move around even if they're tight. I used alcohol rubs to dry out all of the mating surfaces as well and spent a good while getting everything to not move. Once that's done though you're golden. It also probably depends on the style of ring. I specifically wanted this to be as slick as I could make it so I went with Talley low rings which are probably some of the more difficult to get buttoned down properly.

I think the black model was discontinued. Prophet River had them for a while and that's where I got mine.
 
While I don't have experience with CZ 512's the CZ rimfire lineup is generally really good for the price. And I've enjoyed all the ones I've handled and shot. But I've been waiting for 1 year and 6 months and still counting for a replacement extractor for a CZ 527 from their official warranty center. Do with that info what you will.
 
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Another CZ fan here, mine has served me well it’s a good shooter and I like that you can take it down without tools essentially (coin) my only issue is personal as I find the comb is a bit high to use the iron sights comfortably.
 
I have a pile of CZ's and one of which is a 512. By far the most accurate semi auto I have ever owned. Never a jam and no problems. Runs like a top. I would love one in .22 mag.
 
Does anyone know if CZ has upgraded the charging handle? From what I read it's plastic (or was), if so, has anyone had issues with it? I see Dlask makes a nice one.
 
I looked it up, and read that the newer generation of 512s come with an aluminum charging handle. I also found out that the .22LR version has been discontinued. Debating if I should scoop one up now, or wait to see if CZ replaces it with a new semi-auto design.
 
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