"Future" new CZ 400 series rifle owner needs clarification(s) ...

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Hello fellow gunfighters,

This past Thursday I learnt that my RPal is complete and "in the mail".
My wife's application is roughly 3 weeks behind mine.

We are just getting into the sport strictly for target shooting. I plan to grow a small collection over time of 4-5 firearm desires, but as a first we are wanting a friendly feeling rifle with long lasting quality (maybe for the boys to enjoy when they are older) and good out of box accuracy.

I have been doing my homework since day 1, asking the Q's and getting the A's. But now I'm in need of fine tuning info that websites and searches through this forum haven't revealed.

Though I do not want to break the bank in this hobby, I do want quality. My notes have pointed to a CZ bolt action rife, 22lr, fed with a detachable magazine.

However I need clarification on a few minor sounding concerns:

I'm really pointed to the 455 or the 452 models. Yet I'm seeing the 452 is being phased out, though online comments suggest true enthusiasts voice that they prefer the 452 over the 455 model.

If there is availability, should I consider a 452 over a 455 model? ... or is the older model going to leave me hanging because its older design (IE: maintenance, upgrades etc)?

I'm also unclear on the versions available and why one would be better than the other. The Lux, Ultra Lux, American and Varmint are the four that I've really narrowed the list down to. Though Lux and American are leaders on my list because of the lower listed weight (better for the wife to handle) and slightly lower suggested pricing make these possible contenders.

However the American appears to have "no sights" as listed on the CZ website, so does that mean it has rail(s) for a scope? Is there any means of a 'standard' iron sight option to add?

I'm also not a fan of the full rounded front iron sight design most of the CZ rifles are sporting. This is more of a cosmetic nuisance, but if there is an option to swap out the front sight easily I'd consider it.

Any other oversites you can offer would be appreciated.

thank you.
 
Don't know which one is better. Folks are buying the 452 just because they won't be available much longer. I don't think maintenance or upgrades will be an issue with the 452 model. The beauty of the 455 I guess is that you can easily swap barrels. The 452 models come with better sights. From what I have seen, the varmint is usually the cheapest version. Personal preference I guess but the lux has european stock (lower comb) and iron sights, Ultra lux is basically the same but has a longer barrel, American has stock with regular comb and no sights. Varmint has no sights, heavier barrel and regular comb stock with thicker fore end.
There are different sight options available for the 452 such as tech sights as well as BRNO match sights. Not sure if these fit the 455 as well.
 
I believe the 452 is generally preferred by enthusiasts because the 452's have barrels which are threaded into the action, which makes for a very solid and accurate platform. the 455 barrels are slip fit and held in place with two set screws.
 
I just went through this process myself. I looked at all the variations and narrowed it down to the 453 American, the 452 Lux or the 452 Scout. People seem to like the adjustable trigger on the 453 but the American does not have iron sites which was a deal breaker for me, I wanted to learn without the aid of a scope. I liked the weight (5lbs), feel and barrel length (16") of the Scout and after trying one was okay with the 'weird' looking sights. I used to hunt partridge with my Grandpa's old Cooey Eatonia when I was a kid and the Scout felt like that. Ultimately I bought the 452 lux because the stock fit me better, and it was so nice to shoot. It is very well balanced and I like the longer barrel, it was very accurate right out of the box. I'm having a lot of fun with it and have no regrets although 452 FS (full stock) looks pretty sweet!
 
Wyntera said:
.... But the American does not have iron sites which was a deal breaker for me, I wanted to learn without the aid of a scope!
Click to expand...

This too would be my preference, and i know sharing this first firearm with my wife - she would be bothered by it.

My third purchase will eventually be another rifle that ill dress up with a scope and bipod
 
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i have both, i love them both the same! both have the same accuracy but the 455 has a shoter barrel. also the 452 is built more solid with a non removable barrel better sights and looks better to me. your call.
 
I shoot the 452 varmint for silhouette and it is a very accurate rifle with a bit of trigger work courtesy of a yodave kit. I have purchased another 452 lux to train my boys over iron sights as the varmint does not have them.

There is a lot of good info on CZs here but you should also look over at steelchickens.com where the differences in models is discussed exhaustively. On balance the 452 seems to be favoured by the serious silhouette crowd.
 
parts and maintenance aren't a issue, bits and pieces from my 1957 BRNO 4 fit my CZ classic, for those not familiar with the classic, it was the first american sold in Canada but was stamped as a classic for export, was a few years later that a rifle stamped american made it here.

It doesn't matter which one you purchase first, your likely going to be owning more then one in a short while, just ask Faststeel lol, last count I think he was up to 14 or 15
 
The iron sights on the 452's (not 455's) are fantastic. When at the range I set paper targets at 25, 50, 100 and 200 yards and can put shots on target at all distances, by just moving up the ladder to the marked distances. The sights ARE that good! Actually broke a few clays at 200 yards the other day with the iron sights (granted it took me a few shots each). I can't speak highly enough about these sights......not to mention you an add the brno match sights to these as well if you so desire.
 
If you go the 455 route then try to procure the extra barrel(s) as a set with the original purchase. One reason is that the tenon length will be matched at the factory and your headspace should be good to go on all of them. The second reason is that you could be in for a a very lon wait when ordering additional barrels. Had a .17 HMR barrel ordered since December last year and still no news on its arrival.

Reviews on the 455 in several forums are showing them to be equal or more accurate than the 452's. Fit and finish is definately better than the 452 since CZ has moved to CNC machining on many of the parts (constant surface speed).

The 452 has 2 lugs on the bolt, the 455 has 1. This does not make much difference on this rifles accuracy because of the sear pawl putting pressure upwards on the striker when firing. Very few of the 452's I've handled shows even wear on the double lugs anyways, so they function as a single inless they are carefully machined and lapped in.

Either one you get...make sure you clean the brown CZ snot they cover them with really good before firing. They are all fine shooting rifles that will average 3/4" @ 50 yrds with decent ammo and often even down to 1 MOA.
 
I now have a 455 Lux on hold as my RPal is in the mail and should be here within a week (knock on wood).

I went in, took a look and as an inexperience shooter with only feedback from others I was quite happy to commit to the Lux. I knew I wanted a magazine fed rifle iron sites. But the consistent feedback on its out of the box performance was a real breath of fresh air too.

Can anyone direct me to someone with extra 10 round mags for this firearm? I'd like to order from a sponsor of the site but my searches appear to be striking out.

I've been quoted 40/ea from one local store, but want to compare to see if that's a fair asking price.

thx!
 
I bet you I can shoot faster with a single shot follower then you can with the 10 round magazine.......when you stop to reload I am still shooting away, also take it with a grain of salt or a pound of honey but you may suffer accuracy issues when you start using more then one magazine, I have had more then one rifle that shoots the groups into different spots on a target based on the magazine I had loaded in the rifle, the spring tension may or may not be the same from mag to mag and the upward force on the bolt body seams to have some effect on the rifles harmonics. I have found that most of the more precise rimfires out there are single shot rifles, so based on that I shoot all of my CZ's with single shot followers. The worst rifle I owned that I experienced that with was a savage BVSS, one mag hit almost 2 inches higher at 50 yards then the other mag, it was long ago shipped out to the gopher fields, not because of the accuracy issues but mainly the trigger and overall small gun feeling it had, I don't ride a childs bike so why would I shoot a childs rifle???
 
Oh and congrats on the purchase, while your waiting for your pal do a few searches for trigger kits or something or other for the CZ rifles, apparantly somewhere out there there is a guy who knows a guy who knows a thing or two, oh and he is Canadian to boot.
 
yodave said:
I bet you I can shoot faster with a single shot follower then you can with the 10 round magazine.......when you stop to reload I am still shooting away ..... I have found that most of the more precise rimfires out there are single shot rifles, so based on that I shoot all of my CZ's with single shot followers.....
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My choice for a bolt action over a semi-auto was made on the heels of numerous suggestions that my accuracy would suffer from popping off shots without having to 'reset' myself.
However, for me personally, I feel that that point to stop and reload magazines is necessary for me. I compare it to that long walk between a golf shot off the tee and the second shot 195 yards away where I need to have the disruption and time to process and think that next shot.
 
With the "Slip fit Barrels" of the 455, you could opt for a second barrel later.
The 453 has a set trigger which some consider a better option.
my 452 American has the "YoDave" kit and it set around 1 pound.
The Lower Mainland is a big area. Have you joined a Club.
The Mission Club has a .22 Bench Rest on Saturday the 23rd, and there are a few CZ's there, and one is a 453. If you are coming, let me know and I could bring my 452.
I also know where there is a 455 at $500
 
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