Indestructible .22, within a reasonable price range
- Thread starter MisterDeluxia
- Start date
I have repaired thousands of Cooey rim fire rifles in over 50 years of gunsmithing ... when they were cheap and parts plentiful. They were always a bottom line gun.
Today a Cooey is the last rifle I would recommend. Expensive to buy (but still a cheap bottom of the line gun) and parts are not plentiful and they are expensive.
Today a Cooey is the last rifle I would recommend. Expensive to buy (but still a cheap bottom of the line gun) and parts are not plentiful and they are expensive.
I own a CZ 452 and 455. Probably about 20,000 rounds through them combined so far. I expect they will be around long after I am gone. I love these rifles. When I bought them new I considered them a reasonable price for the quality I was getting, and still do.
But nothing is indestructible, and these rifles have beautiful walnut stocks and I keep good care of them. But after-market drop-in stocks are readily available for the 455 and the new 457's if by chance you destructed a stock. My 452 Lux model with the single action screw and forward barrel lug screw is a stock inlet that is hard to find. But should the stock have to be replaced I am sure a skilled gunsmith could inlet a new custom stock for it.
A note about ammo quirks: My CZ's with several CZ 5-round polymer mags do not like CCI ammo feeding of the 5th round. The 5th round usually gets tilted up and the nose jams into the barrel and won't feed into the chamber, and I have to get my finger in there to align the 5th round to feed. Very irritating. However this never happens with SK ammo. SK feeds smoothly and the bolt closure feels smoother. My CZ's love the SK for accuracy too. So SK is what I feed them and they like it.
So whatever .22 rimfire you chose, try many different makes of ammo because you will likely experience significant differences in what it likes.
But nothing is indestructible, and these rifles have beautiful walnut stocks and I keep good care of them. But after-market drop-in stocks are readily available for the 455 and the new 457's if by chance you destructed a stock. My 452 Lux model with the single action screw and forward barrel lug screw is a stock inlet that is hard to find. But should the stock have to be replaced I am sure a skilled gunsmith could inlet a new custom stock for it.
A note about ammo quirks: My CZ's with several CZ 5-round polymer mags do not like CCI ammo feeding of the 5th round. The 5th round usually gets tilted up and the nose jams into the barrel and won't feed into the chamber, and I have to get my finger in there to align the 5th round to feed. Very irritating. However this never happens with SK ammo. SK feeds smoothly and the bolt closure feels smoother. My CZ's love the SK for accuracy too. So SK is what I feed them and they like it.
So whatever .22 rimfire you chose, try many different makes of ammo because you will likely experience significant differences in what it likes.
How are the NEW Winchester WILDCAT 22 rifles holding up and functioning ? RJ
I don't have much experience with the European makes (CZ, Brno, etc.) -- although I just got a T1x -- but the Ruger 10/22 is very reliable. I much prefer the Browning SA22 for the ergonomics, but it will jam if it is not treated nicely, so it is not the most reliable option. The Cooey 60 does seem to be indestructible, but as others have pointed out, finding parts might be a problem if it ever does quit.
- Location
- New Brunswick
try Ruger 77/22 or 77/22 mag or 77/17. They are built solit, very rugged, and feel like like their big brother M77. Stainless in boat paddle zytel stock are my favorite. The 77/22 uses the same rotary mag as the omnipresent 10/22.
borrowed from internet:
borrowed from internet:
Polish-Jack
CGN Regular
- Location
- Kelowna, B.C. Canada
I bought myself a Savage A22 a few years ago and it's quickly become the best semiautomatic 22 that I own. Eats everything you put in it and the best part is that even the junk ammo like Wildcat groups very well in it.
I agree, lots of broken cooeys out there. Also lots of very abused cooeys to be fair, but i dont see them standing up to the round count of a cz. The savage mk2's will eventually get excessive headspace from use and require a new bolt. I managed to do that on a gun i had from new. I have put much more ammo through a cz without any trouble.
try Ruger 77/22 or 77/22 mag or 77/17. They are built solit, very rugged, and feel like like their big brother M77. Stainless in boat paddle zytel stock are my favorite. The 77/22 uses the same rotary mag as the omnipresent 10/22.
borrowed from internet:
Different mags between the 77-22 and the 10-22. If only to state the obvious. Some guys can't figure out why their new 10-22 mag keeps falling out of their 77-22 but lack observation skills...
If someone wants a 22 to shoot a few bricks a year and has taste, the cz bolt guns are a fine choice and will last a lifetime.
If on the other hand one needs a 22 for gopher control where 2000 rounds a day for weeks on end is the task, the 10-22 is with out peer. Spare parts and barrels are cheap, available and can be swapped out be anyone
Like almost everything in life, you get what you pay for. No Cooey,Savage,Squires Bingham, or Browning plastic cassette trigger TBolts. They’re all junk. Buy a good quality bolt and with proper care it will last several life times. Look for quality used and you’ll soon see a pattern. Old Wathers,Anschutz,BSA,Bruno’s and the list goes on with certain Remingtons and Winchester’s. CZ are great as well as Bergara. This is only my opinion but I’m always correct haha
Indestructible .22, within a reasonable price range.
Indestructible in who's mind. Given enough thought and time . . . destruction is inevitable.
My take on the CZ line is it would be quite near you request and believe the 452 and 455 are capable of being sufficiently made as to be put into one's will.
Indestructible in who's mind. Given enough thought and time . . . destruction is inevitable.
My take on the CZ line is it would be quite near you request and believe the 452 and 455 are capable of being sufficiently made as to be put into one's will.
Shooter_01
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Durham Region, Ontario
This. You won’t go wrong with a CZ.
- Location
- New Brunswick
by indestructible i meant like if i take care of the thing it wont break on me because of poor manufacturing
And whats the big differences in the 452/455/457?
Exactly, I was going to say there are equal if not more non working examples than working. Apart from the nostalgia and Canadiana there’s not much going for them
by indestructible i meant like if i take care of the thing it wont break on me because of poor manufacturing
And whats the big differences in the 452/455/457?
The internet is your friend. Far easier than getting a response from everyone.
I had a Browning A-bolt in .22lr that was a very nice,well built rifle. Also the 77/22 are stoutly built. My favorite 22lr is my Mossberg 46. Built in the late 30's I believe, it is super accurate. Adjustable trigger, excellent multi-open sights (rear peep sight, barrel mounted rear sight, multi-post front sight) plus now that my eyes suck, they are also tapped for a side scope mount), lead lapped bores, built when labour was very skilled and cheap.
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