Places that carry CZ Rifles In Southern Ontario?

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Cowboy7

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Looking into some centerfire rifles to choose my first once the PAL comes through, and the 550FS in 30-06 is on my list. I want to check it out first to see if I like the feel and action, because I know I can always find a Model 70 or M700 to compare to. Does anybody know anywhere in Southern Ontario, or even Buffalo, that carries CZ 550s?

Gabe
 
I ordered mine from Al Simmons, who go through an importer out of London if memory serves. Great rifle and very accurate, but be wary of one thing. CZ had a factory run of 550 standard calibres with a crappy firing pin spring retaining nut arrangement. The nut is held onto the firing pin by a tiny wire clip, that broke after a few rounds on many, many rifles, mine included. Has been a HUGE pain in the ass to fix. Mine is now a safe queen til I can figure out a cost effective means of fixing it. Switched to a Win Model 70 sporter I like just as much and shoots just as well.

My 550 safari has the old standard 2-piece nut which has apparently gone back on the standard models, because of so many issues with the clip breaking. Be sure to have a look at the firing pin before buying, if you can.
 
Madaxe, how do you find the Winchester 70 MOA trigger compares with the single set trigger on the CZ?

A Winchester 70 Supergrade is on the top of my list except for the set trigger on the CZ and Sakos. Have not even been able to try the triggers at big box stores as they won't take the trigger guard off.
 
canoetrpr said:
Madaxe, how do you find the Winchester 70 MOA trigger compares with the single set trigger on the CZ?

A Winchester 70 Supergrade is on the top of my list except for the set trigger on the CZ and Sakos. Have not even been able to try the triggers at big box stores as they won't take the trigger guard off.
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canoetrpr, I have a win supergrade and a cz f/s. I prefer the winchester rifle, and trigger. The cz trigger has side to side play and a little takeup it's still very acceptable. When I contacted cz they suggested adjusting the set trigger, so as to disable it, or installing an after market trigger. Disabling the set trigger didn't help.You can google "cz trigger adjustment" and get the info.
 
canoetrpr, I traded a Sako for my CZ, you do realize the sako is not a Mauser type action with crf. Sako is very well made, but not better than winchester, and not worth the expense over the winchester in my opinion. I' sure others will disagree.
 
oldfart said:
canoetrpr, I traded a Sako for my CZ, you do realize the sako is not a Mauser type action with crf. Sako is very well made, but not better than winchester, and not worth the expense over the winchester in my opinion. I' sure others will disagree.
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Oldfart, I've been slowly reaching the same conclusion. One of the main things that I like on the Sako is the set trigger. The $ difference is just too high though. I do like the Supergrade so I think I will spring for it with the extra $350 or so. The trigger has been my main question. I'd rather not have to spring for a trigger job right away and end up feeling I should have bought the Sako with the set trigger from the factory.
 
canoetrpr said:
Madaxe, how do you find the Winchester 70 MOA trigger compares with the single set trigger on the CZ?

A Winchester 70 Supergrade is on the top of my list except for the set trigger on the CZ and Sakos. Have not even been able to try the triggers at big box stores as they won't take the trigger guard off.
Click to expand...


IMHO there is no comparison - the new Model 70 MOA trigger (on my rifle, at least) is unbelievably smooth, light and crisp. Literally feels like a glass rod breaking under your finger. Blows the X-Mark Pro trigger on my 5R Rem 700 out of the water, and that is helluva nice trigger in its own right. It is without a doubt the best trigger I've ever pulled. I like it so much I'm contemplating mating the action to a custom barrel and stock and using that instead of my Rem 700 as my go-to target rifle. If I could find somebody selling the new Model 70 actions alone I'd buy one as the basis for a custom rig in a heartbeat.

That being said, the single-set trigger on my 550's are okay, for what they are - well-made, reliable hunting rifles. The standard pull is gritty and with a lot of takeup, but its consistent and you can learn to work it. There is an ever-so-slight but noticeable 'step' even in the single-set mode, but with some practice you learn to take it up and then break the shot cleanly. I've shot some very respectable groups at 100m with both my .30-06 and .375 H&H 550's using both the standard and single-set modes. Tons of 1.25" groups and even a couple of 0.75" with premium ammo on my .30-06 with a 9x optic. Average 1.5" groups on my 375 with a 6x optic.

Where I like the CZ's more than my Model 70 are in fit and finish. There is some nice scalloping of the CZ action to make room for your thumb when loading the mag. There are no rough edges anywhere to be found, where as the Model 70 could use some deburring in places. The Model 70 has a really cheap, junky, screw-on plastic cap over the end of the pistol grip that pisses me off - a plain wood cap would look better and have cost them less. They did put a nice 1" Pachmayr decelerator on the Model 70 stock, as opposed to a 1/2" on the .30-06 550. Nicer wood on the CZ, but better checkering on the Model 70.

Overall I really like the CZ and would recommend it, but only after making sure it has the 2-piece firing pin spring retaining nut.

CZ550Firingpinnuts-1.jpg


Top one is the 2-piece, bottom the 1-piece. The 2-piece is the one you want. Avoid the other one like the plague.
 
Does anyone have a serial number range that had the one-piece firing pin? Or will LeBaron let me check in-store?

Update: Checked, it's the bad pattern firing pin. On CZ's webshop, the replacement firing pin assembly for the standard caliber 550's is that one piece, while the magnum is the two piece. Are they interchangeable or something?
 
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