Description
This is a small caliber self-loading firearm with a blowback action. The main difference from a fully automatic mechanism is that one shot is fired per pull of the trigger.
The main purpose is to teach shooting skills and practice. Also suitable for professional shooting sports and hunting. The carbine has a high accuracy of fire, i.e. the distances between hits on the target will not be large.
Design
The body material is wood. The carbine fits well in the hand, it is convenient and comfortable to use. The size is compact, so the weapon is suitable for everyone, regardless of gender and age (with the exception of small children).
The receiver is covered with plastic, which softens the impact when fired. This is very important for beginners, because... during the first attempts to shoot, it often “flies” into the shoulder or face. The person does not yet know how to hold a weapon and is not familiar with the recoil of a shot.
The upper part of the barrel is made of light alloy. Thanks to this, the weight of the carbine is light.
Performance characteristics
The cz 512 carbine is produced in the Czech Republic. It is considered one of the best among analogues. Specifications are given in the table below.
- Caliber - 22LR (5.6*15.6 mm, “long rifle”)
- Magazine capacity - from 5 to 10 rounds
- Stock and butt material - beech, birch
- Rifling pitch - 1:16 (bullet rotates slowly)
- Trigger - Non-adjustable
- Sighting device - Rear sight, which can be adjusted vertically and horizontally
- Total length - 100 cm
- Barrel length - 52.4 cm
- Height - 20 cm
- Width - 5.7 mm
- Weight - 2.67 kg
- Barrel manufacturing method: Cold forging; oxide coating applied on top
Caliber 22 is also called “small”. This type is often found in training and sporting weapons (for example, the TOZ-8 rifle).
The carbine barrel has an optimal length, which is suitable for both training lessons and professional competitions.
The strap is convenient, installing an optical sight will not be difficult. A scope from any manufacturer will do.
The trigger mechanism is characterized by a smooth trigger pull. This quality has a positive effect on the accuracy of the shot.
MAKSIMOV.SU
Russian semi-automatic rifles are known to most hunters in the form of TOZ-99.
Extremely rare products from TsKIB that are not at all “small” in price cannot be taken into account. Of the foreign-made small-caliber self-loaders in the windows of hunting stores, you can mainly find products from Remington and ChZ.
About American crafts
, despite its extreme inferiority, we will talk another time, but it makes sense to dwell on the Czech model CZ-512 in more detail.
Small caliber rifle
CZ-512
CZ-512.
Design features
Up to the 512th model
The Czechs had a wonderful semi-automatic CZ-511 in their line of small-caliber rifles, which had a compact steel design (including magazines) and excellent workmanship.
But this rifle, apparently, was too difficult to manufacture (by today’s criteria), and the creation of a new version of the self-loading “small gun” for the Czechs clearly became an urgent problem. Small caliber rifle CZ-512
Eventually
about three years ago, a curious new product called CZ-512 appeared on the shelves of our weapons stores, outwardly quite different from its predecessor.
The Czechs are positioning
the updated rifle as “a self-loading blowback firearm designed for hunting and sport shooting.” This is a neatly made semi-automatic “small thing”, the elegance of which is spoiled only by the rough shape of the massive butt and the sharp difference between the front of the receiver and the breech of the barrel.
Small caliber rifle
CZ-512
The total length of the rifle is exactly a meter.
The 525 mm barrel is cold forged, removable, and secured in the receiver with two hex socket head screws. The outer surface of the barrel is oxidized.
Open sights
are presented in the form of a “branded” adjustable rear sight and the usual “ChZ-Tov” front sight, protected by a removable front sight. To install optics on the top of the receiver there is a standard 11mm dovetail with a stopper.
Small caliber rifle
CZ-512, mechanical sight
Plastic store
removable, single-row, 5 rounds. The trigger is housed in a removable housing and cannot be adjusted. In terms of characteristics, the CZ-512 trigger is frankly lousy, differing little in this from the CZ-452 trigger, i.e. – usually requires “finishing with a file.”
In the trigger guard
There is a push-button transverse safety and a shutter release button with a delay. The butt and fore-end of the rifle are made of beech (possibly birch) or cheap tinted walnut.
Small-caliber rifle
CZ-512, muzzle
When
When you pick up the CZ-512 for the first time, at first (without reading the instructions) it’s not entirely clear how this weapon can be disassembled.
It’s no wonder - outwardly there are no “extra” flags, keys or buttons. The only screws visible are the caps in the fore-end and the end of the pistol grip of the butt. Small-caliber rifle CZ-512, middle part of the weapon, left view
Wherein
The screw head in the lower part of the forend is the largest, moreover, it is not recessed and has a wide slot, clearly intended for the use of an improvised tool like a coin. Unscrew the screw. The design becomes clearer - a powerful pin is visible in the front lower part of the receiver, which at first can be mistaken for an axis.
Unscrew
butt mounting screw, separate the last one. Now it is obvious that you need to knock out the pin, which is removed without any difficulty or effort. After which you can completely disassemble the entire structure without any problems.
Small-caliber rifle
CZ-512, weapon disassembly
Gate
made in the form of a steel bar with numerous milled grooves. There are two return springs, which is good for the reliability of the weapon, taking into account the configuration of its bolt group.
To remove the shutter
from the receiver you must first move it back and remove its handle. The trigger block is easily removed along with the plastic magazine shaft.
Small-caliber rifle
CZ-512, moving system and bolt face
The Czechs were never able to create a simple system
small-caliber self-loading. Despite the weak cartridge used, servicing the CZ-512 requires a minimal set of tools. Therefore, it is better to carry out all manipulations with weapons at home or in a workshop.
Rifle weight
is 2.67 kg. This is not so little. But the Czech semi-automatic, despite its sleekness and compactness, gives the impression of an almost “adult” rifle, so a weight of up to 3 kg is quite acceptable in this case.
If
If the CZ-512 had a steel receiver with a lid, then those same 3 kg of mass would have been guaranteed (unfortunately, it was not possible to weigh the rifle, and in several sources the mass was indicated at exactly that same 3 kg, so the issue is with the mass can be considered open).
Small-caliber rifle
CZ-512, incomplete disassembly
It's quite obvious
that the widespread use of polymer and light alloys in these weapons is due to a combination of two factors - the desire to reduce the cost of production (reduce cost by increasing manufacturability) and reduce the weight of the weapon. The Czechs clearly succeeded in both.
On the other side,
in the design of elite weapons from the world's leading manufacturers (the same concern that now unites the companies Blaser, Mauzer, Sauer and Merkel) there is more than enough plastic and duralumin. And nothing, German weapons from the listed companies are popular and are not sold cheaply.
So
There is no need to worry about unconventional materials in the design of the CZ-512. Moreover, the CZ is a “small thing”, an ordinary rifle consumer goods, albeit well made. And the previous 511 model makes a much better impression, despite all its bulkiness.
Small-caliber rifle
CZ-512, disassembling the receiver
Conclusion
Rifle cost
I wouldn't call it low. On the one hand, foreign production initially implies an above-average price. On the other hand, in Russia the “small gun” is still presented by hunters as, in principle, an inexpensive weapon. And if its cost exceeds 20 thousand rubles, then even for a wealthy hunter this becomes a reason for thought.
Small caliber rifle
CZ-512. To disassemble the receiver you need to press out two pins
Another thing,
if a small-caliber semi-automatic is purchased for recreational shooting, when the aesthetics and overall quality of the weapon are by no means an important factor. And here, when the complexity of disassembling the weapon does not play a decisive role, the Czech self-loading “small bullet” is clearly in its niche.
If desired
CZ-512 can be easily and efficiently finished: remove the varnish from the wooden parts and wash them with acetone, apply a notch to the pistol grip of the butt and fore-end, tint the wood to look like a walnut and soak it in oil or coat it with wax. You can trim the butt itself a little, make it more elegant, install a more convenient butt plate and, if desired, a socket on the modified end of the pistol grip.
Lovers
For a large number of cartridges in weapons, they purchase additional 10-place magazines for their CZ-512, but you must immediately be aware that such a protruding “horn” greatly spoils the rather elegant and strict silhouette of the classic rifle.
Small-caliber rifle
CZ-512 disassembled
"Small thing"
has a slight recoil impulse, which simplifies the selection of an optical sight. It should be borne in mind that the CZ-512 has very mediocre accuracy. Of course, you shouldn’t limit yourself to Chinese sights of the lowest price group. But fanaticism is also unnecessary here.
Self-loading small-caliber rifles
are rarely used for shooting “on paper”, so a mid-level sight (any domestic and Belarusian sights will do) from 4 to x8 times will be quite enough for this “cheese”.
CZ-512
chambered for .22 LR, it is suitable for those who like to shoot a lot (without expecting to achieve any special results). The purchase of this rifle in .22 WMR caliber can only be justified if you understand the capabilities of the weapon for this expensive and not the most common cartridge in our country.
Small-caliber rifle
CZ-512, delayed bolt
The article was published in the magazine “Hunting”, January 2014
Advantages and disadvantages
One of the main advantages of the CZ 512 model is that it can be equipped with an optical device for precise aiming at the target. Mounting a scope ensures better accuracy.
—FOOTNOTE— It is better to choose the one with high rings. With a low landing, the rings rest against the rear sight.
Other positive aspects are also related to the technical characteristics of the model. List of advantages:
- small dimensions;
- ease;
- ease of operation of the shutter;
- ease of cleaning;
- Inexpensive cartridges are suitable for this model (including those from other manufacturers);
- oxide coating protects against temperature changes, fumes, smoke;
- affordable price.
There are no complaints about the carbine’s performance; its owners praise it. The only drawback is that there is no checkering on the butt.
—FOOTNOTE— In high humidity conditions, care must be taken as the weapon may slip out. For the same reason, it is undesirable to start training if the skin of your hands is wet. This feature is due to the absence of a special notch on the butt.
Review of CZ 512
The Czech manufacturer has put on the shelves more than one sample of small rifle models, but the CZ 512 carbine is considered the most successful. The light weight of the weapon is ensured by its small size, and this is very important: a long shooting time does not cause noticeable stress on the hands and they practically do not get tired.
The arrows mark another important detail – the possibility of installing optics. In this case, the already high accuracy increases many times over.
Advantages and disadvantages of CZ-512 22 LR
By releasing the CZ 512 model for sale, the manufacturer confidently indicates its best qualities:
- Relatively low cost. (The current price for the new CZ 512 at the end of 2022 is about 50,000 thousand rubles);
- Simplicity of the mechanism and high reliability of the shutter;
- Possibility of installing optics;
- Possibility of using budget cartridges from other manufacturers;
- High-quality and quick cleaning of the entire system with a cleaning rod;
- Compact size for comfortable shooting;
- Light weight allows you to use the weapon with any physical fitness;
- The barrel of the carbine is coated with oxide, which protects it from the negative effects of an aggressive environment - smoke, temperature conditions.
Some owners note an important drawback for them: there is no notch on the butt. High humidity often causes the rifle to slip, and this negatively affects the accuracy of the shot. Another, albeit minor, disadvantage is the disassembly of the carbine. To perform partial disassembly, a coin is required to unscrew the forend, and a drift is required to separate the receiver. Many imported shotguns have similar problems.
Possible problems
Sometimes the consumer is faced with the problem of loosening the screws that secure the die, front sight or rear sight. A thread lock will help solve this problem. When the upper part of the receiver is removed, you should be careful with the bolt spring, since a weakened bolt can contribute to its volatilization.
Purpose of CZ-512 and its varieties
Most often, the CZ 512 carbine is used for training processes, practicing one’s accuracy, and sometimes they are purchased simply for fun. There are hunters who prefer the CZ 512 to other models, citing convenience, simplicity and compatibility with cartridges from other manufacturers.
The CZ 512 22LR is in greatest demand, but there are also other models of the CZ 512 carbine - these are the WMR and ZKM. Reviews about them are also positive, with one big exception - the high cost of one cartridge.
Disassembly and care
Disassembly is a mandatory procedure before cleaning. The rear sight, front sight and die are attached to the barrel. A forend is also installed on the die. The entire structure is held on by bolted screws that are easy to unscrew. The barrel is fixed on two “studs”, which are unscrewed with a hexagon.
The instructions for CheZet 512 regarding the frequency of cleaning give the following instructions:
- If the rifle gets wet (every time).
- After the shooting.
- After one use (every time).
- If climatic conditions are moderate, clean at least once a year.
- In difficult climates, monthly cleaning is required.
—FOOTNOTE— When disassembling the receiver, do not leave the trigger spring in place - it may rise up and cause injury.
If you do not clean the weapon after each use, and especially after exposure to moisture, the metal part of the barrel will become covered with rust. For constant cleaning (after each use), it is recommended to use a cleaning rod with a length of at least 67 cm. If you take it shorter, then you will have to remove the barrel each time, which can lead to loosening of the structure. And for prevention, it is better to disassemble the carabiner completely.
—FOOTNOTE— If the screws begin to unscrew spontaneously, a tool for fixing threaded connections can solve this problem.
Analogues and competitors
Analogues include CZ USA UPLAND ULTRALIGHT and CZ USA RINGNECK.
The CZ USA UPLAND is a lightweight weapon made in the USA. This rifle is also distinguished by its compact size and ease of use. Analogue characteristics - 11P0988, 710 MM, 12/76, 396/5.
The CZ USA RINGNECK is a product from a Turkish manufacturer that was originally produced for the USA. Analog characteristics—13C2757, 710 MM, 12/76, 428/5. Reviews about this gun are contradictory: the manufacturer’s website says that this is a premium weapon, but reviews on the Internet say the opposite. Many people criticize the low quality of the product. But its undeniable advantage is its low price.
