At the beginning of the 20th century, in the Czech town of Cesská Zbruevka, a small-caliber rifle CZ-452 was developed at an arms factory, which served as the basic basis for the CZ-455 hunting carbine chambered for a small-caliber unitary cartridge 22 LR of 5.6 mm caliber, rimfire.
The CZ-455 small-caliber hunting carbine began to be produced in the early 2000s in several modifications, differing in type of design, barrel length and the presence of an optical sight of various magnifications.
After 2010, production of the basic model CZ-455 was discontinued due to the appearance of more improved modifications, such as the CZ-455 Jquar
The CZ-455 immediately gained popularity among hunters and fans of sports and amateur shooting, including in Russia.
Characteristics of CZ-455
The CZ-455 hunting carbine is produced in caliber 22 LR, that is, 5.6 mm, chambered for a unified rimfire cartridge, but there are also options with caliber 22 WMR, which also has a caliber 5.6 mm, rimfire, but its length is 24 mm., almost twice as long as the 22 LR cartridge. The barrel length for all modifications is unchanged, 610 mm.
The barrel is made of a special high-strength alloy using cold forging, which makes it especially durable
The shutter is classic, longitudinally sliding with lateral right closure. The bolt itself is made of high-strength steel alloy and consists of a bolt frame and a bolt with a cut-off device, inside of which there is a mainspring with a striker. A completely simple and reliable design, time-tested and practically not subject to breakdowns. Disconnecting the bolt from the carbine is very easy and simple; just pull the trigger and move the bolt back to disconnect it from the carbine.
This disassembly procedure is typical for all weapons that have a sliding bolt design
The CZ-455 carbine, depending on the configuration and model, can have a magazine with a capacity of five or ten rounds. There is a sighting device on the barrel that can be adjusted. There are also special cutouts for mounting an optical sight, which is an additional option and is not included in the basic kit for the CZ-455. However, there are modifications of the CZ-455 in which an optical sight is included and sold along with the carbine.
The butt, stock and fore-end are made of one piece from valuable wood, depending on the design. Usually it is either selected walnut or dark beech. Regardless of the modification and design, all wooden parts of the CZ-455 small-caliber carbine undergo the necessary procedure: they are necessarily coated with a special compound that protects against weather influences and minor mechanical damage, and then they are sanded, usually by hand. On some modifications of the CZ-455, the butt may have a cheek piece for easier aiming. On piece or export models, among other things, there may be a carved design depicting hunting scenes.
Disassembly of CZ 452
The magazine is removed, the rifle is removed from the safety; The bolt handle rises and retracts; Keeping the hook pressed, remove the bolt; The screws are unscrewed; The barrel and the box are separated. The purchased rifle must be cleaned - remove the factory grease. Use a soft cloth to wipe off all the grease until it is dry. Long-term use requires rigorous cleaning: a solvent mixture and a cleaning brush are used. The canal lubricated with the solution is kept for a quarter of an hour and thoroughly cleaned. It is very convenient to clean steel components with a toothbrush and a wooden scraper. The solution intended for the barrel is strictly contraindicated, as it will cause rust. Kerosene or oil will do. After cleaning, be sure to check for the absence of microparticles.
Reviews of CZ-455
Of course, Czech gunsmiths did everything to ensure that their small-caliber carbine was almost flawless. One of the main advantages of this “small thing” is its relatively low weight, only about 2.7 kilograms. This is a very good indicator, especially compared to similar small-caliber hunting carbines, both imported and domestic. The quality of workmanship and high reliability of the design are also undoubted advantages. The cartridge feeding system using a sliding bolt is also one of the simplest and most reliable. There is physically nothing to break in it, so even carbines of a venerable age work flawlessly with proper care and maintenance. The ballistic qualities of the CZ-455 small-bore carbine are simply excellent.
From a distance of 130 meters, the CZ-455 confidently hits a target with a diameter of 50 centimeters, while all the bullets from the magazine fall quite tightly together without scattering
With an optical sight, the shooting performance is noticeably better and of higher quality, which is not surprising. One of the advantages is the ability to independently upgrade the CZ-455. The owner of the CZ-455 can easily select the magazine of the required capacity or select and install an optical sight of his choice.
Not every small-caliber carbines have the ability to install optics
The appearance of the CZ-455 carbine can also be considered an advantage, since it looks solid and expensive. And individual copies of the CZ-455 are, as they say, beyond competition. The disadvantage is that, like any other rifled carbine, the CZ-455 is difficult to use in limited areas, such as copses or dense bushes. For successful hunting, an open area is required, since the shot range is more than 350 meters.
Compared to cheaper ones, such as Turkish and Russian analogues, the CZ-455 carbine is quite expensive, with the same quality of workmanship as that of Russian “small things”.
Rules for safe use
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The manufacturer provides rules for the safe operation of weapons:
- You must always treat it as if the gun is loaded;
- You can't aim at something or someone if you don't intend to shoot;
- You need to verify the discharge yourself, even if the second person says that he has completed the discharge process;
- The CZ 452 must be charged before being handed over to another person or before it is out of your line of sight;
- Before storage, the trigger must be unloaded and released;
- There is only one purpose - shooting, the carbine cannot be abused;
- A loaded automatic rifle cannot be left unattended;
- Before charging, you must ensure that the barrel and other components are in good working order. In order for all mechanisms to work stably, regular cleaning is required in accordance with the rules;
- For shooting, you cannot use low-quality ammunition or those that are not suitable in caliber;
- It is prohibited to consume alcohol or drugs during operation or before starting;
- When shooting, it is recommended to use safety glasses and earplugs;
- When removing the safety, you need to ensure a safe direction of the aiming line;
- The cartridge ejection port must always be clean;
- You can put your finger on the trigger only after the target has been selected;
- In addition to choosing a target, you need to consider the area behind it. If you miss, you can hit an unwanted object;
- It is prohibited to shoot at rocks or water;
- Before cleaning the gun, make sure it is unloaded;
- CZ 452 rifles should be stored in a metal safe separately from cartridges;
- For safe operation, it is prohibited to make independent changes to the design.
Conclusion
The Czech small-caliber carbine CZ-455 is an excellent, reliable and simple hunting weapon. It is light, comfortable to wear, and fits perfectly in the hands. Even a novice hunter with no shooting experience will be able to make accurate shots like an experienced pro. In any case, the choice of small-caliber hunting weapons is a personal matter for everyone, depending on their preferences and the thickness of their wallet.
Video review of CZ-455
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Setting up the sighting mechanism
Factory settings provide high-quality shooting at a distance of 50 meters. Self-adjustment is possible for firing at a distance from 25 meters to 200 meters. One step of the sighting mechanism is 25 meters.
You can move the rear sight to the desired value after pressing the lock button. Horizontal adjustment is carried out using two screws that move towards each other. After fully turning the screw, the aiming point shifts by 5 centimeters, which is equal to 50 meters.
The front sight is responsible for adjusting the elevation. Before adjusting the elevation, you need to loosen the screw and then place it on the desired auxiliary line. An offset of one notch moves the aiming point 50 meters.
History[edit]
First introduced in 2010, the CZ 455 was designed to replace the CZ 452 series, which is being phased out. [2] The CZ 452 first appeared in 1954 as the Model 2 (ZKM 452) and was an improvement on the CZ Model 1 (ZKM-451). A .22 caliber rimfire bolt action training rifle first introduced in 1947. ZKM is an abbreviation for Zbrojovka-Koucký-Malorážka, rifle manufacturer ([Česká] Z
brojovka), designer (Josef
K
oucký) and
M
alorážka - for rimfire rifles).
[3] [4] The Model 1 or ZKM-451 was developed at the request of the German occupation authorities in 1943-44, when very few rifles were built as complete Mauser 98k rifles. The receivers of these early .22 training rifles were marked tgf
(
Tschechische Gewehr Fabrik
- German name for "Czech Rifle Factory") by the German Heereswaffenamt.
Due to wartime requirements for military weapons, assembly and production of all .22 caliber training rifles was stopped, leaving a large stockpile of parts and receivers at the end of the war. After the war, these parts (some of which are still coded tgf
) were used along with new barrels and stocks to create the Model 1.
Review of cz 457 LPR
The CZ 457 model was purposefully developed to accurately hit targets at long distances. According to the manufacturer, this should interest and attract hunters and shooting enthusiasts. That is why the CZ 457 LRP carbine is equipped with a fluted, thick-walled, extremely accurate 525 mm barrel. with a threaded pitch of 406 mm. The barrel also has a muzzle brake. The tactical style of the LRP synthetic stock features a soft-touch texture that feels pleasant to the touch. The widened forend flows in a smooth line into a semi-pistol grip.
To hold the carabiner, the surface is structured and has a characteristic rear hook.
The lower part of the stock has a picatinny rail so that the shooter can use a rear monopod if desired. The length of the butt-trigger can be easily adjusted within 351-382 mm using 3 spacers. The height of the butt cheek is also adjustable if necessary.
Disassembly and care
Caring for a small-caliber chezette is no different from caring for a regular rifle. But disassembly is carried out in two ways - partial and complete disassembly are different. Partial disassembly of the bolt is simple; in this case, there is no need to disassemble the bolt:
- The magazine is removed;
- The weapon is removed from the safety lock;
- The bolt handle is raised and retracted;
- After pressing the trigger, it is held in this position and at this time the bolt is removed from the barrel box;
- On the bottom of the stock you need to unscrew 4 screws: behind the magazine latch, on the rifle fore-end, in the front and rear of the trigger guard;
- The barrel, receiver and trigger are separated from the stock of the weapon.
If you need to completely disassemble the scout rifle, you will also need to disassemble the bolt:
- The fuse box is switched to the “Fire” mode;
- The back of the striker rests on a surface, which must be hard, for example, a table or chair;
- The lever for the fuse is removed;
- The pressure in the back of the striker is weakened;
- The gun spring and firing pin are removed.
Storage should be carried out in a safe, separate from cartridges, in a closed place inaccessible to children. Also, when removing the rifle from the safety, you need to inspect the aiming line to see if there are people on it.
Modifications and characteristics
The weapon is available in several calibers. The parameter of each specific model of the CZ 457 series varies greatly and is different. All carbines have detachable 5-round magazines. Jaguar 22LR. The carbine has the longest barrel of 726 mm. As an additional equipment, the weapon comes with a metal magazine for 10 rounds. Premium 22LR. The carbine is made in a classic hunting version. The stock is quite comfortable; natural oiled walnut is used for the stock. The barrel has a length of 630 mm, the entire carbine as a whole is 1084 mm. Weapon weight 2.9 kg. Royal. This carabiner is also made in a classic style, but it is more compact and a little lighter. With a length of 865 mm. it weighs only 2.7 kg. The barrel of the weapon is shortened - 412 mm. Varmint MTR 22LR. It is the most high-precision model. Thanks to the heavy barrel, shooting at long distances does not cause problems. Even intense shooting will cause minimal damage to the barrel. This is a target carbine for training and sport shooting. The ergonomically shaped buttstock is very massive and made of wood. During aimed shooting, it provides better balance, creates a reliable support, and convenience. In addition to the 22LR caliber, the weapon is available in 17HMR and 22WMR calibers. Each modification is completely unique in its characteristics.
CONTENT
- 1 Design and operation
- 2 History
- 3 versions 3.1 CZ 455 Standard 3.1.1 CZ 455 Scout
- 3.1.2 CZ 455 FS
- 3.1.3 CZ 455 Long
- 3.1.4 CZ 455 LUX
- 3.1.5 CZ 455 LUX II
- 3.1.6 CZ 455 Super Match
- 3.1.7 CZ 455 Ultra Match
- 3.1.8 CZ 455 Jaguar
- 3.2.1 CZ 455 Synthetic
- 3.3.1 Thumb hole CZ 455
Links[edit]
- Jump up
↑ Tabor, Tom,
Report From the Field: New Rifles, CZ-USA
, Gun Digest (2012) p. 203 - ^ abc CZ-USA Press Release - Kansas City
, December 17, 2009: “The 455 will ultimately combine all receivers currently used in the 452 line into one common platform. This, combined with the new CZ 455 interchangeable barrel system, will allow the user to easily change the stock configuration as well as the caliber of their rifle.” https://cz-usa.com/press-release/cz-455-american/ - Zveřejněno 29.4.2010, Kalendárium: 29. dubna 1969 – Počátek Unikátní české zbraně CZ 75
, vložil admin, www.svornost.com - Fencl, Jiri, Zbraňaři par excellence - Bratří Josef František Koučtí (2. DIL)
, https://www.valka.cz, January 31, 2015
