CZ 452

CZ 452 or ZKM-452

CZ 452 with a fitted suppressor
Type Hunting/Target rifle
Place of origin  Czech Republic
Production history
Designer Josef Koucký (1904-1989)
Designed 1943-44
Manufacturer Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod
Produced 1954-present
Variants American, Varmint, Lux, Scout, Silhouette, Style, FS
Specifications
Barrel length 16 in (410 mm) to 28.6 in (730 mm) dependent on model
Cartridge .22 Long Rifle, .22 WMR, .17 HMR, .17 HM2
Action Bolt-action
Effective firing range 200 meters
Feed system 5 rounds (standard); 10- and 25-round magazines and single-shot adapters also available
Sights open (some models); 3/8" or 11mm dovetail for optional optical sights

The CZ 452 is a repeating bolt-action, magazine-fed, rimfire rifle manufactured by the Czech firearms manufacturer Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod (abbreviated "CZ-UB") (English: Czech Weapons Factory - Uherský Brod)and imported into the United States by CZ-USA. Most versions of the 452 rifle series were discontinued in 2011 and replaced by the CZ 455, although CZ continues to offer the CZ 452 Scout as well as the 452 American in a left-hand-only model, with the bolt located on the left side of the rifle.

During its production life, CZ produced the 452 in available in several variations (American, Varmint, Lux, Scout, Silhouette, Style, and FS) with varying barrels, stocks, and sight in calibers (.22 Long Rifle, .22 WMR, .17 HMR, and .17 HM2). All CZ 452 rifles of recent manufacture have hammer forged, hand-lapped steel barrels threaded into the receiver frame and a trigger that is adjustable for weight of pull.

History

First introduced in 1954 as the Model 2 (ZKM 452), the Model 452 is a refinement of the CZ Model 1 (ZKM-451) .22-calibre rimfire bolt-action training rifle that first appeared in 1947. ZKM is an acronym for Zbrojovka-Koucký-Malorážka, the rifle's manufacturer ([Česká] Zbrojovka), designer (Josef Koucký) and Malorážka - for rimfire rifle).[1][2] The Model 1 or ZKM-451 was developed on the request of the occupying German authority in 1943-44, when a very few rifles were built as fully stocked Mauser 98k type trainers. The receivers of these early .22 training rifles were marked tgf (Tschechische Gewehr Fabrik - German for Czech Rifle Factory) by the German Heereswaffenamt. Because of wartime requirements for combat weapons, assembly and production was halted on all .22 training rifles, leaving a large stockpile of parts and receivers at war's end. After the war, these parts (some of which still have the tgf code) were used along with new barrels and stocks to make the Model 1.

Versions

American

The CZ 452 American features a straight-combed Turkish walnut stock intended for use with a telescopic sight. The American comes without open sights and is equipped with a 22.5" long threaded steel barrel. The top of the receiver is machined with a 3/8"-wide dovetail groove for mounting a telescopic sight. Currently, only the left-handed version is still in production.

A 16-inch barrelled version was formerly offered with a threaded muzzle (European standard 1/2" x 20 threads per inch (TPI)) for attaching sound suppressors. Adapters to allow the attachment of 1/2" x 28 TPI suppressors made in the U.S. are available from several manufacturers. Like most 452 models, the American has a blued metal finish.

Varmint

The Varmint model features the same straight-comb walnut stock of the American, but is equipped with a 21" heavy barrel without open sights. All versions come equipped with a dovetail groove for use with telescopic sights, either 11 mm (.22 Long Rifle versions) or 3/8" (.17 HMR versions). The stock/foreand is of Turkish walnut and is equipped with a flat-bottomed forend for use with a sandbag rest.

Lux and Trainer

A tangent sight on a CZ 452 rimfire rifle, with calibrated markings for ranges out to 300 meters

The Lux is equipped with a 24.8" (630 mm) barrel in the .22 caliber model, walnut European-style stock with an arched (curved) comb sometimes referred to as a Bavarian or "hogback" stock. The lower drop and arched cheekpiece of the Bavarian stock is intended to aid shooting with iron sights. All Lux models come with a tangent sight marked in 25 meter increments and adjustable for windage and elevation, along with a hooded front sight. The elevation can also be fine-tune adjusted on the front sight blade by loosening a setscrew and sliding the blade up or down. A left hand version is also manufactured.

The "Trainer" is identical to the Lux except for a beechwood stock instead of the walnut used on the Lux. Note that earlier Lux and Trainer rifles had sights calibrated to 200 meters. Recent rifles are fitted with the 300 meter sight tang.

Ultra Lux

The "Ultra Lux" is similar to the Lux/Trainer models but has an unusually long 28.6" (727 mm) barrel, a beechwood stock with a Bavarian-style stock, and a ten-round detachable magazine.[3] Like the other Lux models, the Ultra Lux is equipped with a rear tangent sight calibrated from 25 to 300 meters and a hooded front sight. The extra length of the barrel is intended to improve sight radius and thus accuracy when using open sights.

Scout

The Scout is a compact rifle intended for young shooters, with reduced stock dimensions, reduced weight, and a single-round loading device. The reduced stock dimensions and weight also make it suitable for smaller adults. The single-round loading device helps teach ammunition conservation and marksmanship. It has a shortened beechwood stock with a straight, slightly dropped comb, and a blued metal finish. It also uses buckhorn sights.

Silhouette

The "Silhouette" was designed for small-bore metallic silhouette shooting competitions, and to meet the requirements of the IMSSA. It is essentially a CZ American action and barrel in a synthetic stock with a raised comb. Blued metal finish.

Style

Identical to the "Silhouette" model but the "Style" has a matte nickel finish on all metal surfaces.

FS

The FS features a carbine length (20.7") barrel and a European style Mannlicher–Schönauer-style full-length walnut Bavarian-style stock with checkering on the pistol grip and forearm. The FS comes with a tangent sights adjustable for elevation and windage. The receiver is designed to accept 11 mm scope rings.

CZ 513 Basic

The 513 Basic (or Farmer as it is known outside the USA) is an economy version of the CZ 452, and with a 20.9-inch barrel and an uncheckered beechwood stock. The trigger is not adjustable, and the rear sight is a simple buckhorn type.

CZ 453

No longer produced, the CZ 453 is essentially a CZ 452 American or Varmint model in .22 LR or .17 HMR calibre, but is fitted with an adjustable single-set trigger, a different trigger housing, and unique action screws.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Zveřejněno 29.4.2010, Kalendárium: 29. dubna 1969 – Počátek Unikátní české zbraně CZ 75, vložil admin, www.svornost.com
  2. ↑ Fencl, Jiří, Zbraňaři par excellence - Bratři Josef a František Koučtí (2. díl), http://www.valka.cz, 31 Jan. 2015
  3. ↑ CZ USA 2007 catalog
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