.
I suppose that should read, "the now-requisite, rudimentary skills" in finding e-books online.
I wanted to add also in an attempt to aid Cooldill's decision my experience that when considering the purchase of my 527 Carbine six or seven years ago, I had been looking for a .308 bolt rifle. This was well-before I became aware of any scout-rifle concept. When presented with this "miniature" rifle after shouldering many standard-sized hunting rifles, I asked the counterman, "What's this?" He replied, "It's a surprise..."
I told him I'd sleep on my decision and would return the next day, went home and promptly researched the CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62 X 39. What I discovered only moments into my findings was that anyone that had had one and sold it, regretted it. And that for anyone who presently had one, it was fast becoming one of their favorites to shoot. I returned to the store that afternoon to begin the DROS.
I first used Russian milsurp ammunition through it; Berdan-primed, brass-cased jacketed lead core stuff. Within two or three range trips while aiming for 200 yd steels through the irons, using my elbows as my rest, I was hitting 3 or 4 times every five rounds (I wasn't holding high enough). The rangemaster approached me later during a ceasefire and said quietly, "You're outshooting guys with scopes...". Must have been an off day for them. Mighta been no0bs and I was using the set trigger.
Since then I've also used Fiocchi 7.62 X 39 from the green, 20-rd boxes with similar accuracy results but also had some light strikes/hard primers issues. I noticed that the issue was with a certain lot that had brass-colored primers but the rifle had no misfires with what looked like the lots with nickel-colored primers. I've since paid close attention to the firing-pin stop (the back of the bolt contact with the rear of the action) and installed a "stronger" striker spring (forget the brand but I may still have it's packaging if anyone would like to know). I've sold off the questionable lots of that Fiocchi to a buddy with an AK which he says will eat anything.
I've not used my CZ in some time, lately opting to take some of my leverguns and my Gunsite Scout to the range. I've since acquired some Red Army and Wolff steel-cased (which carry the same markings on the cases) X 39 stuff but I am limited to where I can shoot it due to it's steel-core bullet's potential for sparks downrange (fire danger here in the drought-plagued southwest). I am itching to shoot it again now that I have the others dialed in.
Point being that even with the doubts you may have about the rifle due to internet lore, once you find the ammo it likes (and/or begin to reload), this carbine is a keeper. A real "hotrod" of a little rifle!
