First rifle - CZ 452 Trainer

[kamagong]

I just came back from the gun shop. Ten more days and I'll be able to take possession of my first longarm, the wonderful CZ 452 Trainer.

I bought this rifle to complement my primary rifle, a M1 Garand. I don't have the Garand yet as I'm still waiting for the CMP to process my paperwork. I think that other 452 models are better looking than the Trainer, but most of them do not have iron sights. If I'm going to use a .22 to practice on, I figure I might as well get one with good irons since that's what I'll be working with on my Garand.

My particular specimen is a beauty. Good fit, nice finish. The wood is nice too. It's not as nice as some of the ones I've seen on the net, but at least I can see the grain and it is better looking than anything I've seen on a Ruger 10/22 or a Marlin 60. I sure got lucky with mine, finding such a good looking one when they're nowhere to be found. I've been looking for one locally for a while now, but nobody seems to carry CZs around here. I almost ordered one online, but I recently went to a show to get some 1911 mags. The guy who sold me some Shooting Stars mentioned that he carried the Trainer, though he didn't have one at his table. I took his card and this morning drove to his shop. I picked it up and when I felt the trigger I instantly knew I was going to take it home with me.

It was a pleasure doing business with this guy. He had great prices and was very helpful. I wish more dealers were like him. He's a bit far, but I'm willing to drive the distance to patronize a good shop. It looks like I found my preferred dealer.

Pics to follow.

 

[MVF]

Congratulations on a great choice! I had to order mine and was really impressed with how nice the wood was- especially compared to a more expensive rifle I had bought.

This rifle is my favorite shooter so far- shoulders really well for me, great sights, nice balance and incredibly accurate for anything near that price range. I'm sure you will enjoy your new purchase!

 

[Dollar An Hour]

CZ-452's are great rifles. Accurate and well finished. Maybe a little trigger work would be nice, depending on intended usage. I shoot silhouette with mine and had to improve the trigger a bit.

 

[Chem Geek]

The 452 Trainer (or lux!) is going to be my first as well. Just going to have to wait a few more months (stupid unexpected expenses!). Be sure to post pictures and a range report!

 

[toivo]

Excellent choice. Enjoy!

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

These are very nice rifles, well done.

 

[kamagong]

I picked up this little beauty today. It's a CZ 452 Trainer in .22lr. My first rifle, apart from a BB gun that I had as a child. I like it. The bolt action takes a little getting used to.

I got pretty lucky with this one. As I mentioned earlier it has good fit and finish. It's accurate too. I brought it out to the range today so that we could get acquainted. Used a mix of cartridges from different manufacturers. Didn't seem to care. True, my groups weren't the best, but I blame that on me and not the rifle. The rifle shoots a little to the right though. I'll have to adjust the windage. The best part is that it is all wood and metal. No polymers, no MIM. I guess I was really lucky. CZ now makes these with plastic mags and mag wells. Maybe I got an older one. People on the CZ forum says it doesn't make a difference. I still think metal is better than plastic. With proper care I'll be able to pass this rifle on to my grandkids.

 

[Caimlas]

Congrats! A good pick of a firearm! This past Thanksgiving I picked up a CZ 452 Lux myself ($275, new - what a steal!) and I've enjoyed every moment I've shot it. Mine, like the one you got, is all metal and wood, no plastic. I hope you got a good price, and I have no doubt in my mind that it will be a joy for you to shoot!

Did your's come with the little "target" card? Mine did; whoever shot it, shot it better than I can, and I'm not a poor shot! We'll have to work on that.

Mine shot about 1/3" to the left @ 50m. That's a small enough discrepancy that I've not bothered to fix it, as I've been primarily shooting at small wood blocks @ 25 yards, and clay pigeons at 50 yards from a standing position, and that much offset isn't going to change things much/any.

 

[Skoghund]

I bought a CZ lux years ago. A great rifle and so accurate. Its so easy to go through a hundred rounds just plinking about. Mine came threaded for a silencer and when fitted with such and useing sub sonics is instant death on rabbits.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Coincidentally, I have one of these. Great rifle. It has the best open iron sight picture of anything I've ever used; a scope is almost superfluous, except to see the target a little better. The rear sight, as seen in the pictures, slides up and down a ramp graduated for different ranges, and it will shoot to point of aim at each range. My only criticism is that the safety works backwards (forward for safe, rearward to fire) and requires you to break your grip and reacquire it every time you move the safety.

If you scope it (I did, with a Bushnell 1.5-5X), you will need high rings as well as pay attention to the length and front lens diameter of the scope, or it will hit the rear sight.

 

[jerkface11]

The trainer is the best one of the lineup. Mine's a .17 HMR though.

 

[goon]

According to CZ's site they don't offer the trainer anymore. That's a shame because I've always been more for solid value than the pretty looks of the Lux. Their "economy" model now doesn't seem to have the extremely cool tangent sight. Guess if I ever want another one I'll have to go used.

Anyhow, seems like you did get lucky with yours.

 

[kamagong]

Trainers are still available. I think the CZ site is a bit dated.

 

[tallpaul]

I grabbed a trainer a couple years back. I LOVE it! I do want an American someday to go with it... and a varmint... Great guns for the money.

 

[YodaVader]

I bought mine about 6 years ago when they were still called the Special - then $189. This rifle amazed me right from the start! Later bought a Lux in .22 mag but sold it to finance the purchase of an Anschutz which never materialized. I see a 452 American in the future!

 

[jhansman]

Just an excellent gun. A buddy of mine just got one and man, is that thing accurate! I may have to give up my 1966 Sears and Roebuck .22 bolt gun for one.

 

[mp510]

The 452 Trainer is a great rifle. They are capable of great accuracy. You WILL enjoy it.

 

[Ad Astra]

Took the scope off my trainer. Love the Mauser-style sights; it's the model's strength.

Knew you'd like it, kamagong.


Mike