Questions about the CZ452

[Joe Mamma]

I know very little about rifles. But, I am interested in this gun and have a few questions.

First, what is the finish on the metal like on theses guns? Is it a glossy blued steel or is a rougher finish? I can't tell from the pictures. Also, is the finish different with different 452 models (other than the stainless steel ones)?

Second, is it possible to mount a scope on it and still be able to use the standard iron sights? I guess anything is possible so, my question is really is it normal to keep and be able use the standard sights after mountng a scope? Any ideas for scopes and price ranges? I'm not looking for any particular use, just something that is fun and versatile.

If it matters, I am thinking about getting one in 22LR.

Thanks.

Joe Mamma

 

[DR]

The barrel is blued; the receiver is a rougher, blacker finish: looks like it may be parkerized. I can't help you with the scope question. I've got a Lux and I'm keeping the iron sights.

 

[Jim Watson]

CZ452 barrel is semi-gloss blue, the receiver is matte black. Probably bead or sand blasted and blued, I can't see them going to the trouble to Parkerize the action separately on a $200 rifle.

You could probably find scope mounts high enough and tunneled out so you could see the iron sights under the scope, they are available for most other rifles.
But it is a bad idea. You would have to stick your neck up so high as to lose the "cheekweld" against the stock, and have an unsteady aim. Scope mounts should be as low as possible. Just clearing the barrel is best, but you would likely have to go higher to clear the tangent rear sight so you could leave it in place for use with the scope removed... for whatever reason.

Get the best scope you possibly can. A Leupold Rimfire Special will cost about as much as the rifle and be well worth the money.

Search and ask at rimfirecentral.com
There is a lot of .22 and CZ expertise there.

 

[Joe Mamma]

Thanks for you replies. I have one more basic question. Is a variable magnification scope an OK idea or is there some reason to stay away from them?

Joe Mamma

 

[Jim Watson]

Modern made name brand variable power scopes are pretty nearly trouble free.
A cheap one might shift zero as you changed power, as nearly all of them used to do, but if so, all you would have to do is set it and leave it.

 

[Zardoz]

There is no see through scope mounts for the CZ so I'd get another type of rifle that uses more standerd mounts if see through is a issue. (With CZ, you're stuch with their mounts.)

 

[lycanthrope]

I use a 3x9 variable on my CZ452 Luz and I recommend something in that range or higher as these guns often shoot under 1 MOA out to 100 yards with the right ammo.

Don't forget a trigger kit from Eric Brooks. www.cz452.com

 

[SirPorl]

See-thru mounts are available

You can have see-through mounts on the cz452s. I have a 4x Nikon Prostaff on my 452se with the iron sites still intact. The don't require special rings like the CZ centerfires.

SirPorl

 

[lycanthrope]

Some 452's have 11mm dovetails. A complete breakdown is over at www.rimfirecentral.com

 

[Remander]

I second the motions to check out rimfirecentral's CZ board and Eric Brooks' site.

If you want to shoot with a scope, the American model is a good choice. It comes with no iron sights, but it is ready to mount regular size scope rings. (That's what I have. Very pleased with it. Great prices at http://www.whittakerguns.com/)

The Lux model has great iron sights, but the height of the rear sight (and a Euro size dovetail for scope mounts) makes scope mounting more tricky. An effort to use both scope and irons on one rifle will likely not be very good at either.

I'd decide which route I wanted (scope or irons) and pick the best suited model.

You will enjoy whatever you pick. The 452 is a great choice -- a lot of bang for the buck in the accuracy department. The Brooks trigger kit is also a great addition to an already fine rifle.

 

[Cosmoline]

CZ-USA now markets 452's with iron sights and no sights. Both will mount scopes out of the box, but I believe the iron sighted ZKK trainer versions need to have higher mounts. I have the model with tangent sights, and I've never needed a scope. The sights are EXCELLENT. Probably the best iron sights I've ever seen on a non-modified rifle. Orders of magnitude better than the cheap buckhorns on most American-made .22's, I'm afraid. The ZKK is my personal death ray. It's tight, amazingly accurate, and very tough. I just bring it up and "PAAFFF" there's another critter for the smoker. I think everyone should own one.

 

[Joe Mamma]

Stupid question: what are "tangent sights"?

Joe Mamma

 

[johnster999]

I put a pair of see-through scope mounts from Wal-Mart on my Lux. They fit fine and I can see the sights well. I think the mounts are Leupold brand.

I don't really use the iron sights now as I'd expected, however, and I'm now thinking of replacing the mounts with something lower. See the above mentioned "cheek-weld" issue.

The barrel on my lux is a quality semi-gloss blue and the receiver is matte-blue. The stock has a rather basic finish. The rifle would look a lot more impressive with a more finely finished stock. The wood looks like nice quality walnut. Maybe someday I'll sand and refinish to a gloss.

 

[Cosmoline]

what are "tangent sights"?

They're traditional military iron sights. The rear sight rises up along a runner as the shooter pushes a spacer away from him. They're mounted on the barrel. On many military rifles they're graduated out to somewhat absurd distances of 2,000 meters or more. The theory was that a few squads could line up and engage in volley fire at advancing columns. Maybe no bullets would hit, but the smacking nearby would disturb the enemy at that range. I don't know that this ever came into practice, but the sights retained this vestige long into the 20th century. Tangent sights tend to be very poor quality on most US made rifles. On typical leverguns the riser is a piece of second-grade sheet metal that will fall out if the sight is lifted. CZ's ZKM lux is unusual for having top-quality tangent sights that are actually carefully set for the bullet drop on a typical .22 LR load. This means you can NEGATE THE DROP out as far as you can see clearly. So if you click foward to 100 meters your sights should have you hitting dead on for standard power .22 LR, and since it takes only a second to make this adjustment this is a serious advantage over a fixed-power scope, esp. given the substantial bullet drop on a .22LR. This is one reason it seems more like a death ray than a normal rimfire rifle.

http://www.cz-usa.com/01.detail.php?id=3

 

[browneu]

I would say get two versions of the 452. You can get the special or the lux and have a rifle with a nice set of iron sights, the only difference betweent the models is the type of wood used for the stock. And then you can get an American and mount a scope on it. The American version also has the gloss blued receiver to match the barrel. Looks very nice.

 

[TooTech]

The CZ manufactured rings are excellent. Talley makes them for this gun as well, another excellent ring, Brownell's sells them. You can also get them from Millet, although I've heard some complaints that they're not hardened eoungh to stand up to the recoil of a hard-kicking rifle. Hardly a problem with a .22.

 

[lycanthrope]

I had a set of Millets and they broke on installation. I replaced them with BKL mounts (which will fit 11m and 3/8 dovetails interchangeably). The BKL mounts are good looking, strong and versatile.