[glenn asher]

I've been eyeballing these things for a couple of months, now that the local shops have got a couple in stock. I applaud the use of the 455 barrels and magazines, those items are well-proven now.
So far, despite CZ switching the safety around to accommodate the hard-headed folks who couldn't figure out the old safeties, and shortening the bolt lift, the new rifle just doesn't flip my switches. Like a Remington 700, there's just something about it I do not like.
The slot in the receiver reminds me of the cheaper Savage rimfires, which I'm not especially fond of, either. Slabsiding the receiver did nothing for me, I liked the old-school traditional way CZ did on the BRNO and 452 rifles, that they carried over to the 455.
Call me a hidebound old reprobate, but I just can't get warmed up to the new guns. CZ makes some nice toys, but in a race to build them cheaper and easier, along with the "stylish" new stocks and new finish, just ain't floatin' my boat.
A nice young man tried very, very hard to sell me a new 457 MTR Varmint, but those are the exact opposite of my tastes. I like sporter rifles and don't much care for the heavier rifles that I'll never carry in the squirrel woods. For that purpose, the older 455s are better, and the 452s perhaps a bit better than the 455s.
As always, your tastes may vary, but as for me, I'll skip the new rifles and keep using my "older", more traditional guns.

 

[Doug Roberts]

CZ

We have 3 of those old 452s, really like 'em, and see no reason to get either a 455 or a 457. I think you may have been with me at Whittakers when I bought one of them.

Oh, and by the way, you're a hidebound old reprobate. (Per your request)

 

[George Foster]

Glenn, you seem to be a person after my own heart. I feel the same way as you about things it seems.

 

[TinMan]

And we bet you have dined at Moonlight BBQ once or twice...…..

Only have one 452, a 22WMR I bought the day of 9/11. Shoots great. Already had too many other nice 22lr rifles to get a CZ.

 

[Paul Workman]

The CZ 452 would be my next 22LR...IF I already didn't have a schweet Rem (pre WW-II) 341P (read: NO stamped parts in the exquisite carrier and bolt) or my Win mo. 52, the type also used in Olympic competition in its day.

I like 22s from that "golden era of rifles" - circa pre WW-II and up to about 1960. With few exceptions, i.e., the Browning SA-22 still in production BUT from that same era where every rifle was built and fitted with TLC by real craftsmen using real walnut and treated each gun like it was to be their own. THAT is what the CZ 452 reminds me of: A rifleman's rifle - to steal a phrase from Winchester's mo. 70 (pre-64).

Love the CZ 452s!

 

[45TAJ]

I really like the 52 B and C's. The Pre A and A, not so much. Going to do some longer range work when some of the Gotta Do's get done this Spring. Besides the bench work, I'm liking the speed steel - Steel Challenge. Only need a cheap auto loader for rifle or pistol. Fun fun fun

 

[Paul Workman]

I really like the 52 B and C's. The Pre A and A, not so much. Going to do some longer range work when some of the Gotta Do's get done this Spring. Besides the bench work, I'm liking the speed steel - Steel Challenge. Only need a cheap auto loader for rifle or pistol. Fun fun fun

I assume you're referring to the Win 52 A, B, Cs, no?

Working in the gun shop gave me the chance to keep up on the latest stuff. But, the owner retired and closed the store before the new CZ 457s came out (or at least we never took one into inventory). But, my point is, there still are a few makers that appear (at least) to produce (sporting rifles in particular) that have that old time quality feel to them, e.g., Henry, Dakota Arms, some of Brownings, etc. And, CZs - at least up to a couple years ago when the store closed. And, I'd hate to find out that CZ turned the corner toward the route so many of our domestic makers went - CHEAP and corner-cutting (e.g., compare the Rem 722 or the 700 BDL vs. the (pathetic, IMO) mo. 710 comes to mind). Does Rem even make the 710 anymore?? I don't know.

 

[glenn asher]

I assume you're referring to the Win 52 A, B, Cs, no?

Working in the gun shop gave me the chance to keep up on the latest stuff. But, the owner retired and closed the store before the new CZ 457s came out (or at least we never took one into inventory). But, my point is, there still are a few makers that appear (at least) to produce (sporting rifles in particular) that have that old time quality feel to them, e.g., Henry, Dakota Arms, some of Brownings, etc. And, CZs - at least up to a couple years ago when the store closed. And, I'd hate to find out that CZ turned the corner toward the route so many of our domestic makers went - CHEAP and corner-cutting (e.g., compare the Rem 722 or the 700 BDL vs. the (pathetic, IMO) mo. 710 comes to mind). Does Rem even make the 710 anymore?? I don't know.

Remington has quit the 710, for the "vastly improved" M770, just for your own information. Neither are worth the time and trouble to use them for boat anchors, though.

CZ is making a quality rifle, the 457 seems to be getting excellent results on the range, but they have done some things aesthetically that I don't like much. The barrels and magazines are straight-up 455 (they are all interchangeable, too) and the bottom metal IS much better looking than the 452/452/455 guns, but I have never liked the short bolt lift guns much, and they DID go that route. The slot in the receiver I've already complained about, it looks cheap. They did address the "backwards operating safety", but that was never a factor for me, so it's a moot point. Some folks will rejoice, some of us won't care either way.
I now have two 452s and two 455s, (and a 512), and I cannot complain about how ANY of them shoot. You can't tell which target came from which rifle, they are all pretty good shooters, even that funny-looking 512 will shoot right with the boltguns. I DO question why CZ is putting a 25" barrel on a rimfire sporter, though, that makes them a bit unwieldy for me. It does look pretty good from a distance, though.

 

[George Foster]

That is where I differ from a lot of other people, I dislike short barrels on any rifle. I much prefer at least 22" barrels on my 22's and like the 24" barrels better. On centerfires I won't buy a rifle with less than a 22" barrel.

 

[glenn asher]

That is where I differ from a lot of other people, I dislike short barrels on any rifle. I much prefer at least 22" barrels on my 22's and like the 24" barrels better. On centerfires I won't buy a rifle with less than a 22" barrel.

I used to feel that way, but after fooling around with some of the snub-nosed rimfires (two CZ Scouts and a 512 Suppressor-Ready, all with 16" barrels), they have grown on me, they are awfully handy in a pickup, and don't take up much room when you're out choring, and don't get hung up on brush when you're messing around in the woods.
I think owning a Remington 870 Turkey Gun got me started, they are a lot handier in the brush, too.
Hopefully, I won't ever get too stubborn to learn stuff.
My deer rifle is a Model 70 .270, with a 24" barrel, and it is still a favorite, but I sure like a Marlin 336SC, too. Nothing wrong with light 'n' handy.