CZ/Brno history

Buchan

Well-Known Member
I'm looking into getting an inexpensive .222 set up and a CZ looks a likely contender. (I've had contact with a couple of sellers on here, but am still awaiting my FAC). Adverts sometimes describe them as CZ or BRNO and it's not clear which is the older. As far as I can tell it is approximately (from oldest): BRNO fox - BRNO 527 - CZ527.
Is this correct? Cheers
 
Yes you are pretty much correct. There have been changes along the way, but not much. I feel that the old Brno's were better finished in the first place, and now after lots of use they feel very smooth, whereas a CZ works, is accurate etc, but could do with a few hours of polishing etc to make it silky smooth to use.
 
CZ stands for Ceska Zbrojovka ( Czech gunmaker, or "arms maker" )
CZ was founded in 1917, and has had several factories.
Brno denotes the Brno factory, in the large ancient city of Brno.

VZ is an abbreviation of vzor ("model"), like "Vz-24.

The Germans set up Mauser factories in Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia to build small arms in circumvention of the Treaty of Versailles. So lots of the CZ rifles are in the M-98 long rifle of WWI, and the later K-98 (kurz) short rifle of WWII.

After the war, they produced a very smooth, sleek Mauser variation, the ZG-47, upon which the 21 and 22 models were built. Later models were the 600, 601 and 602, larger framed Mausers. Today's CZ-550 is an updated sporting Mauser derivative, not quite as smooth as the 600 series, and certainly not the ZG-47, but with excellent barrels, and the actions will smoot in with use. They are one of the few barrel makers still hand honing and polishing the rifling as a final step.
 
Avoid the Fox. I had one in .222 and it was a very accurate rifle but the set triggers were a severe annoyance. I am Ok with double set triggers as a whole, but on the Fox the un-set trigger was too far forward and hugely heavy, causing the need to set the trigger at every shot. Buy a CZ 527 American and be happy. I have two. Excellent rifles.~Muir
 
Stop it, Muir, you Son of Satan. I have been craving a CZ 527 Lux in .223 for a long time. It is such a scaled down match for my vintage Mauser sporting rifles. I know a T3 in .223 makes more sense, right? And I already have a bolt action .223 which shoots so well. And you just pushed me to buy a T3 in 7mm-08.

If you ever see a take-off CZ 550 barrel, grab it for a project. That is the best part of the modern CZ rifles.
 
Does anyone know if there is a source for manuals for out of production models? I have a 502.4 (12g/.222) and would love the cutaway etc. But I have had no response emailing either CZ or CZ USA
 
8x57
that is a fantastic website, and I may spend a LOT of time there!
but, alas, no manual for the CZ 502.4

many thanks anyway
sash
 
i also have a CZ 452 lux in .22 wmr ...i absolutely love these rifles, so much so i have ordered from the uk a CZ 527 Varmint in 204.

I cant wait :D
 
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