CZ527 magazine.....some things never change!

[beanieboy]

Just bought a new 527 223 24" in thumbhole laminate stock. As expected, chambering a round was nigh on impossible due to the shortcomings of the metal mag. This time it is the well known issue with the lips requiring attention (so out with the trusty dremel) in order to let the round push free of the mag. With my 17 hornet it was a mixture of this same issue and a ridiculously stiff spring that made loading any more than 3 rounds extremely difficult.
Both the above are relatively easy fixes, but neither issue should exist with a new rifle. I'm a fan of the 527 and didn't want to miss out in getting another now that they're no longer in production, but I really hope CZ have addressed these issues in their new offerings.

 

[Lloyd90]

I was about to buy a CZ527 after lots of research and reading.

After hours and hours of readying reviews etc, I drove 90 minutes to the only store I could find that had a CZ527 night sky in stock.

Arriving in store I found the rifle was not bedded correctly and quite a bit to one side in the stock.

The RFD went on about it not being a problem … then said they may send it back to CZ… despite it “not being a problem”.

I bought a CZ550 years ago that had the same issue.



Many people online say how great CZ’s are. I can only go on my own personal experience, their quality control is crap, and that’s 2 rifles with the same issue many years apart… neither should have left the factory like that in my (amateur) opinion.


I instead bought a Tikka T3x lite in stainless … couldn’t be happier.

I wouldn’t even consider CZ for any future rifles. They’re clearly happy to send out rifles with very apparent faults.

 

[beanieboy]

I've always been a fan of CZ's and my latest two in thumbhole laminate have been fully floating and sit well in their respective stocks. It is however difficult to argue against the point you make in relation to quality control at CZ. I can't imagine for a moment that Tikka would let a long running problem like that of the CZ mag go unaddressed.

 

[kamyonsofor]

I wonder if the quality issue was the reason Edgar bros are no longer the importers and now Sportsman Center,I have a old 527 .223 and the mag played up after a RFD tried to fit a newer model mag ,found another good rfd who did his bit and it cycles and extracts as it should.

 

[beanieboy]

The CZ mag issues does make one wonder about the notion that somehow metal mags are superior to polymer. I'd like to buy a spare mag for my 527, but don't fancy the prospect of digging out the dremmel again. Is there an alternative to the standard metal mag for the 527?

 

[User00040]

I summon @Muir who will undoubtedly be able to tell you about the rectification of any issues *whether real or otherwise imagined*...

 

[Kalahari]

My experience with 527 mags, admittedly quite limited, is to just leave the new mag loaded with fired cases for a week or so andunload and reload itfrom time to time.

David.

 

[Lloyd90]

My experience with 527 mags, admittedly quite limited, is to just leave the new mag loaded with fired cases for a week or so andunload and reload itfrom time to time.

David.

Just what you want on a brand new rifle you’ve just spent almost a grand on…

 

[Kalahari]

Just what you want on a brand new rifle you’ve just spent almost a grand on…

Well the mags do last pretty much forever.

Actually what I always wanted was a 527 with a floorplate staggered box magazine five rounds flush fit.

David.

 

[Lloyd90]

Well the mags do last pretty much forever.

Actually what I always wanted was a 527 with a floorplate staggered box magazine five rounds flush fit.

David.

Not having a flush mag is a pitfall.

My point however wasn’t how long the mags would last.

It’s that you shouldn’t have to be pulling tricks like that to get the rifle to work as intended.

 

[25 Sharps]

I was about to buy a CZ527 after lots of research and reading.

After hours and hours of readying reviews etc, I drove 90 minutes to the only store I could find that had a CZ527 night sky in stock.

Arriving in store I found the rifle was not bedded correctly and quite a bit to one side in the stock.

The RFD went on about it not being a problem … then said they may send it back to CZ… despite it “not being a problem”.

I bought a CZ550 years ago that had the same issue.



Many people online say how great CZ’s are. I can only go on my own personal experience, their quality control is crap, and that’s 2 rifles with the same issue many years apart… neither should have left the factory like that in my (amateur) opinion.


I instead bought a Tikka T3x lite in stainless … couldn’t be happier.

I wouldn’t even consider CZ for any future rifles. They’re clearly happy to send out rifles with very apparent faults.

They’re not bedded!

Not many factory rifles are, you could have loosened off the action screws, straightened the action up and been on your way!

CZs are cracking rifles, and will keep up with any out of the box tikka accuracy any day of the week.

 

[Lloyd90]

you could have loosened off the action screws, straightened the action up and been on your way!

I tried exactly that in the RFD. Several times, it didn’t work. This was a synthetic stock.

The issue on the CZ550 I bought was exactly the same but that was a wood stock. I had to send that back to CZ to sort.

Neither were sorted out with your suggestion.

 

[25 Sharps]

I tried exactly that in the RFD. Several times, it didn’t work. This was a synthetic stock.

The issue on the CZ550 I bought was exactly the same but that was a wood stock. I had to send that back to CZ to sort.

Neither were sorted out with your suggestion.

Seems rather odd, especially as you blame the bedding when they have none, apart from maybe a tiny bit in the recoil lug recess on the 550!

I’ve owned several CZ CFs and rimfires, shot many others, sourced others for friends. Precisely none have had the issue you describe yet you managed to find 2 with the same issue, you must be terribly unlucky!

 

[njc110381]

Seems rather odd, especially as you blame the bedding when they have none, apart from maybe a tiny bit in the recoil lug recess on the 550!

I’ve owned several CZ CFs and rimfires, shot many others, sourced others for friends. Precisely none have had the issue you describe yet you managed to find 2 with the same issue, you must be terribly unlucky!

My thoughts exactly. I'm quite a fan of the CZ's, and any issues they have are a simple fix. You simply can't say that a Tikka is better - I've seen T3 mags wear out and stop feeding properly, but multiple thousands of rounds down my old CZ .22 Hornet and the mag was as good as new.

They're built to last. There's a reason Rigby used the CZ Magnum actions for its big game rifles when the supply of Mauser actions dried up. The 550 is regarded as one of the most reliable actions on the market - in certain areas of the sport there's a huge degree of sadness now the 550 Magnum production has ceased. They may need a bit of fettling when new, they're a little rough around the edges, but once smoothed out they're bombproof and will outlive their owners.

 

[Lloyd90]

Seems rather odd, especially as you blame the bedding when they have none, apart from maybe a tiny bit in the recoil lug recess on the 550!

I’ve owned several CZ CFs and rimfires, shot many others, sourced others for friends. Precisely none have had the issue you describe yet you managed to find 2 with the same issue, you must be terribly unlucky!

It’s so odd that it appears to be a well documented issue that many other people have experienced …

Barrel touching stock. - www.ShootForum.com

Barrel touching stock.

www.shootforum.com

I guess the multiple people on that thread who have all experience the same issue are also unlucky …

Or perhaps as I originally suggested, CZ quality control is crap.

Whether you believe me or not I don’t really care … I’m quite happy shooting my new Tikka.

 

[Muir]

In the last two years of production CZ fixed the 527. I bought a 2020 CZ Varmint in 6.5 Grendel that had a steel bedding block and glass bedding of the recoil lug. The barrel was free floated. Other than to dump that crummy, useless single-set trigger I have none nothing to it. It is a superbly accurate rifle. I have mentioned it before, shooting 675 yards off hand. Couldn't fault the rifle for my misses.
My 2021 CZ American 7.62x39 came from the factory glass bedded, pillar bedded (fore and aft -no more roll pin) having the same steel bedding block and a free floating barrel. I couldn't have wished for a better bedding job. I dumped the single set trigger -that was about it. HAlf MOA right from the box.

The plastic stocked CZ's are a nightmare. They all 'bend' to the left. I ordered two walnut 527 Varmint stocks from CZ to rectify the problem. Dropped right in. I didn't think CZ could mess up a stock more then they did the early walnut versions but they did.

CZ was planning on a flush magazine and did some prep work on the most recent models. Look at the pic of my 527 in the "7.62x39" thread. Note the support/guide wings are gone from the front of the trigger guard which was necessary of use a flush magazine. I think the end was in sight by this time and they dropped the project.

All that said. CZ dropped production when they finally got it right. No use in bichin' about the 527. Deal with it, or sell it and forget it. ~Muir

 

[Lloyd90]

In the last two years of production CZ fixed the 527. I bought a 2020 CZ Varmint in 6.5 Grendel that had a steel bedding block and glass bedding of the recoil lug. The barrel was free floated. Other than to dump that crummy, useless single-set trigger I have none nothing to it. It is a superbly accurate rifle. I have mentioned it before, shooting 675 yards off hand. Couldn't fault the rifle for my misses.
My 2021 CZ American 7.62x39 came from the factory glass bedded, pillar bedded (fore and aft -no more roll pin) having the same steel bedding block and a free floating barrel. I couldn't have wished for a better bedding job. I dumped the single set trigger -that was about it. HAlf MOA right from the box.

The plastic stocked CZ's are a nightmare. They all 'bend' to the left. I ordered two walnut 527 Varmint stocks from CZ to rectify the problem. Dropped right in. I didn't think CZ could mess up a stock more then they did the early walnut versions but they did.

CZ was planning on a flush magazine and did some prep work on the most recent models. Look at the pic of my 527 in the "7.62x39" thread. Note the support/guide wings are gone from the front of the trigger guard which was necessary of use a flush magazine. I think the end was in sight by this time and they dropped the project.

All that said. CZ dropped production when they finally got it right. No use in bichin' about the 527. Deal with it, or sell it and forget it. ~Muir

Both I had bent to the left as you say

 

[Muir]

IT was unsightly but it didn't interfere with function. Neither of mine touched the barrel. I bought a 7.62x39 "Suppressor Ready" and same in 300 AAC. The only option was the craptasticplastic stock. When the guns arrived -along with one ordered by a friend, they all had the identical left hand bend. This meant that there was no curing it by sending it back. I bit my tongue and ordered the replacement "Varmint" stock which, as I mentioned, was a drop in and actually fit better. IT was a $250 PIA but shooters change stocks. It wasn't the end of the world. This is the last use of the plastic stock. After this hunt I tossed them so far away I don't know where they landed. ~Muir

 

[Smellydog]

I've had two cz 527, three 452 type actions and one 455 and two 457's
One 527 and one 452 needed help.

 

[25 Sharps]

IT was unsightly but it didn't interfere with function.

That’s probably the key thing.

From memory I have owned 4 different 452s, 2x 550s and 3 x 527s, a mixture of beech, walnut, laminate and synthetic stocks. None have had any issues, maybe I’ve just been lucky!

CZs are very good rifles for the money, but I don’t think the newer models represent the same value for money.