By Mike Schoby
I have a long history with CZ rimfire rifles. I have an awesome BRNO Model 2 (also known as the CZ 452) made in the 1950s that I still shoot regularly and a CZ-455 American (introduced in 2010) that has been my go-to .22 LR for over a decade. Both have been near ideal for plinking, target shooting, small-game hunting and varmint control. Both are super accurate, boast great balance, and sexy lines.
The 455 has the ability to be changed from .22 LR to .22 WMR to .17 HMR simply by removing and replacing the barrels and magazines. I have an assortment of flush-fit magazines, extended magazines and single-shot adapters, which makes the rifle even more unique and functional. Both rifles are close to perfect…but not quite. My few complaints with these rifles have been the European-style safeties that are completely backwards and the cheap, stamped bottom metal on an otherwise fine, adult-sized and adult-suited rifle.
Unlike most companies that seldom listen to consumers, CZ does and fixed these issues, plus they found a few other things most shooters, myself included, hadn’t even thought of—incorporating them into the newest iteration, the 457.
CZ 457 Details
To start with, CZ 457 kept the interchangeable barrels, classic lines, and great walnut stock offerings (including their high-end Royal model), but that is where the similarities end. The 457 sports a new action, with slimmer, flat sides for a thinner profile, a “normal” safety that makes it go bang when you push it forward instead of pulling it rearward, and a redesigned bottom metal.
Cool additions that I never thought of were a 60-degree bolt throw versus the traditional 90-degree version on the 455 and 452. While it probably doesn’t matter much if you are a dedicated iron sight shooter, this is a big deal with modern, large-diameter optics, giving more room between the scope and the bolt handle. A 90-degree bolt limits large, ocular-diameter scopes, and the 60-degree throw is hypothetically slightly faster, which could make a difference when ditch tigers decide to charge and a follow-up shot is necessary.
Both the triggers on my 452 and 455 are good, actually better than good, but the 457 takes it one step further with a newly designed, user-adjustable trigger both for weight and sear engagement. Most 457s seem to come from the factory set at around 3 pounds, which is great, but I have played with several that were safely adjusted down to around a pound and a half.
Full-Featured Rimfire Line
There are over a dozen models in the 457 line from traditional, wood stock, European-styled versions to American, classic stock designs to suppressor-ready models, chassis-based models and Manners-stocked options. They even went so far as to design a few true left-hand models.
Like I have said, I have always loved, used and respected CZ rimfire rifles. Now with the addition of the 457, CZ just made a damn fine rifle even better.
Price: $500-$2,000, depending upon model.
Pros: American-style safety, adjustable trigger, 60-degree bolt and multi-caliber.
Cons: Lacking a walnut-stocked, American Classic, suppressor-ready model.
