Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Difference between CZ 452 and 453?

Does anyone have experience with the CZ 452 and CZ 453 bolt action rifle? I have a CZ 452 .22 rf and it has been fantastic since I got it in 2000, but if I get another one in a different caliber down the road I will have to go with the 453 when buying new, is there a large difference between the two?

453 has a different trigger, that's it. and neither the 452 or 453 is imported anymore, so you'll be looking for a used one.

now you might be talking about 452 vs 455, in which case you'll get all sorts of highly opinionated responses ...

453 has a single set trigger. Push the trigger forward to set it, other wise they are the same.

I prefer the 453 American. The 452 American also has two action screws but not other model 452's.

Sorry guys, it was the 455 that I had in mind, although the set trigger on the 453 is nice. Forgot that it can also be bought in a dual barrel feature where you can switch out calibers as you want. My 452 is the budget model, beech stock, long barrel with open Mauser style rear sights, flat finish receiver. I suppose I could trade it for a 455? Would have to think about that.

I have sold my Henry and really like my CZ 452, so maybe the 455 is the ticket later on, could shoot the available .17 HMR in it until .22's become more widely available.

I wouldn't trade a 452 for a 455. I might buy a 455 and a Lilja barrel to go with it.

If your 452 shoots, keep it! I have a nice 453 American, but get the itch once in while for one of those long-barreled jobs with the nice irons. Since the 452s are discontinued, yours will probably go up in value in time.
I had a 455 in .22 mag and later got a .22LR barrel. Nice gun, but my 453 is better finished and outshoots both 455 barrels. I sold the 455 when the switch barrel novelty wore off.
The best thing about the 453 trigger is the way it looks. The triggers on the 455s look like they came off a SMLE.
They're all great guns. Get two or three!

I sold a 452 styl (nickel/synthetic) and almost instantly regretted it. Luckily I came across a 452 deluxe soon after and bought it. Keep the 452. The 455 has a pinned barrel, only one recoil lug ( not really an issue on a 22 but it's just a sign of CZ cutting corners IMO). That being said for the price point the 455 are still great guns.

Along with the set trigger I'm pretty sure the 453 have higher grade timber too. All the ones I've seen have had nice figure in the wood.

I'm planning to buy up a couple more 452 and 453's, great guns that'll be around a lot longer than I will be I'm sure.

Cheers, Scott.

My 452 Lux.

Mine's not fancy, but just nice walnut. Overall, it's just a nice rifle. Life's too short to hunt with ugly guns.

It'll be even nicer once I replace the crappy trigger guard with a milled one.

The one on your pic is a beauty. I think I need one.

I think you can count on that, even if you are a real youngster!

I have been doing my best to wear out a Brno 452 during the last 4 decades, without any success.

Not a single problem so far with the rifle. I used to be serious about sporting rifle competition so the rifle has fired tens of thousands of shots.

My father brought the rifle for me -- I think it was about $75 back then.

I too have held one of the new stainless/synthetic models, but they left me cold.

John

Yep, they definately don't have as much character as the timber stocked guns.

Nice rifle non the less, if that style is your thing.

I've never seen one in the flesh. Are they lighter than the wood ones?

Yes mate they are. My timber stocked on feels like a centre fire in comparison.

Cheers, Scott.

Some go for looks, others go for utility. Just depends mostly which camp you are in.

I"m looking for a durable gun, switch barrels and a set trigger would be a joy to have also, able to put a can on the end of would finish that desire. Not sure I can find synthetic, SS, with all the above attributes, but it would be once in a few lifetimes gun I suspect.

Are they stainless, or nickel?

Nickel coated.

Cheers, Scott.

I have cz 453 American 22lr. It is one of the best values in firearms IMO. The set trigger is worth the premium. The trigger is easy to adjust yourself. Mine has been professionally bedded/floated. With wolf match/cci SV it can shoot with the anschultz/cooper/kimber crowd at my local range. I can easily shoot the nuts off a squirrel at 50 yards. Get one.

I bought the CZ453 in a heavy-barreled Varmint model and have never looked back. Love that single-set trigger which definitely helps when trying for the absolute BEST accuracy !~!~!

I'm still "playing" with the tightening of the 2 receiver screws on the 453... can't find the "sweet spot" although it shoots pretty darned good with any amount of lb/inches on the screws.

I have a high-quality, very sharp, clear 4x12x40 A/O scope on it and wouldn't want any greater magnification. It's the perfect set-up out to 100 yards, but best at 50 yards or under since it's a .22 rimfire.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

My son-in-law has a CZ452 American that he bought new a couple years ago. He promptly dropped a Yo-Dave trigger kit into it which is what a lot of guys on rim-fire central recommend. He also drilled and tapped the rear of the trigger guard and put a trigger overtravel screw in there. It shoots as good and has almost as good a trigger as my CZ453 American.

To say the only difference between the two is that one has a set trigger and the other one doesn't is oversimplifying the matter. Yes, it is true, but there are a bunch of other things as well. There is an adjustment for creep and overtravel as well.

They both shoot real well, and the only way to tell which one is better is for both of us to shoot both rifles. I don't think the difference is worth mentioning since he tweaked the trigger and put the overtravel screw in.

I got my 453 used (like new) shipped for cheaper than he bought his with taxes new, but for less than $600 in Canada, it is a heck of a rifle -- either way.

Here's my CZ453 American.



Here's the first 10 rounds at 25 yards including sight in of new scope. As you can see, rounds # 6-10 printed pretty tight for Federal Bulk blue box ammo.