Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires CZ 452 American ??

I am considering a 452 American. I haven't fondled it yet, but does the bolt throw require higher rings to clear a Leu fixed 6X ocular? Thanks.

I have a Leupold 6X compact on mine and medium rings - works fine.

PennDog

Mine have a 40mm Burris and a 40mm Bushnell with medium rings.

Medium rings.

I wouldn't waste a lot of time pondering a 452.

You won't be sorry.

And don’t dismiss the 453, 455, and my favorite the current 457. All are good rifles, with the 457 readily available and with all the old quirks fixed, plus a nitride finish. Handle them and pick the one you like.

If you decide on one with interchangeable barrels, buy it chambered for what you want the most as accessory barrels from CZ seem to be unobtanium for the time being. Aftermarket ones are spendier and may have to be special ordered.

I sold 2) 455's and now have a 457(and 2 barrels). The backward safety was a real pain in the ass for me. The triggers were much harder to work on. Accuracy was the same - excellent on every CZ I have ever owned. I have no want what-so-ever for one of the earlier models.

Loves my 452. Blue and wood with a touch of old time charm. Anyone with about half a brain can adapt to the "backwards" safety. LOL.

I’m in love with the 452s. I sold the 22 mag and it was a fine shooter with a great trigger. I’ve kept the 452 Varmint. It’s set up with a Nikon in medium rings and bolt clearance is good. It shoots bug hole groups with CCI standard velocity.

Low Talley’s will work with that scope.

All my rifles and pistols with hammers work "backwards," too.



Bruce

Thanks for all the prompt responses. I am limited since I am looking for a lefty 452 or 457. Be well. DJB

Yup. I’ve had stuff with all kinds of safeties, and none. Never had an issue switching, nor any whoopsies. Still like the 457 best overall, but that’s just me.

My left hand 452 currently has a 3x9 Nikon, no problems with scope or rifle. My sample of one outperforms it’s pay grade. I regret waiting too long to buy the rifle.

If anyone has or sees a lefty 452 or 457 for sale, please let me know. I passed up a new 457 while in MT two months ago. I should have bought it but the stock was really ugly and poorly finished. Thanks.

My two cents, the 457s are nice but, if it matters, the 452 build quality is far superior to a modular 457.

The 452 is built the same way as a Cooper or Winchester 52. Which is why they stopped making the 452, and Coopers start at $3K...Tom

Dave…check out…. Classic Firearms…web site…I bought a LH 457 from them..in 22 mag.. in late August…but they had 22LR also in LH…at the time…

I had a 453, and have to disagree. Certainly one can prefer the features of one over the other: slip-fit barrels, safeties, strap-iron trigger guards, metal finish et alia, but my 457 is very nicely made, easily the equal of my 453. 452 triggers remind me of my old SMLE.

What do you have to disagree with? I didn't say they weren't different. Modular rifles have their place just like 10-22s.

I'll say it again, 457s are nice but, if it matters, the 452 build quality is far superior to a modular 457.

The 452 is built the same way as a Cooper or Winchester 52.

That's all I claim. Build quality. How it's made. Barrel threaded in, polished blue finish. I realize others may not see the value in that.

Let me give you an example. I have a friend that has a 452 that shoots particularly well. He thought so much of it that he commissioned a $2K or $3K Canyon Creek stock for it. You won't see anyone doing that with a 457, which I agree is a good rifle...Tom

Won't see many doing it with a 452 either.

More money than sense your friend has.

That’s just an example of one guy’s enthusiasm for his rifle, not evidence of any advantage they have.

I disagree that the build quality is better, based on one I owned and two my so owned. Definitely not far superior. The barrel attachment is at most IMO, a draw.

A lot of bad stuff was said about the barrel attachment when 455s came out, then folks began to futz around with torque and shims etc to tweak them. Now there’s a significant market for custom barrels for those and the 457s, and somebody’s buying them based on availability. I always liked the locking lug on the old ones, but on my 453 at least, that resulted in a single screw holding it in the stock, not a great idea, though mine shot very well, and I wish I’d kept it instead of sacrificing it going down a rabbit hole after something else. My 457 has some upgrades over the old ones that I consider significant. The direction of the safety matters not to me but the ease of pushing it forward is a plus. The nitride finish is a plus. The trigger is better than even my 453, and the trigger-reach ergos better for me. The low bolt throw is a definite plus and one of the big complaints about the previous ones. The separate bolt release is a plus. The trigger guard is a huge cosmetic improvement, at no extra cost. I have no immediate plans to swap out the barrel for a custom or change cartridges, but if I get bored or decide to upgrade I just might. So far all I’ve done is swap the plastic mag guide out for an aluminum one.

Looks are subjective, and so is attachment to one’s rifle. The improvements I mentioned may not matter to all, but they got me to buy one and eventually sell a 455 once I was certain about the new one.

CZ 452 American, is built like a real rifle should be!!

I agree with that, just don’t think that excludes variations in construction. IIRC most Annies have slip-fit barrels clamped or pinned in place, except the 54.30 apparently.

Nitride is my new favorite metal finish, even for SS. Tough, handsome, extremely rust resistant, and protects the bore too.

Let's just say he travels in different circles than you do and had enough sense to be able to easily afford it...Tom

A few years ago Dick Wright (now deceased) posted a picture here of a 452 that he had restocked, I still lust for that rifle. I tried to find a link to the picture but my google foo just wasn't strong enough.
If anyone should happen to have a link please post it - it shows how good looking they can be in a nice stock.

I have owned a few 452's and one 457. It is not conclusive given I have only had one example of a 457 but the 452's I owned had better accuracy, but I did like the feel of the stock on the 457 better. The 452 stock has always been a bit awkward for me but the 457 felt just right.

drover

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...-steel-and-fancy-wood-rifle#Post12727238

Bruce

I can afford 24" chrome wheels for my f150 work truck......still doesn't make much sense 🤷‍♂️.... I can afford a McMillan for my ruger American.......doesn't make much sense either now does it?

114 posts and you have managed to be a dingleberry in 94 of them. My guess is that if he's hanging with you....running in circles is putting it mildly. Personally I couldn't imagine being so easily flattered that 2,000$ blew my skirt up. YMMV.

Have an like new 452 American lefty and I'm glad I picked it up when I did. What's nice is that it's proportioned to be a proper fitting rifle for an adult. It gets used to kill vermin om the property and garden but inseriously need to upgrade the optic on it.

You really shouldn't be jealous or critical of someone you don't know; it makes you look small.

What "his circle" appreciates you can't relate to and your response is he's lacking sense?

The Canyon Creek stocked CZ 452 pales in comparison to many of his rifles.

After all, only idiots buy a Rolex when a Timex keeps better time, right?

Have you been watching what the prices of fine rifles (you ridicule) have been doing?...Tom

That is the one I was thinking of, thanks for posting the link. I will bookmark it so that I can look at it from time to time and drool over it.

I am in the camp that if someone wants to spend money on an item, be it a stock or anything else, as long as they are not depriving their family or taking food out of someones mouth then there is nothing wrong with spending it on something they enjoy.



drover

Here's a LH 452 a fellow restocked. Sadly he passed away shortly afterwards. Even sadder, the family won't sell it...Tom

Thanks for posting that link...

I love my 452 American. I have a Weaver V-24 on it with Warne Medium rings. The objective clears the barrel enough to see light through but can't pass a business card between them.

I'm a CZ fan and have several 452's, but I don't see the workmanship anywhere near a Cooper or other rifles in that higher price range, but I wouldn't expect it to be.

As far as the 452 vs 457, the 457's actually have a much improved trigger over the 452's.

The one thing I dislike about my 452 is the bolt throw. I replaced the cheap stamped medal trigger guard long ago.

i have several CZ 452's and (2) 455's. not much different in accuracy between the 2 with maybe an edge going to my 452's. lets just say most CZ rimfires punch waaaaay above their weight class.
Big Ed

Pappy,

My CZ's replaced a Marlin, a couple of the Remington 581's, and a Remington 511. Had several other American Twenty-Two's... The CZ's were a definite upgrade in build quality and were a little more accurate.

I've owned several CZ452's; Several Trainers, two Americans, the 28 inch barreled model(?), a Varmint, and lastly a couple of Scouts. The Americans had two receiver screws, the Trainers and the Varmint had one receiver screw and one barrel screw, while the Scouts only had one action screw.

The Scouts shot as well as any of the other rifles, the single action screw seemed to not matter.

Jerry

Only CZ I still have, is this American Trainer.

I own a 452 Trainer with a Vortex scope. I traded my son my Winchester 320 (forerunner of the Oregon Kimber 82) that he used as a kid. He’s of slender build and the 452 was just too heavy for him. The 452 is right up there in accuracy as the Winchester 52D that I used in ARNG small bore 3position competition. I used to have good eyes and eye hand coordination and won battalion competition 1 year and got cheated out it the next by 1 point by a Captain who scored his own targets. So I know a bit bout rimfires. On mine a .22 cal cleaning rod won’t fit - too small and I have to use a .17cal rod. I love the old world styling especially the schnable forearm. Haven’t tried match ammo but it shoots one ragged hole with 5 shots with regular CCI and Winchester ammo if I do my part. I prefer the 5 round mags either metal or plastic.

Super Match - Mine....

Where do you find such a rifle these days?
I’d like to know how much an unfired 452 American is worth.

medium Weaver rimfire rings will give enough clearance to clear the ocular on the Leupold 6x, it is close but it does clear.


drover