Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Cz 452 American 22 lr

Have a chance to buy one. Do they have the backward safety? Is there anything I should know about them?

The safety is fine, I never refer to it as backward. It's just different like the tang safety on a Savage M99 is different from a M70 which is different from a M700.
Nice rifles, all of mine have shot fine and all of mine have gotten a 'Yo Dave's trigger kit to improve the trigger pulls.

The CZ 452 American 22 LR is a modern classic. If your budget allows, buy it. Mine shoots 1/2" groups at 50 yards with CCI standard velocity. The CZ 452 American 22 LR generates pride of ownership.

I really don't understand why it is referred to as a "backwards safety", it is different from what a lot of folks are used to but if they can't deal with that perhaps they shouldn't be handling firearms.

Just think of it - a 10/22 has a cross bolt safety in front of the trigger guard, Anschutz 1700 series until fairly recently had a wing safety on the bolt, Ithaca 37's have a safety at the rear of the trigger guard, some Savage lever actions had a safety at the forward end of the lever, various safety styles go on and on. Just think of the CZ 452 as being like a Winchester/Marlin lever action rifle or revolver when you pull it back it is ready to fire.

As far as what you need to know about them - they are generally very accurate and perform above their price point. I have owned, and still own, a 452, and prefer it above the 457 - "backward safety" and all. The Brno (CZ) rifles were built for decades using that style safey and they are generally revered throughout the world as being a totally reliable rifle so most shooters seem to be able to cope with the "backward safety".

drover

If a safety is push/pull, I prefer to push to disengage. That being, I waited for the 457. It is accurate and will shoot right along with my Ruger 77/22 and an Anschutz. I dislike safeties in close proximity to one's trigger, and don't own a single arm that's so configured.

Yes, it has a "backwards" safety. Meaning that you pull it back for fire, and push it forward for safe. That is backward from anything American made, in regards to safety manipulation. Now that we got that clear, they are nice rifles. Most times having nicer wood and finish than the newer 457's. There are, however, some benefits (like bolt lift) to the newer 457 rifles. If you found one for real cheap, I'd buy it and try it. I've seen some in the $350.00 neighborhood, but passed because I was holding out for a 457 American.

I bought mine when they were just out.. they were $200. Mine is the training rifle, so it has Mauser slide sights on it and a 25 inch barrel. Recently at a Campfire Gathering in Arizona, I took mine down there. I was shooting clays off the top of fence posts at 140 yds with it, using Federal Bulk ammo I bought at Walmart.

It was scoped, but finally got it dialed in and it was hitting a 3/4 inch high target at 140 yds, each time I pulled the trigger.
This rifle has over 40,000 rounds down the barrel. I wouldn't sell it, even if someone offered me a grand for it.

The safety is a non issue to me. They have an excellent action. Trigger can be anything you want it to be for cheap. They shoot very well. They look good. I had 3. Got "talked" out of two of them. I kept the pretty one.

I have 2 452's and a 453. The safety is only backwards to a model 70. I like the safety as it is simple and effective. I like that I can see what the safety is physically doing rather than just trust it is doing what it should. The safety is a very simple and effective firing pin block. I wish my model 70's worked the same. Regardless, it has never, and I doubt ever will be an issue even when switching back and forth between the CZ and model 70.

All my CZ's are about on par with my 64 action Anschutz for accuracy, which is to say damn good. The 453 is one of the most accurate rimfires I have ever used. It is on par with my Anschutz position rifle. It may not be as consistent, but it can produce groups just as tiny. We are talking 50 yard 5 shot groups the size of a number 2 pencil.

I would buy any CZ RF offered at a good price. All are solid, generally accurate. There’s some variation in action screws, dovetail size, etc. but nothing that renders any of them as unacceptable. A 453 was really accurate, but the trigger placement was uncomfortable for me, or at least that’s what I told myself when I sold it to buy something else, also gone now. It’s taken me a while to learn to leave well-enough alone…

OTOH, aside from one with truly exceptional wood or maybe a Mach2, I wouldn’t pay a big premium for one of the older rifles. They’re all good.

I own 2 452s, both stupid accurate. I'd buy a 3rd if the condition and price were right.

I own one. Put a Yo dave kit in it. It is my squirrel rifle. And it always will be. The safety doesn't take long to get used to.

Some shops are asking higher prices for the older CZ's, than they are the 457's. Then like I said earlier, there are other shops that are keeping them around $350-$400.00. I saw a couple really nice older ones (452's) for $700.00 a couple months ago. And was at one shop yesterday, where they were wanting $699.99 for an older trainer!!! It's like the 527's, they have a following.

The safety doesn't bother me at all either. It works as it should. My first rimfire was an old Marlin 25 that had the same safety configuration. Put many thousands of rounds through it.

Mine shoots as good as my Cooper JSR with cheaper ammo, better with some ammo, worse with others but generally neck and neck. I'm usually to cheap to spend big bucks for the "good" ammo and when I do I generally reserve it for the JSR. What little bit of TenX and Midas I have put through the 452 makes me think it still would hang very close to the JSR.

Dave 284 pretty much says it all IMO. I have owned numerous 452's and they all performed way above their price point as dave284 points out. My 25 year old 452 American will consistently shoot smaller groups than my new 457 American . If there is a possible downside to them it would be that they may require a Yo Dave trigger kit (about $10-$15). I have had a couple that did and a couple that didn't, it is dependant on how light of trigger pull you like.

I am a fan of the 452 safety because it totally blocks and retracts the firing pin, most rifles have trigger block safeties which can be misadjusted or fail to function properly because of grease or grime build-up in the trigger housing.
I must be adaptable because I have firearms with all sorts of different safeties and I have never found that going from one type to the other was an issue.

drover

buy it, I did as soon as a LH 452 was available. and have never regretted it.
The safety has never been an issue.
Agulia Cobaldi will not exit the barrel so don't use them, and some model's dovetails are different.

When you buy rings, just make sure they will work with either 3/8 or 11mm. Not that hard to do..

Oh, yeah, ........they are the answer to the Maidens Prayer !

I got it. Can't find a mark on it. CZ 452 American LH 395$. Traded my Henry single shot for it. Could not get over the drop in the stock n the Henry. The stock on the Henry was beautiful and the CZ is rather plain, but that's ok. Now to get some mounts and get a scope on her.

That CZ is prob junk. Send it my way and I’ll do my best to get by with it. 😂😂😂

Very nice. Range report...mandatory..

That's a steal! I sold my 452 LH American awhile back for over a grand. Won several factory class BR matches with it.

Good deal. I would buy every 452 I could find at that price. I think I paid about $500 for mine new and as mentioned they are much more expensive today.

For anyone interested the shop where I bought mine has two more CZ rimfire rifles listed online. A 452 scout and a455 varmint. Both @ $395. Shop is acesportinggoods.com click on used guns. I have no connection to this shop and don't know if they ship. The 455 is a 22 magnum.

Bet that CZ outshoots that Henry!!!

I hope so. To be fair though they are completely different types of firearms.

Pick up a yo dave trigger spring kit, and you'll be golden.

https://www.yodaveproducts.com/

I haven't tried the trigger yet, waiting for scope mounts. Is the yo Dave kit an easy install?

had one for several years and now where's a custom stock that was handmade and painted I'll get a picture up this evening and it is"wifes" smilebore silhouette gun.. plenty accurate. I polished all the trigger parts out and have two springs one is just a tad over 2 lb the other is about 8 oz.

Like some people, I replaced the trigger on my 452. I bought mine many years ago, new, for postal matches. They are still going, but no more mailing in targets.

This rifle is configured for our local rimfire matches. It's a fun way to spend an afternoon. I think most of the guys just use the shoots as an excuse to socialize, but that's a good thing.

I remember when I bought the CZ that I wanted to put a T24 on it, but couldn't find any. I ended up using a Mueller 8-32. I used BKL mounts on a few of my rimfires. https://www.bkltech.com

These rifles are very accurate, but I still use a Marlin Model 60 for hunting bunnies.

Steve, those older CZ's have such a classic look. I know they shoot well too. Yours is very nice. I saw a heavy barrel model at a gunshop a couple months ago, it was a beauty, had a tiger striped stock. Probably one of the nicest CZ's I've seen, but dang they wanted $700 for it!! I had just paid that much for my Winchester model 52 sporter, and I was doing the comparing in my head, thinking the Winchester was the better buy at that price. This was also after seeing some in the $350-$400.00 price range as well. Hard to pull out the wallet, when things like that are there in my head!!!

Thanks. It’s hard to know if a rifle is going to be a hit, but I think CZs are always a good bet.

If you want to try out the trigger before the scope rings come in, you can use a #4-#6 yellow drywall anchor. I keep one in every rimfire I own.

As for the CZ - you’re going to enjoy it. The 452 platform is one of my favorites. I own multiple in the various models and calibers they produced.

Ace’s is a great place. They’ll turn up some gems every now and then! I try to stop by anytime I’m in Washington.

That CZ 452 has an interesting history. Starting out as a BRNO model 2. How old is your rifle? They made their debut in 1956, I believe. I had a chance to buy a BRNO model 2 last year, for $350.00. The shop also had an old CZ452 for the same price. I should have bought both of them, now that I think about it!!! Both rifles were in excellent condition.

I purchased it around 2000. I had just released from the service and was moving, so I traded off a bunch of rifles and ended up getting this one.

The trigger spring isn't terrible to install, but if I recall correctly took a little effort.

The trigger itself isn't a bad trigger, but more than likely will be 5-6 lbs, if it hasn't been touched.


bsa- Yes, you should have bought those for 350.00

Yes, safety is backward.

I'd pass and get a 457. 457s have a better safety, better trigger, and you can change barrels easily.

Those are very strong selling points of the CZ 457, and the reason I wanted my first CZ to be a 457American. However, It's hard not to respect the 452 for what it is though. They are extremely accurate/precise, and generally very good looking and functioning rifles. Probably something we should all have in our collection.

Have bedded mine, but MOA at 100 yards tells me its a keeper.

They are all good guns. You just have to pick what you like. Switch barrel is convenient, but I think it sacrifices a little accuracy. Not that the 457 isn't plenty accurate for any practical purpose. I am however simply astounded by the accuracy I get out of my 452's and 453.

They don't make them like they used to.

452/453 is built like a Winchester 52 or a Cooper.

457 is built like a 10/22...Tom

There may be some truth in that^^^^

Well said !!!

I have owned numerous 452's and none were never disappointing. Each and every one has had accuracy well above what would be expected of an off the shelf sporter.

There is a reason that there is almost a cult around the older BRNO and CZ rimfires and is now starting to include the 452 series. Even though they do not have a match grade trigger it can be adjusted to a reasonable weight of pull and the design is like a Mauser 98 or Winchester 70 in that it is open design and unlikely to fail due to blockage. Then there is the threaded barrel which I really prefer.

The safety, even though some folks find it "bass ackward" is a great design, it not only blocks the firing pin but it aso retracts the firing pin and is a direct block between the safety and striker.

And just in case you are wondering - I have Coopers, Win 52's, Anschutz and a couple of other well thought of 22's and IMO if someone runs across a 452 at a reasonable price they should jump on it because they will never be cheaper when more folks discover just how good they are.

drover

I had one. I prefer a safety operate in the conventional manner, but it wasn't something I couldn't work with.

Mine was quite accurate even though the trigger sucked. It was a nice-looking rifle. If I'd had someone work on the trigger I may have kept it, but it just sat in the safe gathering dust after I bought the Tikka T1x. The Tikka didn't look as nice, but had a much better trigger, was more accurate, and the safety worked the way I prefer. I'm more interested in how they perform than how they look.

I can agree with that. I think if it looks great, that is the icing on the cake though. But I have had ugly ol Savages that will outshoot most CZ's. Still nice to have a good looking rifle, but its got to shoot well. A lot of guys have complained about the trigger on the 452. I'm wondering what it takes to make them better? Just a spring? A little honing and polishing? I can damn well guarantee you they don't have worse triggers than my Mossberg 640KD Chuckster 22WMR. That trigger is very nice now, though, after a little work..