Found a nice BRNO 602 in 458wm the other day at a local gun store. Seems like a well made rifle, I like the heft a little better than my CZ. Only downside is that it has a muzzle brake on it.
What's the general view out there on BRNO 602's?
Rougher than a CZ but an excellent rifle.
Rifles of the Czech Republic - CZ and Brno
First, we need to understand a little geography. A visitor from Hungary was kind enough to provide this information. There are two large manufacturers of firearms in the Czech Republic. CZ (and ZKK for that matter) are made in Ceska Zbrojovka (Czech Armory) in Uhersky Brod, Czech Republic. Zbrojovka Brno (Armory Brno) is a different manufacturer of fine firearms also in the Czech Republic. This tends to confuse even collectors when it comes to figuring out when and where your Curio and Relic CZ50 or CZ52 pistol or Curio and Relic VZ24 rifle was made.
CZ 550 Safari Magnum
Here is a catalog description and technical data for the CZ 550 Safari Magnum from several years ago. "Known world wide as the 602 Brno, the CZ 550 Safari is a true full sized Magnum, not a smaller action blown out to barely hold the cartridge with only 2 rounds in the magazine, the Safari can hold 4 Rigby's in the magazine! Features include Express sights (1 standing, 2 folding), hammer forged barrel and single set trigger. The stock is made from select Turkish walnut and has a classic safari shape. The controlled round feed and fixed ejector make this rifle reliable enough for Heavy and Dangerous game."
Technical data: Model CZ 550 Safari Magnum, Stock/Grip Express rifle, Caliber .375 H&H, .416 Rigby, .458 Win. Mag. Magazine cap. 3-5, Overall length 1180mm (46.46 in.), Barrel length 635mm (25.00 in.), Weight 4200g (9.3 lbs.), Barrel - Hammer forged, Trigger - Single set, Sight/type - Express (1 standing 2 folding).
Darin Peterson, the owner of The Armory in Mesquite, Texas (972-285-1288), was kind to provide some comments on the current production CZ rifles. First, he notes that CZ rifles are the most widely used brand of rifle in Africa. Second, he states that every CZ Safari magnum that has passed through his store has had beautiful wood, a flawless, smooth action, and outstanding accuracy. He also noted that the rifle is intended to be used with the express iron sights, but it is not uncomfortable to shoot with a scope installed. CZ also offers an American style stock that is just like a Winchester or Remington. As for the trigger, out of the box the single set trigger is usually a bit squishy and heavy, and while the trigger is a bit complicated to adjust, it is fully adjustable for weight of pull, over travel, and take up. The adjustments apply to both the set trigger and standard trigger (you don't have to use the set trigger). CZ rifles also now come with swivel studs and not permanent swivels. Thanks for the information, Darin!
Only drawback I have heard is the safety works backwards. The early ones with the peep sight in the rear scope bridge are neat. Also they came with two different triggers (set and standard) which are hard to find if you want to change to the other type, and IIRC no aftermarket triggers are available.
Ask over here-
http://www.bigbore.org/index.php?op...=3&func=view&catid=9&id=1016there seem to be some using them.
The safety is a problem but Ed Lapour will fit a model 70 type to one. These are highly regarded in Zim as a good rifle for a PH and are popular for such. Great rifles with a high cool factor.
Backwards safety and trigger is integral with trigger guard/bottom metal. Also sleeves for action screws fall out unless already epoxied in.
The third post stating "Known world wide as the 602 Brno, the CZ 550 Safari...." is in error. They are similar but as agazain says, the trigger/safety design of the 602 is completely different from the 550 and parts can't be swapped. There was a thread over on (IIRC) AR quite a while back where someone was trying to find an aftermarket trigger for a 602 and it would have entailed welding lugs to the underside of the action for mounting (again as agazain said because the trigger group mounts to the bottom metal not the receiver). Not sure what (if any) replacements for the original 602 trigger group are currently available, but would do my research before buying if the factory parts aren't to your liking.
Ed Lapour site (as suggested by safariman)-
http://www.edlapourgunsmithing.com/IIRC the 602's and 550's were manufactured in different plants, by different companies. Here is a more detailed history of the CZ/Brno factories, about half way down-
http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php?action=printpage;topic=12199.0
From link-
At some point the manufacturing facility in Brno was renamed to Zbrojovka Brno (Brno Arms). The manufacturing facility in Uhersky Brod became a member of the Zbrojovka Brno Narodni Podnik in 1965. At this point the firearms produced at Uhersky Brod were also marked (I won't say "used the trademark") "Brno". I think it's important to note here that while these were still physically different manufacturing facilities, both were a part of the same National Enterprise. That's an important distinction since what we, in a capitalistic society, think of as "companies" and "trade marks" either donot exist or have different meanings in a Socialist State.
Found a nice BRNO 602 in 458wm the other day at a local gun store. Seems like a well made rifle, I like the heft a little better than my CZ. Only downside is that it has a muzzle brake on it.
What's the general view out there on BRNO 602's?
I could play the down side of a muzzle break for a better buy it price. If the price was right I would buy it. The 602's are great actions and I would be first in line for anything Ed Lapour has to offer.
Check with Ed before purchasing, I could be wrong about his ability to convert this to a good safety. I know he does a great job on the CZ's as he did mine. If it cannot be converted I would run, not walk, the other way. When a large toothy critter is bearing down on you is NO time to be confused about which way to move the safety or be pushing it forward with all your might when it needs a pull to the rear to fire.
Safariman, After seeing your earlier post , I looked on Ed Lapour's site and under the 3 pos. safety link there is a BRNO ZKK safety. No mention of what models they fit but would assume it's for the 602 (and you know what they say about that). Wasn't aware they were available, so that's why I included the link in the earlier post. Always a good idea to check with him though.
Perhaps we are over interpreting the safety issue?
I have an older model Fox in .223 with that backward safety and a Model 600 in 7x57 coming.
I admit the thing being counterintuitive at first, but have found it no problem to convert through practise.
Example:
On a Remington 750 we have the side push safety, on a Mauser the wing, on my Marlin the safety is deactivated and the hammer needs pulling, when engaging pigs in the thick stuff.
I switch rifles often - all are equipped with different optics / sights, chambered for different cartridges, loaded with different bullets. I chose the one for the occasion - and have not for a long time been confused.
Assuming the OP want to carry the 602 after DG, the safety issue is just one of practice and handling.
For a safe queen or a 'deer rifle' it becomes a non-issue.
After seeing your earlier post , I looked on Ed Lapour's site and under the 3 pos. safety link there is a BRNO ZKK safety. No mention of what models they fit but would assume it's for the 602 (and you know what they say about that). Wasn't aware they were available, so that's why I included the link in the earlier post. Always a good idea to check with him though.
I had Bobby Pitchford install a LaPour safety on my ZKK 602.(
http://www.pcgguns.com/AboutUs.htm )
It needed some re-cutting and the field-strip button goes away, but I wanted to not have to think about the safety if ever things got hairy. Were it my only often-used rifle the point about the old safety being "backwards" might not matter. However, forward to fire is what most rifles use. Mauser "flag" safeties would make me have to think about it as well.
Well, if he is doing the BRNO's, then this rifle would be a very interesting DGR prospect. I thought he was, just wanted to make sure before I gave my reccomendation on a rifle. Thanks for the intel.
Thank you all for your feedback and views.
It was just too nice to be without a good home, and my safe had room, and the price was reasonable... and now the BRNO is no longer homeless.
This thing will hold 5 down in the magazine, holy crow that's a lot of fire power!
it'll be extremely accurate as well, provided the crown wasn't messed up when the brake was installed.
Thank you all for your feedback and views.
It was just too nice to be without a good home, and my safe had room, and the price was reasonable... and now the BRNO is no longer homeless.
This thing will hold 5 down in the magazine, holy crow that's a lot of fire power!
Good grab there! Tell Ed LAPour hello when you call him. If you want it, I will send you a copy of my African hunter magazine article showing some of Ed's work on my similar CZ in 416 Rigby including the safety install etc. I had to buy New bottom metal to get mine to hold five down. Once, on a wounded Cape Buff follow up, all six 416 Rigbys in the rifle were needed to end the episode.
Correct me if I am wrong. The 602 wasn't improrted much before 1989. Them being Commies and all. But they were used in Europe because they were a Magnum size. Quality control was very good, and the gun was a money maker for them.
In one gun value book it said they had a forged receiver.
My $.02
Mine says 1985 Bauska Arms Inc., Kalispell MT
Bauska probably re-barreled it with his own barrel. They are great barrels! I had a 9,3X62 with one of his medium contour barrels that shot like a benchrest rifle. It was a bit too heavy for me these days, so I parted with it. I wish I hadn't...
Hmmm. Then someone reamed it from .375 H&H to Wby before my 'smith got it. I bedded it and have tons of loads worked up. Later on Bobby Pitchford did an Ed Lapour 3-pos kit and shortened the barrel (plus recrown, NECG front sight with white bead, etc.) for me. Way too much invested and personal sentiment for me to ever sell. Oh, and I LOVE the hogback!! Just discovered the field strip bolt functions in the mid position. Thanks AR and thanks for the posters here.