CZ 455

The CZ 455 is a series of magazine-fed bolt-action rimfire repeating rifle manufactured by the Czech firearms manufacturer Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod (abbreviated "CZ-UB", English: Czech Weapons Factory — Uherský Brod) and imported into the United States by CZ-USA. It is a successor of the highly popular CZ 452 rifles, and is chambered for the .22 LR (1:16" twist rate), .22 WMR (1:16" twist) and .17 HMR (1:9" twist) calibers.

CZ 455
TypeHunting/Target rifle
Place of originCzech Republic
Production history
Designed2007-2008
ManufacturerČeská Zbrojovka Uherský Brod
VariantsAmerican, Varmint, Lux, Scout, Silhouette, Style, FS
Specifications
Lengthvaries with barrel length
Barrel length16 in (410 mm) to 28.6 in (730 mm) dependent on model
Cartridge.22 Long Rifle, .22 WMR, .17 HMR, .17 HM2
ActionBolt-action
Maximum firing range200 meters
Feed system5 rounds (standard); 10- and 25-round magazines and single-shot magazine adapters optional
Sightsopen (some models); 11 mm dovetail rail for optical sights

The CZ 455 is produced with new manufacturing technology capable of closer tolerances for improved accuracy and smoother operation.[1] All CZ 455s have hammer-forged, hand-lapped steel barrels, a trigger that is adjustable for weight of pull, and the capability to interchange barrels in different contours and calibers by simply removing two set screws from the receiver.

Design and operation

Instead of the barrel being threaded into the receiver, as found on the CZ 452, all CZ 455 models use twin set-screws to fix the barrel in the frame as part of an interchangeable barrel system.[2] Additionally, actions can be swapped into any 455 stock without modifications.[2] All versions feature a milled 11 mm dovetail rail atop the receiver for the mounting of optical or telescopic sights.

History

First introduced in 2010, the CZ 455 was designed to replace the CZ 452 series which is being phased out of current production.[2] The CZ 452 first appeared in 1954 as the Model 2 (ZKM 452), and was a refinement of the CZ Model 1 (ZKM-451) .22-calibre rimfire bolt-action training rifle that first appeared in 1947. ZKM is an acronym for Zbrojovka-Koucký-Malorážka, the rifle's manufacturer ([Česká] Zbrojovka), designer (Josef Koucký) and Malorážka - for rimfire rifle).[3][4] The Model 1 or ZKM-451 was developed on the request of the occupying German authority in 1943-44, when very few rifles were built as fully stocked Mauser 98k-type trainers. The receivers of these early .22 training rifles were marked tgf (Tschechische Gewehr Fabrik - German for Czech Rifle Factory) by the German Heereswaffenamt. Because of wartime requirements for combat weapons, assembly and production was halted on all .22 training rifles, leaving a large stockpile of parts and receivers at war's end. After the war, these parts (some of which still have the tgf code) were used along with new barrels and stocks to make the Model 1.

Versions

CZ 455 Standard

The CZ 455 Standard rimfire rifle corresponds in its construction to the CZ 455 Lux model, but comes with iron sights and a beechwood stock with a European-style down-leaning straight comb and no cheekpiece.

CZ 455 Scout

The Scout features adjustable iron sights, integrated 11mm Dovetail iron sights. Barrel length is 16 inches; the stock is an American style beech wood with 12 inch length of pull. Total weight is 5 lbs.

CZ 455 FS

Like the CZ 452 Standard, the CZ 455 FS has a full-length Mannlicher-style stock, open iron sights, and a Bavarian-style "hog-back" stock with increased drop and an arched cheekpiece. Barrel length is 525 mm, 2,7 kg.

CZ 455 Long

The CZ 455 Long features a 24.8-inch (630mm) barrel, Bavarian-style Turkish walnut stock, and barrel-mounted tangent sights.

CZ 455 LUX

The CZ 455 LUX has a lacquered stock made from Turkish walnut featuring checkering located on the pistol grip, and is primarily designed for use with open sights. The steel barrel is fitted with fully adjustable open sights. Barrel length is 20.67 inches (525 mm), weight is 6.17 lbs. (2,8 kg) unloaded.

CZ 455 LUX II

The CZ 455 has a 24.8-inch (630 mm) long barrel with leaf sights and Bavarian-style Turkish walnut stock. Weight is 2,9 kg.

CZ 455 Super Match

The CZ 455 Super Match has a 20.67-inch (525 mm) barrel with full-adjustable open sights and 12-groove rifling intended to improve accuracy. The Super Match comes with a 10-round magazine and a Bavarian-style "hog-back" stock designed primarily for use with open sights. Weight unloaded is 6.17 lbs (2,8 kg).

CZ 455 Ultra Match

The Ultra Match features a 24.8-inch (630mm) barrel, Bavarian-style stock and barrel-mounted tangent sights adjustable for elevation. The CZ 455 barrel utilizes 12 groove rifling intended to increase accuracy.

CZ 455 Jaguar

The CZ 455 Jaguar uses an unusually long 28.6-inch (726 mm) tapered barrel with rear tangent sight and a Bavarian-style stock.

CZ 455 American

The CZ 455 American has a five-round polymer magazine and features an American-style levelled high-comb Turkish walnut stock designed solely for use with telescopic sights. The hammer-forged steel barrel is 20.67-inch (525 mm) long with a sporter contour.

CZ 455 Synthetic

Based on the CZ 455 American, but is fitted with a synthetic composite stock.

CZ 455 Stainless

Also known as CZ 455 Stainless Synthetic, it is based on the CZ 455 Synthetic, but fitted with stainless steel barrel and receiver.

CZ 455 Varmint

The CZ 455 Varmint is fitted with a 20.5 inches (520 mm) heavy-contour "bull" barrel designed to increase accuracy, and weighs 3.2 kilograms (7.1 lb). The Varmint uses the same high-comb Turkish walnut stock of 455 American, and is designed solely for use with telescopic sights.

CZ 455 Thumbhole

Based on the CZ 455 Varmint, but fitted with a heavy laminated wood stock with a thumbhole grip. It also comes with yellow- and grey-colored versions.

CZ 455 Evolution

The CZ 455 Evolution is a variant of the CZ 455 Varmint and features the standard Varmint barrelled action fitted inside a lightweight, blue-grey Boyd SS Evolution® laminated wood stock, and is primarily intended for target shooting. It also comes in a green-brown-grey "woodland" version called "Evolution GG". This model has been discontinued by CZ-USA, but still available via CZ-UB.

CZ 455 Varmint Tacticool

The CZ 455 Varmint Tacticool is a variant of the CZ 455 Varmint and features the standard Varmint barrelled action fitted inside a black Boyd Pro Varmint® stock, with a Monte Carlo comb and a vertical grip, and is primarily intended for target shooting. In North America, CZ-USA offers the Tacticool in a 16.25 inches (413 mm) barrel "Suppressor-Ready" version.

CZ 455 Varmint Precision Trainer

The CZ 455 Varmint Precision Trainer is a variant of the CZ 455 Varmint only offered by CZ-USA. It features the standard Varmint barrelled action fitted inside a GAP camouflage-pattern Manners MCS-T4 22 Trainer stock, and is primarily intended for target shooting. In addition to the standard 20.5-inch barrel, CZ-USA also offers 16.5-inch and 24-inch threaded "Suppressor-Ready" versions.

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See also

References
  1. Tabor, Tom, Report From the Field: New Rifles, CZ-USA, Gun Digest (2012) p. 203
  2. CZ-USA Press Release - Kansas City, 17 Dec 2009: "The 455 model will eventually consolidate all of the receivers currently used in the 452 line into one common platform. This combined with the new interchangeable barrel system of the CZ 455 will allow the user to easily change the stock configuration as well as the caliber of their rifle." http://cz-usa.com/press-release/cz-455-american/
  3. Zveřejněno 29.4.2010, Kalendárium: 29. dubna 1969 – Počátek Unikátní české zbraně CZ 75, vložil admin, www.svornost.com
  4. Fencl, Jiří, Zbraňaři par excellence - Bratři Josef a František Koučtí (2. díl), http://www.valka.cz, 31 Jan. 2015
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