I agree with you, Savage 99. I have owned numerous Brno 21-H's and several other models as well. Likewise, I have owned lots of nifty pre-'64 M70s, including one of the 200 original factory .358 M70 FWs made especially for sale in Canada in 1969, a .220 Swift Target w/2 factory supplied barrels (one on the rifle, the other a spare), a .270 Target and so on.



My favorite Brnos are the ZKK series (early ones, which had a nicer finish), with the "European" stock, and the non-setting trigger installed. I killed my first moose with one of those in 7x57, which had a Meopta 2-1/2-X scope in a Brno one-piece bridge mount. I sold it in 1970 to Erv Heiman (then owner of the Custom Gun Shop, now the owner of Western Gun Parts) in Edmonton, and would still pay a $500 U.S. finder's fee to anyone who could locate it and help me buy it back. (Or even just to locate it, if I can end up buying it back, with or without their help.)



As to which I personally prefer for a hunting rifle between the M70 and the 21H...



Well, I don't own ANY 21-Hs now, and I still have 3 M70's in my vault which I use for hunting...a .270 FW, a pre-war "transition-safety" model .30-06 (SN 19,XXX), and a pre-war .300 H&H (SN 29,XXX) which Roy Weatherby re-chambered to .300 Wby in 1948. (And I don't consider the last a sacrilege at all. I buy my guns to use, not look at or stuff in a home museum. 50+ years later and counting, I still use the .300 Wby M70 for hunting and it does exactly what it is supposed to.)



I have large hands and can easily pick up a basketball one-handed (holding from the top). Maybe that's why somehow I never really liked the feel of the slim/trim 21-H.



Best wishes,



Alberta Canuck

As to the bolt falling out, arnt these a 98 mauser design, wouldn't the bolt stop/bolt realease keep this from happening. As to the saftey not locking the bolt, isn't being able to unload the rifle with the fireing pin blocked a desireable feature.

Also what are the difference between these and say a vz 24 or 98/22 mauser??

I have been told about this many times by the owner of Reliable Gun in Vancouver who has over 50 yrs. in the gun business and is himself a very capable gun plumber.

My initial 21-H would have the bolt catch on my coat when hunting in cold weather here in B.C. and open up; I never had the bolt release-ejector catch and open, but, I have no reason to doubt the word of the guy I refer to.

I cannot abide a rifle with a safety which allows the bolt to open, but, that is just my preference and others may differ. I can shoot this stock and like it's trim profile as have several older hunters and bush workers I have known. I used to know a guy who worked in the wilderness of northern B.C. for years during the '50s and he told me of shooting a Moose every two weeks for years for meat for the survey crew-no problem in those days when probably fewer than 5,000 people lived there. He also prefered these rifles and hated Pre-64 Mod. 70s due to their bulk, each to his own.

I would like to know if anyone has fitted MK-X or other replacement bottom metal to these actions and what Blackburn unit would work, if any. I have yet to build the custom rifle on the action I have, so, any advice would be appreciated as I detest the factory units and triggers.

I bought this 21h to see what Ray and others have been talking about. It's a work of art and a pleasure to handle. I shot it again today behind the camp in VT. The cover is heavy there across the brook and this old Weaver is just not up to buck hunting as I must see a 3" antler fast.

While it's been modified with a pad and single trigger I don't plan to change it at all. I like the old mount that precludes a scope with an eyepiece larger than 1 3/8" so I am going to look around for a scope that fits.

I can shoot a rifle ok with a lot of drop at the comb. It's the safety that does not hold the bolt closed that bothers me. When I carry a rifle on my left sure enough the bolt will open as the day goes on. The Kimber 84M's are not much better in this respect as they came with a similar safety in that it did not lock the bolt. I have all of these converted to a three position safety.

If I get time I will post pictures of the detent on a bolt that holds it shut along with the lack of one on the 21h.

In any case the little Brno is as cute as it gets. It's a shame that it has not evolved and being made today.

Savage 99,
I don't understand how you can pull the bolt out, all my Brnos in 21 and 22 were simply control feed Mausers. Your the first to come up with this complaint that I know off, but I know you also have a couple of strange Brnos that I have not had any experience with..

Also most modifications I make on a Brno such as M-70 3 pos. safety, triggers, etc. are easily replaced to original if you keep the parts...

And yes you are among many that cannot shoot a low comb with a scope..Like I said, I never knew the difference because of my upbringing, and I am surly thankful for that, its just another problem I didn't have to deal with!