I just noticed a Brno 602 (in .375) for sale, and realized I hadn't seen one for a while, although I owned a couple, years ago...and wondered how they compare to the CZ550s I see everyone commenting on. I've never played with a CZ550. I'm tempted to take the 602, as the guy is asking $600, which I think is roughly what I used to pay for new ones...

Ah, well....somebody beat me to the 602, so I guess the question is moot. Must have been a good deal!

He who hesitates, and all that!

I don't need to describe the 602 to you since you have already owned a couple, but by the same token, I don't need to say much about the CZ 550 safari, basicly the only difference is the 550 has a safety that operates in the right dirrection. Other than that they are the same rifle! I personally like the BRNO safety, but not the trigger. They are both tough rifles that are made to use, not look at!

the bolt handle is slightly different, and the bottom metal is also slightly different.
(per cz)
jeffe

And the trigger is slightly different.

And the CZ 550 is better finished than the rough old BRNO ZKK 602.

Both need a new safety but as least the CZ's is not bassackward.

/

As I remember, Frank de Haas felt the ZKK600 series was the Ultimate development of the Mauser action.

/

Alf,
I have the Zeiss scope with integral mount that you have pictured, mine is a fixed 4X with German post. It came with the BRNO ZKK 602 in 375 H&H that I had converted to 510 JAB, pictured on another thread here. However, mine did not come with the pop up peep sight, alas.

I have several other types of rings, BRNO, Warne, and CZ, of the lever-QR and non-QR types. They all work very well on CZ's, and I would prefer them and a Leupold to the Zeiss scope shown.

Any of these scope mounting methods work well on the BRNO or CZ rifles, when properly fitted. They are basically the same action, and will fit the same McMillan stock with trigger well fitting for the CZ going into the BRNO stock, and that is all that is required.

The BRNO ZKK 602 safety is still bassackwards, and the CZ 550 safety, shroud and all, is still an improvement, though they both need replacement.

The BRNO ZKK 602 must have really gone to pot after 1973, as the Current CZ 550 rifles are nicer than those. You even get a good bit of wood occasionally, and they offer a straight combed stock rather than the hogback, if you can find them from other than the CZ USA importer.

My PH in Botswana was using a CZ 550 Safari Magnum in 416 Rigby, with straight combed stock, and he was quite happy with it as a beater buffalo rifle.

I must have missed out on those special pre-73 BRNO's.

The CZ 550 Safari Magnum is a lot of gun for the money. Let us not be snobs!

/

Man, that ZKK 600 looks awesome. Where can I get one? That pop up peep is just plain cool. I wonder why did they replace it with the CZ 550? Thanks for the cool pictures!

[ 11-27-2002, 18:03: Message edited by: Mingo ]

/

someone PLEASE sell me one of these with the peep...

dang it, i've been bangingaround guns shows in houston for years, and have only seen a handful of 602s, and not one (since i could afford them) with le pep..

jeffe

ALF,
You rascal! Yanking my chain,eh?

There is an error in your post with the photos above: The windage adjustment is in the front attachment point of the integral mount, via the four screws, two on either side, not the rear. Your faux pas.

If I ever come across one of the BRNO's with the pop-up peep I will run up the bidding with the rest of the guys here.

BTW, this peep requires a fold down open rear sight or none at all, can't have the traditional express rear V.

Do you have a photo of the open rear sight on this gun?

The non-peep sighted BRNO's and the CZ's do have an integral based rear express sight on the big bores. One saving grace.

/

AFAIK the ( main? ) disadvantage of the 600 is the trigger mechanism mounted on the bottom metal ...

The 550�s trigger is fixed to the receiver.

If I stumble upon a reasonable 600 with pop up peep sight I will buy it.

CZ 550`s seem to be exceptionally accurate on average. I mean not single rifle bench rest groups, but rather ALL rifles Hshooting hunting groups of 1" with right factory ammo. Same is true for Steyr�s and the plastic/alu/unreliable/dangerous Blasers ...

Alf,
I too cannot live with the cheap signboard on the new CZ's, but given a proper polishing and removal of all such writting, they are very nice indeed, still I prefer the 602..

But my all time true loves are the 22F and 21H as they are the finest production Mauser ever produced and compare with the very finest of custom rifles. I still have a 22F 7x57 and a 21H in 8x58 and recently sold a very nice 22F 7x57 to JudgePeg, and know he will cherish it forever..

Now the search is in ernest (a pun judge) for a Brno 21 or 22 in 9.3x62.....very rare indeed...BUT I MUST HAVE ONE, I MUST!!! I may take a 8x57, duplicate the barrel, use the existing hardware and make an exact forgery, if all else fails...