I am looking at getting 4 of the CZ 550's in the four larger calibers i.e. 375 H&H, 416 Rigby, 458 Lott and 505 Gibbs to replace rifles I have recently sold,
Only......an aquaintence of mine has counseled me and disuaded me away from the CZ's and towards Dakota Rifles. Only problem is I WILL NOT pay $4500.00 + for a rifle or any rifle for that matter.
He also told me for the trigger, bolt handle and safety need to be replaced. ???
Should I be feeling the doubt I have now in CZ purchases?

TIA,
Duke

For a lot less than a Dakota you can have a CZ worked over by AHR. AHR CZ Upgrade Package No. 1.

Hard to say that 4 rifles of any make will all be perfect out of the box, so you are left with paying someone to make sure or relying on warranty. Not sure everything I want done is considered a warranty item.

Of course, you can buy the 4 CZ, and have only the ones that do not work perfectly sorted out, and hopefully be way under the Dakota budget. I prefer the safety and shroud you get with AHR but plenty are happy with the standard CZ.

I have never seen a CZ that didn't need some work out of the box....but nothing that I couldn't do my self except perhaps shortening the barrel and re-mounting the front sight.

All need glass bedding if you don't want the stock to crack sooner or later. Many needs some hand fitting and filing where the magazine box meets the feed ramp (just run your finger up thr front of the magazine box and see if there is a tiny lip before the feed ramp). 25" barrels are great if you are fitting a bayonette and holding restless natives at bay, but I prefer a shorter tube on my working guns.

A bit of polish or valve grinding paste, some dummy rounds and a few hours cycling the action infront of the TV every night will soon give you a beautifuly smooth action (daddy- why do you always try and shoot Barney....Just breaking in a rifle sweetness.... )

I was going to bed my CZ550 416Rigby, but out of the box it started shooting sub-MOA. I always bed my rifles. But there is a time to try something new. I've just left my 416 the way it is. It has an interesting barrel lug. I do agree that the two position safety could be improved. I should also say that I found that I liked the Euro-hogback stock. I had thought that I would need to replace it, but it fits fine with a scope and I've grown to like it. I think that Brno is doing a service to America in bringing a truly big, stron-actioned gun at a price that the rest of us can afford. And Czech engineering is top grade. Maybe not USA, but its nice to make friends across borders.

PS: If you mean getting all four calibres--wow. Even just two: Imagine the luxury of having a combo that used the 416Rigby for a light calibre and 505Gibbs for the heavy stuff. Very Nice.

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:
PS: If you mean getting all four calibres--wow. Even just two: Imagine the luxury of having a combo that used the 416Rigby for a light calibre and 505Gibbs for the heavy stuff. Very Nice.

Thanks all for the replies. Yes all four caliber guns as I am selling off all my tactical guns and aquiring big bore Alaskan/African dedicated rifles.
The 505 Gibbs will be the first purchase of the lot.

Another ps on trigger:
The CZ trigger was very nice, crisp around 4lb, and didn't need tinkering. It is also a single-set trigger but I don't use that feature. In single set mode it is light but has creep, so I just use the clean, full trigger.

All, the 505Gibbs come from the CZ custom shop in StLouis and should require ZERO work to be a good working rifle. That wont stop some, from making changes, for instance the 3 position safety by AHR is a great improvement. Nothing should be needed. And if ANYTHING is wrong the custom shop will correct it, I am sure. BTW, this is a $3,000 gun. Not a $1000 American off the boat from the Check republic.

The low cost American model at $1000, seems to be a lot more prone to problems. But, they are getting better. I have seen the changes over time looking at used guns. My 458Lott that did not feed right. I think for the best value, an American reworked by AHR is a darn good gun at $1200, with bolt safety and feeding done.

I would ask at the CZ custom shop about ordering all 4, just to get the bbl mounted sling stud, nice wood and reliable feeding. Food for thought. Be, really cool to get 4 consecutive serial numbers. You might specify all matching bbl lengths like 23 or 24, instead of std 25. My 505 is 24 inch. or make each bbl one inch longer from 375-505: 21,22,23,24 inch?

Not many buyers plan ahead a series like you are. This is an oportuniy to put something nice together and if well planned, not require fixing or changing later.

Edit:
No one has ever asked, can the CZ custom shop purchase and install the bolt safety made by AHR? Plan ahead? You might want to ask for Harlan, if you call StLouis.

Edit2:
I forgot to mention, I have settled in over the years on the exact same 4 ctgs you have selected

Buy a set of Ruger RSM's in .375 H&H, .416 Rigby, and .458 Lott and get way ahead of the game. Or Ruger Alaskan and African Hawkeye in .375 Ruger and .416 Ruger. And, don't forget the beautiful Ruger No.1 in .375, .416 Rigby and .458 Lott.