I have found a 13 year old BRNO Model 602 .458 Win.Mag. for sale, that has an added set trigger, and is in "as new" condition. Should I buy it, or go for the new Model 550 in the same caliber. I need to decide ONLY between these two rifles; I already have the Ruger, Winchester, and CZ rifles in the Lott caliber, so my question is between the older and newer Chech rifles in .458 WM. Thanks.

Frank,

I do not know much about CZs but from what I have read, the purists would take the 602 action over the 550 any day of the week. I suggest you pm ALF on this forum as he has a great CZ collection and there is not much he does not know about them. There will be other forum members that will also give their advice. Good luck.

I have both a 602 and a 550 and the basic differences I can see are the safety and the trigger. The safeties are reversed from each other one being forward for off and one being forward for on. I have absolutely NO problem transitioning between the two. The new trigger is a different shape and sets differently. I actually prefer the older standard trigger. The straight blade looks funny but feels fine on the set trigger. No real problem to change between the two as they pin in the trigger guard. I also like the older model stock as opposed to either the European or American model.

I'll bet you find the BRNO 602 has alot better"fit and finish' than a new CZ 550. I guess it depends on the cost of the BRNO.

If the old model 602 has the older peep sights and they still work then its quite a find in my opinion. i would kill for 602 .in 458 with the pop up peeps

cheers, tm