VERY Stiff, noisy safety on a 527 carbine - is this normal?

[rodentrancher]

Just got a new 527 carbine in 7.62x39. It is delightful in every aspect except one - the unbelievably stiff safety.  It takes every bit of thumb strength I've got to get the darned thing on. Now, granted, I'm a old guy with arthritic hands, but still - I've never seen a safety that was so hard to operate on any other firearm. No way to measure, but I'd guess we're talking about 20 - 30 pounds of force to set the safety on.

Moving the safety back to the "fire" position is nearly as hard, and is accompanied by a remarkably loud click - not good in a hunting rifle. And because the safety is so stiff, I can't "ease it back" to eliminate the noise.

This can't be normal - can it?

[AZ_CZ]

I have  handled a few of these and not seen that issue so I would say NO. Years ago I had an M-70 start doing that, but a trip to the smith fixed her up. If this is a new rifle I would contact CZ, get a prepaid shipping label and send her in.

[armoredman]

Did you disassemble the bolt? I did, and when I reassembled it, I did it upside down, which prevents the safety from going on. After I called CZ-USA and had them walk me through it, everything was fine. If that doesn't work, absolutely send it back for repair, because my 527M in 7.62x39mm is the neatest light rifle I have ever owned. BTW, mine really likes the Berry's new plated bullet, too, if you reload.

[LuckyGunner]

I haven't had any issues with mine.

If you aren't having the same issue as armoredman described. I would contact CZ and see what they can do for you.

[rodentrancher]

Thank you, everyone, for trying to help.  The rifle is new, and I did not disassemble the bolt.  After reading armoredman's reply, I did take it out to examine it, and it appears to be properly assembled as near as I can tell from comparing to the drawing in the manual.

More fun - when I put the bolt back in, it became stuck about 1/4 inch from the closing position.  I can neither close it nor pull it back out.

Guess it goes back to CZ, have to call them on Monday.  

<update> Well, did manage to get the bolt back out.  Wish I could figure out why it won't go back in.

<2nd update> Bolt woudn't go back in because I managed to uncock it.  Oops  Got that fixed, at least.

[armoredman]

Yikes. CZ will make it right, for certain.

[armoredman]

 Did you get it fixed/figured out?

[rodentrancher]

Got it figured out. The problem getting the bolt back in was my own stupidity in inadvertently uncocking the bolt while it was out.  Once I figured that out, no problem.

Took a close look at the safety, and I think the problem there is that the fit between the lobe of the safety that locks the bolt, and the bolt handle, is a little too tight. Looks simple to fix - I'm inclined to take it to a local gunsmith rather than send it back to CZ-USA, as I'm having too much fun with the little carbine to want to be parted from it 

[armoredman]

Now that sentiment I can heartily echo! I may be taking mine out to play again very soon.