Did I get a bad one?

[Paraninja]

I picked up a CZ52, 3 mags, cleaning rod, and holster for $140 last week  It's a pretty neat gun, but I have some questions.  I know the gun is old and possibly "issued" but how much play is acceptable in the slide/frame fit?  After I cleaned it real good I went to the range to shoot it.  I shot some surplus, Polish I think.  how accurate are these guns supposed to be?  Because I couldn't hit paper past 15 yards with out resting it on a bag.  And even then the groups were pretty bad.  Is this the norm for these guns, or is it just the crappy trigger?  I ordered a Harrington firing pin the other day, and I detail stripped the gun last night to see it I could polish anything...feed ramp, hammer hook ect.  I want to belive I'm gonna like this gun but right now its kind of iffy.  

ninja

[n-98-Joes]

First, congrats on the new, old pistol.  They are fun shoot.

I would say that before blaming the pistol for the inaccuracy, I'd suspect the ammo.  Much of the surplus ammo available today can be quite old and may not have been great stuff in it's day.

I know that I have shot surplus ammo in different weapons and can often see a differnece between boxes from the same country.  So I would recommend picking up some ammo from somewhere else and giving it a try.  I personally have had good luck with the Yugo surplus and I've heard good things about the Sellier & Bellot also.

For what's worth, with decent ammo, I can group 1.5 inch at 50 feet with either of my 52s. I think you will find your groups improve with a different ammo.

[Walt-Sherrill]

And, another point:

Slide to frame fit is not nearly as important in accuracy, as barrel to slide fit.  I've shot guns that rattled (slide to frame) but which were very accurate.  If the barrel is relatively tight in the slide, when the action is locked, its probably not a big concern.

And, as noted, ammo is a factor -- and surplus ammo a bigger one.  (It may also be corrosive... so watch for that.)

Try Sellier & Bellot ammo; its good stuff, and reasonably inexpensive.

[Hollowdweller]

I have one that the slide almost rattles on and it shoots great. I also have an unissued one that the slide is super tight on and it shoots fine too.

One thing I have noticed and wondered about:

On my one with the looser slide the brass is ejected more than twice the distance of the unissued one. The unissued is totally stock, but the loose one has an 18 lb recoil spring.

[iridehorses]

I asked a somewhat simular question about recoil springs and brass throwing.  Why did a stronger spring keep the brass closer?

The answer I got may also apply here.  The looser slide is going faster on the recoil, throwing the brass harder against the ejector and therefore further out.  A heavier spring retards the slide speed and the brass stays closer.

[magnum mikie]

Ninja, one thing I noticed was the more I shot my CZ the more accurate I could shoot it.    I guess it's true what they say: "Practice makes perfect".     Btw, the only ammo I shoot in my CZ's is S&B or Winchester.     I went shooting today and had a great time until one my magazines flew apart.    It was a simple fix, but it cut in on my range time.

[torpedoman usn]

see fix for trigger under trigger pull

[Walt-Sherrill]

Quote:I asked a somewhat simular question about recoil springs and brass throwing. Why did a stronger spring keep the brass closer?

Its pretty simple, if you think about it.  You did, and figured it out.

The stronger recoil spring slows the slide as it goes back.  If its coming back more slowly, the extracted round -- which is being pulled form the chamber by the extractor, which is attached to the slide --  is going to hit the ejector with less force.  If it hits with less force, its not going to fly as far, as its stripped from the grasp of the extractor.

I missed your question the first time.  Sorry.