CZ 600 write-up

[crosstimbers]

There is a rather interesting article in American Rifleman about the new 600 series rifles.

The author begins with a story about how a friend offered to show him the "perfect rifle", which turned out to be a pre-64 Winchester model 70. But the author felt that it was too nice and pretty to use or even carry. Then he went on to say that he preferred rifles that he could shoot, that have "better ergonomics" (as if an old model 70 doesn't) and that can handle adverse environmental conditions in the field....well shut my mouth, I guess all the game taken by those fine rifles over time were just from some hunter getting lucky?

Then the author states "CZ realized that it's older bolt action rifles were behind the times" (news to me) and goes on to say that CZ "decided to stop making established-if-outdated models, such as the CZ 527, CZ 557 and CZ 550 Safari rifles"...sadly I had to go tell my CZ rifles that I just couldn't take them hunting anymore because they were such antiquated models, despite all the game they had taken, the great accuracy and (in my opinion) good looks.

The recall was avoided, with merely a mention of how the barrel-changing feature had been "decided against for the time being". The author explains many of the features about the 600 rifles, in a easily read comprehensive manner.

I haven't hid my sentiments about the various fine rifles that have been discontinued. The author did make one point that I found both appropriate and surprising (that it was included) how "after two centuries of research and development, there is not much new that any engineer can do to the bolt-action rifle that hasn't been tried"....Amen to that.

Everybody should read the piece themselves and make their own call. But for me, we have lost some models that didn't need replacement, weren't "outdated" unless superior quality is unworthy nowdays, and judging by the replacement line, rifles that are designed to appeal to Buck Rogers fans ( at least a couple of the models).

I just think that change for the sake of change, with no other real motivation, is sort of pointless. It reminds me of how every few years automakers would introduce new pickup designs that- well like one friend of mine said when I asked him if he had seen the new model of a certain truck "No, what new ugly are we gonna have to get used to now?"

Anyway, it's not a bad read. I just don't agree with portions of it and hate to see the rifles that brought me into CZs no longer made, nor do the new ones appeal to me.

[AZ_GunGuy]

I saw the feature on the cover of the magazine.

I really wish they would do a trail rifle in a larger caliber so it could be used for bear defense.

[david s]

Haven't read the Rifleman article but most writers push what there told to. CZ is just keeping up with the current fashion in rifles. The problem with fashions is they change regularly and often. I have a fair number of the 527 model CZ"s. I'm going to miss these little rifles. I also still have a pair of Winchester 70 rifles. One's a pre 64 in 22-250 (originally a 220 Swift) and the others a post 64 in 375 H&H. Oddly enough the post 64 375 H&H Winchester 70 has the long Mauser inspired extractor just like the pre-64's. The long extractor on the 375 is an improvement on the post 64 model 70's improvement that eliminated the long extractor. Funny sometimes how things travel in circles. When I began buying rifles the Weatherby style was in full swing. Remington and Winchester aped the Weatherby's by adding Monte Carlo humps and white line spacers. Fashion if you will. Oddly enough neither Remington nor Winchester currently stock their rifles in this style. They are currently chasing the Tacti Cool style. The only nice thing about fashion is that it does change and eventually it will get back to what is currently unfashionable. At least I'm hoping it will be so.

[Earl Keese]

My favorite bolt action rifle is an old beater Win M70 Featherweight that I picked up for $200 from a buddy. It's nothing special or valuable like a pre-64, but it is controlled feed and worn in all the right places. New isn't always better. I should have bought a few CZ rifles when they were still available.

[crosstimbers]

Well, I can only speak for myself, but what brought me to CZ rifles was this: Quality that was apparent in both form and function, in a time when the quality of American- made production rifles was decidedly in the decline....I could by a CZ for less money (in most cases) than a new American rifle, and it would be superior in looks and build- plus it would out-shoot everything else I had, even that which came from before the decline I speak of. It was my first experiences with CZ rifles that showed me that better accuracy was even capable of (for me) compared to everything I had owned and shot before.

I liked how CZ rifles were made the old way, the right way, and how they were such a value for the money.

Now it seems that this will be going the way of other gunmakers, and while some will assert that the changes amount to improvements I challenge anyone to articulate how they amount to anything besides lowered production costs. It's a futile argument, I know, as the talking points are hard to dispute. But for me the fact that the discontinued models didnt need replacing, speaks volumes. The fact that the article in question did not in any way prove otherwise, with it's mindless assertions of better models being "outdated", etc. says it all.

For me, my future purchases will be limited to used rifles at gun shows. Sadly. Just wish I hadn't sold some that I used to own.

[david s]

Began with a CZ 527 in 22 Hornet that was imported by Action Arms out of Philadelphia Pennsylvania back in the late 1980's. I liked the whole package, the action size of the 527 to the Hornet cartridge size, the look and the style and the cost. Anyway, as the years progress my Winchester, Remington and Ruger rifles in varmint cartridges were replaced by CZ's. These days I'm down to a pair of Remington's (223 and 220 Swift) a single Winchester 70 (22-250) and a single Ruger 77/22 in 22 Hornet. The 220 Swift and the 22-250 both being too large for the CZ 527 action size. If the CZ's didn't shoot, then the rifle cost savings wouldn't have mattered I'd have stayed with the other manufactures. But shoot they do and well. If I was just beginning to look at CZ's these days, I'd be off put by the current $1000 to 1300 starting cost. Taking a chance on an unknown maker is one thing at a very reasonable price but it's something else completely with a price that's even to or above that of a known manufacturer. The 527's have their idiosyncrasies, backwards safeties, bolt handle interference with scopes, funky magazine hanging down and the scope mounts themselves. All of which can be overlooked because of the performance. If you follow the full CZ forum here, you'll notice most people know CZ through there pistols, the rifle lines, even the rimfires are much less known. CZ has always made a great rifle; I do wonder what percentage of sales rifles make up, however. The model 600 has very little that appeals to me. I'm not interested in the rounds that it's initially offered in. And I don't care for the styling either. The loss of the micro sized action is another nail in it for me. I'll also be paying attention to the used rifle racks more with an eye out for the 452-3's and 527's. If a 550 Full Stock in 9.3X62 shows up, I'll have to make that commitment also.

[crosstimbers]

I hear you. My first CZ was in fact a 550 in 6.5x55, and how I wish I still had it. But after that I was enthused and got into the 527 models, had one in 7.62 that had chambering problems, I sold it but now realize that it needed chamber work (long story) and in any case every CZ rifle I have owned shamed my domestic rifles for accuracy...and I love those domestic rifles, all of which are family heirlooms. So- that's where I came into CZ centerfires. QUALITY, like it should be, and performance like it should be as well.

I'm getting rather long in the tooth, hopefully the master of everything will give me enough time to enjoy the rifles I only discovered within the last 15 years or so. But it is sad and (in my opinion) completely uncalled for that I shall now be restricted to looking for used models of the rifles that won my heart and respect.

No, I don't need shills pitching the "new and improved" versions of rifles that most certainly never needed to be replaced, so that someone could make something more cheaply while hawking it as "improved".

No, I'm not bitter...

[cournot]

Is the CZ 600 series essentially dead in the water without a major design overhaul?  I can't see it being competitive in Europe without changeable barrels and it's certainly off to a bad start here in the States.  I was thinking about getting one, but this recall is such a major shift in the whole design strategy of the 600 that I can't imagine the bean counters letting this go on as is.  And the market will punish them heavily.

[alp3367]

Is the CZ 600 series essentially dead in the water without a major design overhaul?  I can't see it being competitive in Europe without changeable barrels and it's certainly off to a bad start here in the States.  I was thinking about getting one, but this recall is such a major shift in the whole design strategy of the 600 that I can't imagine the bean counters letting this go on as is.  And the market will punish them heavily.

 It will be the primary CZ rifle platform for many years. It's a great rifle with or without the "easy change" barrel. There may be a slight change at some point to make another attempt at a fairly easy barrel system to change at the end user level. It's unfortunate how the whole recall thing happened.

[crosstimbers]

Is the CZ 600 series essentially dead in the water without a major design overhaul?  I can't see it being competitive in Europe without changeable barrels and it's certainly off to a bad start here in the States.  I was thinking about getting one, but this recall is such a major shift in the whole design strategy of the 600 that I can't imagine the bean counters letting this go on as is.  And the market will punish them heavily.

If you're really interested in one, it might pay to wait. There is a chance the barrel swap feature might not be the only gremlin- I mean if one thing wasn't well thought out something else might not have been as well. Regardless of my feelings about the cancelled models I suggest that from a neutral point of view.

Do you have anything else to hunt with in the meantime?

[crosstimbers]

You know, I'm not picking a fight. But in most cases the definition of a "great" firearm involves the test of time. Something that has just been introduced, especially under controversial circumstances, doesn't get the head-nod of "great" simply because someone promoting it says so.

What I do know is that the rifles which have been discontinued do in fact merit the term "great". Yet, they are now gone. There is not a particle of goodness about that, nor a shred of redemption in whatever has been offered to replace them.

My first 550 amazed me with it's accuracy. Granted some of that was probably due to the SS trigger. However I have attended several law enforcement sniper schools and have to say that the CZ models I have used decidedly bested the designed-for sniper use American made offerings I had involvement with.

The 550 went the way of the Do Do, and thankfully there was little in the way of explanation besides the truth. It was too expensive to produce, someone wasnt making enough money...at least the short lived 557 was still a quality rifle compared to American production rifles.

So anyways. I would like to think I'm done here.

It was so nice to find a rifle that was built like rifles should be built. So nice to find function and form in one package. Hinged steel floorplates versus plastic (dont care how many times you say "polymer" it's still plastic) magazines.....anyway everyone gets the picture.

My first deer was killed with a sporterized Krag. I still have the rifle. I remember an article about the design, that said "the fit and finish cannot be duplicated today" or some such thing. I thought it should have read  that the fit and finish WOULDNT be duplicated today. After all we havent lost the capability to do such things- they just arent as profitable. Too expensive to reproduce.

And so go the CZ 550, 557 and 527.

All right I'll shut up now.

[armoredman]

Some of the 600 line are coming in with the redesigned features. I really like the Trail, and I agree - it would be awesome, (for me), in .308 with the ability to use AR-10 magazines, but it is what it is. I have only had one bolt action CZ rifle, my long lost and greatly lamented CZ 527M, but I will also say the 600 Lux in .308 has definitely grabbed my attention, with iron sights and Rem 700 scope mount drill and tap in place. I miss the 527 series, and the old 550s, but the 600 is what is here to stay now, and I think once they get past the teething issues, it will be an excellent rifle.

[crosstimbers]

Some of the 600 line are coming in with the redesigned features. I really like the Trail, and I agree - it would be awesome, (for me), in .308 with the ability to use AR-10 magazines, but it is what it is. I have only had one bolt action CZ rifle, my long lost and greatly lamented CZ 527M, but I will also say the 600 Lux in .308 has definitely grabbed my attention, with iron sights and Rem 700 scope mount drill and tap in place. I miss the 527 series, and the old 550s, but the 600 is what is here to stay now, and I think once they get past the teething issues, it will be an excellent rifle.

Do you own a 600 Trail? I mean you say that you like it, or do you just think it looks appealing?

I agree on one point, and it's the only point about the 600 series I appreciate. The change to Remington 700 scope bases/mounts...something CZ should have done years ago in my opinion.

Of the new offerings, the Lux is the only one I might ever have an interest in. But as they say "it aint happening". I would rather save $ and look for a fine 550 or 527 used, than buy the offerings that brought about the end of fine rifles.

CZ is going to find out the same thing Coke did when they introduced their "new formula" back in the day. Change for the sake of change, when you aren't making an improvement....well it just "aint gonna win the girl"

[armoredman]

I do not have a 600 series rifle yet, but with luck that will be changing soon. The Lux isn't in yet in the updated model, but the Trail and the Alpha are coming in. The Trail reminds me so much of a vastly updated version of my lamented 527M/CSR.

[crosstimbers]

I have yet to see a 600 myself, even though I'm not interested in one I would still like to examine one whenever they finally materialize locally.