CZ452 Safety Question

[45flattop]

I just recently acquired an unfired LNIB 452American and while I'm quite pleased
with it, I seem to be having a puzzling problem using the safety. I have not yet
fired the rifle due to waiting on scope rings and a few miscellaneous items but
the rifle IS unfired and looks as pristine as the day it left the factory.

The safety will move toward the "safe" position and try to cover the "red dot"
but will not move enough to cover the entire dot and I am highly averse to
trying to force any movement so my question is, is there some non intuitive
method to free up the safety that I'm missing out on?  I am new to CZs hence
my ignorance. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.
The safety lever will not remain over the "red dot" but returns to rest in
the fire location

                    John

[AZ_CZ]

Couple of points.

The gun has been fired at the factory. So you know that works. Not sure if they test the safety but you would think so.

How old is the gun? Did you buy from a dealer or private party? Did you check rifle functions at time of purchase ? If this came from a dealer I would go there and see if they can make it right. If it's private party did they do any "gunsmithing"?

Under normal operation once the bolt is cocked the safety lever should move forward and cover the dot. You should have some resistance but nothing a push with your thumb can't overcome. Once engaged the trigger cannot be pulled. Even if this was sitting for a long time I can't image there being so much gummed up grease in the bolt that the safety couldn't be engaged. I have done trigger jobs and had the safety not hold the sear when engaged, but never saw, or know how, you could modify the trigger so the safety wouldn't move forward. I recall some posts where the safety was hard to engage and it needed to be worked awhile to fit the parts a little better. Never had to disassembly the bolt or modify any parts in it. Hope someone has better advice than me.

[45flattop]

Thank you for the reply, according to the document that came with the gun illustrating
the test firing grouping, the gun was manufactured in 2014. I did buy it from a private
party who had to sell it due to some serious medical bills but I know him and trust him
and seriously doubt that he's done any shade tree gunsmithing on the rifle. I don't even
think the bolt had ever been inserted in the receiver since it left that factory until I did.
There is always a chance I assume that the safety lever just needs "breaking in" by
repetitive tries but while it WILL move a noticeable bit further when cocked, I am as
you might guess scared to try to force anything.

[AZ_CZ]

After posting I thought I might want to strip and clean my bolts someday. Watched a nice little YouTube video with a catchy tune. Seems simple enough. I wouldn't lube up the firing pin channel. That's just a good way to attract dirt that would do damage.  Might want start with that and see if there is something jamming the works up.

Link,
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYuBOw5CSFE

[45flattop]

I want to extend a very sincere and hearty thanks to everyone who replied with good suggestions
on the safety issue, I GOT IT!!!! All it took was a few drops of Hoppe's gun oil in the appropriate
places and a somewhat hearty push on the lever that exceeded what I assumed was safe and
it engaged and every time since then it gets smoother and easier and goes in and out of battery
with progressively less force applied.  THANKS EVERYONE for your suggestions and efforts on
behalf of a very new CZ owner.

[AZ_CZ]

Love a story with a happy ending!

[Diamond Jim]

They can be pretty stiff - the safety on my 550 was a beast before it settled in. You'll love your 452.

[45flattop]

They can be pretty stiff - the safety on my 550 was a beast before it settled in. You'll love your 452.

Jim, I already do love it and I haven't even mounted my scope yet nor fired it but the last
2nd source pieces parts arrived today so I'm good to go this weekend.