The CZ 452 also known as BRNO Model Two .22 Rifle is a series of magazine-fed bolt-action rimfire repeating rifles manufactured by the Czech firearms manufacturer Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod (abbreviated "CZ-UB", English: Czech Weapons Factory — Uherský Brod) and imported into the United States by CZ-USA. Most versions of the 452 rifle series were discontinued in 2011 and replaced by the CZ 455, although CZ continues to offer the CZ 452 American in a left-hand model, with the bolt handle and ejection port located on the left side of the rifle.
During its production life, the CZ 452 was produced in several versions with various barrels, stocks and sights for a variety of rimfire cartridges such as .22 LR, .22 WMR, .17 HM2, and .17 HMR.
History
First introduced in 1956 as the BRNO Model 2 (ZKM 452), the Model 452 is a refinement of the CZ Model 1 (ZKM-451) .22 calibre rimfire bolt-action training rifle that first appeared in 1947. ZKM is an acronym for Zbrojovka-Koucký-Malorážka, the rifle's manufacturer ([Česká] Zbrojovka), designer (Josef Koucký) and Malorážka - for small calibre). The Model 1 or ZKM-451 was developed on the request of the occupying German authority in 1943–44, when a very few rifles were built as fully stocked Mauser 98k type trainers. The receivers of these early .22 training rifles were marked tgf (Tschechische Gewehr Fabrik - German for Czech Rifle Factory) by the German Heereswaffenamt. Because of wartime requirements for combat weapons, assembly and production was halted on all .22 training rifles, leaving a large stockpile of parts and receivers at war's end. After the war, these parts (some of which still have the tgf code) were used along with new barrels and stocks to make the Model 1.
Common Features
The CZ 452 features a carbon steel barrel that is threaded into the receiver frame, except for rifles chambered for .17 HM2 which have the barrel pinned to the receiver.
Rifles of recent manufacture feature hammer forged and lapped barrels.
The receiver has a dovetail rail for mounting a telescopic sight. The dovetail is either 11 mm or 3/8" depending on the version and cartridge.
The trigger mechanism is adjustable for weight of pull.
A detachable box magazine is used for feeding. Magazines are available in 5- and 10-round capacities for all cartridges, both in steel and plastic. A single-shot adapter and 25-round magazine are also available for use with .22 LR and .17 HM2.
Versions
American and Special
The American is equipped with a 22.5" (572 mm) sporter weight barrel. The barrel and receiver have a polished and blued finish. They sit in an American-style, straight-comb, Turkish walnut stock with checkered grip and fore-end, and is trimmed with sling studs and a hard plastic butt plate. It was offered in limited quantities with beech, maple, and fancy walnut stocks. There is no provision for iron sights, as it is designed for use with a telescopic sight. The American was chambered for .17 HM2, .17 HMR, .22 LR, and .22 WMR in right-handed rifles, and for .17 HMR and .22 LR in left-handed rifles. Currently, the left-handed version is still in production.
Versions were offered with either a 16.2" or 22.5" inch barrel with the muzzle threaded (1/2" x 20 threads per inch (TPI)) to accept a sound suppressor. Adapters to allow attachment of U.S. standard (1/2" x 28 TPI) suppressors are available from several manufacturers.
The Special is identical to the American except it is provided with a matte blued finish on the receiver and a beechwood stock that is otherwise identical.
Varmint
The Varmint is equipped with a 20.5" (521 mm) straight tapered varmint/target barrel. The barrel is polished whereas the receiver has a matte finish; both are blued. The barreled action sits in a varmint-style, straight-comb, walnut stock having a checkered grip with a modest palm swell and a flat-bottomed fore-end, and is trimmed with sling studs and a rubber butt pad. There is no provision for iron sights, as it is designed for use with a telescopic sight. The Varmint was chambered for .17 HM2, .17 HMR, .22 LR, and .22 WMR.