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Hellow, this is my first post. I joined this forum because of the expertise of the members and focus on big game rifles. I have a nit to pick with CZ and like to hear opinions. Hopefully, I can contribute on a more positive note in the future. I have been shooting over 40 yrs and although my rifle hunting is limited to 7mm-08, I have a always enjoyed the big boomers. That goes back to a 6 bore Dixie Gun Works muzzle loader purchased in the late 60's. I don't have that 6 bore now, But; it was a fun gun.

Nine months back, while working long hours - 6 days weeks, I got wind of the 458 Lott introduction. Went online and found the 505gibbs offering by CZ! Wow! I special ordered a CZ 550 Safari in 505 Gibbs. That set me back $3k, which is more than I ever dropped on a rifle. It looked great and later when I went to Cabelas to pickup some ammo, I found a new CZ American on the shelf in 458 Lott for $1,000. Based on the quality look I also purchased the 458. When I say quality, I pretty much set my standard by guns like Ruger. Nothing fancy just well built and decent finish. Well, I also like to CZ features, such as high capacity magazine that holds five 458 and three 505's.

I set those aside (working 6 days a week) which was a mistake. Not until I was out of work for a while, I decided to shoot these guns. Starting with the 505 first. I discover the rounds will not chamber. Control feed ok but the chamber is rough and/or under size. I beat the bolt down and forced one round in. Then drove it out with a wood dowel down the barrel. The case was deeply scratched and squeezed down. It appears the chamber was only roughly reamed out and the final finish reamer never used. Or something major F-ed up. I tried two different ammos. No doubt in my mind this gun was never test fired or even cycled for feeding at the factory. Thats gone back to Kansas City. I am waiting.

Ok, strike one. Now, I proceed to clean and checkout the CZ American in 458 Lott. One round in the magazine, push bolt forward and the bullet hits the lower front of the feed ramp and stops! Strike Two! It wont feed. What I figure out is if I push the rounds to the rear of the magazine they ride up the ramp and feed ok. But if the ammo is forward in the magazine (such as it would be after recoil) the rounds will not feed. I dont even know if this is a defect or just typical CZ performance. If thats not enought. The 505 would control feed, but for some reason the 458 ends up push feeding some of the time. At a 1000 bucks, I might try and modify the magazine. I tell you I am real turned off by the whole CZ quality situation right now.

I dont know,...??? I may get the 505 fixed and put 458 back in the box. Dump both of these POS CZ guns and get a Kimber in 458. But, then for a 505 Gibbs it is CZ or nobody.

I read on this forum some suggest a CZ might be ok for safari if gone threw by a gunsmith. I wonder is that a polite way to alert members this maker is prone to ship crap. How do I know the guns are even safe, any trigger, firing pin or safety issues? Can you imagine the potential injury if a round discharge when the bolt closed?

Edited by bigboar (05/02/09 06:02 AM)