SCOTLAND’S MACNAB: GROUSE, RED STAG AND SALMON

SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION 2012 SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION 2012

BEST 2012’s NEW

DAN WESSON ECO p. 10 TESTED: CZ CUSTOM’S 75 LONGSLIDE SUPPRESSOR-READY P-07 DUTY DAN WESSON .45 SPECIALIST

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS EXHIBITION SHOOTER TOM KNAPP NHL LEGEND BOBBY HOLIK

CZ 75 P-07 DUTY OD p.2

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File: 155958_NAWP_1007_HODGCV3.pdf 05.14.2010 11:30 ADV: tjacobs Scale: % 2 42 Justified A nti-Vermin ByT J. GU HRIE By Patrick Sweeney The CZ 75 P-07 Duty has successfully passed This CZ 527 is a tackdriver and a stellar rodent- its performance review. reducer. PUBLISHER Chris Agnes Editorial EDITOR IN CHIEF Eric R. Poole 6 46 MANAGING EDITOR Gloria Shytles Quickh S ot M edal of Valor COPY CHIEF Kimberly Jo Dolbee ByE JO L J. HUTCHCROFT By Bart Skelton ART DIRECTOR Erik Siembab Bringing everyone’s favorite rimfire calibers Dan Wesson braves the crowded 1911 market together in one fine package. with an excellent entry. SENIOR DESIGNER Luu Mai DESIGNER Luke Bouris CATALOG DESIGNER John Podolanko GROUP ART DIRECTOR David Kleckner 10 52 PRODUCTION MANAGER Terry Boyer D an Wesson ECO Busted PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Anschuetz ByT PA RIck SWEENEY Byr E ic r. poole Sean Utley Meet the best 1911 ever built for lightweight The easiest and most affordable way to start carry. shooting trap.

14 56 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jeff Paro macnab quest Refined CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Andy Goldstein By Mike Schoby By Stan TRZONIEC SENIOR VP, GROUP PUBLISHER, A CZ Ringneck and CZ 550 get put to the Dan Wesson perfects the concealed carry HUNTING AND SHOOTING Mike Carney ultimate test in the highlands of Scotland. Officer’s Model. VP, GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jim Bequette VP, GROUP PUBLISHER, FISHING Steve Hoffman VP, STRATEGIC SALES AND MARKETING Ted Gramkow 20 59 VP, CONSUMER MARKETING Peter Watt Th e Retro A FamiLY AFFAIR VP, MANUFACTURING Deb Daniels By James Tarr By PAyton MILLER VP, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER THE CZ 83 redefines the classic approach to A “one size fits all” solution to the family Howard Stevens practical carry. shotgun. FINANCE DIRECTOR Derek Sevcik DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & SALES DEVELOPMENT John White SENIOR DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION 26 60 Connie Mendoza Sy t le, meet function Brawn PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. CZ-USA 2012 is published by InterMedia Outdoors Inc., By Mike Schoby By WAyne VAN ZWOLL 512 Seventh Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, New York: A new CZ stack gets a double-size workout in The bank-vault bolt-action of the CZ 550 is (212) 852-6649; FAX (212) 302-4472. Copyright 2012 Argentina. the standard. by InterMedia Outdoors Inc. All rights reserved under international and Pan American Copyright Conventions. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permis- sion of the publisher is strictly prohibited. CZ-USA 2012 is published by InterMedia Outdoors Inc. under license 28 64 from CZ-USA. N yati ENDU RAnce RUN By Kevin E. Steele By Mike SCHOBY Africa’s ‘Black Death’ demands a rifle The CZ 912 autoloader is put to the ultimate you can depend upon. field test: 2,000 rounds on Argentina doves. 36 68 Thp e S ecialist A frican Dreams By Patrick Sweeney By Mike Carney

In the home or on the street, this .45 is poised A .30-’06 delivers another memorable quest to CoverPhotography Seanby Utley to protect and serve. the dark continent. Interviews with Tom Knapp and Bobby Holik SCAN THESE TAGS with your smart phone for more information on your 72 favorite firearms from CZ and Dan Wesson! Lon gslide By JAmes TARR Get the free mobile app at Boring reliability and excellent accuracy in any http://gettag.mobi package from the CZ custom shop.

www.cz-usa.com 41 cz-usa.com51 1 Justified CZ 75 P-07 DUTY the CZ 75 P-07 DUTY has SUCCESSFULLY passed its performance review. hen this new polymer-framed pistol hit the shelves in 2009 you could have By J. GUTHRIE I Photos by SEAN UTLEY tipped me over with a feather. Most shooters would never think twice about polymer since almost every new design incorporates substantial amounts Wof plastic, but this pistol was stamped “CZ-USA,” a company that over the years ferociously clung to its walnut-and-steel roots. There have been one or two polymer-frame models in the catalog over the years, but not many. I own a couple of CZ rifles, and they don’t have so much as a molecule of plastic anywhere, not even the magazine follower, and here is a CZ-branded pistol with a polymer frame. Was this blasphemy a good move on the part of this legendary company?

The P-07 Duty was originally designed handgun at home on a cop’s duty belt, lowing in most other countries the way the to compete for European police and you wouldn't be wrong for thinking of a 1911 is loved in this country, and with good military contracts. And it won. As soon compact carry gun instead. The hammer- reason. It is extremely reliable, robust as the specs were released by Ceska forged barrel is 3.8 inches long, and the and arguably has the best ergonomics Zbrojovka (CZ) in the Czech Republic, pistol weighs just 1.7 pounds. of any double-stack pistol on the planet. the firm’s American subsidiary CZ-USA The P-07 had a new glass-reinforced The guts of the P-07 were a close copy started clamoring for pistols. It was easy polymer frame but retained a lot of of the CZ 75, and it utilizes the good, old to see that the P-07 had a lot going for it features that made its predecessor, Browning tilt-barrel operating system, but and would appeal to the American public. the CZ 75, popular the world the slide sits inside the frame, giving it a Although the name implies a full-size over. The CZ 75 has a fol- very low center of gravity.

New for 2012 is the suppressor-ready P-07 Duty. The ½x28 threaded muzzle accepts most supres- sors made for the U.S. market. The sights on this variation are higher than normal. They will clear one- inch diameter supressors.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 2 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 3 Te h sYSTEm provides a second-strike capability, something that most striker-fired pistols do not have.

CZ 75 p-07 DUTY

TYPE: Double-action, exposed- hammer autoloader Caliber: 9mm (tested), .40 S&W Capacity: 16 (9mm) Barrel: 3.8 in.; rifling six grooves, 1:9.7 twist Overall Length: 7.3 in. Weight: 27.2 oz. (1.7 lb.), empty GRIPS: Molded stippling on grip panels, serrations on front- and backstrap Finish: Matte black or OD green Trigger: 11 lb., 5 oz. double-action pull, 4 lb., 1 oz. single-action pull The pistol ships with an ambidextrous decocker that can Sights: Fixed; white-dot front and be swapped by the user for a manual, two-position safety white-outline rear The angled slide contour not only provides the P-07 Duty with The standard low-profile sight is dovetailed and is located in just five minutes. a modern appearance, but guides the eye to the front sight. at the most rearward position for the greatest sight radius.

O ne of the major upgrades to the P-07 After fieldstripping the pistol, simply a transfer bar. A small coil spring is cap- To install the new safety, slide the you want to minimize the profile for well enough, but night sights are a was the double-action trigger pull, albeit cock the hammer, pivot the extractor tured by the decocking lever’s transfer right-side lever into place after press- concealed carry. must for a carry or duty pistol. CZ- one already found in the CZ 75B. Dubbed down and use a flat edge to pry the left- bar, and it is removed with the lever. The ing down the trigger transfer bar. Leave Having shot my fair share of CZ 75 USA does have night sights available the Omega trigger system, it is essentially side decocking lever out of the frame. It is right-side decocking lever can now be it sticking straight up. Press down on pistols, I was very interested to see and is currently working on several a simplified version of the original trigger attached to the right-side lever by way of rotated up and pulled off the frame. the ejector and slide in the left-side how the P-07 handled. I figured the different heights. on the CZ 75 but has a slightly lighter and safety lever so the transfer bar locks reduced weight might affect balance. The sights sit on the absolute ends much smoother pull. My Duty averages into the right-side safety lever. That’s The grip is very well designed and of the slide to provide the maximum 11 pounds, five ounces on a double it. Since it is a manual safety, you do shares similar angles and dimensions amount of sight radius, but the ham- action draw. It is not as light as a striker- not need the little spring that came that made the 75 so popular with merspur is covered to a degree by a fired single action, but for a DA auto, it's a out with the decocker. The magazine shooters initially. Under recoil, the low rear sight that slants backward. Get- big improvement over the original. release can also be swapped from side center of gravity makes it very control- ting to the hammer for a single-action The system also provides second- to side in just a few seconds. CZ-USA lable, not that a 9mm or .40 S&W are first shot is a little awkward, though it strike capability, something most is kind enough to provide a handy ani- real recoil generators. My controlled isn't a huge issue since the first shot striker-fired pistols do not have.O nce mation on its Web site that illustrates pairs were just that, controlled and on out of the holster will very likely be the pistol is fired, the slide cocks the these procedures better than I could target. The pistol points naturally and double action. In terms of holsters, CZ hammer, providing a short, light, single- ever hope to write them. handles great. offers a few options and most holsters action trigger pull of slightly more than The molded frame is very up-to-date I had no malfunctions due to the made for the XD will work as well. four pounds thereafter. and wears the "must-have" tactical rail proven operating system and a huge Like so many other CZ-USA firearms, Should you want to stop mid-magazine for lights and lasers. I tried a few differ- external extractor. Really, the only the P-07 is a simple, reliable and clean and put the pistol on Safe to assess ent units, and they all attach. rubs against the P-07 were some pistol that is very affordable. It’s not all your target, there is an ambidextrous The triggerguard is plenty big rough edges on the slide serrations steel, but the P-07 Duty is all CZ. decocking lever or a manual, two-position enough for gloved fingers. The grip (I slingshot the slide safety, depending on how you choose to panels are reminiscent of grip tape, so forward on reloads) configure your Duty. That is the coolest there is no worry of losing the pistol, and fire controls. The Acu c raCY Results feature of the P-07. The pistol ships with even in moist conditions or while wear- manual safety is a bit on Bullet Avg Group ambidextrous decocking levers, but the ing padded gloves. Two small pads of the thin side and tough Type (gr.) (in.) end user can swap those for a traditional this texture are also molded into the to operate quickly. The Black Hills EXP JHP 115 3.12 two-position safety lever in about five min- frame just ahead of the trigger to give polymer sights are Remington +P Golden Saber 124 2.86 utes. The parts are included. The manual the shooter a tactile index point for the dovetailed and have a Hornady TAP CQ JHP 147 3.16 safety allows for cocked-and-locked trigger finger when idly standing by. white, U-shaped outline Remington Golden Saber 147 3.03 carry, a great option if you are not a fan of A ll P-07 Duty pistols feature an integral accessory rail under the dustcover, A lanyard loop sits on the grip frame at the rear notch. The Winchester PDX1 JHP 147 3.86 the heavy, double-action trigger pulls. a trend that is all but expected on current service autos. and could be easily ground off should front dot pattern works

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 4 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 5 Quick Shot CZ 455 Big r n ing everyone's favorite rimfire calibers together in one fine package. ot everybody wants a switch-barrel rimfire, but I By JOEL J. HUTCHCROFT I Photos by SEAN UTLEY happen to like the idea. It seems like I’ve always been intrigued with switch-barrel guns, and the NCZ 455 holds a lot of appeal for me. Living in Illinois, I can’t hunt with Imagine my interest when I received a high-powered centerfire rifles (well, CZ 455 American in .22 LR along with except for coyotes). On the other an extra barrel in .17 HMR this year. hand, I do a lot of hunting with The 455 is nicely endowed. The rimfires. A lot of guys I know own particulars are shown in the ac- separate rifles for shooting .22 LR, companying specifications list, so I .17 HMR and .22 WMR. I actually won’t go into detail here. Suffice it know a guy who owns 20 to 30 to say, the 455 feels like a “real” rifle, different .22s. not like a budget rimfire. Fit and finish I’ve owned quite a few rimfires is excellent, as is the trigger pull. over the years including a really nice, The trigger on my sample measured accurate .22 Magnum. Unfortunately, 3.8 pounds according to an RCBS I sold it years ago, regrettably. trigger-pull gauge. While there was I do enjoy hunting with the .22 a bit of takeup, it breaks crisply and Magnum, and while I have never consistently. As you can see from owned a .17 HMR, I think it has the accompanying accuracy results, an application in the small-game this 201/2-inch-barreled bolt gun is no and varmint hunting fields as well. slouch in the accuracy department.

The bolt mounted safety on the CZ 455 blocks the movement of the firing pin and disconnects the sear from the striker when engaged.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 6 cz-u sa.com cz-u sa.com 7 Te h biggest advantage is that you can shoot different CNC laser checkering offers a tactile gripping surface. cartridges in the same action with the same trigger system. It's perfectly executed every time.

Undoubtedly, the nice trigger helps same action with the same trigger to contribute to its fine accuracy. system. Doing so allows you to CZ 455 American The advantages of a switch-barrel become extremely familiar with that Type: Bolt-action rimfire are essentially the same as one trigger, and that translates into Caliber: .17 HMR, .22 LR, .22 WMR for a switch-barrel centerfire rifle. better shooting. (interchangeable barrels) The biggest one, in my book, is Switching barrels on the 455 is Capacity: 5 that you can shoot different car- very simple and straightforward. Barrel: 20.5 in., 1:16-in. twist (.22 LR, .22 WMR), 1:9-in. twist (.17 HMR) tridges—in this case, three—in the All you have to do is remove the Overall Length: 38.2 in. magazine, the bolt and the two GalleryofGuns.com Weight: 6.1 lb. See photos and specifications of the gun men- stock screws, and pull off the Stock: Checkered walnut with tioned in this article, and order from an inven- triggerguard, triggerguard plate and sling swivel studs tory of 1,000s—all online through Gun Locator. Finish: Blued steel, oil wood It’s easy and convenient. Shooting enthusiasts Trigger: Adjustable; 3.8-lb. pull (as tested) can enjoy the Shooting Times Research Center, featuring everything from consumer promo- Sights: None; dovetail base for scope mounts; tions, news and featured articles to gun reviews, Lux .22 LR barrel includes an adjustable rear shooter’s ed and the Shooter’s Gateway. and hooded front sight Make GalleryofGuns.com one of your favorites!

the stock. Then, loosen the maga- meantime, I contacted CZ-USA was very therapeutic. The fact that zine housing screw at the rear (one and ordered a .22 WMR barrel to this little rifle produces such tight or two turns is all that's needed) complete my set. With the rifle groups certainly helps to make the and the two barrel-retaining screws. and three extra barrels, I took it to project a fun one. If you haven’t Finally, pull the barrel off the front the range and proceeded to run it fired your favorite rimfire in a while, of the receiver. Insert the new through a rather lengthy shooting you really should get out and shoot R ings are currently available from various aftermarket manufacturers to grab the proprietary CZ integral dove- barrel, tighten the barrel screws, session. I have to say that doing all it. Better yet, pick up a CZ 455 tail bases. The rubber pad keeps the stock from sliding in the shoulder. The trigger is adjustable for weight. tighten the magazine housing that rimfire shooting (five, five-shot American with an extra barrel or screw, replace the triggerguard and groups with 12 different loads) two, and join the fun.

plate (minus the spacer if you are accrc u a y results switching to either of the magnum Velocity Standard extreme 50-Yard Ammunition (fps) Deviation (fps) Spread (fps) Accuracy (in.) chamberings), place the barreled .17R HM action into the Federal 17-gr. V-Max 2,612 39 87 0.72 stock, and tighten Hornady 17-gr. V-Max 2,547 26 91 0.56 down the stock Winchester 17-gr. V-Max 2,554 24 80 0.69 screws. That’s it. CCI 20-gr. FMJ 2,370 10 20 0.69 It takes less than 10 minutes. (Don't .22 Long Rifle worry, detailed CCI 32-gr. Stinger 1,635 14 27 0.64 instructions ship CCI 40-gr. Select 1,212 9 18 0.95 with each rifle.) Federal 40-gr. Gold Medal Target 1,230 6 14 0.55 I first received Winchester 40-gr. Power-Point 1,282 23 54 0.88 the 455 set up for .22 LR and .17 .22 WMR HMR. A few days Federal 30-gr. JHP 2,108 32 63 1.00 later I received the Federal 30-gr. Sierra JHP 1,906 34 74 0.91 Lux .22 LR spare CCI 40-gr. Maxi Mag 1,880 41 73 0.73 barrel, which has Winchester 40-gr. FMJ 1,812 15 29 2.00 an adjustable rear Accuracy is the average of five five-shot groups fired from a sandbag benchrest. Velocity is the average sight and a hooded of 15 rounds measured 12 feet from the muzzle. front sight. In the

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 8 cz-u sa.com cz-u sa.com 9 Dan WessonEOC DW ECO MEET THE BEST 1911 EVER BUILT FOR LIGHT- WEIGHT CARRY. ome 25 years ago, I found myself with some back By PATRICK SWEENEY I Photos by SEAN UTLEY pains. It took a while to figure out the exact source, but the basic reason was simple: I worked in a gun Sshop. Said gun shop was adjacent to a big, danger- ous city. We all carried, and my chosen piece was a full- size, all-steel 1911. As if that wasn’t a contributor, my daily routine involved wearing extra magazines, backup guns, and even the occasional knife. I needed to ease up on the mission load I was packing.

When the venerable Lightweight tures the problematic corner on its Commander came along, I snatched 1911 frame rounded and smooth. it up, and life was good. Well, When you carry a handgun in an semi-good. In order for it to be good Inside the Waist Band (IWB) holster, enough, that 1911 required a certain your belt acts as a pivot point. The amount of overhauling. In fact, it muzzle of your carry gun contacts required a lot of it. your hip, the hip contact pushes the I still have that pistol, but not muzzle outboard, and the pivot on because it’s my primary carry gun. your belt pushes the back end of the I have many more choices these days, slide into you. and the choices from Dan Wesson In extreme cases, the contact don’t need any work to be ready. between the grip safety and your The latest offering fills the niche body can feel as if the gun is being that my old Commander did. Differ- surgically introduced to your kidney. ent though, the Dan Wesson ECO But, if you loosen your belt, the hand- needs no extras. Out of the box, it’s gun can flop around. This is perhaps ready for the job—fully loaded with the only instance where being bigger what would have been unobtainable around the middle is a good thing, extras back in those days. as the less wasp-waist you have, the The ECO is the size of an Of- less pivot your pistol has. ficer’s Model 1911. It has a slightly Rather than packing on pounds, shorter frame (Enough to take one you can simply choose to carry a round away from the 1911’s usual handgun like the ECO that features magazine capacity). However, a shorter barrel and shorter overall this absence also makes the ECO length. The Officer’s Model size easier and more comfortable to 1911’s typically have a three or three- carry. The shorter frame is less and-a-half inch barrel, to preclude the likely to hang up on clothing or pivot. Hence, the Dan Wesson ECO is print against the drape of a shirt a carry gun. (Or for those still packing or jacket worn over a holstered the full-size 1911, a backup gun.) handgun. And, as a credit to Dan On top, the ECO wears a set of Wesson pistolsmiths, the ECO fea- tritium-driven night sights, one

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 10 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 11 So,o I to k the new ECO and I abused it. No, I didn’t throw it in the dirt, dunk it under water, or anything of that nature. Dan wesson ECO

TYPE: Single action, recoil something of this operated semiauto Caliber: 9mm, .45 ACP (tested) The no-glare, 25 lpi slide serrations The ledge-style rear sight size. The problem lead up to the night sight near the is a growing trend in the Capacity: 7+1 was not in the muzzle. They’re perfectly tactical community since Barrel: 3.5 in. (tested) or 4.25 in., blended with the shape it offers one-handed slide chopping, but reli- DW Match of the slide. manipulation. ability department Overall Length: 7.25 in. (tested) or 8 in. once it had been Weight: 1.6 lbs. reduced in size. GRIPS: G10 Many a would-be Finish: Duty black Trigger: Aluminum, 4 lb. “master” gunsmith Sights: 3-Dot, ledge-style, found that he had tritium-filled taken a working The trigger is flawlessly executed. 1911 and turned it into a very expensive paperweight. On the other hand, the ECO had I’d order an ambidextrous safety to The typical result from a new a nice trigger—one that’s good be installed. insert in each of the front and pistolsmith looking to move up was enough to perform as a competitive The grips are nice and durable, but rear. Line them up as a figure eight, malfunctions galore. And the easiest Bullseye gun. for all that and the very useful grip- and your sights are easily aligned. way to make those malfunctions The end result from this function ping ability, the slabs measure a bit The sight design is inspired by the appear was to shoot the suspect test was an hour of shooting, and thick for my tastes. I’d have to shave Heinie Straight Eight dot concept, pistol weak-handed or limp-wristed. fifteen minutes spent picking up them down to thin them, but why but the rear sight is shaped with a slide, and the serrations on its top lightening cuts done as abbreviated So, I took the new ECO and I brass. Ten pound’s worth of lead and when the enormous 1911 aftermarket ledge, a front face that is square are ultra-fine—fifteen lines on top of ball-end cuts. The ball-end cuts abused it. No, I didn’t throw it in the copper downrange. The ECO refused caters to such things? to the bore. Championed by many the slide that’s not much wider than were a feature of the earliest 1911s, a dirt, dunk it under water, or any- to co-operate with my plans of find- The sights are useful in two areas: respected tactical shooters, these a quarter-inch. When you first see feature changed by Colt during World thing of that nature. I simply shot it ing its weakness. both for being night sights with ledge-style sights offer the user the MSRP of the DW ECO, consider War I to speed up production. It’s weak-handed only. For all the ammo The recoil spring system, and the tritium inserts, and for the rear sight an emergency cocking surface. that such a rib and the sights would just a cosmetic feature, but I like it. I had with me, some three hundred lack of a barrel bushing, has a lot being shaped such that you can use Use your belt, holster, doorframe, set you back on the order of $500 Additionally, the slide and frame are rounds straight. to do with the reliability of such an it as a cocking lever. If you have the whatever is handy, if you’re suddenly and six month’s wait from a custom dehorned in such a way as to ensure Shooting with one’s off hand, or abbreviated 1911, but I think it has triple-whammy of a locked slide, restricted to one-handed use and gunsmith. (More money and longer that neither cuts or rips. support hand, is typically work. as much to do with the fact that only one hand available for work, have to manipulate the slide. if the ‘smith is really good and has a The frame and mainspring hous- Heavy triggers make it very easy to the pistolsmiths at Dan Wesson and an existing threat to deal with, In-between the sights, in their backlog to prove it.) ing have very clean, regular and work into a flinch, or other problem. know how to make a pistol. Even a you can use the rear sight to quickly dovetails, is a serrated rib. The slide perfectly matches precise checkering. Twenty-five lpi compact pistol. rack the slide and get things going The rib is machined out the three-inch barrel, with is the Dan Wesson standard. The Not every pistol is perfect. My ECO your way again. of the top of the the slide frontstrap has been lifted, and com- features a right-handed safety. I like the ECO—a lot. For a guy bined with the high-ride beavertail Were I to be packing this who has a safe full of 1911s, many of grip safety and a slender thumb (particularly as a backup) those expensive custom 1911s, I’m safety that’s also serrated with a really tempted by this one. As the shelf. The ECO is compact, an easy- one I obtained for testing was only to-pack pistol. On the bottom of the the second production sample from frame there is no bolt-on or added Dan Wesson, they’re going to want magazine well funnel. This is a this one back. How unfortunate. compact carry pistol, and that would Given the amazingly reasonable compromise too much in terms price this one lists for (I mean, for a of carrying concealed. lightweight Officer’s Model, dripping However, the magazine with custom features) it won’t take well is gently tapered long to save up for another. to make reloads easier, Get yours, or get in line behind me. without adding bulk. In the old days, for a custom gunsmith to announce The frontstrap of the ECO wears 25 lpi Accuracy and reliability are finally acheived in an Officer’s Model 1911. checkering—the Dan Wesson standard. that he had arrived, he’d take a The combination has been accomplished with a carefully fitted bushing- standard 1911 and chop it down to less match barrel and slide fit along with a full length guide rod.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 12 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 13 QuestM acnab CZ RINGNECK CZ 550 An CZ Ri gneck and CZ 550 get put to the ultimate test in the highlands of Scotland. he tale of the Macnab stems from the 1925 novel By Mike Schoby John Macnab written by John Buchan. In sum- mary, the book centers around three high rolling TScots who have become bored with their daily lives so they concoct a plan to add a little bit of zest to stave off the mundane.

The three sporting gentlemen put pen to paper and send three estates a letter. In the letter they notified the estate’s owner of their intent to poach either a stag or a salmon from their property in the next 48 hours and deliver the said salmon or stag to the door of the main house. If the estate owner accepted the challenge and if they get away undetected the estate owner needs to make a 50 pound donation to charity. If they are caught, the offenders will have to make a 100 pound donation to charity. To protect their real identity they collec- tively signed the letter with the Nom de plume, John Macnab. From this original tale the Macnab challenge grew into an organized sporting adventure. Today, it is generally recog- nized as shooting a stag, a brace of CZ-USA, I suggested we try for of grouse and catching an Atlantic a Colorado Macnab—elk, grouse salmon all in one day…I can only and trout. She rebutted, “Why don’t guess as to why they shortened time we just do the real thing?” Having frame and increased the bag limit, a shortage of red deer, red grouse but that’s just how it is. and Atlantic salmon in my neck of I read about the Macnab off and the woods, I decided to start looking on in sporting titles over the years for an outfitter who could accommo- and then last season while sitting in date. We found the ideal kilt-wearing an elk camp with Alice Poluchova candidate at the SCI show in Reno

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 14 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 15 My first shot was not far behind him, and after a quick lead recalculation, the second charge brought him down to earth.

Nevada ­—Michael McCrave, (Michael “I found it! The estate borders Bal- easy part, handling the details of town of Ballater. After briefly meet- McCrave Hunting Limited, huntingva- moral castle (for those unfamiliar with actually hunting there is something ing with the gamekeeper Ab (game- cationsscotland.com) Balmoral, it is the Queen of England’s entirely else. Luckily, Michael made keepers, as the name implies, are “I can organize it,” he said, “but summer residence in Scotland...not it possible (without his help, bringing the guide in charge of the hunt for I’ll have to find the perfect setting, a bad zip code) and the fabled River a firearm into Scotland would be a particular estate), we unpacked, one with a good population of both Dee flows through it.”It sounded akin to climbing Mount Everest in sighted in and readied ourselves for grouse and stags and a quality river ideal so we booked a week for later bare feet). After flying intoL ondon the following morning. tional Scottish breakfast. Contrary one to try for my Macnab and Alice in close proximity. Let me check into that fall. then onto Edinburgh, Scotland, we D awn broke clear and still, the sun to popular belief it was not whisky, would have all of the second day. it and I’ll get back to you.”A couple of We quickly found out that booking were met at the airport and whisked barely poking above the mountain but bangers and eggs. It had been Climbing into Land Rover Defender weeks passed before Michael called, a hunt in the United Kingdom is the away to the hunting estate near the as we finished the last of our tradi- decided that I would get all of day 110s, we headed up the mountain and quickly exchanged the heavily forested bottomland for the open heather-covered moors. We had barely reached the top when we spotted a covey of red grouse working their way through a thick patch of heather. I jumped out and uncased a 28-gauge CZ Ringneck. Plunking two shells in the twin chambers, I headed after them. The covey ducked down to hide then as I neared, they burst from the thick cover as if shot from a cannon. Even though I expected it, I was still startled and before I knew it the birds were quickly rocketing out of range. My first barrel caught a bird square and dropped him, the second just pulled feathers and the bird set his wings and sailed across a valley

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 16 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 17 I pushed the trigger forward to set it, and then slowly started applying light pressure as the crosshairs settled on the shoulder.

Walking down to the first pool I forth in the current. Then as quickly caught a glimpse of a large salmon as he was on, he was off. Heart- break the surface. Then another, broken, I fished for the next several and another. This river was loaded hours, not taking a break to eat or with fish! drink. I only threw in the towel when Considering most people do not it became too dark to see the water. achieve the Macnab because of The River Dee only gives so many the difficulty in catching an Atlantic chances and that one was mine. salmon, I felt lucky. I truly hit the So as the clock ticked down to right time and the right place. I midnight I resigned myself to the unspooled some line off the reel and fact that the Macnab had eluded Spey cast across the river. As the fly me, but in the end it was a worth- drifted to a stop below, I took one while adventure that I’m glad I tried. step downstream and recast, swing- Along the way, a unique slice of the ing the fly across the pool again. sporting tradition Scotland offers I repeated this process until I had was revealed. worked through the entire pool from Over the next couple of days top to bottom covering every pos- Alice took a nice stag and a brace sible lie a salmon might inhabit. No of grouse as well, but like me, no fish, but no worries. It was probably Atlantic salmon filled her net. We just a matter of trying a different fly. both plan to return, and I am confi- Reselecting a new pattern, I dent we’ll get the job done. We’ll have worked the pool again. Then I did a secret weapon next time. Alice let it it again with a different rod rigged slip that CZ-USA could possibly offer with the rest of the covey. One for property—so seeing this many stags it, and then slowly started applying with a sinking line. I was starting a limited edition, harpoon rifle— two, not excellent, but not a bad way is not always the norm. A group of light pressure as the crosshairs to get worried when the line came fittingly called the modelD ee. to start off the morning. Putting the 300 animals fed quietly on the far settled on the shoulder. At the shot, to a sudden stop. As instructed, I bird in the back of the Rover, I cased mountain a mile away, while a group the stag dropped instantly. The paused for a second before lifting IF YOU GO the gun and we headed off again of 50 or so fed directly above us. Federal cartridge propelling the the rod tip to set the hook. The fish Traveling to the UK with firearms is in search of stag, but hadn’t gone What caught our attention was a 180-grain Trophy Bonded Tip bullet was there, strong and heavy—fresh no easy task. In fact, it is a monu- 100 yards before a single grouse bachelor group of six stags. In the worked perfectly. from the sea and ready to fight. I mental bureaucratic pain that any scurried from the light heather group were two shooters and they It was barely past noon and I had could feel his power as he shook his civilized country with a head on its to the heavy stuff and sat tight. were in a position for a relatively easy two of the three species for the large hooked-nose head back and shoulders should be embarrassed Scarcely believing my good luck, I stalk. Checking the wind, we decided Macnab. We loaded up the Land to subject hunters to. Be that as it exited the vehicle and with a quick, the best route would be to circle Rovers and headed off the hill in may, if you want to bring a firearm, high-legged step through the cover around the herd and work in from the search of the elusive Atlantic salmon. you can do it but you have to jump headed to where I last saw it. When I downwind side. Within a half an hour we were out many ridiculous hoops. The first step reached within 30 yards, the grouse After walking for a mile or so we of our hunting boots and into a pair involves using a reputable outfitter exploded upward, instantly catching crept up over a small ridge that was of waders that I had exchanged Ab and getting all of your paperwork the wind. My first shot was not far keeping us out of sight from the the Game Keeper for Ian the Ghillie turned into that outfitter months behind him, and after a quick lead group of stags. They were still there, (yes, everyone has a title and role in ahead of your trip. After packing a recalculation, the second charge now bedded 250 yards away. Crawl- the sporting life of Scotland). Ian is rifle and shotgun throughE ngland brought him down to earth. It was ing on hands and knees we closed part guide, part biologist, and part and Scotland, I don’t care do it barely 9:30 and I had one leg of my the distance to 200 yards. I crawled management professional. He has again and recommend borrowing Macnab eliminated. up next to Ab and cycled the bolt a 14-mile stretch (or “beat” as it is one of Michael McCrave’s rifles and We crested the top of a highland to chamber a round. The stag was called locally) of the Dee and controls shotguns while you’re there. moor, shut off the truck and started slightly quartering away as I laid the number of people who fish it—for Mike McCrave Hunting Limited glassing. As luck would have it, the CZ 550 in .30-’06 over my pack our little endurance test he reserved huntingvacationscotland.com stags were everywhere. It was all placed on a small heather mound. several of his best pools for our Ian Murry, Dee Fishing Ghillie fair chase—no high fences on this I pushed the trigger forward to set exclusive use. [email protected]

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 18 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 19 TheRetro CZ 83 THE CZ 83 redefines the classic approach to practical carry.

By JAMES TARR I Photos by SEAN UTLEY ith a massive surge in the number of states allowing for concealed carry, the number of people who are getting firsthand knowledge Wof what it’s like to carry a firearm regularly has gone up dramatically. For years, many of those people could only “talk the talk.” Now that they can “walk the walk” they are discovering that carrying a full-size pistol isn’t always an option.

Due in large part to America’s to this as a compact gun, it’s not a emerging CCW nation, the number of pocket pistol. Rather, it’s a midsize compact and subcompact pistols— steel gun built durable enough to most with polymer frames—has withstand even the rigors of police exploded. New owners, however, or military duty. The CZ 83 is nearly soon learn that ease of carry does identical to its predecessor, the 12- not necessarily translate into an shot 9x18 Makarov-chambered CZ enjoyable experience at the range. 82. The CZ 82 could be found in the Small, light pistols are easy to holsters of European law enforce- carry, but are hard to aim and shoot ment up until just a few years ago. accurately at any speed. And try Not surprisingly, the CZ 83 has a shooting a lot of rounds during very European appearance (less the practice. Nobody takes a pocket gun Euro magazine release behind the out to the range for a day of plinking. floorplate of the magazine). The slide After bouncing from one end of the is reminiscent of a PPK, but the simi- spectrum to the other, many of us larity ends there. To be honest, the who carry are choosing a midsize first time I saw a CZ 83 my expecta- pistol to be more practical. It’s the tions were low, but the more I shot it middle ground between shootability the more I liked it. One of the reasons and ease of carry. This is exactly for my growing favor toward it is where the CZ 83 is at home. that the slide has such an unusual The CZ 83 is an all-steel 12+1 profile and because it has a fixed .380 automatic with a 3.8-inch barrel. Fixed barrels are good for two barrel and a weight of 26 ½ ounces. reasons: They make the gun more It’s also available in a blued finish, accurate, and they put the bore very or this satin nickel version seen low in the hand. This reduces felt here. Besides the growing trend to recoil and muzzle rise. As opposed chamber carry guns in .380, this one to most American-designed pistols can also be had in a .32 ACP variety. where the serial number is marked In .32, the CZ 83 comes with a 15- on the frame, the CZ 83 wears its round magazine. Although CZ refers matching serial numbers on the

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 20 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 21 Whie l it’s roughly the same size as many popular nines, the CZ 83 is much more concealable.

Once apart, should not be difficult for anyone who CZ 83 the pistol reveals has ever done the same with a 1911— TYPE: DA/SA, semiauto a polished feed as the procedure is identical. Push in Caliber: .32 ACP, .380 ACP ramp that per- on the firing pin with a punch until it (tested) fectly blends with clears the firing-pin stop, then slide CAPACITY: 12 (.380), 15 (.32) the barrel. As the the stop downward while covering the BARREL: 3.8 in. barrel is fixed to end of the slide with a finger so the OVERALL LENGTH: 6.77 in. the frame, that firing-pin assembly doesn’t fly across WEIGHT: 2 6.5 oz feeding angle will the room. CZ-USA has the instruction GRIPS: B lack plastic stay the same manual posted on its Web site, as well FINISH: Satin nickel no matter what. as a video showing how to field strip TRIGGER: 1 2 lb. DA/5 lb. SA SIGHTS: Three dot, green This gets part the pistol if you have any trouble. credit for the 100 In this age of defensive auto pistols The trigger guard wears checkering for those luminescent, fixed (front), shooters who prefer to place the support hand’s drift adj. notch (rear) percent reliability the size of cigarette lighters cham- index finger in front of the guard during firing. I’ve experienced bered for .380 and 9mm, the thought with the CZ 83. of purchasing (much less carrying an barrel hood and slide. As the barrel is gun personally, but I’ve also rusted recoil. The front of the triggerguard the sights briefly with a flashlight, The recoil spring fits around the all-steel .380) might seem unneces- attached to the frame, technically the blued guns with sweat. That won’t is checkered as well, since there are they glowed as brightly as the finest barrel and is a simple single-coil sary to people. While there is no barrel is the receiver. happen with nickel. The double- some that like to place the support tritium insert sights available. After 10 design. After removing the grips by arguing that 9mm, .40 S&W and Like its big brother—the CZ 75— action trigger pull on my CZ 83 is hand’s index finger on it. minutes, they still glowed, but more way of the slot-head screws, you .45 ACP are all more powerful and the 83 is a DA/SA automatic that stiff and noticeably heavier than The flattop slide is serrated, and faintly. Whether or not they’ve been can see that the mainspring fits effective cartridges than the .380 can be carried cocked-and-locked what I’ve experienced with used 82s the CZ is equipped with black plastic exposed to light and glow, these dots around the hammer strut. Further ACP, the fact is that if private citizens in Condition One. The ambidex- and 83s. That’s very common, and grips, the bulging palm sections provide a very good sight picture. disassembly for cleaning or mainte- ever need to use their legally carried trous safety is not a decocker. The the great thing about all-steel trigger of which are checkered. The grips The hammer is a spur type and nance is not recommended. firearms, the lion’s share of those safety cannot be engaged when the systems is that the more times the feature a prominent ridge below comes down far enough there might If extensive firing has been done, encounters will occur at conversa- hammer is down, but the pistol does trigger is pulled, the smoother and a finger groove, which made for a be hammer-bite issues for people CZ recommends taking apart the tional distances with no intervening have an internal hammer rebound lighter that pull gets. CZs are built comfortable grip but made it almost with very large hands using a high magazine and firing-pin mechanism. barriers apart from clothing. While safety. After decades of shooting for a lifetime of hard use. impossible to access the magazine grip, but I didn’t experience such Removing the firing-pin assembly it’s roughly the same size as many 1911s, I use a thumb-high hold with The frame of the pistol is big release without turning the pistol in issues. The safety body actually everything, and the safety of the CZ enough for me to get my whole my hand. The magazine baseplates forms a part of the beavertail on the 83 lends itself well to this. It clicks on hand around it, which is a definite are removable for cleaning, and the frame just under the hammer and and off in a very positive manner. The plus when it comes to managing magazines have three unmarked pivots on a pin. This design seems thumb safety is ambidextrous, index holes at the rear to wit- robust, but results in an unexpected as is the magazine release. ness the fourth, eighth and 12th gap between safety and frame at the I wouldn’t want to carry the rounds levels in the magazine. rear of the pistol when the safety is in pistol Condition One until I had The followers were constructed the Off position. practiced getting the safety off of black polymer. There are only a few ways to during the drawstroke a number The sights on the CZ 83 are disassemble a pistol with a barrel of times. The serrated safety good for a gun this size. The permanently attached to the frame. isn’t small, but my spoiled rear is a dovetailed notch, and To disassemble the CZ 83, first thumb is used to the oversize the front is a post slid in from remove the magazine and make combat ledges now found on the front and secured with a roll certain that the pistol is unloaded. 1911 thumb safeties. pin. On used CZ 82s and 83s, Lower the safety off. Pull down on For this evaluation I tested a I’ve seen plain black rear sights the trigger guard until it clicks and satin nickel CZ 83. The frame combined with a vertical white- stays open. Retract the slide all the and slide have a matte nickel line insert in the front sight that way back, then lift up on the rear of finish, but all the controls and works quite well. The sights on the slide. It will pivot upward, and small parts are matte blued this new gun wore three, bright once it is high enough to clear the Finished in blue, the controls and grip contrast well on a satin nickel-finish (including the triggerguard). I Like the CZ 75 and DW 1911, the CZ 83 features a green dots. This turned out to rear of the barrel, pull the slide as- CZ 83. Controls are oriented in the same ergonomic locations as most classic prefer the looks of an all-blued thumb safety that locks the hammer to the rear. be luminous paint. When I hit sembly off the front of the pistol. semiauto pistols.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 22 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 23 I know someone who recently bought a CZ 83 for a female new to shootING, and the choice makes perfect sense to me.

popular polymer nines, the ideal self-defense pistol the CZ 83 is much more is not only one you have concealable. That extra with you, but one that you weight is certainly an don’t mind practicing with advantage over the light- and that hits hard enough weights when it comes time to get the job done. The to pull the trigger. older I get, the more I real- Ammunition manufactur- ize that bullet placement ers didn’t sit idly by while is more important than gun companies introduced caliber. If the pistol you’re more variations of carry pis- shooting has so much tols using .380, so premium muzzle blast and recoil hollow points in this caliber With its ejection port profile, slide serrations and exposed that you hate to practice are easy to find. Modern extractor, the CZ 83 exhibits a relationship to the CZ75. with it or can’t find your defensive ammunition is sights after the first shot, far superior to what you could find on as fast as we could pull the trigger. it’s not serving you well. Personally, the shelves just 20 years ago, and the At 15 yards the front sight would I’d carry a .380 before I’d carry a .380 ACP JHPs of today are designed rise up to the top of the silhouette .357 Magnum. Even with premium to expand even when fired out of the target under recoil, then go straight JHPs, the CZ 83 is tame. And while ultra-short barrels of subcompacts. back down to nestle in the rear sight. a 90-grain JHP at 1,000 fps is no Taking the CZ 83 out to the range Because the CZ is so flat-shooting, magnum thunder hammer, thousands was fun. Not only does the fixed I was able to track the front sight of violent threats have been fended barrel provide great accuracy, recoil during the entire recoil impulse. off by less powerful cartridges. The isn’t a four-letter word. Range vol- I know someone who recently CZ 83 has good ergonomics, is very unteers couldn’t outrun the gun, and bought a CZ 83 for a female new controllable at any speed, holds 12 we could keep all shots inside the to shooting, and the choice makes +1 rounds, and has an MSRP of only A-zone of an IPSC target at 10 yards perfect sense to me. Remember, $444. What’s not to like?

While the all-steel CZ 83 is not a pocket gun, it is a conceal- able, light-recoiling pistol that points naturally and can be had in a choice of a blued finish or satin nickel.

accuracy results Bullet Weight Avg. Velocity Standard Make (gr.) (fps) Deviation Group (in.) Black Hills FMJ 95 922 21 2.2 Cor-Bon Pow’R Ball 70 1,077 22 3.2 Hornady XTP JHP 90 981 13 1.8

Accuracy results are the averages of four five-shot groups at 25 yards from a sandbag rest. Velocities are the averages of 10 shots measured with a Shooting Chrony F-1 Alpha chronograph 12 feet from the muzzle.

www.cz-usa.com 24 cz-usa.com „If future generations ask us what we are fighting for [in World War Two], we shall tell them the story of Lidice.“

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Meet Function CZ WINGSHOOTER Aew n CZ stack gets a double-size workout PC era), Tom turned to me and said straight shooting in Argentina. in his characteristic booming voice, wasn’t a challenge cz wingshooter “Mind if I give that a try?” anymore, the duo TYPE: Over/under By MIKE SCHOBY Even though I knew he was going turned to off the GAUGE: 12, 3 in. to make my feeble attempts at wing shoulder, then one- Capacity: 2 shooting look like I was an amateur, handed, then over Barrel: 28 in. hether your loads that substituted for real The Wingshooter balanced remark- I begrudgingly handed over the the head and finally Overall Length: 45.5 in. game is sporting cartridges into the chrome-lined ably light and easy between the gun. The first dove dropped without from the hip. Their Weight: 7.3 lb. Turkish walnut clays, trap, skeet bores. I spied a lone dove screaming hands, and the 28-inch barrels a twitch; the second unlucky pair miss percentage Stock: Finish: Blued or the upland across the milo field, headed in our provided enough muzzle weight to dropped out of the sky in unison. didn’t leave the single W Trigger: Selectable fields, there is no shortage direction. Nodding as if I were still aid follow-through. But those were After that, the puffs of feathers digits. I made a reso- Sights: B rass bead of sexy stack-barreled offer- paying attention to Dave, I shoul- just the mechanical specifications; blended into each other, with Tom lution then and there ings, so why enter another dered the gun and pulled feathers the real delight was in the finer and Dave (who is Master-class and to either get better beauty into the pageant? with the bottom barrel. The dove details. For a production-grade a good trick shot in his own right) with a shotgun or start shooting with because even if I can’t ever shoot “Filling a niche is what we were went into a tailspin, rapidly fluttering gun, the Turkish walnut stocks and taking turns with the Wingshooter, worse shots. No matter what I do, I’ll like a master, at least I can look after,” says Dave Miller of CZ-USA. to stay aloft when the top barrel Schnabel fore-end were remarkable, making the sky rain feathers. When likely bring the Wingshooter along good missing. “There are lots and lots of good caught him and brought him down and well-executed 18-lines-per-inch over/unders out there today, a fact for keeps. “Well, it shoots as good checkering provided purchase as we fill well with our Redhead, Sport- as it looks,” I responded. well as a classic look. While not ing and Upland models, but we saw I snapped open the gun; the hulls needed for doves, the three-inch a need to have something with some ejected over my shoulder, leaving chambers and interchangeable stylish good looks, Old World class twin contrails and that oh-so-good chokes make it a gun for all seasons, but at a price that still allowed guys smell of freshly burnt powder that all game. Tipping the scales at just to use it in the field.” not even Chanel No. 9 can compete over six pounds, the Wingshooter is Noting the amazing scrollwork with. I grabbed two more cartouches a full-size gun without being unduly and hand-engraved sideplates, I and closed the breech. The boxlock heavy or cumbersome. It straddles broke open the gun and inserted action was smooth but tight and the line between being light enough a brace of filthy-burning Argentine promised to wear in very well. to carry but not kicking like a mule. The doves were starting to fly now, The Wingshooter is a full-size gun and I brought down bird after bird with without being unduly heavy or surprising regularity. As anyone who cumbersome. It straddles the line has stood next to me on a sporting between being light enough to carry Triple River offers general gun repair, rebluing, restocking, but not kicking like a mule. clays course will attest, I am no fine refinishing as well as sales for firearms of all makes and models. We specimen with a scattergun. My brain specialize in rebarreling, restocking and customizing CZ and Brno has been too-long intoned with sight Triple River have offered their services as custom gun makers and rifles, general gun repair, rebluing, restocking, and refinishing alignment, breath control and trigger professional gunsmiths for 30 years. Located in the heart of the firearms of all makes and models. Triple River is the only CZ-USA squeeze to be any more than just Ozarks in Warsaw, MO, Triple River’s gunsmiths bring over 80 years authorized warranty center for Safari Classics rifles. passable with a shotgun, but on that of collective experience to your gunsmithing project. Triple River is a federally licensed firearms manufacturer and sunny day in Cordoba, Argentina, I Whether you are looking to repair your grandfather’s gun or if dealer. Rifles and shotguns can be shipped directly to our location for felt like Tom Knapp…at least until Tom you want to have a custom gun built from scratch, we are here to services, and when complete, can be shipped directly back to you with no additional paperwork required. Our shop is open 6 days a week, Knapp, CZ-USA pro shooter, strolled satisfy your needs and desires. We take pride in every firearm that we have the privilege to work on. Monday - Friday from 8am - 4pm Saturday from 8am - noon. down the field edge to see what all the

noise was about. Handing his CZ 912 autoloader to a field technician (they Triple River Gunsmithing are custom gun makers and professional gunsmiths used to be called bird boys in a less for over 20 years located in the heart of Ozarks in Warsaw, MO www.cz-usa.com 26 cz-usa.com 619 Commercial St. Warsaw, MO 65355 • phone: 660. 438. 2004 • website: www.tripleriver.net • email: [email protected] Nyati CZ 550 safari magnum A fRICA’s ‘Black Death’ demands a rifle you can depend upon. f all the animals I have hunted around the world, none By Kevin E. Steele fires my blood as does the Cape buffalo. Were I able, I would ceaselessly hunt nyati until I grew sick of Othe pursuit. Then I would concern myself with other matters and interests, all the while realizing that eventually the buffalo madness would return and my lust for the chase would send me back into the bush, following their spoor.

Over the last 10 years I have along the two-tracks, cutting the come to rely upon the CZ 550 Safari blocks in search of fresh sign. When Magnum rifles as my choice for it is found, the foot chase begins, Cape buffalo and other danger- and you’ll be dragging your rifle for ous game. In that time I have hours as you follow the trackers taken four buffalo and a slew of through dense thorn thickets and plains game with these rifles, jesse. You’ll belly-crawl across and my life has often de- sand-filled dongas, clamber up and pended upon them. Rugged, over termite mounds and in some reliable and deadly accurate, cases wade through waist-deep the CZ 550 Safari Magnum estuaries and marshes. Count on is the choice of most African the fact that your rifle will take a professional hunters, and I beating, to say nothing of yourself. have learned through hands-on Finally, which may surprise some, experience why this is the case. the rifle needs to be accurate, and by that I mean capable of put- WHAT MAKES A BUFFALO RIFLE? ting one bullet atop the other at a First and foremost and without distance of 50 yards. exception, a buffalo rifle has to fire every time you pull the trigger. THE SAFARI MAGNUM Selecting a rifle for dangerous game The CZ 550 Safari Magnum is often is the same as selecting a handgun referred to as a Mauser 98 clone. for self-defense. Reliability must be It’s true to some extent, but the real your primary concern, and your final story is that the CZ 550 action is an selection must be rendered dispas- improvement over the century-old sionately and without compromise. Mauser design. Second, a proper buffalo rifle must Such new features include a feed, extract and eject without a hint heavier firing pin with a unique of sticking or jamming. Third, the rifle locking nut that retains the powerful needs to be rugged enough to stand coil mainspring on the firing pin. up to the rough use it will receive. Also, the weight of the firing pin Make no mistake—properly combined with the coil spring deliv- hunting buffalo is a very physical ers both fast lock time and reliable activity. At first light you’ll be riding ignition of even the hardest primers.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 28 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 29 Rugged, reliable and deadly accurate, the CZ 550 Safari Magnums are the choice of most African professional hunters.

hunters and experienced PHs, it ap- hooves of the oncoming buffalo filled pears to me that most buffalo horror our ears and rose to a mighty cre- stories begin with the hunter either scendo as they rapidly covered the botching his first shot or not having a 300 yards between us. A rising cloud thorough understanding of the Cape of dust appeared to our front, and buffalo’s anatomy from all angles. trees. The PH then sent a tracker we suddenly realized that instead of Rest assured that a heart/lung shot out to the flank and told him to run passing to our flank, the herd was will indeed kill a buffalo, but it takes upwind of the herd. It was his hope headed in our direction. time to happen. Within that time, you that the scent of the tracker coming Catching sight of the leading have given that buff the opportunity back to them on the breeze would element in the herd, our PH shouted to charge, should he desire to die in send the herd back our way in their for my wife and the trackers to get that manner. retreat. Ideally, we would be able behind some trees to our rear, while When the time comes to pull the to watch them as they passed and he and I faced down the stamped- trigger on a buffalo, I always advise hopefully pick out a good bull on the ing buffalo. to forego the classic heart-lung shot edge of the herd. TheH P then began shouting at the Once fresh spoor is found, the hunters dismount, make Trackers carry a hindquarter of buffalo after a successful and aim for the high shoulder, the Things don’t always go the way oncoming buffalo while he jumped a plan and begin the follow-up. hunt, as the PH leads the queue and the hunters follow. result of which is broken shoulders or you plan. The tracker did his job, and up and down, waving his hat above a shattered spine, both of which will as his scent wafted to the buffalo, his head. I immediately followed Additionally, the CZ 550 has a more CZ. The Safari Magnums can be This may come as a shock, but anchor that buff to the ground. they abruptly turned and stampeded his example, all the while doubting robust bolt stop and fixed ejector. had in .375 H&H, .404 Jeffery, .416 based on my personal experience With all that said and digested, back along their trail. The rumbling his sanity, not to mention my own. Notable as well is the ejector groove, Remington, .416 Rigby, .450 Rigby, the .375 H&H cartridge does not though, remember clearly Incredibly, the leading buf- which is cut through the bottom of .458 Winchester, .458 Lott, .500 make an ideal buffalo or elephant that despite all your experi- falo stopped not 20 yards the undercut bolt head rather than Jeffery and .505 Gibbs. rifle. I have taken buffalo with the ence, knowledge, skill and in front of us, as we jumped through the locking lug as on the .375 and witnessed other hunters best intentions, things can around like lunatics. The original Mauser. The 550 undercut HUNTING NYATI take a half dozen more in my pres- still go frighteningly wrong. buffalo to the rear of the bolt face helps prevent double- H aving settled the issue of which rifle ence. All the buffalo died, but none Not all dangerous encoun- front element rammed into loading, as can happen with a fully re- to take on a buffalo hunt, let’s take a dropped to the first shot. When I take ters result from a charge of those ahead, nudging them cessed bolt face on a Mauser. Finally, look at actually hunting Cape buffalo. the shot, I want the buffalo down and a wounded buffalo. Here closer toward us. the CZ uses a fore-end screw that First and foremost, remember unable to get back up. Finishers are are a few tales from the As the buffalo stopped mates to a dovetail block inset into that the key to killing buffalo is this: cheap insurance, but a follow-up dark side. in a lurch, we snapped our the underside of the barrel. This cre- Never shoot until you are absolutely on a wounded bull never gives you rifles to our shoulders and ates a third point of contact with the certain of where your bullet is going better than 50/50 odds that things TALES TO BE TOLD covered those animals stock in addition to the normal fore to hit, and as Robert Ruark correctly may end in tragedy. Our group had picked up closest to us, the muzzles of and aft guard screws. All combine in stated, use enough gun. A much better choice for buff and the trail of a good-size herd our guns swaying back and a rifle that‘s brutally tough. elephant begins with the .404 Jeffery that was moving quickly forth across the snorting I have found as well that the CZ and one of either the .416 Remington toward an area of heavy phalanx as we searched hammer-forged barrels are consis- or Rigby. My personal choice has cover. They were looking their eyes, hoping see a clue tently accurate—whether it’s a rimfire become the .458 Lott, a round that for an afternoon nap. After as to their next intentions. or a magnum. The single-set trigger has proven itself to amateur and awhile, our PH realized that That’s what we watched— is reliable and easily adjustable. In professional hunters in the decade the buff would get to the their eyes. the “un-set” mode, they break cleanly following its commercial introduc- thick stuff before we were The standoff lasted only at around three to four pounds of tion. In fact, I was the first to take a able to catch up to them. seconds, but it seemed far pressure, which is perfect for a buffalo with the commercially loaded Knowing that sorting a bull longer. Abruptly, the herd dangerous-game rifle. Setting the Lott in 2001, and it has not let me out of the herd once they turned to our left and bolted trigger at the range helps the shooter down since. reached sanctuary would be off, a mass of surging black determine the utmost accuracy The first step in putting down a impossible, he came up with bodies amid swirling dust potential that the rifle is capable of. buff with one shot is to get close— an alternative plan. as they gave us a berth of N o other manufacturer of produc- and then get closer. Fifty yards is We halted in a spot with a mere yards. As the herd tion rifles offers such great range ideal, and 25 is even better. Following fair degree of open grass- This bull fell to the author’s 550 Safari magnum in .458 thundered by, we never did of calibers for dangerous game as years of conversation with other land spotted about with Lott. The rifle is topped with an Aimpoint dot sight. see a good bull.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 30 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 31 My blood was up as we were doing what I love — getting right into the herd, as close as possible.

and gravelly, with sparse tufts of what to expect. The unknown is a brown grass shooting up here and compelling reason to continue the there amid shattered mopani trees chase. Anything can happen when whose tops had been lopped off by hunting; simple mistakes, poor feeding elephant. Hot and thirsty, marksmanship, a shift in the wind or my mind had begun to wander, and just bad luck will put you in harm’s I found myself dreamily gazing up like you do when closely avoiding way. Indeed, it is the danger that at the stunningly blue sky and its a wreck. I suppose that’s a good makes buffalo hunting so addictive. merciless sun. I was suddenly torn analogy because if she had seen or My best trophy to date resulted in from my reverie by my PH, who had heard us, or caught our scent, we the hunt of a large floodplain along dropped to his knees and was pull- would have been in a wreck for sure. the banks of the Zambezi. Papyrus ing me down toward him. That said, however, I would never reeds towered tall, their fluffy tops “Quiet! Don’t move!” he hissed. trade that experience for anything, gently swaying in the early-morning Less than 25 yards in front of us, a and it’s a perfect example of why I breeze. Between them lay grassy More than a dozen buffalo hunts have taught the author that express sights or an optical dot are preferable to Loading a bull buffalo into the Cruiser is no small task; small herd of buffalo were shuffling would rather hunt buffalo than any plots struggling to survive in the a variable scope when hunting nyati in the thick stuff. loading two is a Herculean effort! down the slope, themselves seem- other game. deep, sandy soil. Jungle-like growths ingly burdened by the oppressive I suppose that one reason buf- of trees resided along still, stagnant Another dangerous situation that The first shot was not a good one, Add it up. That bull had absorbed heat of the late-morning sun. They falo hunting remains so intoxicating ponds and inlets of water, the after- one can encounter when in pursuit and upon impact, rather than retreat- a total of 3,200 grains of medicine, were spread over a 50-yard front, for me is that when hunting these math of a heavy rainy season. of buffalo is to run into an animal that ing, the enraged bull immediately nearly a half pound, before dying. but I realized with a start that a cow animals, you never have an idea of We spotted a good-size herd of has been previously wounded either charged the three hunters. All three Still and all, the absolute thrill and her calf were walking buffalo foraging amid the by a poacher’s bullet or snare. While commenced firing at the buffalo, and of buffalo hunting comes from the directly toward us. reeds and took up their I have not personally run afoul of an thankfully, six rounds later, it col- ever-present possibility that things She continued straight track. Testing the wind with injured buffalo, I did once face down lapsed at their feet. can go wrong. The closer you are to on. I could easily make out his ash bag, my PH got us a young elephant bull in a sandy Then there are the tales of the “buf- the buffalo, the greater the danger, the snot running from her positioned atop an anthill so donga whose trunk had been almost falo that won’t die.” This happened to and therein lies the adrenaline rush broad nose and her wide we could watch the herd as completely severed by a snare. my friend Hermann, who was on his so much sought after by purists in horns, the tips of which were it fed just beyond us. Unable Luckily, despite the fact that he second buffalo safari with me. He and the pursuit of nyati. as sharp as the talons of an to pick out a good bull, we appeared within 40 yards of us and his PH had been tracking a small herd I know many men who have killed eagle. I shuddered involun- descended and very slowly could dimly see us, the wind was that contained a fine old bull. They their buff at what I consider to be tarily as I realized that one and carefully moved closer in our favor, allowing us the chance closed within 50 yards of the animal, long range—more than 50 yards. swipe of her headgear could to the herd. to move quickly up a slope and out and Hermann fired his .416 Reming- To my mind, these folks have totally flay me from belly to brisket. Buffalo bellows, grunts of his path. I am pretty certain that ton, placing the bullet squarely in the missed the point of buffalo hunting, With nothing to conceal us and the bleating of calves if the wind had identified our party heart and lung kill zone. As the area in which is to get as close as possible but the thin veil of branches filled our ears as we crept as human to the elephant, he would which they had found the buffalo was so that you can hear their bellies extending from the thorn into position for a better have charged those he believed to fairly open, Hermann was able to put rumble and inhale the musky cattle bush behind which we hid, view. My blood was up as be responsible for his serious injury. two more rounds into the bull, the last scent through your nostrils. The thrill my hands tightened around we were doing what I love— U nfortunately, the same cannot be breaking his shoulders and knocking is incredible. my CZ 550 as we could only getting right into the herd, said for a couple of friends of mine on him down. If the wind is right and you are hold our breath and pray she as close as possible. The their first buffalo hunt with me. They Despite the bull absorbing 1,200 very quiet and unmoving, you will be didn’t register our presence. buffalo were milling about were following the track of a group of grains of lead, resulting in broken astounded at how close you can get I can still vividly recall her in front of us, crossing from dagga boys when at last they caught shoulders along with other internal to a buffalo—or how close a buffalo head swaying from side to left to right and back again sight of the bulls. The PH raised his injuries, he attempted to stand. Her- might get to you. Case in point: side as she ambled past in a never-ending stream. binos for a better look and noticed mann had quickly reloaded, and as The Zambezi Valley had suffered not 12 feet from our hiding The earthy odor of cattle that the largest bull had a bloody, the bull tried to rise, he rapidly fired a drought, and the country was dry place, followed placidly by dung and the strong am- suppurating wound on his shoulder. three more rounds into the struggling and brittle. We had been follow- her calf. monia smell of urine filled He was unaware that a wounded bull animal. The buff attempted yet again ing buffalo spoor since first light, We waited for them to our nostrils. was in the area, and as the bull was to regain its feet, and two additional and on toward noontime we found move on a good distance Doubled over, we crept The author’s biggest bull to date measured nearly also a good trophy, he instructed one rounds from the PH’s .416 Rigby ourselves headed up the slope of a before we stood. I readily 44-inches. A single 500-grain solid from the Lott put even closer. Suddenly, a of my friends to take him. finally settled the issue. small rise. The ground was parched admit I was shaking a bit, him down for the count. group of cows and young

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 32 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 33 I’at s a sh me, but adding the Big Five to your trophy room today will cost almost as much as the house itself.

try as we might, we could not make “Well, looks like everything worked out any of their headgear. Nearly an out just fine,” I said. hour ticked by as we waited for the “That was a great shot. He never buffalo to rise. At last, they did. moved,” the PH replied. I was on the sticks, but I still could Night was falling rapidly as it is not make out the horns beneath the wont to do in Africa as we moved shadowed tangle of tree branches the trigger just as I heard the PH say, forward to inspect my buffalo. This obscuring my view. The wind shifted, “Take the one on the left.” bull had it all: long, deeply curved bringing our scent to their nostrils, When the bullet reached the bull, horns and a heavy boss. The tape and in a rush, they made off. he dropped dead in his tracks. later put him at 43 ½ inches, making The sun got lower and lower in the “I was a bit ahead of you there,” I him my biggest bull to date. The sky, and the shadows lengthened said to the PH as I cranked another shot had hit at point of aim, cleanly as we followed behind the buffalo. round into the chamber. The other breaking his neck. The CZ 550 Making our way from cover to cover, two bulls quickly moved off, and as Safari Magnum in .458 Lott had we tracked them to a place where they did the PH said, “Yeah, that first chalked up another one-shot stop. several big trees gave them cover. one was good, but when the other I’ve come to believe that any buffa- The mighty Zambezi flows toward the Indian Ocean A small herd of buffalo, including a very good bull, They knew we were on their back- one came out from behind the tree, I lo, of either sex, hunted at close range just east of the Mopata Gorge. retreats across a lily-covered estuary of the Zambezi. trail, and we hoped that as the light thought, Wow, he’s even better.” and taken fairly, is an experience you waned the buffalo would will never forget. Trophy qual- bulls picked up their heads and callH from P Buzz Charlton, who N ot long after leaving the road, grow less careful, as they ity is indeed secondary to the looked straight into our eyes. We was chaperoning a group of Spanish we came across an old lion kill. are known to do, and wished experience for the dedicated were busted. hunters. He reported seeing a group Four hooves detached from their for an opportunity for a shot buffalo hunter. I have found The buffalo retreated and we of three dagga boys not far from legs were the last vestiges of what before last light. that my hunts for the smallest followed. They crossed through a camp. Two of the three appeared to was once a buffalo calf. Continuing Moving closer to the trees and biggest were equally wooded area with Daryl and me be quite good. My PH sent two of his on, we reached our destination behind which the buffalo had thrilling and rewarding, as on their heels. The earth ended at trackers out to the location to “put about a hundred yards from the taken sanctuary, we were is accompanying another a bank below, which stretched a them to bed,” and we intended to bedded buffalo. The PH called a rewarded when one bull hunter on his stalks and kills. broad and deep estuary filled with pick them up later in the afternoon. short conference. stepped clear of the protec- With buffalo, the hunt itself papyrus. As we reached the edge, As I rested in my bed I could “Kevin, you come with me, and tion of the foliage and turned is where you will find your we watched in amazement as the hear the water of the Zambezi as we’ll get as close as we can without to look right at us just 50 greatest satisfaction. The kill entire herd swam away from us and it gently lapped the shore outside spooking them. We’ll try to sort out yards away. means your magical time in into the reeds, their bodies plowing my chalet. The tranquil sound lulled the best bull, and when they get up The bull’s horns were long the bush is over. through the black water like bovine me to sleep, but not for long—there from their nap, you can take him,” and sweeping, then turn- Many of us lucky enough juggernauts. One of the last animals was a knock at my door. I looked at he said. ing up to pointed tips. His to go on African safari will be to reach a dry hummock amid the my watch and saw it was 3 o’clock. “Roger that,” I replied, as we boss was full and craggy. I unable to afford taking the reeds was an old bull. He stopped Gathering up my gear, I walked the began our stalk toward the sleeping slapped the fore-end of my classic Big Five of elephant, and turned to look at us over his short distance to where the Land beasts. CZ .458 Lott into the fork buffalo, rhino, lion and leop- shoulder. His action seemed a dare. Cruiser was parked, and climbing up We advanced one foot at a time. I of the shooting sticks I had ard. It’s a shame, but adding “Catch us if you can.” into the high seat, we took off. carefully made certain to step exactly been carrying and squinted the Big Five to a trophy room Truth be told, we could not, as The sun was still high as the truck where the PH had footed, avoiding through the express sights, today will cost as much as there was no manner of convey- ground its way along the sandy the cloying thorns and carefully side- settling the big ivory bead on the house itself. But buf- ance to see us across the water and tracks to an area of tall grass and stepping dry twigs and branches. the bull’s shoulder. falo are plentiful enough and into the reeds. Wading or swimming stunted trees. We met the trackers The wind was perfect, blowing in our I was just about to drop economical enough for the was out of the question, as monsto- who had been sent out earlier to faces away from the slumbering buf- the hammer when from great majority of hunters to rous crocodiles called this morass locate the buffalo, and they reported falo, and we finally stopped behind the left came another of pursue, and they will remain home. Lunch struck us as a better that the animals were about a half a small bush no more than 25 yards the three bulls. This one so for quite some time. It is alternative. mile away bedded beneath some from where the buffalo lay. seemed to dwarf the first. for this reason, that the Cape As we rested beneath the thatched trees. My PH and I chambered Peering intently through our binocu- I shifted my sights to this buffalo is the most hunted roof of the outdoor dining room at rounds into our rifles and quickly lars, we could only confirm that there bull, and holding just below This old cow, taken for camp meat with a .375 H&H CZ- and coveted dangerous Masau Camp, we received a radio followed the trackers’ lead. were three buffalo under the tree, but his sweep of horn I pressed 550, sported horns with a forty-inch spread. game in Africa.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 34 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 35 The Specialist DW SpECIAlist IN THE HOME OR ON THE STREET, THIS .45 IS POISED TO protect and serve. he Dan Wesson line of 1911s, built under the ownership of By Patrick Sweeney I Photos by SEAN UTLEY CZ-USA, have always been exceptional. As a ready-to-go, out of the box 1911, they have always surprised the market Tas a great value delivering custom features, the highest accuracy, and the best reliability. You could buy something with a longer spec sheet or higher price, however, you couldn’t pos- sibly get as much in return. The Dan Wesson lineup has now been changed, and the results are impressive.

The Specialist is your basic full-sized movement? Solidly- fitted parts ring when 1911 with a Picatinny rail for a dustcover— they are closed with more than a gentle except little is basic about it. First, the nudge. Many snick, some even sing. slide, frame and barrel have a level of While the near-musical note of the clos- fitting that’s only seen pistols hand fitted ing differs from gun to gun, the similarity by wise ‘smiths long in their years. Dan between well-fitted 1911s is this: they Wesson gunsmiths are more than skilled almost all ring like a bell when you let them craftsmen, they’re obviously shooters. close. Not so close to full slide-lock, that’s During my inspection, I can see the hours just abuse. But to let the slide close from spent filing little-by-little before lapping halfway, you can tell a lot about a fitting by and checking fit. These 1911s pass the the sound of the “snick” as it shuts. most critical scrutiny. Having spent many The Dan Wesson Specialist I’ve just years working as a gunsmith (and a lot of evaluated has such a positive, assertive that time spent on 1911s), when someone closing sound that I actually stood there Dan Wesson Specialist hands me a pistol, the second thing I do (after checking to make sure that it isn’t TYPE: Single action, recoil operated loaded) is to check the fit. Yes, the feel semiauto of the slide on the frame, and the fit of Caliber: .45 ACP the barrel as it locks up, sure. But there’s Capacity: 8+1 more to it than just that. What does the Barrel: 5 in. Overall Length: 8.5 in. slide sound like, moving on the frame? Weight: 2.31 in. Can you hear the toolmarks chattering GRIPS: G10 over each other? Or is it a smooth, almost Finish: Matte black Duty sinuous hiss as polished steel slides over Aluminum, 4 lb. Trigger: polished steel? Sights: 3-Dot, ledge-style, tritium-filled When the slide collects the barrel, links up and closes, does it sound like a collec- tion of parts brought together? Or is there a click-click-click like purpose to each

Between the set of tactical ledge night sights runs a Clark-style serrated rib across the top of the slide designed to eliminate glare.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 36 cz-u sa.com cz-u sa.com 37 A lightweight Commander hammer is During my inspection, I can see the hours spent filing little- protected by the beavertail grip safety. by-little before lapping and checking fit. The Specialist also comes with an ambi- dextrous thumb safety.

for a few seconds and just opened Eight pattern. Line the dots up, figure The mainspring housing is check- The front of each grip panel and closed it to soak in the sound. It “8”, and your sights are aligned in the ered, and at 25 lines to the inch, is machined with overlapping was that interesting—and promising. dark. It’s very intuitive. matches the checkering on the front- circular depressions to lock Once I was over that, I scanned The top of the slide is also ser- strap. The checkering is straight and your fingertips in place until you the features. The top of the slide has rated, with lateral grooves down even, and the individual diamonds relieve pressure. The rear half sights in transverse dovetails, with the rib. I took one look at that, and are square and sharp. is machined with grooves that the rear sight utilizing a tactical ledge estimated it would take a fistful of The (very) tactile grips are G10, a slant down, front to back, and to allow “belt-” or “boot-racking.” hundred-dollar bills to duplicate it in synthetic selected for its impervios- resist the torquing forces of rota- This is a technique developed (as the hands of a custom 1911 pistol- ity—to everything. It’s immune to tion in recoil. Short of slathering best I can determine) by the Los An- smith. Consider the savings a gift things that would discourage or even glue onto your hand or pistol, I’m geles Police Department. If you need from Dan Wesson. kill you; solvents, lubricants, radiation not sure there’s a way to ensure to one-handed rack your slide, hook On the frame, there is an integral and high-voltage electrical current. a more secure hold. with the frame as if they were cut the sight on your belt, holster, or sole accessory rail machined into the These grips will never chip, fade, Finally, there’s the magazine well. It from the same piece of barstock. I of the boot and shove it out and away dustcover. The slide stop pin is The Specialist features a Dan Wesson discolor or break. The surface is has a funnel around it, which bolts to have always been leery of the bolt-on from yourself. The usual ramped recessed, and its hole in the frame match barrel chambered in .45 ACP. machined with an interesting pattern. the mainspring housing by means of funnels, and those of my 1911s that Just like other Dan Wesson 1911s, this rear sight does not allow this. Dan beveled. Some take the beveling of one has a close-tolerance fit with its Rather than a traditional checkered an industrial-type Allen-head screw, have them, the bolt is locked in place Wesson took a large combat sight that hole too far, cutting an edge that barrel bushing. pattern, the surface of the grips are and recessed into the funnel at the with a generous amount of Loctite. and carved the face to produce this is too angled and deep. The Specialist machined (that’s the only way you rear. The funnel is shaped to match Details are fun, and a well-fitted stop-ridge. A belt or holster will catch has the bevel cut at a shallow angle, flush-trimmed slide stop pin is now can form G10, without incurring the contour of the grip panels, and pistol is always appreciated. How- the rear sight, and you can rack the and just deep enough to make it so out of the way of your trigger finger hideous expense). the funnel’s magwell bevels line up ever, shooting is what matters. slide that way. Plus, the sights have that it’s easy to disassemble, but not when your finger is outside of the night-sight tritium inserts, one dot so much it removes a large part of trigger guard. You do not risk pushing over the other, in Heinie’s Straight the barrel lug and frame integrity. The the slide stop out of the frame, and yet it can still be disassembled. The safety is ambidextrous. It clicks up and down with the correct amount of authority, and stays where set it. The grip safety appears to be from Ed Brown, and probably is. It’s easier to simply purchase forged grip safe- ties from Ed Brown than to try and machine them oneself. In any case, it’s the highest grip safety you can get on a 1911, and it puts your hand as high behind the gun as is possible. Inside the frame is a scalloped com- mander hammer, and combined with the fitted, match aluminum trigger, the drawstroke of the trigger is clean, crisp and purposeful. The frame features a flat main- spring housing. Long ago, I gave up trying to figure out which type shoots better for me—flat or arched. I sup- pose were I vying with the top dogs for the Single Stack Championship of the universe, it would matter, but I’m not. I can pass any qual course, and From the trigger to the hammer, every control wears serrations. A scallop cut beat most anyone I compete against. made to the left G10 grip panel provides easier access to the magazine release. So, flat it is.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 38 cz-u sa.com cz-u sa.com 39 We’re talking about a one-hole gun. It groups very well.

The rough texture G10 slabs, 25 lpi frontstrap and flat checkered main- spring housing blend together for a sure grip. The serrated Ledge sights carry a vile of tritium in forming the Straight 8, low-light sighting system.

I didn’t get to spend as much time any malfunctions while shooting the As a duty gun for a law enforcement evaluating the Specialist as much Specialist. It fed everything, and officer allowed to carry a personal as I would have liked. Short time? shot slightly to the right of point-of- purchase, all you need is to couple Absolutely, you see, the Specialist I aim. If I were permitted to perform the Specialist with a compact light, had is the first, and until a few days a long term test, I’d have to slightly put it inside one of the many duty after I had to return it, it was the adjust the sights to hit point of aim holsters available for this type of 1911, only finished specimen of the Dan for me. Groups? We’re talking about and you’re set for anything you’d ever Wesson model extant. a one-hole gun. It groups very well. expect to cover during your shift— The trigger is clean and crisp, and As a daily carry gun, you are in and a few things you wouldn’t. encourages accurate shooting. The for work with the grip safety puts the frame deep in Specialist. There my hand, and recoil was eaten up is a reason Dan by the added weight in the dust- Wesson also cover rail. That small, extra weight offers Command- below the boreline and forward er and Officer’s- of the hands aids recoil control, sized models. while the aggressive grips keep the They are still more Specialist locked into my hands. popular for carry. The precisely-fitted barrel delivers the goods accurately downrange. It has been a long time since anyone realistically tested a brand- The Specialist features a new 1911, looking to discover just deep funnel for the magazine how reliable or unreliable it might well, helping make reloads be. A modern 1911 is reliable. quick and intuitive. The Customers expect it and Dan Specialist frame offers an integral Picatinny rail with Wesson delivers. I did not an- three notches to accept most ticipate, nor did I experience, current pistol accessories.

www.cz-usa.com 40 cz-usa.com Interview with TK: The amount of practice involved with exhibition shooting is based on muscle memory. If you can’t do Tom Knapp everything within your show script Beih h nd t e tricks of a World in your sleep, you have not had enough practice. If your live-show class exhibition shooter. schedule contains 100 live shows for that year, that would be enough By Mike Schoby practice in its own. My practice contains more gun handling and loading techniques, keeping ecently, I caught up MS: How can someone get started emphasis on safety and muzzle with Tom Knapp, as an exhibition shooter? direction than shooting. RCZ-USA exhibition TK: Making difficult shots is a small MS: What is your favorite trick shot? shooter, along the edge of a part of exhibition shooting. If anyone TK: My favorite shot is based on grain field outside of Cor- is going to succeed, he must have consistency and the difficulty level. doba, Argentina. We were public relations and communications This would be my balloon routine, there to work…if you can skills first and foremost. Knowing where I have four balloons on the call testing the new CZ 912 how to market and promote goes ground and launch two clays in the autoloader and Wingshooter a long way, and there is always air. I shoot one of the clays, then over/under shotguns “work.” the need for some showmanship. I come down and shoot each balloon Between flurries of birds, caution young shooters to be careful with an individual shot, then find the bandaging fingers, chug- what they wish for. If they succeed falling clay and shoot that before it ging water and reloading to go the full gamut, they will need to hits the ground. shotguns, I interviewed forfeit their personal desire for family MS: Lots of shooters and hunters Knapp about shooting, and friends. Most family lifestyles idolize you. Do you have any shoot- guns, professional life and will not support the exhibition style ing idols? what he does for fun when of life. TK: I saw Herb Parsons on a TV not shooting. MS: How much practice does it take show in 1959. I was nine years old. Mike Schoby: What got you inter- to become good? This special display of marksman- ested in shooting? ship stuck in my mind from then Tom Knapp: Like so many other on. I never got the chance to meet kids, I was brought into it through or watch Herb live, but the idea my family, both in the form of hunting of making a living with a gun (the and recreational shooting. Tom Knapp correct way) stayed in the back of MS: What are your favorite firearms? my mind until it became reality. That TK: That is a tough one to answer. I same film has been preserved on mean, regardless if it is a rifle, pistol DVD, which you or shotgun, if it goes bang, I like it. can purchase at I am enjoying shooting the CZ 712 showmanshooter. and 912 autoloaders, but since I com. grew up shooting Winchester MS: Final question: Model 12s I still have a soft When you eat, sleep and spot for them today. breathe shooting, what do MS: How much do you you do for fun? shoot in a given year? TK: Fish. I’m from Minnesota. TK: I shoot around Besides shooting and hunt- 40,000 12-gauge ing, the next most important shotshells a year thing to a Minnesotan is and countless spending time with family and rimfire car- friends out on a lake, winter tridges. or summer. www.cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 41 Anti-Vermin CZ 527 VaRMINT T hIS CZ 527 is A tackdriver and a stellar rodent-reducer. o hose a ‘dog town, you need the right gear. The chief By PATRICK SWEENEY I Photos by SEAN UTLEY tool remains an accurate, reliable rifle, one that will keep working no matter how many rounds you send T through the barrel. CZ-USA has been importing the 527 This gets the right hand in the proper for some time now. It’s a scaled-down position for shooting prone. The comb is Mauser action that’s fed by a magazine higher, straighter and the front end of it of five rounds. In the case of the 527 comes much more forward than one on Varmint, those rounds should be of a suit- an offhand stock. The high comb gets able varmint load in either .17 Remington, your head correctly located behind the .22 Hornet, .222 Remington, .221 Fireball, scope, and its extended profile allows .204 Ruger or .223 Remington. (Not the shooter to establish optimal eye interchangeably, of course.) relief. I crawl up on a stock like no-one Once you’ve selected the chamber- else, so a long shelf at the front of the ing, you have a rifle that’s a lightweight. comb is extremely important. Depending on options, it will check in The forearm has two raised panels; between six and seven and a half pounds. one on each side with a flat bottom. It’s an ultra-reliable varmint rifle, and one The raised portions provide a secure you can easily mount a scope on. hold if you are the type of shooter who Until now, you had to pick from a prefers a hand-held support position. few attractive—but not exactly varmint For those who shoot off a front rest, shooting—functional stock designs. The resting the weight of the rifle on the flat originals are the European-style stocks, fore-end helps to keep the rifle upright such as are on the Lux and FS. European and stable. If you prefer to shoot from a hunting is usually either driven game, bipod, the 527 Varmint has a pair of sling offhand at moving critters, or from stands. swivel studs up front, one for a carry The idea of lying down on the ground, sling, and another that can be used with and consuming a carton of ammunition a bipod adapter to give the rifle a set of in a day’s time while shooting rats would legs to lean into. puzzle the average European hunter. The magazine is an all-steel, single-feed And so, the stocks are meant for offhand box magazine. shooting. No more. The scope ring and mount system is At a recent industry gathering, Jason proprietary to CZ. Generally, I’m not given Morton of CZ-USA revealed a new 527 to clamp-on ring-and-base systems. Varmint set in a varmint stock. My first Most are fragile, and fabricated just to thought was that it was a prone stock— meet a price point. They just don’t provide not a stock intended for varmint shooting. the assuredness that I usually get with a robustly-engineered set. Not so with rings ENTER THE 527 from CZ-USA. The rings are machined The 527 Varmint features a stock with from steel, and the clamping surface is a pistol grip turned sharply downward. engineered directly in the receiver rings of

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 42 cz-us a.com cz-us a.com 43 Ths i LiTTLE rifle not only wants to shoot, it demands to shoot. AS A VARMINT-SHOOTING MACHINE, IT RANKS HIGH.

Magazines will work in any 527 model with the The “mini” Mauser forged bolt features a long-claw extractor same chamber. and controlled round feed. The relief cut in the comb allow for easy removal of the bolt. The bolt release lever is located on the left side of the receiver. the rifle. Not bolted-on aluminum, but for varmint vaporizing, it isn’t such proved up to the task. Black Hills The magazine release is positioned to the machined steel. The scope will expire a big deal. The 1:9-inch twist rate Ammunition was chosen to send side just forward of the trigger guard. The long before the rings give way. allows the option of using heavy bul- 60-grain Hornady V-Max bullets bolt throw is 90 degrees, which is required Underneath, the 527 Varmint uses lets. During testing I learned that the downrange. I started out check- for the two opposing bolt lugs to engage the mating surfaces in the receiver. The the CZ single set trigger, an adjust- 1:9 twist is right on the edge for the ing zero and getting a feel for grip of the target style stock is sharply able mechanism. With a normal pull of heavyweight 75 and 77 grain bullets. the trigger. It didn’t take long to turned down and comfortably provides the trigger, it operates with a standard Some rifles shoot these weights just determine that someone close to a resting place for the firing hand. The amount of pressure. However, if you fine, while others do not. me in shooting style had zeroed safety lever is located just behind the bolt handle and is a two-position type. push the trigger forward first (until you With bullet weights of 40 grains the rifle, for it was pretty close. It feel it click) it will set, requiring less up to the mid-60s, you should have only took a few groups to get on pressure and a crisp, light trigger pull a plethora of choices in terms of at 100 yards where I then settled to fire the rifle—giving the shooter accuracy. For varminting, pick a down to shoot small groups. the feel of a match rifle’s trigger. Both fragile, accurate bullet and push it Somehow I managed to shoot four pulling or setting the trigger is an fast for less drop at longer range. sequential groups of bragging adjustable experience, and CZ-USA quality, and my heart pounded so includes complete instructions on MY EVAL hard that I could see the reticle how to adjust these settings. For the In testing the 527 Varmint, I used move against the target. standard pull, weight, creep and over- a Bushnell Elite 6500. It certainly This little rifle not only wants to travel can be adjusted. For shoot, it demands to shoot. the set trigger operation, only As a varmint-shooting weight can be adjusted. CZ 527 VARMINT machine, it ranks high. At The safety on the 527 is an MSRP of $885, there TYPE: Bolt action a large lever positioned to Caliber: .17 Rem., .204 Ruger, isn’t a better deal in a bolt the right side of the cocking .221 Fireball, action rifle chambered in piece. When you press it up, .22 Hornet, .222 Rem., .223. It would be difficult to to “Safe” it blocks the firing .223 Rem. just lay hands on a heavy- pin and locks the bolt in CAPACITY: 5 barreled .223 at that price, place. Bring it down to fire. BARREL:  24 in., 1:9-in. twist let alone one with a proper 40.4 in. The barrel measures 24 OVERALL LENGTH: prone-shooting stock. Then WEIGHT:  6 lb., 4 oz. inches long, and has a heavy add the extra sling swivel, STOCK:  K evlar profile. Inside, the chamber FINISH: Matte black adjustable trigger, and is a .223 (not a 5.56 NATO) TRIGGER: Single or set the demonstrated level of dimension. Since 5.56 NATO SIGHTS: None accuracy, and it becomes a ammunition is not designed hard deal to pass up.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 44 cz-us a.com cz-us a.com 45 M edal of Valor DW VALor D an Wesson braves the crowded 1911 market with an excellent ENTRY. ariations of the 1911 automatic pistol are as nu- By BART SKELTON merous as the stars in the heavens, so it seems. After 100 years of experimenting and improving V upon John Browning’s famous creation, the law of averages might dictate that there’s just no way to improve on it any more. The Dan Wesson Valor is evi- dence that’s not the case.

As a fan of the 1911, I’m always co-founded Smith & Wesson, started interested in shooting good ones, and Wesson Firearms Company in 1968. I’ve recently had the chance to handle It was Wesson’s intention to manu- a dandy. Dan Wesson began making facture the world’s finest revolver, .45s a few years back, and it seemed and he accomplished that to some a little odd to me. Over the years, I extent in the ones he produced. always thought of Dan Wesson as The company manufactured several strictly a revolver company. models in various calibers through When I was a kid, my dad had sev- 2000, when it was bought out. eral Dan Wesson revolvers around. The year 2000 was also when They were cased and had quick- Wesson started developing a 1911- change barrels in various lengths. style automatic pistol. In developing its The concept was a popular one, and 1911, it was the company’s intention the revolvers were of fine quality. to stay with the same idea it had in Daniel B. Wesson, the great- making revolvers: make the best, most grandson of D.B. Wesson, who accurate out-of-the-box pistol it could.

The author prefers the Heinie Ledge Straight Eight setup, which presents a stacked-dot sight picture, to the common three-dot arrangement.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 46 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 47 Upn o examining the Valor thoroughly, I was really pleased with the overall fit and finish.

The pistol features an Ed Brown Custom beavertail grip safety and thumb safety. Each are fitted perfectly into the pistol’s frame and work smoothly—par- ticularly the thumb safety, which has a nice, crisp feel when activated to either On or Off positions. Coming from Ed Brown, you know The Valor features a white outline tritium-insert front sight made by Tri- they’re high quality, too. jicon, which makes finding the dot in low light much easier. One of the first things that gener- ally catches my eye when looking I n 2005, Dan Wesson Firearms The pistol is fitted with a high- over a new pistol are the sights. The was sold again­—this time to CZ. CZ quality aluminum trigger made Valor is set up with Heinie Ledge The Valor incorporates high-end parts such as Ed Brown’s The trigger is of the highest quality and fit. It’s manufac- is one of the world’s largest pro- by Greider Precision. The trigger Straight Eight night sights, one beavertail safety and thumb safety—all fitted perfectly. tured by Greider Precision and measured 3 ½ pounds. ducers of firearms. With the solid is solid and provides a smooth, of the most effective pistol sight backing of CZ-USA, Dan Wesson is drag-free draw. Upon dry-firing systems currently available. as they’re durable, well-made and good deal of hand-fitting and -filing, slide stop, leaving the rest of the now climbing its way to the top in the Valor, I was pleased right away I’ve never been a real fan of the have proven themselves to work which I wasn’t expecting to this side slab of the slide clean. the custom 1911 pistol market. with the crisp, and relatively light three-dot sight system, which like a charm. Check-Mate maga- degree. The slide-to-frame fit is Considering how nicely the Valor I first fired a Dan Wesson 1911 trigger pull. I measured the trigger involves two dots on the rear and zines have a patented follower that outstanding, and there’s no side-to- feels right out of the box, I was several years back at a media pull with an RCBS pull scale at 3½ one on the front. The Straight Eight eliminates forward movement. side play or rattle whatsoever. anxious to get it out to a range. I event, and I was quite impressed pounds. Along with the nice trigger, system features a large dot on the Upon examining the Valor The lines are very clean, and the carried it and several brands of am- with the several models of pistols the Valor features a match-grade front sight and one small dot on the thoroughly, I was pleased with the entire gun is well polished with no munition out to my desert hideaway I shot. I recently received a new hammer and sear. rear directly underneath the notch. overall fit and finish. The pistol is sign of machine or tool marks. The and burned some powder. I started stainless steel Valor .45 automatic The checkering on the grips is This configuration is one of the best very tight, and it’s clear that Dan “Valor” logo is tastefully placed on out with Black Hills 230-grain hol- from Dan Wesson, and my posi- aggressive enough, and, combined and allows the shooter quicker ac- Wesson’s craftsmen have done a the left side of the slide just over the lowpoints, loading a few magazines tive impressions are continuing to with the excellent 25-lpi checker- quisition in low-light situations than and plinking at various targets escalate. The Valor is one of those ing on the front- and backstrap, the conventional three-dot setup. between 10 and 20 yards. The 25-lpi checkering on the front- and pistols that feels almost perfect the Valor is easy to get a good Dan Wesson fashions the Valor’s backstrap makes a firm, secure grip The Valor handled very well and immediately upon handling it. It’s hand-hold. frame and slide from forged stain- easy to get. felt great in my hands. The aggres- a full-size, all-stainless less steel, and the barrel sive checkering ensured positive defensive pistol with and bushing are Dan control, which provided a rock-solid a clean look and great Dan Wesson Valor Wesson-manufactured sight picture shot after shot. The handling attributes. TYPE: Single action, recoil- match-grade parts. The weight and balance of the five-inch That clean look I operated semiauto slide’s ejection port is gun made for quick recovery and mention comes from the Caliber: .45 ACP flared, and the frame’s target acquisition, and the recoil stainless steel finish, CAPACITY: 8+1 magazine well is bev- was pleasant. lack of forward cocking barrel: 5 in., DW Match eled for quick magazine After getting the feel of the serrations on the slide, overall length: 8.8 in. insertion. Valor, I set up a 30-yard sand- weight: 2.4 lb. checkered stocks that are C heck-Mate provides bag rest and started shooting grips: VZ Slim Line G10 nice and thin (just the way Finish: Matte, stainless steel the magazines for Dan groups. Results are shown in I like them), fine checker- TRIGGER: Greider solid aluminum; Wesson, and the Valor the accompanying table. Over- ing up front and at the 3.5 lb. pull comes with a pair of all, the Valor performed very back, and overall many sights: Heine Ledge Straight Eight eight-rounders. I like the well, providing good accuracy. tasteful appointments. Check-Mates quite well, I’d be interested in conducting

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 48 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 49 The Valor handled very well and felt great in my hands, thanks to the thin VZ grips.

Cor-Bon Powerball ammunition. Accuracy Results The case failed to eject, which I Bullet Muzzle Standard Avg. attributed at the time to the posi- .45 ACP Weight (gr.) Velocity (fps) Deviation Group (in.) tion I was holding the pistol on Black Hills JHP 230 852 13.4 2.00 the sandbag. I experienced no Hornady TAP FPD 230 776 9.0 2.25 other malfunctions with the pistol Cor-Bon +P JHP 165 1,156 3.7 2.75 whatsoever. Cor-Bon Power Ball 165 1,138 8.2 3.75 Dan Wesson advertises that the Accuracy results are averages of two five-shot groups at 30 yards off a sandbag rest. Valor offers everything you need Velocities are averages of five shots measured on a PACT chronograph set 10 feet from the muzzle. Abbreviations: JHP, jacketed hollowpoint. in a 1911 pistol and nothing you don’t. I agree with that statement entirely. The Valor is a straight- further experiments with the pistol handgun that prints a two-inch forward, finely built, accurate and using handloads, as those average group from my rest is outstanding reliable pistol that anyone would groups can likely be improved. in my book, particularly at the 30- be proud to own. In all fairness, New Mexico winds yard mark. While the price tag might seem took a toll on my accuracy testing Out of several hundred rounds high to some shooters, you’re really and certainly played a role in the I fired through the Valor, I experi- getting your money’s worth in this reported groups from that day. enced only one malfunction, and gun. In the case of the Dan Wesson Regardless, any out-of-the-box that was the very last shot using Valor, it truly lives up to its name.

With its sharp checkering, excellent sights and tight fit, the Valor is an excellent choice. Best of all, it’s 100 percent American made.

www.cz-usa.com 50 cz-usa.com which was common for athletes to do Interview with back then, but then, as luck would have it, the [Berlin] Wall came down, Commu- nism evaporated and I was free to legally emigrate to the United States. BOBBY HOLIK MS: So what guns do you enjoy shooting On shooting, hockey and the most? BH: I have always enjoyed handguns and life. shoot a CZ 75 and VZ 58 regularly, but this sporting clays game is something entirely By Mike Schoby new for me and I can see the beauty in it. It is really challenging. I like walking around the course and seeing that every shot is different. e is the reason A supportive father and dedicated husband. Yeah, I think a CZ sporting shotgun will be in stereotypes exist.” Not to mention a hell of a shot. After getting my safe soon. I told myself as my trounced by him on the clays course for a MS: What do you enjoy most about shooting? fingers were crushed from couple of days, I sat down to pick his brain on BH: The skill it takes, for sure. I mean, it is a four individual digits into an shooting, hockey and life. total hand/eye coordination thing and there is unrecognizable pulpy mash. Mike Schoby: Did you grow up with firearms a mental component as well. Then, of course, When the beast in front of and shooting? there is the competitive side. Obviously, I me released my hand from Bobby Holik: No, I grew up in the Czech am a very competitive person and through his handshake, I noticed, Republic, behind the Iron Curtain. It wasn’t shooting I can compete against friends or just in a detached way common exactly easy owning firearms. However, I myself. I can always improve upon what I did to car crash victims, that my did get to shoot while in the military, and my the time before. hand now sort of resembled grandfather was a hunter. MS: How did you get involved with CZ-USA? a foot. MS: What made you want to shoot? BH: It was pure coincidence mixed with Ah, stereotypes. Everyone hates them. BH: Probably that we couldn’t do it. heritage. I was in a gun store in the States People claim that they don’t have ‘em and are It was a forbidden fruit. That, and I loved and I picked up a CZ handgun. Of course, super sensitive about them in our all too PC all things American from an early age. I was familiar with CZ from my time in the world. But when I was told I would be spend- Next to cheeseburgers, few things are more Czech Republic, but I didn’t know they were ing a weekend busting clays with Czech-born American than firearms. That combined with imported here. Being proud of my heritage, I NHL legend Bobby Holik to raise money for the early memories of my grandfather and contacted the USA division of CZ and asked Colorado Youth Outdoors, I couldn’t help the fact that I really respect and admire the if I could help them with its marketing efforts. myself. I instantly formed a mental picture—a Second Amendment. Alice [Poluchova] agreed, and now I oc- stereotype if you will. MS: So how did you get to the USA? casionally get to attend charity shoots such While stereotypes are often inaccurate, in BH: Well, I was playing hockey for the as this Colorado Youth Outdoors event. this case my mental image was spot on. And Czech national team and I planned to MS: So where do you shoot? it is not just me. I doubt anyone is surprised defect here and claim political asylum, BH: Well, believe it or not, even though I to learn after meeting Bobby that he played played for East coast teams, I love the West. in 1,314 games in the NHL, scored 747 points Bobby Holik So the wife and I bought a ranch in Wyoming. and won two Stanley Cups. He just looks like Out there, I can pretty much shoot whenever a seasoned hockey player—large in stature I want. In the winter, we have another ranch and well-muscled. The ultra large hands, in Florida so my daughter can ride her horses with fingers that seem to have too many year around—so I get in some shooting down knuckles, or knuckles in the wrong places there as well. are crisscrossed with scars. Yes, he looks MS: Ok, I have to ask…how many bones did like a stereotypical hockey player, but where you break playing 18 years in the NHL? stereotypes fail is they are often only one BH: Mine or other peoples? dimensional and based on looks alone. MS: That’s a wrap. What I didn’t expect, was to learn that Bobby, as a person, was anything but stereotypical. After I spent some time with him, what I discovered was a thoughtful, well-spoken and kind person.

www.cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 51 Busted CZr 712 Ta get th i e eas est and most affordable way to START shooting trap. here you go,” said Payton Miller, Guns & Ammo By ERIC R. POOLE I Photos by SEAN UTLEY “Texecutive editor. “You’re on a roll now.”

I had just broke five for five on a trap range right off the start with my new CZ 712 Target model shotgun. After a quick testfire, we fired the stations on Range 6 at the Peoria Skeet and Trap Club in Illinois. This was Payton’s range, one he visits for a few rounds each Thursday, so beating him wasn’t in my agenda— and shooting a new and unfamiliar shotgun, I certainly didn’t expect much in terms of score.

THE SHOTGUN The new 712 Target is an entry-level shotgun manufactured by Huglu in Turkey and designed for trap. It offers good quality and reliability without requiring a big investment. Unlike the field models, the stock on this 712 Target features a pronounced, target-style down-turned grip. The grip is cut into the slab of your average walnut. Though plain by wealthy standards, the deep color and grain are actually quite nice and understated. The finished product is a feature that CZ-USA feels saves the consumer some extra money while offering real function. The 712 Target is a specially configured design for trap shoot- ing, and when handling it on a range, it immediately becomes ap- parent that isn’t your typical shotgun you’d bring to the field. The 30-inch barrel and long stock balances very well with each other. Part credit goes to the gas and action return spring assembly’s location within the forend. It’s a unique feature to the CZ 712 that helps set it apart from all other semiauto shotguns. Most semiau- tos place the action return spring assembly inside the buttstock, which shifts more of the shotgun’s weight to the rear. Besides the Trap-length 30-inch barrel, the 712 provides fea- tures that are unique to Trap shooting. This 712 utilizes a 14¾-inch length of pull—¼-inch longer than a standard model. “Target guns are typically a little longer,” says Dave Miller, project manager at CZ-USA, “so we made the 712 Target with a stock that’s a ¼-inch longer than a field gun.” Additionally, the 712 Target uses a barrel that’s chrome lined and polished. “Trap guns have either a 30, 32, or 34-inch barrels,” Miller adds. “We didn’t want to design the 712 Target with a 32- or 34-inch barrel because the 712 receiver already measures 8¾ inches. You’d need to find a gun

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 52 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 53 … yOU can begin to see why Trap is a sport that’s easy to get into, and affordable to get good at.

CZ 712 TARGET

TYPE: Gas operated, semiauto GAUGE: 12, 3 in. CAPACITY: 2+1 BARREL: 30 in. OVERALL LENGTH: 52.5 in. LENGTH OF PULL: 14.75 in. WEIGHT: 7 lbs., 8.5 oz. FURNITURE: Turkish walnut, hand checkered FINISH: Matte black TRIGGER: 8 lbs. (tested) SIGHTS: Fiber optic, green (front), brass bead (center)

From the crossbolt safety behind the trigger, to the bolt re- lease, controls on CZ autoloaders are finished in chrome. Furniture is made from simple walnut, though checkering The lines of the CZ 712 shotguns are clean and understated. Serra- is still done by hand. tions extend from the receiver and along the rib to reduce glare. lock back button that does as its and a little brass bead in the center I missed a couple of unexpected name describes. With it, a shooter of the rib. You could shoot a figure fast flyers to the right. I missed a case longer than the standard 52 that 80 percent of the pellets will targets. The reason for the figure can ghost load a shell, which will eight technique if that’s what you couple more, then corrected my inches to carry it to and from the strike above the centerline of an eight and such modifications to trap allow one shell to sit on top of the prefer, but the glowing green sight mount before picking up a hit streak range.” The engineers at CZ-USA aiming point. “If you were to take guns in the last 30 years was to get elevator while waiting for the action near the muzzle is the only thing again. I quickly got used to the 712 considered everything. the gun, lay it on a benchrest and away from recoil. If you have a higher to cycle. Since even the great exhibi- you need to contrast with a bright Target and never had a malfunc- The 712 Target comes with five look down the rib, you’ll see a flat comb and less drop, less felt recoil is tion shooter Tom Knapp can’t outrun orange target. I found that all I tion. It performed as reliably and caps on each type of choke—full, Im- line,” says Miller. “If you put the perceived. But we’ve evolved. Higher the speed of the action cycle in a needed to do in order to dust birds delivered shot as well as others proved modified, modified, Improved bead on the center point and fire stepped ribs are what’s ‘in’ with the 712 with each pull of the trigger, I’m streaking away from me was to it patiently stood poised in the cylinder, and cylinder. You won’t find a shell against a patterning board, modern trap shooting world. Just not sure that ghost loading helps in place them on top of the green and shotgun rack next to. back-boring tricks in the 712 Target the angle should deliver 80 percent look down the rib.” terms of how fast the action operates keep the shotgun moving. No. 8 Before the final round was com- barrel because back boring changes of the shot high of center on the The receiver presents chromed (though it does remove a step in the does the rest. plete, improper technique and my the patterning when shooting with target’s aiming point. Field guns controls. The charging handle isn’t process since the shell doesn’t have slow time to break the shot caused aftermarket choke tubes that were and sporting guns are designed to oversized and protrudes ¾ of an inch to be sprung from the three-shot LAST SHOT me to fire a miss as the bird safely not matched to the bore. shoot 50/50.” to the right of the receiver. The bolt magazine tube). And when the action Tonight I’m cleaning a shotgun that fell below the horizon. Until then, I Touch the bottom of the target Some trap shotguns achieve the release button is standard as it would is made ready and the crossbolt costs $625. When you consider that was feeling pretty confident in my with the bead and watch the bird results of an 80/20 bias by raising the be on a field gun also, but chromed safety is set to the Fire position, the I spent just $6 to shoot 25 birds in odds of beating Payton at his own shatter. I found that the 712 Target comb to make it shoot high, but the for subliminal location. Underneath single-stage trigger draws cleanly a given round, you can begin to see game and winning the round. With a shoots with an 80/20 bias, some- shooter can see the rib climbing up. is a chrome-plated loading gate (or with almost a ¼-inch of travel. why Trap is a sport that’s easy to get one-sided grin, Payton leaned over thing Dave Miller indicates that a “Have you ever heard of the phrase, elevator as it’s commonly called— Like all 712 and 912 shotguns, into, and affordable to get good at. my shoulder and whispered, “In this modern Trap gun with stepped rib ‘stacking beads,’” Miller asked. “That depending on which job it’s doing). sighting is accomplished with a I finished my first two stations with game, when you fix one leak another should carry. This fraction indicates was the old trick to hit trap style To the rear of the elevator is a bolt short, fiber-optic green front sight a clean sweep on seven birds before always appears.”

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 54 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 55 Refined DW CCO Dn a WesSON perfects the concealed carry officer’s Model.

By STAN TRZONIEC I Photos by SEAN UTLEY While it may seem odd to tradi- tionalists to have a 1911 with a long barrel and short frame, handling reveals its position in the scheme of things rather quickly. The shooter benefits from a longer sight radius and less overall weight. To a lesser degree of importance, noise and muzzle blast occurs farther away. Thanks to the weight and shorter grip, the CCO is an easier gun to carry concealed. I particularly like this configuration because when I’m carrying, the shorter grip and the beveled mainspring housing doesn’t rub so abrasively against my body or hinder my movement. To reduce weight, both the frame and mainspring housing are made from anodized aluminum. To aid the The cocobolo Shadow grips have a distinctive laser-etched pattern and the shooter with grip control while under frontstrap features a chain-link pattern for enhanced control. recoil, both the front and rear of the grip frame feature a new chain link the top of the slide. Slide serrations pattern. Additionally, the frame is were cut sharply without any burrs, undercut beneath the trigger guard, and all the sides on the gun were which helps to compensate for what pancake flat without any dishing from a shorter grip does in terms of reduc- the final finishing station. ing real estate to grip. The front sight blade features Dan Wesson uses the proprietary a white target ring surrounding a black ceramic Duty coat from its tritium vial, and the rear sight has parent company, CZ-USA. This two white tritium dots for fast target hen I’m carrying concealed, my first choice is an Officer’s Model. Naturally, coating has the benefits of a matte acquisition in low light. The rear sight I became interested when I learned that Dan Wesson unveiled the Dan patina without the debris-catching is low profile, melted somewhat into Wesson Concealed Carry Officer, or CCO. The CCO is a 1911 with a Com- bead-blast finish so common today the slide and is drift-adjustable for mander-length barrel on an Officer’s Model frame. For those who like the on custom 1911s. windage. The rear notch is well- The CCO uses a medium length W trigger that’s hand-fitted to the alloy balance, control and sight radius of a long barrel but prefer the concealability of a small The CCO is evenly polished, espe- defined and when lined up with the frame. An undercut behind the trig- frame, then this is the piece for you. cially around the trigger guard and front sight, allows just enough light ger guard offers more grip.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 56 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 57 Thanks to the weight and shorter grip, it is easier to carry this gun concealed.

The CCO sports a lightweight hammer and tritium- The match-grade barrel is mated to a stainless, well- filled ramped night sights. The dehorned grasping polished and beveled bushing. The slide is finished in grooves on the slide are perfectly executed. a black-ceramic Duty coating used on CZ handguns. on each side of the blade for perfect cocobolo and laser-etched in a very accomplishments in the revolver sight alignment. distinctive, stippled pattern. Two field, and I don’t believe he ever Operator controls—slide release, magazines are supplied, and the CCO imagined his name would grace a safety and magazine release—are carries a limited five-year warranty. 1911. If he were alive to witness the standard 1911. To keep the gun as At the range, the gun was a joy progression of Dan Wesson pistols, slim in profile as possible, there is no to use. Even with the shorter grip, he would have been as pleased with safety lever on the right side of the there was more than enough gun how they came out as I have been gun. I found this safety lever has a to hold on with larger hands. The with this one. very distinctive detent from safe to pistol recoiled fire, assuring positive feedback on pleasantly, and the condition of the gun. with lighter bullets DAN WEssON CCO The mainspring housing is flat with, such as Winchester TYPE: Recoil operated, semiauto as the name implies, a very slightly 185-grain FMJ, the Caliber: .45 ACP beveled frame, and there’s a memory gun behaved much Capacity: 7+1 groove on the beavertail safety for like a 9mm. Barrel: 4.25 in. added comfort and improved grip. In 1968, Dan Overall Length: 8 in. The CCO features a medium-length Wesson started Weight: 1.62 lb. aluminum trigger shoe that makes up his company in an GRIPS: Laser engraved cocobolo M atte black, ceramic Duty the difference between the shorter old schoolhouse Finish: Trigger: Aluminum, nonadjustable, mainspring housing and the space to in Monson, Mas- 3.5 lb. (tested) the trigger itself. Trigger pull on this sachusetts. He Sights: Three dot, tritium gun averages 3½ pounds of pull with was proud of his just a hint of slack. The hammer is of the competition breed—lightweight and Commander styled. Accuracy Results The Dan Wesson match barrel Bullet Velocity Standard Avg Group is 4¼ inches long and fitted per- Type (gr.) (fps) Deviation (in.) fectly by hand to the slide and barrel Remington MC 230 817 6 2.00 bushing for accuracy. The polished Winchester FMJ 185 839 9 3.25 feed ramp is mirror smooth, and the Winchester JHP 230 853 17 1.75 ejection port has been relieved for Notes: Accuracy results are averages of three five-shot groups at 25 yards off a braced rest. 100 percent reliability. Velocities are averages of 15 shots measured on an Oehler Model 35P chronograph set 10 feet The CCO comes with a pair of from the muzzle. Temperature was 65 degrees. Abbreviations: FMJ, full metal jacket; JHP, jacketed hollowpoint; MC, metal case handsome Shadow grips, which are

www.cz-usa.com 58 cz-usa.com AFAMILY AFFAIR A “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” SOLUTIoN TO THE FAMILY SHOTGUN. By PAYTON MILLER

t’s been over a decade since CZ-USA heavy clothes (think waterfowl or late-season began importing Turkish-made pheasant) or are obliged to shoot from Ishotguns from the Anatolian concern of unorthodox “field-expedient” positions. Huglu. They pretty much run the gamut of Since the action return spring is located action type—side-by-side, over/under and up front with the gas system rather than in would provide a good indication of the even the gas-operated autoloader. the stock, the ATI Akita stock simply bolts adjustable stock merits of this 712. We shot on as if the 712 were a pump. Actually, the two rounds apiece of Skeet in exceedingly A NEW MODEL term “simply” kind of clouds the issue. It blustery fall conditions. The CZ 712 Adjustable is a solid, no-frills, was necessary for ATI to design an 6061 T6 The 712 Adjustable ran through its paces three-inch chambered 12-gauge field gun aluminum adapter that helps to marry the flawlessly. Recoil was negligible, and reports with a 28-inch chrome-line barrel and a stock and the receiver. from the field indicate that, even with three- “lighter-than it feels” 7.6-pound curb weight, The 712 Adjustable was conceived as a inch magnums, the recoil is, if not pleasant, a byproduct, no doubt, of its anodized alloy straight-ahead sporting gun. Fine by me. I like at least tolerable—which speaks well of the receiver and the fact that the action return busting clays as much as the next guy, but ATI recoil pad. Simply depressing an oval spring assembly is in the fore-end rather than when I do—whether I’m shooting skeet, trap button on the stock’s underside unlocks it, the stock. or sporting clays—I like to use something that allowing the user to set the desired length. What sets the 712 Adjustable apart from is—first and foremost—a hunting gun. Despite the fact that the clays were at the the standard walnut-stocked 712 is an mercy of strong intermittent gusts, we had adjustable, recoil-reducing synthetic stock RANGE DAY a blast. Since Eric had been cleaning my system from ATI. The ATI Akita stock not Everybody wants to run the table on a clock on the pistol range, I kind of figured it only permits four positions between 12 and round of skeet, but I’ve always viewed it was time to get even. He’s essentially a rifle 14 inches of length of pull, but the cheek as a tune-up for birds. I’m happy to drop a and handgun guy, so I figured he’d go into rest also affords the shooter a choice of few clays shooting from a low-gun position vapor lock with a shotgun. Unfortunately, comb height. This stock is manufactured with a real-world smoothbore if it’ll lessen he’d just taken a wingshooting course which specifically for the CZ 712 by ATI. Because the chances of me embarrassing myself on stresses a low gun position, a fast (almost no action parts are located in the stock, the dove opener, or during a cornfield push delayed) mount and a compressed swing. the 712 is the only semiauto shotgun on for pheasant. Not to mention a total, almost Zen-like focus the market to accept such an aftermarket So a couple of the staff decided to join me on the target. stock. When drawing a bead on the target, in shooting the Model 712 Adjustable at our After Eric smoked the first five or six up against the shoulder pocket is the local Skeet range. The ammo? Federal Gold birds, I knew it wasn’t going to be a walk- removable ATI Scorpion buttpad. This pad Medal 12 gauge featuring one ounce of No. 8 through. But I’d shot this range before and is engineered with unique recoil-absorbing shots backed by 3¼ drams. finally managed to catch up with him on the material from PolyOne. This range day struck me as a fairly straight overhead No. 8 station. No. 8 is a Dave Miller, project manager for CZ-USA democratic arrangement. Eric Poole, editor place where, if you have to think about what indicates, “Originally the idea was to employ of InterMedia Outdoors’ special interest you’re doing, you’ve already missed—which a user-friendly tactical shotgun stock on a magazines, is taller and longer-armed than is exactly what he did. I didn’t. sporting gun. I saw that as a pretty good idea I am. Gloria Shytles, managing editor, is Overall, everyone concerned acquit- for women and kids. It has a tremendous smaller, shorter-armed and new at the skeet ted themselves well. And so did the 712 amount of drop and toe, and the high comb game. I’m in the middle, which, I figured, Adjustable. is ideal for women who often have difficulty getting their head down on the stock.” Actually, women and kids aren’t the only ones who can benefit from an adjustable stock. Larger, adult male shooters often need a shorter than normal stock if they’re wearing CZ 712 ADJUSTABLE www.cz-usa.com cz-us a.com 59 Brawn CZ 550 Te h BANK-VAULT BOLT-ACTION of the CZ 550 IS THE STANDARD. e loaded up as if the rifle were a .30-’06, thumbing the By WAYNE VAN ZWOLL cigar-size .505 Gibbs rounds onto the follower as if he’d done it every day. In fact, he had never fired a rifle this Hpowerful. I suggested he stand, rather than bench it. He nodded, leveled the .505, and on current rifles has been upgraded pulled the trigger (this would have to round. For hunting in a remote made good film). In concert with the place, where durability and reliability concussive blast, the muzzle went matter, it remains a go-to rifle. vertical. The man staggered and Later I carried a 550 in .30-’06 lost his footing, landing hard. Like with Federal ammo to hunt deer a baton, the 11-pound rifle soared on the prairie. It endeared itself to through the air, end-over-end. me, a solid rifle with the checkered I retrieved the rifle while the fellow walnut and long extractor I covet picked himself up. “Golly,” he grinned and the heft to make slinged-up sheepishly. No harm to anything but prone as steady as sandbags on a his pride, I decided. Certainly none to concrete bench. the CZ 550. THE ACTION IN THE FIELD The CZ 550 is essentially a modified My first hunt with a 550 dates years Mauser, so its action has a muscular ago. The rifle, a 9.3x62, downed double-square-bridge profile. It a mountain goat and a moose in looks, and is, as rugged as an ar- British Columbia with Norma ammo mored personnel carrier. You fasten loaded with 250-grain Swift A- a scope with mounts that clamp on Frames. Equipped with a 4X Ca- to integral 19mm dovetails front and bela’s Alaskan Guide scope, it shot rear. The big, flat footprint of the the Swifts flatter than traditional receiver makes for plenty of bedding 286-grain softpoints. The goat was area and epoxy bedding ensures scrambling away at 220 yards when full contact at recoil lug faces on the the first bullet struck. The second most powerful 550s. Magnums have landed as the billy halted at 250. a second, barrel-mounted lug that The moose appeared, as moose bears against a steel stock insert to often do, between the chalk arcs distribute thrust. The fore-end screw of its antlers far away. We sneaked and double crossbolts on these rifles through a maze of alder, willow and are absent on CZ 550s chambered to spruce. The bull rose when we got less potent rounds. inside 40 steps, then dropped dead The traditional two-lug bolt on the to my shot through its shoulders. 550 features a full-length Mauser Still with me, this CZ 550 has one extractor and controlled-round crossbolt behind the magazine, a feed. A fixed ejector emerges from fore-end with reverse-angle tip that a slot below the left locking lug

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 60 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 61 Th e braWNY profile and construction of the 550 complement accurate barrels. Even the bigbores, I’ve found, print small groups.

CZ’s 550 American Safari Magnum as the bolt reaches the end of its trigger is CZ’s own, a single-set bow and magazine housing, and (top) costs considerably less than the throw. A Winchester Model 70-style mechanism you can ignore or a hinged floorplate secured by a Safari Magnum Express (above). bolt stop arrests the left lug. The push forward to set the trigger button in front of the guard. two-position thumb safety locks for a lighter pull. All-steel bottom Most CZ 550s are stocked in trio of rear leaves, two folding. Their striker and bolt. The adjustable metal includes a one-piece guard plain American walnut, either in shallow V notches feature white center lines for fast aim. And the SVELTE SMALLBORE company offers 15 heights and sizes of front sights, so you can tailor the irons for any load you want. At 9½ pounds, the CZ 550 in .375 is no mountain rifle. But that heft CZ’s Ultimate Hunting Rifle, a 550 in .300 Win. Mag., drilled this group at makes it more civil at the bench and 500 yards. helps with offhand aim when you’re out of breath shadowing a Zambian the Czech Republic with imported tracker who’d qualify for the Boston wood or stateside after the bar- Marathon running backward. reled action arrives at the Kansas Weight also contributes to ac- Push the trigger forward to set it For riflemen who practice their City headquarters of CZ-USA. curacy. My handloads—300-grain for a 14-ounce pull. The safety skill on coyotes, the 527 M1 excels. Laminated wood is an option; so is Herter softpoints launched at 2,420 is off when thumbed back. It’s nimble and deadly accurate. Kevlar-reinforced fiberglass (with fps by 81 grains of H4831—printed The 527 M1 American handled Even with ancient handloads, this CZ bullets as heavy as the Remington aluminum bedding block). .375 prints one-MOA groups. Thank inside 1¼ inches. My friends Sam hile best known for as if I’d been born cradling it. The 62-grain match—and put them into the hammer-forged barrel. Shaw and Rich McClure got similar its big iron, CZ-USA a ⁄ -inch group. trigger broke with such crisp consis- SAFARI-STYLE results. In fact, the CZ shot the offers a lovely light- tency that I didn’t bother to set it. W The brawny profile and construction nums feature fore-end-mounted smallest groups of four .375s on weight bolt action for small plied rings hike my 4.5-14X Weaver The perfect match of action size cartridges. The 527 I pur- Grand Slam well above the barrel and to cartridge dimensions impressed of the 550 complement accurate swivel studs and plain walnut. the line that afternoon. Thank chased a few years back is pull my cheek from the stock. me. No extra steel here, but nei- barrels. Even the bigbores, I’ve (Laminated and Kevlar-fiberglass the hammer-forged barrel and, chambered in .221 Fireball, You can also get rings for CZ ther did the rifle seem awkwardly found, print small groups. The Safari stocks are available, too.) You can of course, that single-set trigger, one of my favorite car- rifles from Talley, where Gary Turner spare. It had the appeal of those Classic is as fancy as the 550 gets buy a .375 Field Grade for just which broke at 2¾ pounds as-is tridges. The newest of 527s, offers quick-detachable versions early .22 rimfires no one born after and is chambered for traditional $1,180. I’ve used Federal’s Trophy and one pound when set. I’ve the M1 American, features so that you can easily remove a Dwight Eisenhower’s presidency can Africa-inspired rounds—the .404 Bonded .375s on animals as big as cradled and shot just about every the straight-combed stock scope for travel or iron-sight use. quite remember. It was, in a word, Jeffery, .450 Rigby, .500 Jeffery buffalo. A professional hunter who CZ rifle, from the 452 rimfire to the shooters in the U.S. pre- And you can replace it with no loss enchanting. and .505 Gibbs—as well as for the culled elephants with a .375 told me UHR (Ultimate Hunting Rifle). The fer, a 22-inch barrel and a of zero. I snugged the screws and And that was before I fired it. .300 H&H and .338 Winchester, .338 he preferred it to a .458 because UHR is an eight-pound 550 with a detachable three-shot scrounged ammo. Two of my first groups measured Lapua, .375 H&H and .416 Reming- “hurling 500-grain solids makes 24-inch barrel in .300 Winchester box magazine. Choose A February storm left the range 3⁄8 inch. And the 1:12 twist de- ton. A mercury recoil reducer in the my head hurt. Also, I get as much Magnum. Designed for accuracy a walnut stock, black frozen under drifted snow, so after livered half-MOA accuracy with synthetic or, on the Ul- checking trigger pull (2¾ pounds, bullets as heavy as Remington’s buttstock is standard on rifles in penetration with the .375—some- at extreme range, it comes with a tralight Predator, camo- crisp, with a set weight of 12 ounc- 62-grain match. .500 Jeffery, .505 Gibbs and .338 times more.” A CZ 550 in .375 holds one-MOA guarantee at 600 yards. I finished synthetic. es), I impatiently Lapua. Safari Classics, which start a capacity advantage over most hung a bullseye at 500, hiked back Weight is just under waited for a thaw. CZ 527 M1 AMERICAN at around $3,000, feature trued of its competitors: The magazine to the line and snugged up the six pounds. Prepared to run and lapped actions glass-bedded takes five belted magnums. I also sling. Despite a cold wind, my five- I snared a 527 M1 a few magazines TYPE: Bolt action into figured walnut. Iron sights and like the 25-inch barrel. It enhances shot volley centered in the black for testing a few through this rifle Caliber: .223 Remington barrelband front are standard. You the cosmetics and balance, and with a respectable group. weeks ago. It wears and write with Capacity: 3+1 (detachable box) can add options including a muz- puts muzzle blast a comfortable The .375 Safari Magnum had Barrel: 22 in. attractive straight- manufactured zlebrake, rust blue, ebony fore-end distance from your face. Barrel years earlier instilled dreams of long grained walnut, enthusiasm about Overall Length: 40.5 in. tip and special chamberings. contours on bigbore CZ rifles are grass and crinkled footprints the nicely checkered. another .223 in Weight: 5 lb., 14 oz. The CZ Safari Magnums cham- just right, though the stocks are size of manhole covers. Still, I had The comb height a world awash Stock: Walnut Finish: Blued is just right for in .223s, I was bered in .375 H&H, .458 Win- a tad generous. These rifles point yet to get cozy with a bigbore Safari Trigger: Single set, adjustable chester, .458 Lott and .416 Rigby quickly, but hang well on target. Classic. Jason Morton of CZ-USA a Weaver K6 instead truly smit- None (drilled and tapped for Sights: list for half as much as the Safari They’re stout, but not ponderous. took care of that with a beautifully mounted low. ten. The 527 M1 scope mounts) Alas, CZ-sup- American handled Classics. Besides a more limited On most CZ Safari rifles, a bar- stocked rifle in .404 Jeffery. choice of chamberings, Safari Mag- relband front sight complements a But that’s another story…

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 62 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 63 Endurance Run CZ 912 THE CZ 912 autoloader is put to the ultimate field test: 2,000 Rounds on Argentina doves.

By MIKE SCHOBY I Photos by SEAN UTLEY

he mark of a good shotgun comes in many forms: fit, feel, style, grace, weight, and balance are just a few of the more Timportant ones. But when it comes to semiauto shotguns, reliability trumps them all. To put it another way, no matter how good a gun points, balances or looks, if it fails to go bang, or only goes bang once before jamming up, it isn’t worth much. With an extended reliability field test in mind, I headed down to Cordoba, Argentina to test out the newest autoloading offering from CZ-USA—the 912.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 64 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 65 W hEN we broke for lunch I had put another 750 roundS through the 912, making for a complete field test of 2,000 shells.

More doves were shot at than actually hit, but the CZ 912 CZ 912 assuredly fired every shell true. TYPE: Gas operated, semiauto GAUGE: 12, 3 in. Capacity: 4+1 Barrel: 28 in., five screw-in chokes Overall Length: 50 in. Weight: 7.3 lb. FURNITURE: Turkish walnut Finish: Matte black, hard chrome Trigger: Single, 8 lb. (tested) Sights: Green fiber optic (front)

the first, exceptI shot better. I was A t first glance, the 912 fits all but rusty—a poor combination and severed brass cases should getting accustomed to this shotgun of my requirements for style and for the trial of a gun. But over the not be included in the failure to feed and the angles of incoming targets. function. The high gloss walnut course of several hours, I managed category as they wouldn’t have When we broke for lunch I had put furniture is finished nicely and to run 750 shells through the 912 fed in a break open single shot, let another 750 rounds through the has a better-than-average figure. doing my best to look like I knew alone an autoloader. 912, making for a complete field The receiver is crafted from alloy, how to bring down wildfowl. I won’t That afternoon, I got my eye in test of 2,000 shells. which reduces overall weight as bore you (or embarrass myself) with and got used to the swing (made The gun passed with flying well as shifting the point of balance the hit percentage, but let’s just say a tad heavy, but smooth with an colors. It shot well and cycled slightly forward to improve swing the gun functioned fine—misses “Argentina-style” extended maga- fine.O f course, during the last and follow through. At 7.4 pounds, (of which there were many) should zine) and fired another 500 rounds, 200 shells I observed the opera- the gun is no featherweight, but be blamed on the shooter (me) and for a total of 1,250 shells expended. tion begin to slow in its return to no obese bruiser either. In fact, it’s not the gun. In the three cases of Normally, I clean guns every night battery. The gas system was nearly ideal for a day of hunting or shells, I only had a handful of fail- as a matter of preventive main- beginning to succumb to relentless sporting clays. ures to feed, none of which could tenance, but for this evaluation, fouling from the filthy ammunition On the first morning, the doves be attributed to the gun. In all cases I decided to forgo the effort in and lack of oil. In these last few flew well.I t had been a couple of the failure could easily be blamed cleaning to see how the 912 would boxes, there was an occasional years since my last trip to Argen- on the horrible shells acquired in perform under such conditions. failure to feed, but much of this has tina, so I was not only trigger happy, Argentina. Bulged plastic hulls, The following morning was just like to be blamed on the shells. Even the ones that weren’t physically damaged were dirty, leaving more gunk per shell in the gun than an entire box of faithful Federals or Winchesters. Two-thousand shells fired in a day and a half.A ny gun loaded with this ammo is going to choke, so I was impressed. All-in-all, the CZ 912 is a hell of an autoloader. It has stylish modern looks and is joined with high-tech features such as an effective recoil- absorbing pad. Best of all, the 912 meets a real world price of less than $500 and has the one feature I cherish the most: It goes “bang” every time.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 66 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 67 African Dreams CZ 550 A .30-’06 Delivers another memorable quest to the dark continent. s the mass of gemsbok thundered out into the open through a cloud of dust, Lafras, my PH, barked By MIKE CARNEY I Photos by JOHN HAFNER sharp instructions: “Mike! Third in from the right. Shoot!” I asked, “Third in from the right? “Which group?” “The far right,” he hissed. “Shoot now!” I was more than a little hesitant. All I could see of the animal third from the right was hind. To be more specific, only part of the hind, in what looked like a sea of gemsbok—and they all looked like shooters.

FREE OF WORK This was my first trip to Africa, but comfortable with a recurve bow and the fourth ticket I had bought in as sharp sticks. And while I had brought many years. Work obligations had my pet Hoyt and Dalaa recurve bows snatched the dream from me for along for the trip, I didn’t want to be three consecutive summers. This cooped up in blind for a week over- year, I was not to be denied. looking a waterhole on my first trip to When my feet hit ground of the Africa. I wanted my boots in the sand Dark Continent, I was on the soil of of the Kalahari. I wanted to see, hear, South Africa, ready to head eight and smell as much of this experience hours northwest to the Kalahari, as as I could take in. the guests of Harry Claassens’ Mata Mata hunting lodge. Mata Mata RANGE CHECK literally translates “If you give, you Sighting in and using Hornady will receive.” 180-grain SST, my first group off the Four years of planning and three bench was astonishing. I have the disappointing cancellations later, it privilege of working with some of was surreal to actually be in-country. the finest rifle shots in our industry: Just four weeks earlier, I had Scott Rupp, editor of Rifle Shooter chosen the CZ 550 chambered in magazine; Joseph VonBenedikt, .30-’06 for this trip of a lifetime. editor of Shooting Times; Mike Kevin Steele, publisher of Petersen’s Schoby and Craig Boddington Hunting, assured me with his of Petersen’s Hunting; Eric Poole personal experience that it was editor of InterMedia Special Inter- the perfect rifle for my plains game est Publications; David Fortier of adventure. I liked the idea of using a Shotgun News, and many others. rifle ruggedly proven on every con- All accomplished rifleman in every ceivable animal roaming the land. sense of the description and all The 550 was adorned with a classic eager to lend advice, instruction and 4X Weaver steel tube. I don’t consider encouragement as I prepared for the myself a rifleman—not by any stretch trip. Peering through the spotting of the imagination. I’m much more scope at the target some 100 yards

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 68 cz-us a.com cz-us a.com 69 “ ThERE he is Mike. Shoot him again,” Lafras instructed. Standing broadside, the gemsbok was alone 100 yards from my position.

distant, their unselfish investment in my shooting instruction was starting to appear. My first group measured just over an honest inch, something heretofore I was incapable of producing with any rifle. Was it an aberration? Groups two, three, four and five demonstrated otherwise, consistently hovering an inch. The 550 was definitely proving itself to be a shooter. Furthermore, it delivered these results without the use of this model’s set trigger. The CZ single set trigger is designed to reduce trigger pull to ounces. African trophy. I thought I would ing by the cleaning station. It was a And the break is as crisp as glass wake from a dream and discover I great end to the first day on safari. breaking. Continuing with a variety of was not actually here. Hornady and Federal .30-’06 loads In camp that evening, Harry and OTHER TROPHIES in 165- and 180-grain weights, I was his wife Jolane, a former stewardess During our five-day trip, Brian producing groups at the bench that for South African Airlines, greeted us Lisankie from Aimpoint took a beauti- would make my instructors proud. It with smiles and stories as we looked ful zebra, blesbok, impala and gems- was hard to come up with a load that at all the day’s trophies already hang- bok; Michael Kinn of Federal took the 550 favored over others, but at the same quartet; Jason Hornady the end I selected the heavier 180- myself as they methodically shuffled bagged a magnificent gemsbok; grain Hornady SST to take on my hit through a veritable ocean of tracks Tom “One-Shot” Taylor of Mossberg list: kudu, gemsbok and eland. in the sand with no discernable checked in a gorgeous red harte- clues, the tracker pointed West. beest, a gemsbok, blue wildebeest BREAKING THE SHOT “There he is Mike. Shoot him and a kudu; And Rick Bednar took As I felt Lafras’ growing frustra- again,” Lafras instructed. a magnificent eland, warthog and tion with my unwillingness to let Standing broadside, the gems- a kudu at 35 yards with a 10-Point lead fly back on the savannah, I bok was alone 100 yards from my crossbow. Later in the safari, my 550 remembered what Steele had told position. I couldn’t see the right ham downed a massive kudu, an impala me weeks earlier: “Be prepared to where I previously aimed the 550 and finally I grassed a fat warthog shoot at only parts of an animal. and placed a Hornady SST. “Are with my recurve bow. Opportunities at specific trophies you sure that’s him?” I questioned. Jason Morton, CZ-USA marketing in the bush are fast and fleeting, Evidently, that’s not the thing to say director, was on point during safari and you will have an accomplished to a PH and his tracker who just with Kevin Steele filming an episode tracker on hand if you need a solved the Rubix Cube of tracks to of “Petersen’s Hunting Adventures follow up shot.” Still, for a boy from earn you a follow up shot. TV.” The pair managed to collect the Midwest who grew up on the I don’t speak Afrikaans, but I was a great show featuring eland, red double-lung mantra, ass shooting pretty certain that their response hartebeest and kudu trophies. an animal just doesn’t come natural. was an enthusiastic “yes” peppered Apparently the gemsbok has a The accommodations and profes- When in Rome… with colorful adjectives and col- deserved reputation for exacting final sionalism of the Mata Mata staff, Even through the sound of loquialisms reserved for just such vengeance on his foes. The “Desert from the skilled PH’s and trackers to the moving herd, I knew I hit the client occasions. Warrior” is not one to be trifled with the game butchers and cleaners, is gemsbok exactly where I aimed. The next shoulder shot laid the during recovery. first class. I look forward to the next Lafras and the tracker were gleeful, gemsbok prone, and Lafras and L afras offered me hearty African safari as well as the day I can “Nice shot Mike, get in the truck.” It his tracker approached the animal congratulations while his tracker bring my wife and daughter. Without was as if they were waiting all day very seriously. They applied a well wagged his finger to simulate pull- question, it’ll be at Claassens’ Mata to show off their collective recovery rehearsed foot maneuver to trap his ing a trigger while whistling some Mata and when that time comes, we’ll skills. Ten minutes later, laughing to long, pointy horns to the ground. not-so-sweet nothings. My first be joined by my faithful CZ 550.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 70 cz-us a.com cz-us a.com 71 Longslide CZ 75 CTS LS-P BORING RELIABILITY AND EXCELLENT ACCURACY in Any PACKAGE FROM THE CZ CUSTOM SHOP. here are not many custom shops, large or small, By JAMES TARR I Photos by SEAN UTLEY that can say they’re run by an active world-class pistol competitor. That is the case, however, with TAngus Hobdell and CZ Custom. The result is a seemingly endless supply of interesting variations on legendary CZ products.

Angus Hobdell has been shooting The CZ 75 LS-P is chambered IPSC and USPSA for decades. He’s in 9mm and starts with a standard won more U.S. and international steel CZ 75 frame. If you’ve never titles than anyone can easily recall. picked up a CZ 75, you don’t know In addition to the fact that he’s still what you’re missing. The late Guns actively competing as a sponsored & Ammo contributor Col. Jeff CZ shooter, he operates CZ Custom Cooper loved the 75. With its dis- (czcustom.com) in Phoenix, Arizona. tinctive humpback grip, he liked the CZ Custom does all of the custom feel of this CZ in his hand so much pistolwork for CZ-USA and any CZ so that he styled the legendary owner who wants specific work Bren Ten 10mm auto after it. This done. In addition to custom gun- frame is slightly undercut under the smithing, Angus and his crew work triggerguard and utilizes a high-rise very closely with CZ-UB of the Czech beavertail, but there’s no 1911-style Republic and CZ-USA in Kansas grip safety. City, Missouri. Each year the custom The CZ 75 has been in existence shop produces a number of one-off since 1975—long enough that there or limited-run guns, and sometimes are numerous aftermarket grips those models make it into the available to fit every style and hand CZ-USA catalog of new offerings. size. The preproduction LS-P I This year, one of the new models received wears traditional check- from the custom shop is the CZ 75 ered and contoured black plastic Longslide (LS). The LS was created grips, but Angus informed me that by combining the CZ 75 frame wear- the standard grips would be black ing a short dustcover to the long CZ rubber. The custom shop also offers Tactical Sports (CTS) slide. There are a number of aluminum grips of vary- two models: the “B,” which is single- ing thickness that also look and feel action only, and the CZ 75 LS-P, great in the hand. which is a DA/SA pistol. While they The front of the triggerguard is are being produced in-house at CZ serrated, but the front and back of Custom, they will be available soon the frame are smooth. In a small or through any CZ dealer. I acquired an stiff-recoiling gun, a smooth frame LS-P for testing and was reminded might be an issue, but the weight of again why this all-steel gun is still so the LS-P matched with its low bore successful in competition. dimensions provides a soft shooting

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 72 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 73 It wouldn’t be a CZ Custom shop product if the pistol didn’t have a trigger job.

Controls are very low profile and beveled to reduce snags. The grips on production models are molded rubber with L ike a 1911, the CZ 75 CTS LS-P can be carried The spring-powered extractor follows the contour of the familiar The safety protrudes more than the magazine release. tactile checkering. “cocked and locked” and operated with either hand. ejection port relief cut on this CZ 75. combination. It didn’t feel like the gun The LS-P I received had a smooth locked. Personally, I don’t find the single-action pull, but the reset was tight as a custom-built Dan Wesson slide. Some competitors go for any could ever work loose in my hand. 7.7-pound double-action and a 3.8- thumb safety to be as user-friendly short and audible. There was almost 1911, the slide-to-frame fit on the LS advantage they can get, perceived This is not a small gun, and it has a pound single-action pull. Advertised for that purpose as the ones found no overtravel. I could see that both is excellent. There’s almost zero play. or real. long reach for the first double action trigger pulls are seven to 7.5 pounds on modern 1911s so you should prac- the hammer and the underside The preproduction example I Not too long ago, I had an op- shot, so if you do have small hands for DA and 3.1 to 3.4 pounds for SA. tice with this pistol before making of the slide had been ground and received had a stainless steel recoil- portunity to spend a couple of days I’d recommend trying one first. This great trigger can be partially a complete transition. CZ Custom polished to provide a smooth spring guide rod, but production visiting the CZ Custom Shop in Designed for competition and credited to the fact that all internals has replaced the standard recoil and working gun. Several CZ 75 models models will have a polymer guide rod Phoenix. Angus Hobdell is a trans- target shooting, the LS-P has an have been polished smooth. hammer springs with reduced-power have firing-pin safeties, but those “to reduce cost on a gun that’s al- planted Brit who relocated after his extended magazine release and ex- The LS-P can be carried like a springs, which greatly soften the trig- extra parts always affect the weight ready expensive due to hand-fitting,” native government outlawed all the tended, ambidextrous thumb safety. 1911—Condition One, cocked and ger pull and cut down on muzzle dip and quality of the trigger pull. As the Hobdell explained. “dangerous” guns he made a living The thumb safety is not too during rapid fire, but combine LS-P is designed for competition, it The undercut post front sight has shooting and working on. He loved large, but it does protrude. with the extended firing pin does not feature an internal firing- a red fiber optic insert, and the rear the Phoenix area and set up shop. It sticks out far enough that CZ 75 CTS LS-P installed in the pistol, it does pin safety, but the hammer does sight is the CZ version of the justifi- Hobdell employs five people, includ- dropping the pistol on its side not affect reliability. The have a half-cock notch. ably renowned Bo-Mar adjustable TYPE: DA/SA semiauto ing a machinist from South Africa. He won’t pop out the magazine, Caliber: 9mm Luger pistol sports an attractive The standard CZ 75 has a 4.7-inch Champion. I would have preferred a and Hobdell began good-naturedly as it’s larger than the maga- Capacity: 19 skeletonized hammer that barrel, while the longslide sports a larger notch, as there was not a lot of insulting each other in Afrikaans zine release button. I’ve seen Barrel: 5.4 in. is a bit small for easy cock- 5.4-inch barrel. daylight around the front sight, but while I was standing by. Everyone this happen more times than Overall length: 8.7 in. ing by hand. As there is no As a result, the long slides come that’s just my personal preference. who works in the shop shoots, I can count in competition, Weight: 41 oz. decocker, the only way the into the U.S. oversize and have to Longslide guns are all the rage in including Rob, who’s a USPSA especially when the pistol in Grips: Rubber hammer can be lowered on a be precision machined and then modern action-pistol competition, GrandMaster. Between the Afri- question has a light maga- Finish: Blued live round for a DA first shot hand-fit to the frame. The CZ 75, as the increased sight radius helps kaans, Hobdell’s attempt to teach me zine-release spring. On the Trigger: Double action: 7 lb., 12 is by hand, and this small with its inside-the-frame slide competitors hit those difficult targets Cockney rhyming slang and Rob’s oz.; single action: 3 lb., Longslide, the mag-release hammer spur makes that a design, is designed to be completely more quickly. The top of the slide Jersey accent, I felt like I needed a 13 oz. (tested) spring is full power. delicate proposition. interchangeable, but the CTS was has been flattened and serrated. Universal Translator. Sights: Red fiber optic (front), It wouldn’t be a CZ Custom Kensight adjustable The trigger is smooth designed for a different gun, so these This is ostensibly done to reduce “The problem is I’m speaking Shop product if the pistol (rear) and wide. There was a lot are the only CZ pistols that you’ll find glare, but if you’ve got a proper sight in English, but you’re listening in didn’t have a trigger job. of takeup in my gun on the with a hand-fitted slide. While not as picture, you can’t see the top of the American,” Hobdell explains.

www.cz-usa.com www.cz-usa.com 74 cz-usa.com cz-usa.com 75 My sample came with a target illustrating a five-shot, 1.2-inch group fired at 25 yards.

As opposed to how many shooters most of the automat- asked me, “Hey, ics Americans are what’s that?” familiar with, the The fiber optic frame of the CZ 75 front sight works well rides inside the frame indoors and glows as rails as opposed brightly as a battery- to the outside like powered red dot sight other semiautos. in direct sunlight. This makes for a As CZ Custom is very narrow slide. a true custom shop, Combined with the the shop can build low bore, this design you a model cham- reduces the amount bered in .40 S&W or of slide available to one that’s tricked out grip, so I was pleased The CZ 75 CTS LS-P features a light-gathering fiber optic front sight. for fastest practical to see that the slide The top of the slide is serrated to reduce glare. shooting event. They on the CTS LS-P can add aluminum was serrated both front and back for guide the stored rounds. The pistols grips, a magwell—almost anything positive manipulation. are function-fired at the CZ Custom you can desire. The LS-P arrives with two extended Shop and are supplied with a test Hobdell’s plans are to get the CZ 19-round magazines—a definite plus. target. My sample came with a target 75 CTS LS-P approved for use in the Standard CZ 75 magazines hold 17 illustrating a five-shot, 1.2-inch group IPSC Production Division, which is rounds of 9mm and fit flush with the fired at 25 yards. ironically dominated by the CZ 75 frame. Like other CZ 75 magazines, At the range there were no sur- SP-01. Whether you compete or not, these drop free from the gun and have prises—boring reliability and excellent this is a longslide that looks great and black plastic followers to consistently accuracy. It was interesting to note shoots even better.

CZ-USA is making efforts to get the CZ 75 CTS LS-P approved for use in the IPSC Production Division.

accuracy results Bullet Weight Avg. Velocity Standard Make (gr.) (fps) Deviation Group (in.) Hornady 147 XTP 147 944 17 1.8 Black Hills FMJ 115 1,103 15 2.1 Hornady TAP/FPD 124 1,089 13 1.9

Accuracy results are the averages of four five-shot groups at 25 yards from a sandbag rest. Velocities are averages of 10 shots measured with an F-1 Alpha chronograph 12 feet from the muzzle.

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