centerfire rifles medium
a similar range of calibres. This model is characterised by varnished beech stock in the American style and the absence of mechanical sights. In 2014, we can first and foremost look forward to models with detachable magazines. Two specific models have been announced for the second half of the year: the compact CZ 557 Ranger with a detachable magazine (see p. 50) and the CZ 557 Carbine. The latter is an internal magazine rifle, similar in shape to the Sporter, with which it shares its basic technical parameters, including the total length of 1042 mm. It differs in having the stock made out of oil‑treated walnut, mechanical sights and a slightly different selection of calibres: 243 Win, 308 Win, 30-06 Sprg and 6.5x55 SE.
In the long term, the range would be gradually augmented by other models, for example the Varmint version (with heavy barrel) and the Synthetic (with plastic stock). A ‘ZKK’ for the 21st century When getting acquainted with the CZ 557 rifle, experienced shooters soon dis cover that some elements, and, indeed, the overall impression made by this modern weapon, are surprisingly similar to some of the legendary ZKKs – the models in the ZKK 600 series by the genius Koucký brothers. The designer Víťa Sedlák agrees. How ever, this is not a case of a direct inspiration or copying. The explanation is offered by Ing. Karel Bařinka: ‘Víťa designed the gun using the common sense of a gunsmith who for years converted and fine‑tuned
weapons. Moreover, he worked at home, with minimal mechanical equipment, and this taught him to work in such a way that his designs were technically logical and as simple as possible. When he built the new rifle based on his experience, he came to me once, all surprised, saying: ‘Listen, I just compared my rifle with the ZKK, and I went back to the Kouckýs solutions with some of it.’’ To the Česká zbrojovka, with regard to technology and also to customers, the CZ 557 represents, on the one hand, an advance to a higher category (while still keeping a very reasonable end price), and on the other a partial return to the best of the long tradition of Czech arms design. And reactions to the 557 show that customers can appreciate this rare combination.
CZ 557 in practice An experienced shooter testing the CZ 557 rifle shared his views with us.
F
or the test, I borrowed a CZ 557 rifle of 30-06 Springfield calibre in the Lux version with a Bavarian stock. I felt Czech optics would be appropriate for a Czech rifle – so I fitted the weapon with the Meostar R1 1.5–6x42 RD telescopic sights on the CZ mounting with the rail baseplate. As I had the tools in hand already, I removed the system out of the stock and looked at how the weapon was made and bedded in the wood. The fitting of wood with metal was good; the metal parts are clean and smoothly machined. Although the inner non‑functional surfaces are not po lished, there are no burrs on them or undue rough tool marks. The fitting of parts is clean, without gaps or unnecessary backlash. I also studied the range of trigger adjust ment. The ‘voice of the people’ now asks for a short, almost point travel, but there are also a considerable number of users who want to have some perception of travel before releasing the firing pin. With the CZ 557, it is not a problem; the travel length is adjustable from practically zero to about
46 | The best of CZ
6 mm (depending how you measure the travel length – I measured at the rearmost point on the front surface of the trigger blade. I managed to adjust the pull in the range of 11–24 N (2,47–5,39 lbf). In both cases, the trigger travel was smooth and the maximum pull force very stable. The trigger backtravel is also adjustable. It is pleasant, and in our nation of keen
DYI hobbyists, very important, that even if you overdo the tinkering (exceeding the adjustment range), you willbe able neither to tension the striker or to fire it. By returning the adjustment element, the function will be renewed. In terms of safety, it is very impor tant that even at the setting with the smallest possible trigger pull, I was not able to cause spontaneous firing by repeated dropping of