Author Topic: CZ 527 LUX dissapointment (Read 12149 times)

FourBee · « **on:** January 01, 2008, 04:18:08 PM »

I truely like the CZ LUX series rifles. But this brand new .223 has really made my heart sink.
First of all. When I got it home, I inserted the bolt. It squeaked and grinded like rough metal rubbing together. Greased it and kept working the bolt till it got better. "I NEVER"! The magazine was hard to remove from the operation too.

Took the action out of the stock, brushed it off. Didn't need to remove any grease because it was very dry. Lightly oiled it, and replaced the action which turned out to be a chore because the mounting screws wouldn't align properly. Finally started the front screw, then worked back and forth with both screws a little at a time. And that magazine spring was annoying too. But the magazine was easier to insert and release.

When I loaded the magazine and inserted it, and tried to close the bolt, the bolt stopped. Wouldn't budge. I worked it back and forth and finally it loaded the round. Each round was extremely difficult to load.

Then I mounted my scope. "Oh brother"; When I bore sighted it at 50meters (55 yards), the 100 yard .22 target didn't even show up on the scope. It pointed at least 18" to the right. I removed the scope from the rings and did a little field adjustment to the mounts. It helped get the target in view. Had to crank the windage all the way to the left just to align the cross-hairs with the target. That's all I could to in the field, so, I went ahead and shot 20 rounds thru the rifle. Looked like the target was hit with buckshot. The bolt finally fed the rounds but with some difficulty. I brought it home and put it in the gun cabinet. I'm just sick over it all. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me with this one.

Any Suggestions?

?

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2008, 02:55:00 AM »

Sounds like you've ended up with a rifle that shouldn't have left the factory. CZ has a great service dpt, I'll bet they will love to get your rifle back and replace it.

SM Bob · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2008, 03:43:57 AM »

What Krochus said. Sounds like you got a lemon. Contact customer service.
I'm sure they will help you out.

Robert

FourBee · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2008, 06:31:27 PM »

Thanks Guys:
That's what I'll do. Come to think of it, that's what my Dealer said:" if you have any problems with it, bring it back!".

It just kinda hurts when the bomb falls on you. Makes one ask 'Lord what did I do to deserve this?'

gwindrider1 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2008, 05:20:02 AM »

FourBee,

The senior gunsmith at CZ-USA is Mike Eagleshield. You can reach him at: gunsmith@CZ-USA.com

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2008, 06:42:55 AM »

One of those is on my short list of what's next to get.
Let us know what it was and what CZ Did to fix it and were you happy after.
My guess is the action got tweeked some how.

FourBee · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2008, 05:23:35 PM »

Here's what's happened as of now.

Took the CZ 527 to my Dealer first thing this A.M. He worked the action a couple of times and packed it up for shipment to CZ USA. He said he was going to call and talk to someone there personally. Don't know if it is the same guy "gwindrider1" is refering to or not.

Anyway it's a waiting game now. I'll let you all know the results in a_ _ _ _ _ month?

Skeezix · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2008, 08:42:38 AM »

The guys (and ladies) at CZ will treat you right. You'll probably get back a rifle with nicer wood on it. I had heard that there were a few that got shipped that shouldn't have, with stock inletting and bolt/feeding problems. Heard that, among other things, they found one of their stock inletting mills that was setup wrong. Sounds like you got one off of that machine, in addition to other problems.

Please keep us posted.

kevthebassman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2008, 03:11:17 AM »

Sounds like a rare lemon. My CZ 527 American is a wonderful rifle and I wouldn't sell it for twice what I paid for it. I'd like to get one with a Mannlicher stock someday, maybe in 6.5X55.

FourBee · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2008, 02:50:48 PM »

Quote from: Skeezix on January 10, 2008, 08:42:38 AM

The guys (and ladies) at CZ will treat you right. You'll probably get back a rifle with nicer wood on it.

Thanks Skeezix for the up-note. It kinda put a butterfly inside of me thinking they may just pack it up and send it back as is. I have one of their .22's and it's rock solid.

kevthebassman; I'm really sold on them too, so this was a real shock to get one that sloppy.

Larry

FourBee · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2008, 08:42:50 PM »

Hi All:
It's been a long month since this began. Called my Dealer Monday. He said the last he's heard from CZ-USA is when they acknowledged the rifle had been received.

So, he's going to give them a ring to find out how much longer it will take.

I found some posts about the CZ's while I've been waiting, and there is an issue with the bolts and magazines on all the models, including the 550's. However, its not anything major. Mainly tweaking up the action by polishing to remove burrs, like IDbob stated. Same with the magazines too, although there have been several magazines that CZ had to replace.

I'm still here, so when I get it in and check it out I'll give you a report.

UPDATE : CZ-USA February 06, 2008.... repair turn-around - - - 2 more weeks.

Larry.........

Skeezix · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2008, 11:11:22 AM »

Thanks for the update!! We are all still waiting to see how you are treated. Whatever they do, the word will be spread far and wide, positive or negative. So the ball's in THEIR court.

kevthebassman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2008, 12:32:39 PM »

I've heard that their customer service can be a pain to deal with. Doesn't change the fact that they do turn out good rifles.

FourBee · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2008, 08:52:44 AM »

Hello Once Again:
My 527 LUX returned last Monday. It's better than what it was, and from what reports I've read, it being a Mauser type action, it's going to have some looseness about it.

As for the magazine, they fixed it too. However, the 1st round out of it, when it's fully loaded is a little stiff to load into the receiver, but they get easier to load as each consecutive round passes out of the magazine. That may be due to a stiff spring, I don't know.

What with all the bad weather I still haven't shot it yet. Right now it's sitting in its gun vise. I'm in the process of mounting the scope. I put the CZ's 527 Rings on, and they matched up perfectly. Had to remove the rear Iron Sights, as the front end of the Scope (40mm) was touching it.

Then I found that the elevation is going to need shimming in the rear to get the barrel and scope to line up with each other on the target. So with trying to fight off a cold and waiting for the weather to cooperate things are moving pretty slow.

I'll let you all know how it shoots as soon as I can get to it.........
FourBee

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2008, 08:18:04 AM »

Thanks for the update.
I'm eager to find out how it shoots.

FourBee · « **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2008, 03:49:08 AM »

2/28/08: This morning the weather warmed up enough for me to get out to the shop and get the scope re-mounted on my CZ. I
reset the CZ 527 Rings, and they matched perfectly. GOOD! Placed the Scope, leveling it both horizontally, and vertically. So
far, so good. Placed a target at 50 yards from my shop doors, and bore sighted the scope. When I removed the elevation
adjustment cap it read "windage" R-->. I had turned the Scope exactly 90 degrees so that the "Elevation Adjustment" was on the
left, and the Windage Adjustment was on top. "Good Grief".
Finally, I retrieved the Bolt and tried to insert it into the 'Receiver'. No Go! This new scope is a normal sized 4-12 variable, but
the CZ 527 Rings won't allow the Bolt Handle to clear the 'Eye Focus Adjustment Ring". "Aaaghh!", what next? Don't know if
what I did next is the best thing or not, but by then I was beginning to burn just a little.
I started grinding away at the contact point on the Bolt Handle. 1st with a Dremel Tool, then resorting to my 6" bench grinder.
When I finally got just enough material off the handle, I then used 220 grit lapping compound, then some Flitz, and finally Red
Rouge, to polish up the area where I'll have to re-blue the metal. I never had to do anything like that to a rifle in my life. Whew!

By now it's afternoon, and the wind is picking up pretty good, but I'm determined to sight this baby in. Down in the pasture I set
up a target at 50yards. 1st group of 3 is stringy about 3" to 6" right, but nearly even with the bull. The last two groups found the bulls-eye.

A month ago, I had bought the wife an Upright Freezer, and from that big Cardboard box, and wooden slats, I cut out (4) life size
Coyote Targets, split the slats into (4) stakes, and stapled the targets to them. Because of the wind and lack of time, I set 3 of
them up at 50 - 100 - 150 yards. A few quick shots for each target just to see how it shoots. They all placed in the kill zone,
but the 150 yard target I had drawn a little heart on it to give me something to aim at. That lil .223 tagged it. Made my day.

I'll have to do that again when I have more time and a camera. I want to set these up out to 300 yards and put several rounds
into each target.

kevthebassman · « **Reply #16 on:** March 01, 2008, 01:14:27 PM »

Sounds like you're on the right track. Those CZ rings do make the bolt come pretty close to the scope.

Clearfield_Utah · « **Reply #17 on:** April 28, 2008, 06:49:30 AM »

My 527 varmint in 223 need to have the barrel chamber sanded, as it touched at the end. once this was done, it shoots like a laser, with the 50 grains v-max's recommended above.

I think the wood wasn't completely cured when it went to the stock department, and curved upon drying. Still love my CZ's.

alsaqr · « **Reply #18 on:** April 29, 2008, 02:56:51 PM »

Took my left hand CZ 527 American to the range last week: It is a .223 with a Leupold FXIII 6x42 scope. Fired five three shot groups at 100 meters (109) yards. The ammo was some very carefully loaded stuff with Remington 55 grain PSP bullets. The five groups averaged 11/16" . The three smallest groups averaged less than 9/16". Not too bad for shooting off sandbags.

Never had any problems with that gun.

FourBee · « **Reply #19 on:** April 30, 2008, 05:45:34 PM »

alsaqr:
That's good shootin'. My .223 has no problems at 150 yards. 200 yards, I would fair better if I had a pair of shooting sticks at least. 300 yards, the bullet drop and windage tells me I need more practice, or else call them yotes in closer.

FourBee

jcn59 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 14, 2008, 05:04:04 AM »

I've got one of these & it shoots pretty much with a 12# Savage .204, usually 3/8" to 3/4". The bolt has never been free to the point that it could be manipulated quickly, but boy, does it shoot!. Never gave it much thought until now.

FourBee · « **Reply #21 on:** May 16, 2008, 05:32:06 PM »

Hey jcn59:

When mine came back from CZ-USA, it was like me, a little stiff in places yet, so I got out the flitz polish and went to work on the bolt. Loaded the magazine full and let her sit that way for a spell. Now I just use it, and it gets better all the time.

Wish I could get a 3/8 grouping like you're getting. I'd be a happy camper for sure then.

But then I'm shooting at 150 yds +. Don't know if that would show much difference than 100 yds? I'll have to check that out.

4/B

jcn59 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 17, 2008, 05:09:41 AM »

Another way of expressing the group size with this rifle is to say they run from 3/8" at 100 and up. They are not all 3/8". Best group I ever shot with this rifle (or ANY rifle) was a 1 hole 3 shot group at a measured 200 yards that would have measured 1/8". The point of mentioning that was that neither the rifle nor me are that good. It fits in the category of "even a blind pig finds an acorn occasionally". It's the best group at 200 yards that I ever got in 50 years of shooting.

When I got the 527, the first day I got sub inch groups with several loads @ 100 yards. I shot it 20-25 times, letting the barrel cool between 3 shot groups. The second day, and thereafter for several weeks, groups grew to over an inch. I don't know why to this day. I went through bore-cleaning routines, experimented with action-screw torque, different loads, checked scope mounts, etc. to no avail. Probably shot the gun 100 times.

Eventually I used some Montana bore paste alternated with moly-coated bullets and more bore cleaning, and all of a sudden the rifle was shooting sub-inch groups again, and it has ever since. This is with any 52-53 grain match HP bullets and about 26 grains of a few different appropriate powders. Now, unless I pull a shot, it ALWAYS shoots under an inch at 100. Best shooting gun I ever owned.

FourBee · « **Reply #23 on:** May 17, 2008, 07:11:46 AM »

I'm basically going thru the same steps as you are during practice. That barrel does get hot.
I've been using 55gr Sierra HP's and SP's, and a few 63gr Sierra SP, along with mixed brass.

I noticed you said " This is with any 52-53 grain match HP bullets and about 26 grains of a few different appropriate powders. "

Recently got some 53 grain Hornady Match bullets and Match Brass I'm going to load with H335 powder. Maybe that will help close my groups in a little more. I've heard that these rifles can be particular to certain loads, so I'll try and find what this one likes best.

4/B

jcn59 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 17, 2008, 07:44:26 AM »

The match 52 & 53 gr. HPs are best in my rifle, and probably yours, too. Benchmark & H335 are my favorites here. I'll shoot a 3 shot group then shoot something else for ten or fifteen minutes while the barrel cools, depending on the air temp. My rifle has been shot maybe 400 times & I'll bet it continues to shoot more good, & better groups for as long as I own it, maybe longer.

I bought a new .270 Tikka that has already shot as well as .3?? for a 3 shot group @ 100 with almost all groups under an inch. I would guess that after another 200 rounds it may shoot with the CZ .223.

I might be the luckiest "blind pig" ever.

dbriannelson · « **Reply #25 on:** May 24, 2008, 03:21:08 PM »

This is an interesting thread. I picked up a 527 carbine in .223 awhile back. Same nasty magazine lip roughness and fit problems, same rough bolt throw, same exquisite accuracy the first time from a bench (see below). At this point I've put only 230 rounds downrange, but I worked on the inside of the lips with some emery cloth and then lapping compound and it's getting better - not perfect yet. Same with the bolt, it's smoothing out some. Inserting the magazine is still a problem as it's a tight fit that has to be approached like a puzzle, but eventually it will become second nature I suppose.

My second time at the range the groups opened up. I was testing some 60-grain bullets and frankly think the twist just doesn't do well with 60s. But I also shot some Black Hills 52 gr Match that stayed under an inch during the first shoot, but opened to an inch and a half the second time.

Tomorrow I'll be shooting some of that "best" load I found first time out (26.4 gr H4895 behind a 53 gr SMK HP) and we'll see if it's the rifle or me.

Anyway, even with the mechanical tightness of this little rifle, I am so pleased that I put money down yesterday on a 550 FS in 9.3x62 Mauser.

-Don

jcn59 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 24, 2008, 06:24:16 PM »

I had a 9,3 CZ for a season but sold it. No complaints about the gun. The set trigger was a nice bonus. It was beautiful, functioned perfectly & would shoot around an inch when happy, but that FS model didn't fit me well. Besides I already had a nice .35 Whelen. I didn't realize that they were so close in ballistics.

Let us know how the 527 works out.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 17, 2008, 12:33:30 PM »

It's too bad, that you've had all those issues with your CZ, as I've owned a couple, and the only one I couldn't abide was a 527FS that had a stock with all the color & figure of peanut butter.

My current CZ is a 527LUX, w/Leupold 2-7x33 Compact in Burris rings:

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #28 on:** July 22, 2008, 03:20:13 AM »

That is the most fierce Coyote that I ever did see

Good job and great shooting.
First Post here...The CZ is not readily avalibile around here but I may be going up to a couple of (new to me) Shops in the Pekin IL area to see if they have some of these models
As I hear a lot of good about them...Around here, the Savage, Rem, & Ruger are usually the only choices for a new/used rifle.