New CZ 457 24" 1.180 Match Barrel from L3i

Mark_Dorman

Mark_Dorman

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 8, 2023
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Portland, OR
#1
This popped up a few days ago and I realized it hasn't been shared here. L3i just came out with what might be the best deal on a aftermarket barrel for the CZ 457 (At least for NRL and PRS shooters). It is a 24 inch straight 1.180 profile barrel with a match chamber and target crown. They haven't officially said where the blank comes from, but based on the diameter there are only a few options- All of them being top tier barrel manufacturers.

The 1.180 barrel diameter is a huge deal for those looking for optimal balance on their CZ 457. Based on my calculations, the barrel should weigh around 7 lbs giving you an extra 3 lbs up front over a 20.5 inch MTR barrel. This means that almost any chassis or stock you fit this to will require little to no extra weight up front for balance.

1719353165711.png


They originally priced these at ~$550, but was told by @Thesepaperwings they were able to secure a better deal due to ordering the blanks in a larger batch with the barrels for their new Stinger Action. So the price right now is $329.00 + tax and $6 for shipping. I personally think the value is huge and already placed an order. They didn't say how long this pricing will be available, but it's definitely a good deal.

Obviously no testing data yet, but based on the quality of everything else I've seen/gotten from L3i, I'm confident it'll be great. I'll post results from ammo testing, balance, etc once it comes in.
 
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#7
Emerson0311 said:
I have heard some discussion that accuracy with long heavy barrels often suffers because of the CZ barrel attachment system. There are some smiths threading CZ Rimfire receivers now.
Click to expand...
I think this is a fair discussion but realistically that's a different market and price point. Pursuit of accuracy just post his lilja shooting amazing groups and his modacam absolutely kills it.
 
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#8
Emerson0311 said:
I have heard some discussion that accuracy with long heavy barrels often suffers because of the CZ barrel attachment system. There are some smiths threading CZ Rimfire receivers now.
Click to expand...

Josh (Pursuit of Accuracy) has a video he just threw up of the new Lilja 26" 1.0" profile drop in and shot some great groups. He also had a 26" .9 that did well. So while threading might be superior I think its a stretch to say the current system has issues.
 
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#9
jdodd said:
Did I plan on buying a barrel for my sons CZ right now...No. Did I? Yes...
Click to expand...

Son of a b. I told myself I wasn't going to buy anything for the rest of the month, but my son's CZ could use some weight up front too.

I slapped on 6 brass weights and the balance is close, but this barrel would fix it right up.

Edit
And now one should be on it's way to me too
 
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#11
Mechdesigner said:
We spec’d the barrel tenons out at a .001” max slip fit so they will be a tighter fit, barrel droop should not be any issue. Assembly may require more finess though.
Click to expand...
Would you recommend gluing the barrel in over the the factory system? I personally have had better results gluing custom barrels into the cz over the factory system but wanted to ask.
 
#12
Lastsaint21 said:
Would you recommend gluing the barrel in over the the factory system? I personally have had better results gluing custom barrels into the cz over the factory system but wanted to ask.
Click to expand...

I will be testing them both ways and then recommend based on the results. Gluing in the barrel can’t hurt. I have done it on my ARs with great results.
 
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#13
jdodd said:
Josh (Pursuit of Accuracy) has a video he just threw up of the new Lilja 26" 1.0" profile drop in and shot some great groups. He also had a 26" .9 that did well. So while threading might be superior I think its a stretch to say the current system has issues.
Click to expand...

Not much meat on the CZ barrel under the cut , lets just say i would not like to hang super heavy contour onto this ,
Shrink fit , glue in and threaded are the way to go

This the crosssection from my measurements
2024-06-26_18h37_10.jpg
 
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#14
Mr.BR said:
Not much meat on the CZ barrel under the cut , lets just say i would not like to hang super heavy contour onto this ,
Shrink fit , glue in and threaded are the way to go

This the crosssection from my measurements
View attachment 8446938
Click to expand...

The stress is not concentrated at the location of that cross section though. It would be concentrated at the shoulder to action junction.
 
#16
Mechdesigner said:
The stress is not concentrated at the location of that cross section though. It would be concentrated at the shoulder to action junction.
Click to expand...
While that is true to a degree , slipfit of CZ it still leaves bad taste ,

Italian Victrix seems to have something similar to CZ
Quite unusual for a Rem700 footprint action , but also not seen with 1.2 barrels so far and it seems it uses a large shoulder
2024-06-26_19h14_46.png
 
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#17
Mr.BR said:
While that is true to a degree , slipfit of CZ it still leaves bad taste ,

Italian Victrix seems to have something similar to CZ
Quite unusual for a Rem700 footprint action , but also not seen with 1.2 barrels so far and it seems it uses a large shoulder
View attachment 8446950
Click to expand...

An 18mm steel tenon is much stronger than most people realize. We have all rode on carnival rides with less steel supporting our weight! An Interference fit is better for absolute precision, however it turns a home barrel swap into a “send it into a gunsmith wait months and pay way more” type of affair. Nothing wrong with that and plenty of great companies offer that service for people wanting to take it to that level. Our goal was to provide an affordable drop in barrel suited for PRS/NRL competition that provides more than adequate performance for a great cost with the features competitors want. We look forward to seeing an affordable competitive option for people getting into the sport. We want to make the sport both enjoyable and affordable for the most people as possible!
 
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#18
I've seen quite a few people running different 1.180 or 1.000 barrels using the factory grub screws without issues. Not saying it's not possible for their to be issues, but I haven't seen anyone say anything overly negative about it. Screw in would be ideal, but that's a lot of extra machining work.
 
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#19
Emerson0311 said:
I have heard some discussion that accuracy with long heavy barrels often suffers because of the CZ barrel attachment system. There are some smiths threading CZ Rimfire receivers now.
Click to expand...
We chambered a 1.250 at 25" with slip fit and it shoots awesome. It's being used in NRL/PRS, so any abnormal wear or stress should show up pretty quick. Plan is to check it mid seaon for anything unusual.
 
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#25
Mechdesigner said:
This is a 1.200” barrel, the rail can be slightly slid backwards without modification, or I could design a new rail…
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've seen you can slide most back a tad to clear it. But it would be nice to keep it lined up properly. I don't mind grinding a bit off to make it work, but if there are plans to chamfer the edge to make fitment a little more smooth that would be nice. I know the 1.180 have the same issue because the dovetail groves are inside of the 1.180 diameter.

Mechdesigner said:
The action is 1.180” in diameter, it looks smaller because of the radius on the action.
Click to expand...
My bad, for some reason I thought it was slightly under.
 
#26
Mark_Dorman said:
Yeah, I've seen you can slide most back a tad to clear it. But it would be nice to keep it lined up properly. I don't mind grinding a bit off to make it work, but if there are plans to chamfer the edge to make fitment a little more smooth that would be nice. I know the 1.180 have the same issue because the dovetail groves are inside of the 1.180 diameter.


My bad, for some reason I thought it was slightly under.
Click to expand...

Production has already started. I modeled the barrel tenon with a .020” chamfer but did not include it as a requirement in the prints. i can reach out the shop and see if they included it.
 
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#36
I have one of these barrels on order and am considering gluing it in with 609. What do we know about other people running these larger diameter barrels with just the grub screws?

It’s a lot of weight hanging out there in space. Seems like thermal fit and threading is popular but glue is not. my Neanderthal mind say that it would achieve the same result.
 
#37
We have built AR pattern precision rifle with Loctite bedded barrels for years and they perform really well. The tenon diameter on our CZ barrel is held to within .001” of the true 18mm bore diameter of the action so it will be very close fit already. We have seen some heavy barrelled CZs just running the grub screws perform really well also. It will be a user preference. Personally I will be gluing in my barrel for maximum performance.
 
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#40
JFricke said:
I have one of these barrels on order and am considering gluing it in with 609. What do we know about other people running these larger diameter barrels with just the grub screws?

It’s a lot of weight hanging out there in space. Seems like thermal fit and threading is popular but glue is not. my Neanderthal mind say that it would achieve the same result.
Click to expand...

I know a couple people running Modacam 1.180's that are installed with just the grub screws. They haven't had any issues.

Thermal fitting and threading are ideal for pretty much any barrel, but I'm not worried about it. I've not really seen much on people using glue or epoxy to set their barrels so can't really comment. I can't see it really hurting as long as you don't get any in the action.
 
#41
Mechdesigner said:
We have built AR pattern precision rifle with Loctite bedded barrels for years and they perform really well. The tenon diameter on our CZ barrel is held to within .001” of the true 18mm bore diameter of the action so it will be very close fit already. We have seen some heavy barrelled CZs just running the grub screws perform really well also. It will be a user preference. Personally I will be gluing in my barrel for maximum performance.
Click to expand...
Good to hear. I’m sold. Worst case is I go a different route later on and gotta warm it up with a heat gun to take it off.

I’m thinking I’ll put a couple drops of 609 on the tenon and then lightly tighten the grubs to 10-15 in/lbs till it’s hardened. Then remove them. My understanding is that the loctite expands a little as it cures so you don’t want to just stand it on end and use gravity to hold it in place.
 
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#49
Mechdesigner said:
Yes sir, we were sponsoring the Midwest Finale over the weekend so we were running just a tad slower on shipping in the run up. Your order should have went out this morning.
Click to expand...
Awesome. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to get the metal magwell. I replaced my broken plastic one with a metal DIP and it’s too tight. I tried calling Pete’s pillars (where I bought it) to get a replacement and send it back but they won’t return my calls or emails. Lesson learned
 
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#50
Michael Coley said:
Awesome. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to get the metal magwell. I replaced my broken plastic one with a metal DIP and it’s too tight. I tried calling Pete’s pillars (where I bought it) to get a replacement and send it back but they won’t return my calls or emails. Lesson learned
Click to expand...

At least you can turn around and sell the DIP one. Plenty of people will still buy it.
 
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