CZ 452 Scout - Difficult to close bolt

[smh77]

Hey guys,

I'm guessing someone on here has run into this before-either in the 452 scout, or perhaps it's more common to the whole 452 action lineup? Anyway, I bought my daughter a CZ 452 Scout for her 16th birthday and it sat for a long time and didn't shoot it much. I finally took it out to her (she's now 20, moved out, married, pregnant, etc) so she could spend time shooting with her husband. The gun shoot great, but the bolt is a real burden to close-really difficult to 'cam' down into locked position. Is there something I (or they) can do to break and edge with a stone, or something to make it close easier? If so, exactly where do I tell them to focus on reworking the parts (pictures would be helpful)?

Thanks in advance.

Sean

 

[littlepod]

What ammo? Or is it hard to close on an empty chamber?

 

[Near miss]

If it is difficult to close with no rounds, take out the trigger and see if it closes easier now. It might be a timing issue.

 

[smh77]

Thanks for the replies. No, the bolt seems to close just fine without any ammo loaded.

Sean

 

[littlepod]

Thanks for the replies. No, the bolt seems to close just fine without any ammo loaded.

Sean

Try SK Standard Plus to see if it works with that. What ammo are you trying?

 

[smh77]

Try SK Standard Plus to see if it works with that. What ammo are you trying?

That was one of the brands we tried (she nearly couldn't close the bolt-it's pretty difficult). I think the other was CCI that we tried shooting.

 

[EddieE]

Have you checked the headspace?

 

[smh77]

Have you checked the headspace?

How do I do that? She's out in CO springs now and I'm in the Midwest. But, since she's expecting, I'll be seeing her more frequently so I can take what I need when I go see her to measure it...

 

[Near miss]

-Test if the bolt is hard to close on empty cartridge.
If it is still hard to close, it could be a headspace issue.

If not,

-How about the live rounds, can you eject them and do they show rifling marks? If so, post a photo.


I measured headspace by measuring the cartridge rim, then placing blue-tac between the bolt and round and then closing the bolt.
Put some light oil so the blue-tac won't attach on the surfaces.
You can freeze the blue-tac before measuring so it will not give in so easily. Mine did not with careful measuring.

I added the blue-tac measurement to the rim thickness of the tested cartridge. My result showed 0.043 if I remember correctly.

This is far from scientific but if done few times and you get the same number, it should be a valid result..

I think bubblegum that has been treated with running water (removes stickyness) or oil would suffice too.

 

[EddieE]

How do I do that? She's out in CO springs now and I'm in the Midwest. But, since she's expecting, I'll be seeing her more frequently so I can take what I need when I go see her to measure it...

Best way to measure is get a depth gauge. You can find them on ebay. Here are the directions from Lilja. It's not that complicated.

CZ 455/457 22LR - Lilja

These barrels are a true match-grade barrel, we only have one grade for all of our barrels, our best. All of these barrels are made from 1" diameter 416 alloy rifle-barrel-quality stainless steel. Every barrel is drilled, reamed and rifled in our shop followed by a stress relieving heat...

riflebarrels.com

 

[JBoomhauer]

My 452 does this when too dirty, after cleaning it cycles smooth again.

 

[smh77]

-Test if the bolt is hard to close on empty cartridge.
If it is still hard to close, it could be a headspace issue.

If not,

-How about the live rounds, can you eject them and do they show rifling marks? If so, post a photo.


I measured headspace by measuring the cartridge rim, then placing blue-tac between the bolt and round and then closing the bolt.
Put some light oil so the blue-tac won't attach on the surfaces.
You can freeze the blue-tac before measuring so it will not give in so easily. Mine did not with careful measuring.

I added the blue-tac measurement to the rim thickness of the tested cartridge. My result showed 0.043 if I remember correctly.

This is far from scientific but if done few times and you get the same number, it should be a valid result..

I think bubblegum that has been treated with running water (removes stickyness) or oil would suffice too.

Very detailed-thank you Gunny! Much appreciated.

 

[smh77]

I think I should clarify a little better: the bolt will go all the way forward, but rotating it down seems to be a total bear to accomplish. It feels like there is an edge somewhere that needs to be broken with a stone, or something?

I don’t have the gun in front of me, but please keep the ideas coming so I can reference this once I see her again and can check her gun.

Thanks guys!

Sean

 

[Mike Casselton]

I had this same issue last month testing out an old Walther that hadn't been shot in a decade.
It was kind of gunked up and as soon as I lubed the bolt handle where it cams into the action and the locking lugs, it smoothed right up.

 

[Ncbrshooter]

Heres another option , it could be a carbon ring building up in the chamber. It most definitely will cause hard bolt closure. How often is this gun cleaned ? I'm a 22 br shooter and we clean after every card and do a scrub with the brush after about a brick or when accuracy drops off. The carbon ring will require some elbow grease and bore tech c4 or iosso bore cleaner.

 

[accurate obsession]

I own 452's and 455's, the bolt close on the 452's is harder. That last cam over to close is enough to always disturb your position. Thousands of rounds will make it smoother, maybe an extended bolt handle will give more leverage but it will be there.

 

[308pirate]

The rifle just needs to be lubricated at the bolt's locking lug and cocking piece and then used. It will sort itself out.

 

[todde]

The rifle just needs to be lubricated at the bolt's locking lug and cocking piece and then used. It will sort itself out.

Ncbrshooter is right. Clean the chamber good with a brush and it will be fine.
Todd

 

[308pirate]

Ncbrshooter is right. Clean the chamber good with a brush and it will be fine.
Todd

I doubt it. The OP says the rifle has hardly been shot at all.

It's not like I haven't had a 452 since new and seen this before...……..

 

[HousePlant]

My CZ 557 in .308 has a very, very tight chamber such that on most ammo the bolt is hard to close. Just sent it into CZ. They paid for shipping to their repair facility and I'll have it back in a few weeks. Great experience so far.

 

[*rim-star*]

The rifle just needs to be lubricated at the bolt's locking lug and cocking piece and then used. It will sort itself out.

This more than likely is the problem......

 

[RUTGERS95]

OP how did you make out?

I have several 452s as I don't think there is a better 22 on the planet. I'll be honest, these were my sons first rifles and they do not clean them after each shoot and we shoot quite a bit; we've never experienced anything even close to what you and some have said in this thread. Our CZs are laser engergizer bunnies that just don't stop!. I'd send it in to CZ and let them look at it, that should not be happening and a simple clean is not going to fix it I gather