Since I got my "Aussie" 452 American on Monday I decided to get my 455 American out since something was telling me that they didn't look exactly alike.
Regardless of the obvious barrel contour difference at the receiver/barrel junction, the 3/8" vs 11mm dovetail change, and subtle receive contour differences at the back-end, I noticed the stock on the 452 had a thicker forend contour to it than the 455 which is noticeably slimmer.
I like this 452 forend contour better as well as the subtle barrel and receiver contours.
Perhaps that is why the 452 is really growing on me vs the 455 which is a nice, but has never grown on me like the 452 has.
Regarding the stock it seems to me that the 452 beech stock has a nicer & thinner finish on it vs. the thicker and muddier finish on the 455. I can see the beech wood grain much clearer on the 452, and see that there's some nice figure underneath the "mud" of the 455.
While my 455 is perfectly useful I like the "old-school classic" lines of the 452 a bit better.
My .02
Regardless of the obvious barrel contour difference at the receiver/barrel junction, the 3/8" vs 11mm dovetail change, and subtle receive contour differences at the back-end, I noticed the stock on the 452 had a thicker forend contour to it than the 455 which is noticeably slimmer.
I like this 452 forend contour better as well as the subtle barrel and receiver contours.
Perhaps that is why the 452 is really growing on me vs the 455 which is a nice, but has never grown on me like the 452 has.
Regarding the stock it seems to me that the 452 beech stock has a nicer & thinner finish on it vs. the thicker and muddier finish on the 455. I can see the beech wood grain much clearer on the 452, and see that there's some nice figure underneath the "mud" of the 455.
While my 455 is perfectly useful I like the "old-school classic" lines of the 452 a bit better.
My .02