512

I asked this same ? A few weeks ago no real answer apparently no one has both a old and a new one to compare? I to called CZ was told single spring, new bolt and trigger group, can load chamber with safety on. Was looking at them on buds I see they jumped the price a little, that's what I get for dragging my feet.

 

Can you see the difference without taking the rifle apart?

 

No, you actually need to take off the forearm, slide out the pin, then slide the upper back a bit in order to expose the bolt - operating rod/spring assembly.

I have the older version. . . As I stated in my initial description, I first saw this on a CA 512 American 22 Mag YouTube review and noticed there was only one operating rod/spring when he disassembled it.

Since I have experience with the old 512 design, I guess feedback from someone that has the 512 American in either 22 LR or 22 Mag would be adequate.

 

Tagged for interest. I'm considering grabbing a 512, and have been wondering the same thing about the reliability of the newer single rod vs the previous dual setup.

 

I had a very early CZ 512, improved the trigger a good bit, shot it a lot. Picked up one of the new Carbines and sold my old 512 to a friend, I've had no reason to crack open the new one as its run very well from day one. The new one's trigger was noticeably better out of the box.

 

I bought a new CZ 512 American .22 WMR and like I do with all my firearms I take them apart for cleaning and inspection. The American 512 is different as described with the single operating rod. What is most improved is the trigger. After a good cleaning and polishing I was able to get the trigger to break clean at 3.5 pounds. It was 4.5 pounds out of the box.

 

We this is interesting . . . I disassembled a CZ 512 American - 22 WMR today and it had two operating rods and springs. This is definitely the new model as the trigger is different, the wood is upgraded, and the angle of the stock and forearm is different.

 

What's the serial numbers of the newer 512 vs the old model?

 

Older 512 = A896349 and the new 512 American = B950280

 

I have the optics in place on both rifles and plan to go to the range tomorrow for sight-in along with some initial ammo and group testing. I will also provide my findings to CZ Customer Service and see if they can explain why both have dual operating rods/springs when they specifically stated the American was redesigned.

 

If CZ removed one spring to cut cost of production do you really think a rep from CZ is going to admit it. They will always say it was to improve it and we have all had guns with worse "improvements". My 2 spring model has hundreds of rounds and has run flawlessly. I do like the idea of the upgraded safety though.


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Okay . . . here is the latest on the CZ 512 American/Tactical changes from CZ's Customer Support.

"Check your rifle for the two digit year of manufacturer stamped on the receiver near the S#. Your rifle is likely an end-of-year build from 2015, as our transaction date is from the beginning of 2016 for it. It also could have been made at the very beginning of 2016, but again that number will indicate this for you. The changes regarding the op-rods didn't come in to play until August of 2016".

My CZ 512 American ( just purchased this week ) has a 16 stamped on the barrel. Thus it would appear to be manufactured in 2016 prior to the August change over. At this point I am pleased that I have the dual operating rod/spring action design. The downside of that is I do not have the slightly better trigger or safety change but at this point I can live with that.

So if you are looking at a CZ 512 American or Tactical and the stamp on the barrel is 16 you will have to disassemble the rifle to determine if you have a single or dual op rod model . . . or another method "might" be to see if the action will fully open with the safety on.

The more digging I do on this the more I agree with those who stated . . . CZ just tried to save money by leaving out the second op rod & spring and cover it with a marketing "design improvement" statement. Okay maybe that covered the cost of the safety improvement and a slightly better trigger.

Anyway - on to the enjoyment of shooting both the CZ 512's recently added to the CZ Collection.

 

I thought the improved trigger was phased in a long time ago? Or am I wrong? What sort of improved safety do the new models have?

 

If I understand it correctly . . . you can fully open the action with the safety on. On my CZ 512 American the action will only open fully if the safety is off . . . with the safety on only half way.

As to the trigger I cannot comment . . . I believe another poster stated some slight improvement with the newer one but if CZ Support is correct that would only be on models made after August 2016.

 

My new CZ 512 American WMR has a 'C' serial# prefix and a '16' barrel date. It has the single recoil spring and guide rod. Through a 150 rounds or so it has had a stovepipe and a couple failures to properly feed. Trigger pull is very good but not measured. Accuracy is good but not a barn burner; all things considered I like the rifle a lot.

 

Just a quick update - I got both CZ 512's to an indoor range yesterday for sighting in the optics and a little ammo testing. Shooting at an indoor range doesn't allow the use of a good rest, so I was just using a range bag for support and the small bench height is a bit awkward.

So under those circumstances along with me being an old guy with old eyes and a heart beat that can move POI 1/2 at 25 yards . . .

The 512 semiautomatic 22 LR shot well with some groups under 1 MOA @ 50 yards. It seemed to like Federal Standard Target as well as anything so this will make a great plinking rifle for the grandkids to shoot - (okay I will have fun with it as well).

The 512 American 22 WMR was very impressive as a 22 WMR semiautomatic. This was a new rifle so this was the first 200 rounds fired using several different types of ammo with no failures of any kind. It seemed to like the Hornady & CCI 30 grain ammo slightly better than the A22 & old Super X but all shot reasonable groups @ 50 yards under the circumstances using the following ammo types:

Hornady - V-Max - 30 grain - 2,200 fps
CCI - V-Max - 30 grain - 2,200 fps
CCI - A22 - 35 grain - 2,100 fps
Winchester - Super X - 40 grain - 1,800 fps

I look forward to getting both at the outdoor range from a solid bench and taking me (the jerk behind the trigger) out of the equation.

I want to do a (22LR) heads up of the CZ 512, Ruger 10/22 Target, & Magnum Research MLR at 50 yards as well as a (22 WMR) heads up of my Magnum Research MLR, CZ 455 Varmint, & CA 512 American at 100 yards.

 

CZ 512 22 magnum; made in 2011

I'm considering buying a CZ 512 22 magnum I've found listed as 'new' online - but just learned it was made in 2011; making it 'new old stock', I guess.

I've read some things about the manufacturer going from 2 rods to 1 in the trigger mechanism in 2016; supposedly improving what was apparently a criticized trigger pull in previous models. There's some debate too about whether the 2 rod models are better than the newer single rod makes.

I don't know much about any of this - any reason I should perhaps pass on buying the 2011 model? Thanks for any input.

 

Finally, a post I can chime in on. I am a total CZ nut and have been for many years. I have 10 or 12 of them. I have had an old CZ 512 22 WMR for many years - original model, iron sights etc. It is super reliable, decent accuracy, but has the typical horrendous trigger at approx. 6 lbs. Either way I had a certain love for the gun but I wanted it with a better trigger. I finally found a newer model 455 22 WMR American and when I dry fired it at the store it was instant love. I bought it on the spot. It has the newer action and about a 3 lb. trigger - half the original. It also out shoots my CZ 455 FS 22 WMR - WOW!
As far as my assessment of old vs. new model 512 - it’s TRIGGER, TRIGGER, TRIGGER. Nothing else matters. It’s 3 lbs vs. 6 lbs, end of story. Huge difference, and it out shoots my bolt actions - add the luck of the barrel lottery.
As far as 2 guide rods vs. 1 - who cares? The old 2 guide rod design has holes in the front of the bolt where burnt powder enters those holes and follows it back and gets the guide rods and springs all dirty and gunked up. The new design has a solid bolt face that protects the guide rod and spring - a much cleaner design. The single rod and spring design is also twice as easy to rack a round.
If you are going to buy a 512 I would NEVER buy an older model. Everyone knows that a better trigger is worth at least $100.00 more on any gun.
As far as how to tell the difference if you have the chance to pick one up, the easiest way is to look at the bolt hold back/ release within the trigger guard. The old model will be like a stamped, thin, sheet metal with 3 or 4 teeth on it for a better grip. The new models will be a larger square flat smooth plastic push button type with no teeth or ridges.
With the bolt open, the old bolt will have 2 holes on the front face that lead dirt back to the guide rods. The newer bolt will not have those 2 holes in the front of the bolt face. Also, the old bolt will have a hole on the right (ejection) side where if you move the bolt back and forth you can see the right spring operating.
The old bolt handle is dull plastic. The new one is shinier metal. (You can barely tell the difference.) The old bolt is tougher to pull back. (2 springs vs. 1.) Lastly, if the trigger sucks, it’s probably an old model. Get the newer model! As far as reliability, my old model had the disconnector pin fall out right after I bought it. I easily fixed it and after that, neither gun has ever had any failure of any kind - knock on wood.

 

Finally, a post I can chime in on. I am a total CZ nut and have been for many years. I have 10 or 12 of them. I have had an old CZ 512 22 WMR for many years - original model, iron sights etc. It is super reliable, decent accuracy, but has the typical horrendous trigger at approx. 6 lbs. Either way I had a certain love for the gun but I wanted it with a better trigger. I finally found a newer model 455 22 WMR American and when I dry fired it at the store it was instant love. I bought it on the spot. It has the newer action and about a 3 lb. trigger - half the original. It also out shoots my CZ 455 FS 22 WMR - WOW!
As far as my assessment of old vs. new model 512 - it's TRIGGER, TRIGGER, TRIGGER. Nothing else matters. It's 3 lbs vs. 6 lbs, end of story. Huge difference, and it out shoots my bolt actions - add the luck of the barrel lottery.
As far as 2 guide rods vs. 1 - who cares? The old 2 guide rod design has holes in the front of the bolt where burnt powder enters those holes and follows it back and gets the guide rods and springs all dirty and gunked up. The new design has a solid bolt face that protects the guide rod and spring - a much cleaner design. The single rod and spring design is also twice as easy to rack a round.
If you are going to buy a 512 I would NEVER buy an older model. Everyone knows that a better trigger is worth at least $100.00 more on any gun.
As far as how to tell the difference if you have the chance to pick one up, the easiest way is to look at the bolt hold back/ release within the trigger guard. The old model will be like a stamped, thin, sheet metal with 3 or 4 teeth on it for a better grip. The new models will be a larger square flat smooth plastic push button type with no teeth or ridges.
With the bolt open, the old bolt will have 2 holes on the front face that lead dirt back to the guide rods. The newer bolt will not have those 2 holes in the front of the bolt face. Also, the old bolt will have a hole on the right (ejection) side where if you move the bolt back and forth you can see the right spring operating.
The old bolt handle is dull plastic. The new one is shinier metal. (You can barely tell the difference.) The old bolt is tougher to pull back. (2 springs vs. 1.) Lastly, if the trigger sucks, it's probably an old model. Get the newer model! As far as reliability, my old model had the disconnector pin fall out right after I bought it. I easily fixed it and after that, neither gun has ever had any failure of any kind - knock on wood.

Old post but great info, thanks for the details of the differences. I have a 15y (2015) age stamped barrel and 'B' serial number transition model with the new trigger. It's great as my older 512 had a nasty trigger which I did a job on. My new one still has the old bolt but the interesting thing is it's easier to pull the bolt back. Wondering if they put different springs on the guide rods or in the hammer. It's a sweet rifle!!

 

This was very useful . I hav a 512 wmr carbine that I adore. Saw a 512 lr for sale on line, but as it appers to be the older model, “ toothy bolt release “ Ill give it a pass.

 

I hope this helps you to understand this isn't an issue, and you shouldn't have any problems with your rifle.

Oh c'mon my friend,,,
What did you expect him to say?

Yeah, we know the single spring/rod is inferior to the double,,,
But it's cheaper for us to manufacture so we're "spinning" the design change,,,
That way we can make it seem like an improvement instead of a step backwards in design.

He's a company rep doing PR working for the benefit of CZ,,,
He's going to write the company line no matter what.

I own two 512's,,,
Both of mine are dual rod/spring,,,
I've never had a malfunction with either rifle.

Aarond

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