CZ 457 Bolt Upgrades and Modified Firing Pin

[@Cristopher1976]

After watching this video last week i decided to get the firing pin and metal indicator. I swapped them in tonight. As you said having a few spare parts never hurts and i feel like these are a quality upgrade as much as a functional one. The plastic indicator has always bothered me anyway.

[@CopperStarPrecision]

Nice. I have found that it has helped with consistent ignition as evidenced by a slight decrease in SD/ES. I hope you find similar success. Either way the firing pin is a much higher quality part than the plated one from the factory.

[@jamiemitchell4604]

Great vid mate, good detail throughout the video.

[@CopperStarPrecision]

Much appreciated

[@kitdeaver6093]

I absolutely love your content and especially enjoy this series as I also shoot a CZ 457 MTR in base class. I was wondering if you had any plans to release any additional videos in this series?? Or have you already on a different platform?

[@CopperStarPrecision]

Thanks! Yes, still working on more videos in the series. I plan on covering the YoDave trigger spring kit, "DaRail" weighted Arca rail, and some other upgrades. I also plan on experimenting with bolt shims for changing headspace. Thanks for your patience, filming and editing all the videos takes a lot of time.

[@kitdeaver6093]

@CopperStarPrecision awesome! Cannot wait for the additional content! I definitely appreciate all the effort you put into your videos and the great information you put out! 😁

[@Omi-7k]

Awesome video easy to follow. Have you been able to measure success with the bolt modification? Would you be able to post a parts list on your patreon site. Thank you

[@CopperStarPrecision]

I plan on doing a more comprehensive test in the future, but initial results are promising. Group size at 50 yards remained relatively the same, but the SD in velocity has shrunk to ~6 FPS which should help with longer range dispersion. I'll start putting together a list of all of my gear and put it on Patreon. Great suggestion since KZbin doesn't allow for links to most 2A websites. I'll try to get to that this weekend.

[@CountryRimfire]

Super awesome series you are doing here! I personally, am very thankful for all this great info. Love the honesty also!! Thank you! 😊

[@R5308]

I've done all the changes to my rifle, except the cocking indicator. Now seeing your video, I will not bother with it. Did seem like a nice touch though. I would add another thang. Stoning the flat portion of the bolt, it helps with a smoother bolt slide... and you will not stone off the serial number. Another great video for the sport.

[@CopperStarPrecision]

Good suggestion!

[@Theman3806]

What stone do you use?

[@R5308]

@@Theman3806 Any finishing stone will work, I used an Arkansas pink stone... It's what I have from my Tool and Die days. If you happen to have the barrel off the action. There's a flat piece in the action the bolt slides over can be stoned as well.

[@Theman3806]

@@R5308 Thanks!

[@Nick--_]

@@Theman3806 You can also use regular sand paper on a piece of glass.

[@lpconserv6074]

Excellent video. New here to the channel, sub'd. I have used the CZ platform for several years in competition, although not exclusively. I used to shoot in USBR matches on the Green Monster target. I held my own in most matches. The Sporter Class was my focus, and the 452 was my choice. I am pretty sure replacement of the firing pin would not be allowed, however polishing and reshaping the factory pin would be allowed. Your video was well detailed and would be something I would consider. As a note, I have actually found the Japanese Winchester 52 copies to be, on some days, a bit better than the CZ in competition sporter class, but not always. They are much more of an issue on bedding and consistency than the CZ series. Replacing the spring also would not be allowed, but I am not sure about the cocking indicator. The 452 doesn't have that feature, but the idea you discuss with the steel flat to give the spring something more consistent contact with is something I would probably try to copy. I will be following your content.

[@MFxFM]

Please, put on the video description the link to all these parts... thanks!

[@CopperStarPrecision]

KZbin does not allow links to websites that sell 2A items, but most of the parts can be found at Pete's Pillars.

[@NoPro1962]

Great Vid I picked up another Timney 👍🏻👍🏻

[@mclaren16v]

This is an excellent series that you are putting together is going to help a ton of guys out. Do you have a parts list of what you're installing and affiliate links?

[@CopperStarPrecision]

I'll do a summary video when it's all put back together. I can't post affiliate links or normal links to anything firearms related due to KZbin's rules.

[@kitdeaver6093]

​@@CopperStarPrecision do you have your own website, link tree, or anything? I have seen others post a link to their own page which contains the build list/affiliate links to get around this rule.

[@wayneschenk5512]

Well the red part does do something indicated a cocked gun but I know what you mean the metal part is cool.

[@CopperStarPrecision]

Yeah, I didn't really articulate clearly. I should have said that the plastic cocking indicator does not interact with the firing pin whereas the metal one does.

[@ryanmckee2089]

That bolt sounds much “snappier” than factory. Which striker did you go with? Pete’s Pillars? Thinking about doing these upgrades myself.

[@CopperStarPrecision]

Correct, Pete's Pillars. It has made the rifle more consistent and has slightly lowered the velocity standard deviation of my rounds. I haven't noticed much difference in group size at 50 yards, but the added consistency should help with group dispersion at longer distances.

[@FC64002]

Thank you much

[@CopperStarPrecision]

You are very welcome

[@FishingBenB]

Dang Dude!!! This fantastic information on some really good upgrades! I did the YoDave Plus 10 Spring, but did NOT know about the cocking indicator or the firing pin upgrade! Can you give us where to get these parts/who makes them? I want to get these!!!

[@CopperStarPrecision]

The cocking indicator didn't work with the stronger spring because it resulted in an extremely stiff bolt close. It does work with the stock spring. The parts are from Pete's Pillars.

[@FishingBenB]

@@CopperStarPrecision awesome, thanks for the Intel. Keep pumping out the content. This valuable stuff! Love the NRL22 PRS previews and coverage.

[@airgungreenie2844]

@@CopperStarPrecision i guess its because of the additional few mm of rim added to the new indicator . made the spring more stiff. but with the stock spring tension, the added rim made added tension but enough for it to work. great video by the way.

[@Philip223RD]

Great info, who makes the cocking indictor and who makes the firing pin

[@CopperStarPrecision]

Both are from Pete's Pillars

[@brianturner7919]

Where do we find the titanium firing pin? Really want to have one.

[@CopperStarPrecision]

I misspoke, it's steel, not titanium. But it can be found on Pete's Pillars website.

[@joed3264]

@@CopperStarPrecision it is real easy to modify the stock one. Dremel with a thin diamond cutoff wheel.

[@kihara4244]

Can you share where those aftermarket parts, such as cocking indicator are available?

[@CopperStarPrecision]

Pete's Pillars

[@chrisbroesky2932]

I just bought a brand new cz457. My first cz. The one thing that I'm not impressed with is bolt slop. Inside diameter bolt bore and outside diameter bolt could be a lot better. This is lousy tolerances from CZ. Do they have oversized bolts for these to eliminate slop?

[@CopperStarPrecision]

That seems very odd to me. Do you mean that there is significant play when the rifle is in battery? If so, that isn't typical. Both the bolt and the action should be engraved with the same serial number. No oversized bolts as far as I am aware, and the bolt and action should be a matched pair. Most people need a few thousand rounds for the bolt to cycle more smoothly as the surfaces start to mate together. I would seriously consider reaching out to CZ if the issue is excessive.

[@chrisbroesky2932]

@@CopperStarPrecision With the bolt all the way back, I can wiggle the back of the bolt an 1/8" of an inch. Like I don't know, are most mass produced rifles like this? I rebuild engines and was expecting tolerance like a wrist pin sliding through a rod. A little stiff at first until it breaks in, and nice and smooth with no play. It just seems like lousy machining coming from a gun manufacturer. Id imagine these are CNC machined. My old Cooey has better bolt fit.

[@pavelhrivnak1130]

Prosím o radu případně adresu kde se dá ocelový výstražník koupit Jinak za mě super

[@pevelyhomeowner327]

How’s that new firing pin do against your chamber if dry fired? Definitely not a recommendation practice but sometimes it happens. 🤷‍♂️

[@CopperStarPrecision]

While CZ says you shouldn't dry fire the rifle, I haven't found it to be a major issue. The firing pin is stronger in the 457 vs the older models. Furthermore, the firing pin itself has a stop built in where the firing pin stops on the pin that is used to hold the rear shroud/firing pin spring together. This modified firing pin has the part that might contact the edge of the chamber removed so it should be even less prone to peening the barrel face.

[@Jeff-mv4yy]

@@CopperStarPrecision I have had firing pins break (albeit not CZ) because of the firing pin being stopped by the shroud pin . The CZ pin is pretty robust, so I'd think risk would be small. Nonetheless, I was surprised when my ruger firing pin broke in half at this point of contact . On top of that , Ruger claimed it was safe to dry fire. Now here's where it matters. IF the firing pin breaks at this point, the rifle may still fire, but the firing pin will not retract and ejection problems occur. However , now the firing pin has no stop. If you unknowingly dry fire with the pin broken , It will peen the barrel. YMMV.

[@thegriff9425]

I've been waiting for someone else to change the pin out. However it seems that without benchmarking each change before AND after it is somewhat arbitrary. This video would have been perfect if you had shot fifty rounds over a chrono, noting group size and ES, SD before and after the change to see if it had any meaningful impact.

[@CopperStarPrecision]

Testing videos are in the works, however it takes significantly more preparation, time, and money to make those videos.

[@jameslundy6815]

Just wondering the manufacturer for that particular firing pin. And with the changes did you see a increase in accuracy? I shoot br and anything that can possibly help with accuracy I’m all in. I appreciate the video , several good upgrades you have shown us. Thanks

[@CopperStarPrecision]

It's from Pete's Pillars. I saw a reduction in SD, but I plan on doing some more extensive testing and sharing the results on this channel. Stay tuned!

[@outboardfun3353]

The problem with the 455 and 457 is that they only have one locking lug on the bolt. Plug pour barrel to action fit. The CZ 452 is best with 2 locking lugs on the bolt and threaded on barrels. CZ should of never went away from that. Both changes hurt the accuracy of the 455 and 457

[@fredhinck9685]

Fully agree with you. Some have the opinion that the 457 is the Holy Grail. Won't convince me. The 457 is engineered by bean counters. Cheaper and faster. I have 4 of the 452 rifles.

[@davelyons8092]

Nice series. What brand of firing pin did you use? Are you still shooting in the open class?

[@CopperStarPrecision]

I went with the one from Pete's Pillars. Yes, still competing in Open and will use my Open rifle for Nationals later this month. Looking to qualify for next year's Nationals in both Open and Base.

[@Toimu13]

Have you used a rifle with DPG Talon Extractors ($100)? I would like a review by a neutral third party.

[@CopperStarPrecision]

Not personally, but I know two fellow competitors that use them and like them. If you're not experiencing any issues then you don't really need them, but if you're someone with a custom barrel that won't extract live rounds with the factory extractors or you want a backup pair, these would be the ones to get.

[@tonytillman3953]

Too bad CZ doesn't make the MTR in left hand. If I change the barrel from varmint to varmint MTR that would put me in the open class.

[@CopperStarPrecision]

That is a shame. It would require a mirrored stock as the MTR stock is set up with a right-hand grip.

[@fredhinck9685]

So many videos on " Fixing " the bean counter engineered 457.

[@CopperStarPrecision]

What factory mass produced rifle do you know of that cannot benefit from any aftermarket improvements? At the end of the day, none of this is necessary, but these are some things to try/test to squeeze out more accuracy of a given platform. The CZ 457, in its various configurations, are well designed all around, but may not be specifically designed for a certain style of shooting/competition. Someone who uses their rimfire for pest control does not need these accessories and doesn't need a high level of accuracy, the rifle just needs to be accurate enough and reliable (which it very much is). As a business why would CZ cater a model to a very niche segment of the market when the aftermarket already provides the parts?