CZ 527 - Upgrading the Bolt Knob

[Oso]

Yesterday, I posted this on the Main board, and realized that I should have put it in this section of forum where the rifle owners would most likely be reading. I have a CZ 527 that has the newer version of the bolt handle that is elongated to provide clearance around the scope. I would like to upgrade the bolt knob to something a little larger and that extends out from the gun a little bit more. I do not wanting a LARGE tactical knob, but would consider a smaller version of tactical knob or even a tear drop style knob.

Any suggestions on knob and any gunsmiths set up to do these (ie already has a jig setup for CZ bolts?

Thanks

 

[Ramblerman]

Yesterday, I posted this on the Main board, and realized that I should have put it in this section of forum where the rifle owners would most likely be reading. I have a CZ 527 that has the newer version of the bolt handle that is elongated to provide clearance around the scope. I would like to upgrade the bolt knob to something a little larger and that extends out from the gun a little bit more. I do not wanting a LARGE tactical knob, but would consider a smaller version of tactical knob or even a tear drop style knob.

Any suggestions on knob and any gunsmiths set up to do these (ie already has a jig setup for CZ bolts?

Thanks

Looked here?

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/pricelist.php

 

[Oso]

Thanks - Calhoon is great. Unfortunately, he pioneered a bolt handle modification that elongated the handle to provide better scope clearance on older models. The newer CZ's include a longer bolt handle from factory.

I am interested in changing out the bolt knob... grinding down existing knob to create shaft to be threaded for use with a new bolt handle.

 

[Bill K]

Do you have a local gunsmith ? If so talk to him about working it over.

 

[Oso]

Do you have a local gunsmith ? If so talk to him about working it over.

Hey Bill - I have a local gunsmith. I wasn't sure if it was easier going with gunsmith who specialized in CZ's because he would already have the jig fitted for CZ bolt.

 

[McFred]

I threaded a couple for personal use. Works fine. The old one had a very hard candy shell but was quite soft in the middle and had a void, I cut the 'root' down to clear the scope too. The newer one was easy to machine and had no internal void and already cleared the scope.

 

[FJVance]

McFred, Nice work.

 

[Clancy]

Kampfeld Custom makes a little knob called a campfire. That’s what I would use. I have several 527s and haven’t messed with the knobs, but that’s a good fit for it.

 

[Oso]

Kampfeld Custom makes a little knob called a campfire. That’s what I would use. I have several 527s and haven’t messed with the knobs, but that’s a good fit for it.

Thanks - the Campfire knob is right size for a CZ527. The size is similar to the Mini Badger knob.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Another alternative to both bolt handles and knobs, Customreloadingtools.com offers SS handles and knobs of different configurations. Shown is their 'tactical' knob, which has been replaced with a smaller teardrop knob.



I believe they offer four different knob configurations, blue or stainless.

 

[Oso]

Another alternative to both bolt handles and knobs, Customreloadingtools.com offers SS handles and knobs of different configurations. Shown is their 'tactical' knob, which has been replaced with a smaller teardrop knob.



I believe they offer four different knob configurations, blue or stainless.

Rick - that is very nice! Have you added one of these to a CZ527? If so how long is the handle from the bolt to the connection point of the bolt knob?

When I drop in the link google takes me to Whidden Gunworks. I see a lot of sexy Barnard actions and parts, but nothing about replacement bolts and options.

Thanks

 

[L.Sherm]

Brad sold all his stuff to Whiddens a couple years ago.

 

[Oso]

Brad sold all his stuff to Whiddens a couple years ago.

Thanks for Update. Since I hadn't seen a lot of chatter about replacement bolt upgrades (other than factory issued) for CZ527, I was afraid that something like this might have happened.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Rick - that is very nice! Have you added one of these to a CZ527?

That's my CZ527 American 221FB pictured above.

Haven't measured the handle, but it easily clears the scope ocular bell with any of the knobs I've tried. Don't know if Whidden carries Brad's line of CZ bolt handles/knobs though. Too bad he sold out, as he produced some very nice bench tools also.

 

[Oso]

That's my CZ527 American 221FB pictured above.

Haven't measured the handle, but it easily clears the scope ocular bell with any of the knobs I've tried. Don't know if Whidden carries Brad's line of CZ bolt handles/knobs though. Too bad he sold out, as he produced some very nice bench tools also.

I came across an old thread on 204 Ruger Forum with the company response stating the bolt handle was an additional 3/4" longer than factory. I put a call into Whidden to see if they are still offering the product. I didn't see it listed under their gunsmithing products/services section of website...fingers crossed. I'll post the answer once I hear back from Whidden.

 

[Oso]

Feedback from Whidden: They are not offering this product. In fact they had to reach out to former owner to determine what he had done in past. He indicated that process to build new bolt from scratch was a PITA and he had stopped making/offering the service prior to selling the business. Dead End...

 

[Oso]

Thought I would give a quick update. My LGS has been buried with projects due to COVID. Apparently, there are a lot of us who are finally moving forward on projects or repairs, because we are bored, stir crazy and have run out of things to do. I decided to use the Badger Mini-Tactical bolt knob for my CZ 527. Its a perfect fit for he petite size of rifle, but also large enough to provide better control/access with larger hands. I was pleasantly surprised with the additional scope clearance.

Looks kinda Big until you getting a proportional scale to compare...

For those interested I convinced the Gunsmith to engineer a Jig for turning down and threading the CZ 527 bolts. He's a perfectionist ... and a pleasure to work with.

 

[McFred]

Looks nice. I think your LGS could have made it more black though.

My only complaint is that, with mine, the knob sticks out a lot and pokes at the gun case foam. I actually unscrew the knob and put it inside the trigger bow before I close the lid now. I suppose I could pull the bolt for carrying too.

 

[Oso]

More Black... Stock is actually a dark green with black... looks like alligator skin in the sun. Its the standard stock that CZ outfits the Kevlar varmint rifles. I did cerakote all the blued metal to avoid rust and easy maintenance while hunting river bottom for hogs. New knob is larger than factory but not obnoxious like the typical Oversized tactical knobs. My gun bags are not the slim tapered ones, but rather slightly wider and taller so not a big deal handling wider guns with larger scopes. Removing the bolt for transportation is an easy answer.

 

[Oso]

A member reached out to me to ask about my Bolt Knob so I thought I would add some detail and complete the thread.

My gunsmith, Ed VandenBerg (VandenBerg Custom) was kind enough to machine a jig to properly secure the CZ 527 bolt handle. It centers the knob and allows him to turn away the existing factory integrated knob to create a post that is then threaded. Yes, it is repeatable and final product is cleanly machined. He is great guy to work with, excellent gunsmith, with reasonable pricing and fast turnaround.

This is my shameless plug for him. He is gold.

vandenbergcustom.com