CZ’s New Model 515 Rimfire

ODAY, certain rifles have become benchmarks against which all other rifles are judged. For example the Czech Brno Model 1 and elegant CZ Model 452 rimfire were far and away the most popular and highly regarded bolt action rimfires produced, if not for all time, at least in the past 70 years, The latest CZ Model 515, however, is a horse of a different colour.

Offered in two different configurations, the Tactical carbine and American rifle, the CZ 515 incorporates a number of unique features. Both models share the same aluminium chassis and two-piece stocks, but there all resemblance ends. The American is a standard sporter with birchwood stock while the Tactical (as the name suggests) resembles an AR carbine like the ones issued to U.S Special Forces.

Since the chassis and operating mechanism is common to both guns, let's examine that first. Although at first glance, the 515 appears to be an autoloader, but is actually manually operated (partially at least).

The blow-back bolt has a hold-open device that locks the bolt open after each shot. To release the bolt