Following my post about the Brno ZKM-611, Reader JohnF asks in an email: “The 611 is a non-starter because it’s so expensive. If you like CZ’s semi-auto rimfire rifles so much, why not just go for the newer 512 model?” (I should add, for those who don’t know, that CZ eliminated the “Brno” brand, but the CZ/Brno labels are essentially the same gun, e.g. Brno 602 = CZ 550 Safari.)
Good question. Here’s a look back at the 611, followed by the 512 (both in .22 WinMag):
Fact is, if I were looking to buy a semi-auto .22 WinMag rifle, I’d give the CZ 512 a long, hard look simply because it’s a CZ. But if I wanted to add a beautiful rifle to my meager collection, gimme the Brno any day of the week. Is the 611 hundreds of dollars better than its successor? Nope, but that’s not the question.
And the 611 is a takedown rifle, whereas the 512 isn’t. That feature also points to the ZKM-611 as the better choice.
Digression:
I should also point out that new semi-auto .22 WinMag rifles other than the CZ 512 are like hen’s teeth, simply because Ruger stopped making their 10/22M line, the idiots. Apparently they claimed unsolvable feeding issues for the decision, but I never had that problem, not once. I wish I’d never sold mine.
As far as I can see, the only other manufacturer currently making a .22 WinMag semi-auto rifle is Savage, with their A22 Magnum. Predictably, being Savage, it’s pig-ugly:
But on the other hand, the A22 features Savage’s excellent Accu-Trigger, so it should be a worthy alternative to the CZ 512. (I’ve never fired the A22 before, so I can’t say.) Savage also claims to have fixed the .22 WinMag’s alleged feeding problem by making it a delayed blowback action. Typically, the A22 sells for just over $400 as I write this, compared to the CZ 512’s $500+ (although it’s discounted by $100 at Cabela’s).
And here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two. The CZ 512 wins, hands down, in just about every department. Clearly, the $100 premium is worth it.
Now where did I put that piggy bank?
I wouldn’t refuse it if someone gave me a .22WMR semi-auto, but for reliability and efficiency, I’d choose a bolt action with a tube feed.
Rimfire cartridges can have problems feeding from a box mag, and with a tube mag, you don’t have to worry about losing it. Loading without the box mag is difficult in a semi-auto.
Reloading a tube mag is slower than inserting a box mag, but it holds more cartridges to begin with.
Unless you live in one of the People’s Democratic Republics of these United States.
Or a lever gun- I have a Winchester 9422M (.22 Mag carbine) that is an exceptionally sweet gun.
Brno ZKM 611 vs. CZ 512: the 611 is all metal and wood, very well done and beautiful. The 512 has a polymer lower receiver, and is not pretty. No thanks. The 611 is collectible, the 512 is not.
The 611 seems to flow whereas the 512 is angular and harsh. Guns, cars and women are better served with curves.
Amen, Brother.
The thought occurred to me after my earlier post–I wonder if there’s any chance the 512 mags would work in the 611??? The 611 mags are metal, I assume the 512 mags are plastic.
Kel-Tec also makes a 22WMR autoloading carbine (the CMR-30).
But seeing as you think the Savage is ugly (and I don’t disagree with you), It might be better not to mention the Kel-Tec at all.
I would have loved to have one of those 10/22M with the Mannlicher stock.
Well, we’ve gotten Ruger to bring the stock back, now all we need is to get them to do the same with the M.
FYI, feeding rim-fire ammo from a high-cap box mag is not an impossibility.
Try the Archangel 25rd mag for the 10/22 – it f…ing works. And you can disassemble it for cleaning – always a necessity with rim-fire ammo – why is it so dirty?
The Smith & Wesson M&P AR15-22 uses 25 round magazine, I have five of the 25 round mags and going through a few thousand rounds have not had a misfeed. Shooting Steel Challenge I watch my good friends shooting 10/22 with high cap mags in Steel Challenge having to stop and screw with their gun. My buddies who shoot 10/22 incredibly expensive 50 yard bench rest setups with scopes equal to the price of the gun and rests that cost more than any regular .22 don’t have problems because they shoot less that 100 rounds in a whole day’s competition hitting with precision little targets with the bulls eye smaller than a pencil eraser in diameter and I once saw a perfect score, 25 for 25.
I love shooting .22s but after having a .22 mag lever action for over 40 years I decided it it needed more than a .22lr then a .22-250 was a better choice and now I have several center fire rifles in that cal .556 and .223 Wylde which is very accurate and affordable to shoot. As for a truck gun, in my truck I have used the M-1 Carbine and the .556 AR which both will finish off a deer if I half kill it on the road down here where they are as common as rabbits.
Copy the physical layout and feel of the M-1 Carbine, but with a delayed blowback system for the .22 Mag.
Pity the .22 rimfire world is such a dirty, filthy place, or the Williams Floating Chamber would likely work as well for the .22 Mag as it does for the .30 Carbine. The .22 Mags would soon gunk it into failure mode though.
Otherwise, the M-1 carbine format would be *as* ideal a platform for the .22 Mag as is that Brno 611.
Not better, not worse. Granted, not a takedown.
But what a perfect match of power and platform would be the M-1 Carbine and the .22 Magnum.
Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
In the world of classic blue steel and walnut rifles, the German/Bavarian/Austrian design of the “hogsback” stock and “schnabel” fore-end are hard to beat.
Highly functional and very easy on the eye.