The original 7.62×39 M43 round was made for the SKS and later AK47 rifles. Since I have a vz58 compact rifle also chambered for it, why would I want a slower bolt action carbine?
For one, it’s a work of gunsmithing art, well-finished and pleasant to handle.
It is fairly light, well balanced and easy to carry in the field. The express sights are excellent for close-range snap-shooting, but it truly shines out at longer ranges up to about 250 meters. In the terrain where we walked yesterday, the longest unobstructed shot was below 50 meters at best.
CZ527 comes with a single set trigger. Pull it, and it’s crisp but heavy enough for field use, push it forward and it’s set to a lighter pull for a more precise shot from a supported position. With quality ammunition, it’s a very accurate gun. I plan on scoping it at the next opportunity, probably with a 3-9x Accupoint.
The difference between the carbine and a full-size hunting rifle becomes very obvious on broken terrain. Likewise, light recoil allows safe firing from perches on which .308 would give the shooter too much of a shove.
I am a big fan of removable box magazines. They make it easier to safe the rifle than blind magazines, and also allow switching ammunition types quickly.
