CZ-USA News and Views

After SHOT

2012-01-25T15:59:00.000-08:00

Some of the early reports from SHOT are already up. NSSF reports that the 2012 show was a record breaker with over 61,000 in attendance. Buyers were checking out the new products and the media was there in full force as well. Lots of friends stopped by the CZ-USA booth to take a look at their favorite models and see what the news was on 2012 releases. Dan Wesson fan Uncle Ted happened dropped in for a visit, of course Tom Knapp was a regular at the booth as well.

The bloggers and e-media folks got the scoop from the CZ and DW staff on a plethora of new products. For those who couldn't be there, but would like to see some of the high points, here are just a few of the reports:

Misfires & Light Strikes covers the new models... they should also win an award for best segue: "Then it was off to CZ. I resisted the urge to circle their booth 7 times and murmur "I confess there are no designers but Josef and Frantisek Koucky and Jeff Cooper is their prophet", but only barely..."

Accurate shooter video coverage of New 455 and 527 models.

805 Bren seen at SHOT.

Shelley Rae takes a look at the CZ Custom Shop Protek

Scott Mayer from GunsAmerica stops by to check out the new CZ products.

Gallery of Guns takes a tour of the booth with Angus.

NUTNFANCY walks through the new Dan Wesson models with DW manager Keith Lawton: then they go in depth with Angus Hobdell on the CZ Custom Shop pistols.

Shooting Illustrated posted a video introduction of the suppressor ready P-07 Duty.

Policemag covers the new P-07 offerings.

Quack’s Gun Stuff shared some pics of the new Dan Wessons.

The Military Arms Channel takes a look at both the new CZ Scorpion EVO as well as the Bren 805 series. Currently available for LE and military sales only, but here’s something fun, the Scorpion Evo spotted in licensed airsoft form…

New from CZ-USA

2012-01-12T15:28:00.000-08:00

2012 model year releases for CZ-USA are now posted on the CZ-USA website.

Make sure to check out 2 new versions of the P-07 Duty: One with an OD green frame and another that's suppressor ready hit dealers shelves in April.

The CZ Custom Shop has created 2 new competition models including long slide and single action versions of the CZ 75 Shadow.

New additions to the 455 bolt action rimfire line include 3 heavy barrel versions (Varmint, Precision Trainer and Evolution) and the Mannlicher styled FS model.

Dan Wesson has 2 new models to add to the best lineup of 1911 handguns available: the Specialist - a top quality 5" rail gun, and the ECO - a true officer's size available in both 9mm and .45 ACP.

The additions to the shotgun line are extensive. Both the the Redhead, Ringneck and 712 now have target specific variations. The 712 Target and Ringneck Target are just the ticket for trap. The new 712 ALS is the only semi-auto shotgun model on the market with an adjustable length stock. Be sure to click on the videos to see Tom Knapp talking about some of the new shotguns.

Accuracy Comparisons Between Models

2011-11-28T08:11:00.001-08:00

Questions regarding accuracy comparisons between different CZ rifles are often asked. The answer is simple, all CZ rifles have the same quality premium hammer forged CZ barrel. The barrels are lapped at the factory for accuracy, eliminating the need for a “break in” period. This being said there are several factors influencing the accuracy realized from each individual rifle
Varmint vs. American – While the barrels of both the CZ varmint and sporter weight models are of the same high quality, the varmint being the heavier and stiffer of the two is more forgiving over a wider range of loads than the thinner barreled sporter weight models. For example, given a selection of 10 different .22LR loads from various manufacturers, the varmint weight barrel will shoot to the best accuracy potential with 4 of the loads and it shoots another 3 of the loads very well. In general, the sporter weight barrel will be more sensitive to differences between the loads. Typically out of the same 10 different loads tested with the varmint weight barrel, it will only shoot at its best with 2 of the loads, while another 3 or 4 will shoot acceptably. Typically there will be a few loads each individual rifle really likes and a few the rifle really doesn’t like, with the rest falling somewhere in the middle. By starting with a quality action and premium barrel, the odds are stacked in your favor, making the search for the best accuracy combination easier.
When using iron sights, a longer sight radius provides the capability for more precise aiming, which typically results in better accuracy given equivalent rifles. The fine crosshairs and magnification advantage provided by a quality scope will allow for even more precise aiming than a long sight radius. Shorter barrels are stiffer and inherently more accurate than longer barrels of the same diameter, so if the rifle will typically be shot with optics, the shorter barrel should have the accuracy advantage.
The trigger should not be discounted as it contributes considerably to the ability of the shooter to be accurate. The light, crisp pull of the CZ single set trigger found on the 453, 527 and 550 models is a great asset to the accuracy potential of the shooter. Even when not used in the target or “set” mode, the SST system provides for a standard trigger adjustable for creep, over-travel and weight of pull. The non SST triggers on the CZ 557 and 750 models are also fully adjustable for creep, over-travel and weight of pull. The triggers of the 455 and 452 lines provide smooth, weight adjustable pulls. Even though most CZ rifles are equipped with adjustable triggers, it is important to keep the competency level of the shooter in mind when setting up the rifle. While a crisp or smooth pull will be helpful to all shooters, triggers should only be adjusted to lighter weights as the skill of the shooter becomes more advanced.
Of course, the shooter is ultimately the largest factor in the accuracy realized on the target. Even the best equipment doesn’t replace the skills and knowledge gained through practice.

The CZ Single Set Trigger System

2011-11-02T06:42:00.000-07:00

A lifetime of hunting will expose you to a multitude of situations. You will be presented with fleeting opportunities that require a quick shot and when hunting dangerous game you must be prepared for the life or death shot to stop a charge. On the other hand, most shots will give you the opportunity to shoot from a more stable position such as a rest, shooting sticks or a practiced kneeling or prone position. The CZ single set trigger (SST) system featured on 453, 527 and 550 models provides the shooter with the options to effectively handle any shooting situation they are presented with.

The SST allows for both a standard hunting trigger and a light target trigger in the same rifle. By operating the rifle in the same manner as any other bolt-action, the trigger is in the “standard” mode with the heavier of the two trigger pulls. By simply pushing the trigger forward until it “clicks” the crisp and light target trigger mode is set.The standard trigger is adjustable for weight, creep and over-travel. The set trigger function is only adjustable for weight, but always breaks like glass. Many shooters will tell you that the single set trigger is a better aid to accuracy than a thousand dollar scope.

CZ SST “Perfect Pull” Trigger Adjustment

Tools required: 6mm wrench, 7mm wrench, one very small and one large common flathead screwdriver

“A” (standard trigger pull weight), “B” (creep), “C” (over-travel) and “D” (Set trigger pull weight).

Make sure magazine and chamber are empty.
Remove the stock from the barreled action.
Cock the rifle then, adjust screw “B” in until it fires, back off ¼ turn.
Loosen locking nut and remove screw “C” to allow easy access to screw “A”
Adjust screw “A” to desired poundage and tighten the lock nut (ensuring that the screw position does not change).
Replace screw “C”, turn it all the way in then back it out while pulling trigger until fires, then back out an additional ¼ turn, then tighten the lock nut for screw “C” down (ensuring that the screw position does not change).

Set Trigger Adjustment and Operation

To adjust the set trigger weight, adjust screw “D” in to lighten and out to make heavier. If you prefer to completely disable the set function, turn screw “D” all the way in until the rifle fires, then back off 1/4 turn.

An activated set-trigger is very sensitive to shock and during handling could unintentionally discharge if the set trigger is adjusted with too little travel. The safety of the SST adjustment can be checked with the rifle unloaded by repeated opening and closing of the bolt combined with moving of the safety to its “ON” and “OFF” positions in both set and unset modes. If the set trigger adjustment (engagement screw “D”) is too light, it will go off when doing this. In this case, add more travel to the set trigger adjustment until it does not simultaneously go off. (DISCLAIMER: Do not attempt trigger adjustments unless you are confident in your ability to follow instructions for adjustments and safe operation.)

For safety, activate the set-trigger only after the rifle is loaded and when in position for the shot with safety in the off position. Do not carry your rifle with an activated set-trigger! If you have activated the set-trigger and you do not immediately take the shot, keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction and with the safety on, squeeze the trigger.

This process will get you very close to the best trigger pull possible with only slight adjustments needed, if any, to get it to the “Perfect Pull” for you.

The "Right Size" Handgun

2011-09-12T09:08:00.001-07:00

Members of the CZ family of handguns come in large (full size), compact and sub compact variations from the big SP-01 and 97 through the compact sized P-01 and P-07, down to the subcompact 2075 RAMI and 83 models.

Good advice for choosing a defensive handgun is to get the most powerful handgun you can handle that you will actually have with you. When we want a handgun for concealed carry, light weight and compact size start becoming desirable features. The CZ P-01/P-06 is compact, light weight and very easy to shoot and with 14 rounds of 9mm or 10 rounds of .40 it carries an impressive payload of firepower. The subcompact CZ 75 RAMI is even smaller and lighter, easier to conceal and carry, still delivers 11 rounds of 9mm or 8 of .40, but the tradeoff is that it is more difficult to master than the larger models.

Even uniformed law enforcement officers carry lighter weight guns on their duty belts these days. Sometimes full sized polymers similar to the SP-01 Phantom but more often they are compact polymer framed pistols in the same size/weight class as the P-07 Duty.

Does this mean that the full size heavy defensive pistol is obsolete? Absolutely not! The best defensive handgun for the house or car is the most powerful one you can handle. Even the .45 ACP CZ 97 or Dan Wesson Valor 1911 will easily fit in the drawer of your bedside table or the glove box of your car. The diminutive Smart Car, while too small for just about everything, is still big enough to hold a full size hand gun. If the .45 is too much to handle or you are like me and simply prefer the increased magazine capacity of a 9mm in a defensive pistol, take a long look at the SP-01in either the manual safety version or the SP-01 Tactical with the decocker. Both are big, full sized guns, with lots of heft to help you shoot them quickly and accurately. As a bonus they come equipped with an accessory rail that is a great place to stick a light. Any gun securely stored for protection in a bedroom should have a light attached or lying beside it. Should you ever need it, it will most likely be in the dark, and you must be able to identify your target. Remember that as the size and weight of the gun increases it becomes easier to control (perceived recoil decreases) allowing you to shoot a more powerful cartridge than you could have in smaller, lighter gun.

The only time that less weight and smaller size are advantages in a handgun are when it is the handgun you choose to carry on you all day, every day. Whenever it is a handgun for under the counter, beside the bed, or under the car seat size makes a big difference and bigger is better and heavier is easier to control and shoot.

Second Strike...

2011-08-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Only true double action designs have “Second Strike” capability. If, when the trigger is pulled, the primer fails to go off, second strike capability provides an additional opportunity to fire the cartridge. This is most useful in cases where there is a defective, high, or unusually hard primer. In the case where the primer is not fully seated, the first strike of the firing pin will often seat the primer allowing the second strike to successfully fire the cartridge. Much like a piñata, a stubborn primer will sometimes require a second whack as well, and of those that fail to go off the first time, tests have shown that 80% will touch off the second attempt.
Many will of course argue that the proper procedure to follow after hearing an un-expected “click” is the “tap, rack, bang”. (make sure the magazine is properly seated, cycle a fresh round into the cham-ber, pull the trigger again) The fortunate few among us with the opportunity to shoot 10,000 + rounds per year in training including a focus on failure drills, may remember to do this under stress. The rest of us will more often than not, continue to pull the trigger at least one more time after a failure.
All of the DA/SA handguns in the CZ line have second strike capability including the 75, 83, P, and SP series.

Victory For CZ-USA TEAM Shooters at Area 1

2011-06-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

Team CZ USA Sara Dunivin and Angus Hobdell win USPSA Area 1 Production Titles.

Team CZ USA’s Sara Dunivin of Phoenix, Ariz. cruised to victory at the 2011 USPSA Area 1 Regional Handgun Championship by winning all 12 stages to claim the Women’s Production division.

Dunivin, who is the reigning USPSA Women’s Single Stack National Champion, finished the match with a final score of 934.0416 points, placing her 12th overall in the division.

“Sara shot an excellent match. Her strong finish, placing 12th in a field of 65, is one of the stand-out performances of the match,” said Chuck Anderson, the USPSA Area 1 director.

Elsewhere in the Production division, Team CZ USA’s Angus Hobdell of Tempe, Ariz. took the overall title by winning five of 12 stages and finishing with a final score of 1159.9220.

Sara and Angus were both shooting the CZ 75 SP01 Shadow in 9mm

Semi-Auto Pistol Types

2011-06-16T08:12:00.000-07:00

The terms we use most often to describe the various designs of today’s semi-auto pistols are derived from the terms originally used with revolvers.
In the vernacular of the revolver, Single Action means that in order for the gun to fire, the hammer has to be manually cocked (which also rotates the cylinder) prior to pulling the trigger, When pulled, the trigger’s only job was to simply releases the hammer.( I use the word “was” here because today many Single Action revolvers actually have a firing pin block of some sort that is deactivated when the trigger is pulled)
Double Action revolvers cock the hammer, rotate the cylinder and fire the cartridge all with the pull of the trigger. In addition most Double Action revolvers can function like a Single Action as if the shooter so chooses, they can the hammer can be cocked manually prior to pulling the trigger providing for a lighter, shorter trigger pull to fire the cartridge. The exception to this is in the DAO revolver which is typically seen in small revolvers with bobbed or shrouded hammers that do not have the ability to be manually cocked.
Note that there are and historically speaking were many other variations on the revolver including early revolvers like the multi barreled pepperbox that had to be cocked, rotated, and fired manually to more advanced designs like the Webley Fosbery that actually combined the revolver platform with the recoil harnessing principles of the semi-auto.
Looking at the various action types that apply to the subcategory of handguns we paint with the word revolver, it’s no wonder that there is so much misinformation, misunderstanding and downright confusion in gun shops across America today when it comes to understanding the differences between the multitude of semi-auto handgun choices available.
For the sake of this discussion we will only looking at the impacts different designs have on the necessary steps the shooter must complete to safely operate the firearm, not necessarily the internal differences in action types such as the various passive safety features (Series 80, Grip Safety, Firing Pin Block, etc) blowback (CZ 83) or locking designs like short recoil (CZ 75, Dan Wesson 1911.)

Double Action:
A semi-auto handgun with a true double action trigger system has the ability to fully cock the action through the trigger pull. Only a handgun with a true double action has second strike capability. The Second Strike is useful when a cartridge primer fails to fire the first time the trigger is pulled. In this situation, if the pistol has second strike capability, the trigger can be pulled a second time giving the shooter the chance to send that bullet down range towards the intended target.
Subcategories of the double action include:
Double Action Only (DAO) that would include the discontinued CZ 100 and CZ 75 DAO,
DA/SA like most of the original CZ 75, most other 75 variations (excepting the SA and TS variations), CZ 83, CZ 85, CZ 97, CZ P-01, CZ SP-01. DA/SA can further be broken down into those with a manual safety and those models that have a mechanical decocker integrated into their design.
Modern striker fired designs found on many polymer framed models are commonly referred to as double action, though it would be more accurate to describe them as “a little more action than single”. These designs and many other similar trigger systems use the energy from the recoil to partially cock the action, but your finger cocks it the rest of the way when pulling through the trigger stroke. Note that most of these designs do not have “second strike” capability.

Single Action:
The trigger does not compress the hammer spring or striker spring of the Single Action semi-auto handgun at all, but the trigger’s primary purpose is to trip the sear, eventually powering the firing pin forward (via a striker or hammer) towards the cartridge primer subsequently firing the cartridge. As the recoil cycles the slide backwards, the action is automatically cocked and readied for the trigger to trip the sear and start the cycle over again. Single action pistols typically have a lighter, shorter trigger pull. Most such as the 1911 or CZ 75 SA incorporate a manual safety lever that when activated prevents the trigger from moving and/or the firing mechanism from operating.
For Single Acton (only) models, once a round has been chambered and the safety lever is deactivated, the first and all subsequent shots enjoy a lighter trigger pull and shorter trigger travel and reset.
Examples of Single Action pistols include the line of Dan Wesson 1911s, CZ 75 SA, and CZ 75 Tactical Sports.

Double Action/Single Action (DA/SA)
The first shot is taken with the hammer down (or at half cock) by manually or mechanically decocking the pistol after loading and before holstering. As the trigger is pulled for the first shot, the action is cocked fully (or partially if holstered at half cock) by the trigger pull. At the end of the trigger pull, the sear is tripped powering the firing pin forward towards the cartridge primer firing the cartridge. As the recoil cycles the slide backwards, the action is automatically cocked and readied for the trigger to trip the sear allowing the second and subsequent shots to be fired from the single action mode. When the shooting is done, a DA/SA gun should be “put on safe” or decocked. When shooting a gun that starts from the hammer down (or first shot in double action), there is no safety lever to deactivate. Much like the double action revolver, the long and relatively heavier trigger pull of the double action is a safety mechanism in and of it’s self.

Double Action models equipped with a manual safety, like the 75 B are versatile in that they can be carried in SA mode (hammer back, safety on) or manually decocked and carried as a DA/SA with the first shot double action and each subsequent shot single action.

Safety or Decocker

2011-05-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

The handguns in the CZ line employ 2 different primary or active safety mechanisms: the manual safety or the decocking lever.

Both of these designs are good safety elements, but both have advantages and disadvantages depending on your perspective or intended use.

If you are intimately familiar with 1911 style controls, and it is second nature for you to flip the safety lever up after chambering a round and to flip the safety lever down after drawing from the holster and before taking the shot, chances are the models incorporating the manual safety lever are for you.

In single action mode, the models equipped with a safety lever provide a consistent light short trigger pull from the first to the last shot, as a result of this feature, these models are also generally preferred for target, plinking, and most competition disciplines. Some people will prefer the safety lever equipped models simply due to the versatility they give the shooter. With the safety lever equipped versions of the CZ 75 family, the shooter has the option to carry with the hammer back and safety on (cocked and locked) or after manually decocking.

The vast majority of us don’t have the experience of shooting the tens of thousands of rounds necessary to train ourselves to almost subconsciously flip down the safety lever before taking the first shot, nor do we all have the opportunity to fit the weekly range sessions required to keep current with skills we have developed in the past into our schedules today. For plinking or casual target shooting, this isn’t a big deal, but when under the stress of a defensive situation, remembering to take the safety off is critical.

The models equipped with a decocking lever are, in most cases, the best choice for most shooters wanting a handgun for defensive purposes. With the decocker models, you must remember to decock the hammer after chambering a round and before holstering, but when placed in a defensive situation, there is no safety lever that you have to remember to disengage; the primary safety element of the decocked handgun is the longer heavier pull of the double action trigger.

If you aren't sure which side you are on... Safety or Decocker.... take a look at the CZ P-07 Duty. The "Duty" comes with ambidextrous decocking levers installed but it includes a set of manual safety levers in the box. By following the instructions in the owners manual, it only takes about 5 minutes to do the conversion.

NRA Show 4/29 - 5/1

2011-04-05T13:30:00.001-07:00

If you have never been to the NRA Show, it's a great opportunity to handle the latest models from CZ, talk to company representatives and of course see what just about every other major firearms manufacturer is up to as well.

Join us in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania April 29 - May 1 for the 2011 National Rifle Association Annual Meeting and Exhibits. CZ-USA will be in booth # 1920 with a wide selection of firearms from CZ, Dan Wesson, Zbrojovka Brno, Safari Classics, and the CZ Custom Shop. Of course we will have the new CZ P-07 and 455 models available for inspection.

Exhibition Shooter Tom Knapp will be talking shotguns and signing autographs at the CZ-USA booth from 1 to 2 each afternoon during the show.

Thanks to Richard Niehaus for his recent donation of an early production CZ 75 (AKA "Pre B") model to the National Firearms Museum at the NRA headquarters in Fairfax, VA. (Click here to read the letter of appreciation from the NFM.) Many of us know Richard better as "Chard" from his new website www.czforum.com. Dave Miller and I had a couple of hours to take a look around the National Firearms Museum while visiting NRA Headquarters last month. The quality and variety of guns on display was simply amazing. Just about every period in firearms history was represented. Hand Cannons to modern sporting rifles, the air rifle from the Lewis and Clark Expedition and a blaster from Star Wars. Coming Soon: The CZ 75 B, widely regarded as the best 9mm ever.

-Jason

Tom Knapp Teams with CZ-USA

2010-12-07T12:56:00.001-08:00

Exhibition Shooter Tom Knapp has teamed up with firearms company CZ-USA. Tom has selected the CZ 712 to use in his upcoming shooting demonstrations. The 712 as well as other CZ-USA models will be featured during his wing shooting clinics. New videos and TV appearances are in the works where Tom will bring new ideas along with his special brand of excitement to the line of CZ shotguns, rifles and pistols.

Tom and CZ-USA are excited about the potential presented by the combination of Tom’s shooting skills and the quality firearms from CZ.

About Tom Knapp:

Tom Knapp is The Shooting Star, and one of today’s Greatest Exhibition Shooters. A true living legend, Tom is the Original World Record Setter using his shooting prowess to achieve three world records for hand-thrown clay targets. In addition to thrilling crowds around the world with seemingly impossible feats with a shotgun, Tom has joined them in their homes as host of outdoor television shows. Both a “Legends of the Outdoors” and “Exhibition Shooters” Halls Of Fame Member, he is regarded as the finest ambassador that American shooting sports has ever known.

New: The CZ Wingshooter Over/Under

2010-11-19T13:30:00.000-08:00

The 2011 New Products are starting to show up in our warehouse and a few have even made it to the dealers shelves. The first is a new Over/Under shotgun, the CZ Wingshooter.

This colorful Over and Under shotgun has the same old world craftsmanship as all of our shotguns but with a new stylish look. This elegant hand engraved work of art is available in four gauges and its eye-catching engraving will stand alone in the field or range. You will bag more birds and look great doing it with this beauty in your hands.

MAIN FEATURES:
• Mechanical selective trigger
• Box Lock frame design
• Turkish Walnut stock
• Schnabel fore-end
• Coil spring operated hammers
• Chrome lined barrels
• 3 inch chamber (2 ¾ on 28ga)
• 5 Interchangeable choke tubes
• Ejectors on the 12ga & 20ga models
• Extractors on the 28ga & .410 models
• Smooth rounded heel for quick snag free mounting
• Cast off for the right handed shooter

06055 CZ WINGSHOOTER DELUXE 12-28, DUAL TONE, ENGRAVED $999
06056 CZ WINGSHOOTER DELUXE 20-28, DUAL TONE, ENGRAVED $999
06057 CZ WINGSHOOTER 28-28, DUAL TONE, ENGRAVED $1,040
06058 CZ WINGSHOOTER .410-28, DUAL TONE, ENGRAVED $1,040

2010 USPSA Nationals Report

2010-10-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Matt Mink, and Matt Hopkins of the CZ-USA Shooting Team for their performance with their CZ 75 SP-01 handguns at the 2011 USPSA Championships Oct 8-16th in Las Vegas. Matt Mink took second overall in production, while Matt Hopkins took 13th overall and was the highest scoring A class shooter in Production division.

Other shooters finding success while shooting CZ handguns included John France (High Senior in Production division) and Jordan Ohlmann (Third Place, A Class Production division). Congratulations go out to John and Jordan as well.

Angus wasn't able to make it to the Nationals this year due to a last minute change in his schedule. Next he is shooting the AustralAsia IPSC Championships and we wish him luck there.

The SP-01 was designed as a sidearm for law enforcement, but due to it's great handling and the reliability of the 75 platform, it has seen great success in competition as well. Among many other championships, it was used by Adam Tyc of the CZ Shooting Team to win 2 World Championships in IPSC, and by Angus Hobdell to take the shootoffs at the last IPSC World Shoot.

The Fox station in Kansas City did a piece on Matt Hopkins as he was preparing to leave for Nationals. Matt Hopkins spends his weekends at IPSC matches and his days in the CZ-USA customer service department. Click Here to check out the video.

2010 USPSA Nationals

2010-10-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Angus Hobdell, Matt Mink, and Matt Hopkins of the CZ-USA Shooting Team as well as many other CZ shooters are competing in Las Vegas for the US IPSC Championships Oct 8-16th. Angus, Matt and Matt will be shooting the SP-01 in Production division. Matt Mink will be shooting the CZ 75 TS in Limited 10 division as well. Good Luck to all the CZ Shooters at this years Nationals!

Hobbits, Doves and Reality TV

2010-09-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

I remember reading somewhere that there are more shells shot per bird on dove hunting than any other game animal. After some quick internet research, it seems that most estimates are between 6 and 8 shots fired for every dove taken. While this is a testament to the aerobatic abilities of the species, our shells/bird ratio also can be an indication of our need for some range time.

With opening weekend of dove season recently behind me, and a morning spent in pursuit of sand grouse a couple of weeks before that (Photo courtesy of Kevin Steele), my personal shells to bird ratio hints that some more remedial training may be in order.

CZ-USA Pro Shooter Dave Miller shares some tips for sporting clays in this new video clip that might help those ratios improve a little in the field this fall.

If it's time to upgrade your wing shooting gear, take a look at the CZ Redhead O/U or the CZ 712 and 720 semi-auto shotguns. Thy're dependable, great shooting and a real value.

Celebrity Sightings:

Scroll down the CZ 550 Safari Magnum page to see what Jack Osbourne of reality TV fame and "Lord of the Rings" star Elijah Wood were up to while filming in Zambia recently.

-Jason

Safari Season

2010-08-17T08:06:00.001-07:00

All hunting interests me, but there are a few hunts that I’ll find myself planning and scheming for every once in a while. Sometimes the hunt is a one animal feature, other times (my favorites) it’s at least a double feature and when everything comes together, it’s the safari equivalent of a month long movie marathon.

Africa, Canada, and Alaska are great places to do this as are several US states during the right season. Mule Deer and Pronghorn combos along with Black Bear and Elk can all be found in various combinations across the Western US during the right time of year. Even if the area you are hunting doesn’t have that kind of variety, In many areas you can get one or more trophy whitetail tags plus a few doe tags and a hog to round out the hunt. Maybe pick up a fall turkey tag for good measure.

Here are some African hunts that cross my mind on occasion (ok, it’s actually, every 15 seconds or so).….Elephants, Buffalo, Eland, Zebra, Kudu, Black Wildebeest, or Hartebeest along with about a thousand other animals in Africa. I just can’t pass up the Steenbok and Duikers….. or any of the other pygmy antelope for that matter. How about a black mamba? Ok, that may be just a little too dangerous for me so what about Bongo, Bushbuck, Nyala, Oryx or Sable?

Planning, thinking and dreaming about hunting always gets my blood pumping. Maybe the hunts I daydream about aren’t the same as yours. If you still need inspiration for your imagination take a look at the vast array of game animals in CZ-USA's media gallery. It’s organized by continent and will literally provide you with inspiration and vicarious living through the camera lenses of the hunter. If you have a hunt photo you'd like to share, click on the "Share Your CZ Experience" link found at the bottom of every product page.

Jan from Cleburne, TX shared the photo above with us from the Zimbabwe safari he just returned from. Jan's first buff fell to a single shot from his CZ 550 American Safari Magnum. I think he has caught the fever, as he has started to plan for at least 4 more buffalo hunts.

The 2010 CZ TV Season

2010-07-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

July is here and with it comes a new season of episodes from our favorite television shows. CZ-USA works with the best in the business of hunting TV, and the best trust the success of their hunts to their guns from CZ-USA when hunting anything from whitetails at home to exotic and dangerous game half way around the world.

Not that I ever need much motivating to go hunting, but watching these guys go after the top species from North and South America, Africa, and Europe really gets me fired up. These shows not only share the excitement of true hunting adventures with us, but they also share the techniques that offer the best chances for success. Only the guides and outfitters proven to provide first class hunts are used by shows endorsed by CZ-USA. This helps to ensure the best possible hunting experience should one of the featured hunts catch your interest.

Set the DVR, and check out the following shows. They really are the best hunting shows on TV today!

-Jason

Hunting University, Hosted by Dirt King and Charlie Ingram

Travel around the world with Charlie Ingram and David "Dirt" King as they hunt everything from Argentina dove and Canadian geese to brown bear and Tennessee gobblers.

Sportsman Channel, Wed 8:00 AM, Fri 5:00 PM, Sun 8:00 PM
Pursuit Channel, Thurs 1:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 PM
In Country TV,Thurs 9:00 PM, Fri 12:00 AM

Petersen's Hunting, Hosted by: Kevin Steele, Craig Boddington, Mike Schoby and Greg Rodriguez

Join some of today's most respected outdoor personalities as they travel to remote locations for truly world class hunting.

Sportsman Channel, Mon 3:30 PM, Wed 8:30 PM, Sun 8:30 AM
Wild TV, Mon 2:30 PM, Wed 10:30 AM, Wed 7 PM
Fox Sports (Coming in October)

Living The Wildlife, Hosted by Danny Dodge

Travel the world with host and cameraman Danny Dodge. Real People, Real Hunts.

Pursuit Channel, Sat 6:30 PM, Tues 11:30 AM, Fri 9:00 AM

Razor Dobbs Alive, Hosted by Razor Dobbs

The Unexpected. Maximum, big game, entertainment. The entertainment value of Razor Dobbs Alive is unmatched because of their twisted view of things and the way it is successfully captured and reflected on the screen.

Versus, Thurs 1:00 PM (Premiers July 29)
Pursuit Channel, Fri 10:30 PM, Mon 1:00 AM, Fri 7:00 AM

El Cazador Outdoors, Hosted in “Spanglish” by Andres Castillo

"Cazaria Mundial" or "Hunting the World" is what you can expect from El Cazador Outdoors. Join host Andres Castillo on hunts from Alaska, Europe Africa, North and South America with a special focus on big whitetail action from both Texas and Old Mexico.

La Familia, Fri 10:30 PM, Mon 1:00 AM, Fri 7:00 AM

Sportsman Channel, Dish 395, DirecTV 605

Pursuit Channel, DirecTV 608

In Country TV, Dish 208

Versus, Dish 151, Direct TV 603

All times Eastern

Bolt Action Rimfire Switch Bbl Rig

2010-06-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

The CZ 455 American Combo Package is now available from CZ-USA. The package features the new CZ 455 in .22LR and a .17 HMR barrel along with everything you need to make the caliber change. The CZ 455 eliminates the need to spend the extra expense on a second rifle when you want to add another quality shooter to your rimfire battery. The top of the line accuracy and durability that made the CZ 452 a favorite hasn’t changed in the new 455 model. One 5 round magazine is included for each caliber as are both wrenches required to switch calibers. Play the animation below to see just how easy it is.

Contact your local dealer to order.

CZ 455 American Combo cal .22 LR with .17 HMR replacement bbl - Item #2120

MSRP $573

City officials say 80,000 NRA members visited Charlotte

2010-05-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

We are all back in the office again after spending the weekend at the 139th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Charlotte, NC. According to the NRA, over 70,000 members attended this year. At the CZ-USA booth, we enjoyed the opportunity to meet with many of you. The NRA show is always a fun show for us, actually it's unique in the firearms industry. It gives us the chance to talk face to face with literally thousands of other people who, like us, are passionate about RKBA, shooting sports and hunting. This year we answered lots of questions on both our existing and new products, especially the 455 and 512 rimfire rifles, the upland ultralight shotgun and the P-07 Duty. We also got to hear about the successes that other CZ shooters have had recently in the hunting fields as well as the fields of competition. Hopefully we will get the chance to get together at next year's convention in Pittsburgh, PA from April 29th to May 1st.

- Jason

2010-04-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

The 2011 NRA Meetings and Exhibits are coming up on May 14-16 in Charlotte, NC. It's definitely an event that you shouldn't miss if there is any way to make it. Just about every gun manufacturer and related company you can think of will be exhibiting there. Please be sure to stop by and see what's new from CZ and Dan Wesson at Booth #1237.

I've been working on gathering up a list of all of the scope rings that are designed to fit the CZ line of rifles. It's finally put together with all of the specs in a PDF file you can download at http://cz-usa.com/download/126/

-Jason

2010 Seminole Cup Sporting Clays

2010-04-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

The Seminole Cup is just what everyone should do in the middle of February, if memory serves me right the temperature in Kansas City was just above 20 degrees and it was 76 degrees in Mims Florida at the Quail Creek Plantation. This was just one of the reasons why this was a perfect sporting clays event. The course had a difficulty level that reminded many northerners just how long the winter had actually been. It certainly proves that if you have the opportunity to travel south to shoot in the winter then do it. I watched several Master Class shooter that I know personally struggle to get the rust out of their barrels as this was the first large tournament of the 2010 season and many had not practiced much over the winter.

The event ran smooth a silk and so did my CZ-Sporting Clays Gun. At that point I had about 30 thousand rounds through it. Just enough to think I might have it trained. Then I kicked off the year in central Florida. Wow! Almost forgot what targets looked like. It took me a bit to get back in the swing of things. I guess I should have braved the cold for a little more practice. I did however manage to finish better than 90% of the field. Like many of us that live in a snow zone, I haven’t pulled the trigger very much since November, but my 32 inch friend and I got reacquainted very quickly. I finished strong and got my season started out right. The final total was 431 entries, now that’s a big shoot.

David Miller, CZ-USA Shooting Team

Hunting Mountain Lion with a Dan Wesson 1911

2010-03-09T11:08:00.000-08:00

Hunting for television can be tricky. It is not only about what you see, but what the camera can see and capture as well.... Unlike conditions in the studio, you have no control of the weather or the animals.

I landed in Grand Junction, CO in mid February full of expectations. This was my third attempt to get a mountain lion in the past 5 years. The snow was on the ground, sun was shining and Mike Schoby, host of Petersen's Hunting TV and his crew were waiting for me. We drove to a little town on I-70 called Rifle, got our tags over the counter and headed off to the lodge. We only had 5 hunting days and I didn't want to loose any time, so as soon as we unpacked I needed to check my gun. Call me superstitious, but I will not go out without checking the zero on my gun. This trip was a little different for me. For the first time, I have packed only a handgun for a big game hunt, a Dan Wesson semi-auto .45 caliber pistol. Because we are in the mountains, chances are we will be out the whole day looking for tracks. With the help of dogs, the cat will be treed and I should have a shot no more than 20 yards so hauling a rifle is not necessary. (yeah, that's what they said about my leopard hunt and I ended up tearing my pants and my vest and got few scratches on my face crawling in thorn bushes trying to get close to a cat that was NOT in a tree, but that is another story.)

Our outfitter Andy Julius (juliusag@msn.com) headed out just after midnight to look for tracks. I couldn't believe the bright moon and the whiteness of the snow that night.

The morning was a little cloudy and cold. 26 degrees. Thank God for foot warmers. We received a message on the radio that they found two day old tracks. I thought we would need super dogs to follow it. I carried my gun in a harness holster to keep it warm and handy. I took water, snacks, a knife, a Leupold rangefinder, and some spare ammo, as well as an extra hat and gloves in my backback. I was advised to travel light. Snow gators were a must as with every step that I took to follow the old track, I was in knee deep in snow. The treadmill can not prepare your body for walking in the snow. I fell back behind the guys a few times, thank god the tracks were going down the hill. We walked for another couple of hours and it became clear that the dogs lost interest in the track. The sun came up and I felt like I was on the top of the world. Perfect blue sky, perfect white snow, the pleasant smell of the pines, and my batteries were recharged. Down below us I could see three snowmobiles each going in a different direction. At almost three pm we got a message that they found a fresh male track about 5 miles from us. We couldn’t get there on foot, so we ran/slid down the steep hill to get to the snowmobiles that would get us closer to the new track. The sun goes down around 6 in February, so we only had a couple of hours of good light left. We always have to think about the camera, the objective here is to make a TV show out of my hunt.

The snowmobiles took us to the start of the fresh track. We could hear the dogs. I love their song and I love to watch the dogs work.

The baying got farther and farther away. It is amazing how fast the hounds are moving and we follow their sound on the snowmobiles. We reached a canyon the machines couldn’t handle, and were on foot again. I finally adjusted to the thinner air in the Rockies, so this time I kept the pace with the guys. The dogs were above us and I had another hill to climb but this time it was the southern slope with no snow, just rocks. It reminded me of sheep country, rocks and slides. I was glad that both of my hands were free to grab any bush that would help me to get up there. The shadows were getting longer and the evening light was perfect for the camera. Just then, there was the cat. He was big and my heart was beating fast. At that time all my practice with a handgun on the shooting range came in handy. Safety first, check the position of the other people and the dogs, check the position of the camera, make sure that he is rolling but I had to take another minute to get my breathing under control. I guess I wasn't fully adjusted to the altitude yet.

The cat was actually in the tree. I saw his shoulder between the branches no more than 17 yards away. My shot hit the branch below him. I adjusted my hold point and this time the cat goes down. The state of Colorado requires that the centerfire ammo used for cougar hunting must produce energy of 400 foot pounds. I used hollowpoints that meet the requirements and the cougar was dead before he hit the ground. What a magnificent animal. It was 5:15 pm. By the time we were done with pictures, congratulations and hugging the dogs, the light was gone. We made it back to the snowmobiles in the dark. I was happy. I didn't even feel the freezing wind in my face on the way back. The moon was huge, and I replayed the whole adventure in my head.

For me it is not only about pulling the trigger, it is about the pursuit, it is about being outdoors and sharing the adventure with good people. I felt very privileged that night and I was extremely happy with the performance of my Dan Wesson.

-Alice

New CZ-USA Upland Ultralight 12 ga O/U

2010-02-19T07:21:00.000-08:00

This light weight over/under won’t break your back or the bank. Weighing in at just 6 lbs, it is a full 2 lbs lighter than similar steel framed models. With all the gear we find ourselves carrying into the field today, (like remotes for training collars, gps, cell phone, extra ammo and a bottle of water just to name a few) I don’t mind taking advantage of the opportunity to shed a couple of pounds. In Kansas we have a daily bag limit of four pheasants. The recoil is a little more than my sporting clays gun, but it sure isn’t too much for my typical day in the pheasant fields. .

Item # and Suggested Retail Price: #06085 - 26” bbls; #06086 28” bbls; $749

This is going to be my new pheasant gun. Every year it seems that I'm getting older and my pheasant hunting group is getting younger. The four mile long fields seem less and less appealing every year. I'm not in as good of shape as I'd like to be.. but I work at it. There are those that say they would rather compensate for carrying a heavier gun by losing a couple of pounds. The reality is that I work in an office most of the time, and while diet and exercise help, I'll take any help I can get on reducing the weight of my gear whenever I can.

When I wrote the Upland Ultralight description for the press release and catalog, I was thinking about an opening weekend a few years back....

I have to laugh at myself when I remember getting halfway through a 2 mile long field in the Flint Hills. It was one of those rare opening weekends where it was 80 degrees in mid-November Kansas. My bird dog was a Brittany named Gertie. She was fairly small at around 35 lbs, but she had a ton of heart and would cover 10 miles for every one that I did. The field had been fairly productive for Gertie and I that morning and there were 2 pheasants in the vest to show for it. Gertie was covering an area near an ancient oak that was the only tree visible for at least a mile in every direction when she stopped and started chewing at her paws. She had found the worst patch of burs we had ever gotten into. I don't know what they are called, but these were the size of marbles, dark brown with hundreds of spikes on each one. I firmly believe that they were especially designed to get tangled up in the long soft hair of a Brittany's paws. On all four legs, a cluster of burrs had become entangled on her feet as well as her ears, chest, legs and every other possible spot. Gertie wasn't going anywhere until one of us got every one of those burs out, and we were still in the thick of them. I started trying to help working on a paw that she wasn't obsessively chewing on, but it quickly became apparent that this was going to take a while. I did the only thing I could do. I walked the remaining mile of that field with 2 pheasants in the back of my vest, 48 12 gauge shells in the front pockets a Brittany under my right arm and my brand new beautiful 9 1/2 lb sporting clays gun in my left. I suppose I should be thankful that we weren't halfway through a four mile field. While it wasn't fun for me at the time, looking back, I wouldn't trade a single field we hunted for anything. We did end up sitting out the next field taking care of some grooming issues for her and a much needed rest and cold drink for me.

Gertie died at 11 years old last winter, and I think that I'm ready for a new bird dog now. Hopefully when pheasant season rolls around this year, I'll have a new hunting buddy. I know that I'll be carrying a lighter shotgun. The lighter weight gun just makes the hunt more enjoyable for me, and you never know when you'll find yourselves in the middle of a patch of burs.

-Jason

SHOT Show, SCI and Photo Contest Winners

2010-01-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

The SHOT Show is Jan 19-22 in Las Vegas. Have your dealer stop by the CZ-USA booth (15751) to check out the CZ, Dan Wesson and Brno Rifles you are interested in. If you are planning on attending the SCI convention in Reno (Jan 20-23), please stop by booth 673 to check out the hunting line from CZ, Safari Classics, and Brno Rifles.

Get a sneak peek at the 2010 catalog. It's available for download in the "Common Downloads" section of the CZ-USA website.

Congratulations to Katie Witt and Phil Falkenheiner! Their photos "First Turkey" (top right under "Featured Media") and "Dancin Coyote" (above)are the winners in the 2009 CZ-USA Photo Contest. Thanks to all of the participants in the contest. Some truly amazing shots for the "on the hoof" category were entered in this year's contest. And the trophy pics show that some CZ shooters had a great hunting season.

Note the camo CZ 720 in "First Turkey". Phil submitted another photo of the same coyote from the "Dancin Coyote" pic. That one is titled "Lucky Coyote" as Phil happened to be shooting with his camera when this one came in.

Check back here for new opportunities to win.

-Jason

New Products for 2010

2009-12-23T08:19:00.000-08:00

2010 is just around the corner and along with the new year comes new guns from CZ and Dan Wesson. The Valor line of 1911's from Dan Wesson is expanding with new finish options and the V-Bob, a Valor grade Bobtail Commander. The Guardian is another new DW model. It's an alloy framed Bobtail Commander in 9mm.

Not to let the 1911 fans have all the fun, there are plenty of new products in the CZ line as well.

Among the new guns from CZ for 2010 is the 455, the next generation of the CZ bolt action rimfire rifle. It is replacing the CZ 452 American model for 2010 and will replace other 452 models over the next year or two. Speaking of rimfires, remember the photo contest ends at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. We're giving away a CZ 452 (or 455 if you prefer) to each of the photo contest winners.

Make sure you don't miss the other new releases: the Upland Ultralight, a 6 lb 12 ga O/U, the 550 Urban Counter Sniper (very cool), 2 new competition models from the CZ Custom Shop, the Hammer Classic, the Limited Edition 75 Stainless, the Duty in .40 S&W, the Left Hand version of the American Safari Magnum, the 452 thumbhole varmint, and 2 new custom shop enhanced shotguns(one for hunting and one for competition).

We've also brought back a couple of rifles that have been missing for a few years. The 550 Batttue, and the 550 medium magnum in 7mm Rem Mag.

Press releases with photos for all of the new guns can be found at the bottom of the support->downloads page.

Happy Holidays from CZ-USA!

Youth Season and Photo Contest

2009-11-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

Well the hunting season is in full swing now. We're in the chase phase for whitetail around here. Missouri just had their youth season and a couple of the folks from CZ-USA made it out in the woods with their kids. Joe Monteleone took his son Nathan out for the weekend, and Nathan put a tag on his first deer. Nathan, age 8, shot this whitetail doe with a CZ 527 carbine in 7.62x39 at about 100 yds. Lynn Matthews daughter Addie took her first deer during the Missouri youth opener this weekend as well. Addie used a CZ 550 American in .30-06 to take her buck.

Not to let the kids have all the fun, Joe also managed to fill a mule deer tag, and I had a successful mule deer hunt with Bill Rivas of Wild Outdoor Adventures TV in Washington State. Check out these pics on the CZ 550 American and UHR pages.

Check out the submissions to the photo contest. Two people are going to win rifles from CZ-USA in the photo contest this year. We want to see your Trophy pics and wildlife photos as well. Click here to see the entries, read rules, and enter the contest.

Good Hunting! - Jason

Win a CZ 452 in this "Shooting" contest.

2009-09-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

Win a CZ rifle in the CZ-USA (Photo) Shooting Contest. Two winners will receive their choice of any CZ 452 model in the CZ-USA line. One winner from each of the following categories: "Trophy" and "On the Hoof".

Trophy quality, composition, technical quality, artistic value and uniqueness will all contribute to the judging process.

The"Trophy" photo must meet the following criteria: taking of the game in the photo must be done according to all applicable game laws, the game must be taken with a firearm from CZ-USA, the CZ firearm must be featured in the photo, and the photo must be staged in the field. The hunter is encouraged to appear in this photo, as that tends to make a better photo.

The "On the Hoof" photo must feature one or more game animals in the wild. Anyone may enter regardless of their access to a CZ-USA firearm, as it is not required for this category. The bird or beast featured in this photo could possibly be submitted in the trophy category as well, but for this shot, the shutter must be opened before the trigger is pulled.

All pictures submitted must be original photos, in original high-resolution digital format. It must feature, or be taken by the person submitting it, and be free of restrictions, as CZ-USA will feature the submissions on the website and top pictures may be featured in future catalogs or print advertising. Contest winners must take delivery through a U.S. FFL dealer.

Submit your photo entries by clicking on the "Share your CZ Experience" button at http://cz-usa.com/gallery/photo-contest/ . You can view other entries and read complete contest rules there as well. Be sure to put your correct e-mail address in the submission form and tell the who, what, where, when story behind the picture as well. All submissions are due by Midnight on December 31st, 2009.

To help get you started, here are some links to some tips for taking good trophy photos.

http://www.boone-crockett.org/Bgrecords/records_phototips.asp?area=bgRecords

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/nebland/articles/hunting/trophyphoto.asp

http://www.diydeerfoodplots.com/articles/tips-for-taking-better-trophy-photos.html

Good shooting! - Jason

2009-09-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Jaime Harless. She won the 2009 SCTP Georgia Olympic Trap Silver Medal in ladies and at the ATA National Champion of Champion shoot in Sparta, IL she shot her first 50 straight with her highest score of 96. The picture above features Jaime at the JOT's (Junior Olympic Tryouts) competing with her CZ-USA Redhead shotgun.

Win a CZ 550 American

2009-08-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a chance for you to win a new CZ 550 American. The cool part of this gun giveaway is that it also includes a bunch of other cool hunting gear, and a 7 day African safari (Airfare included!). Wild Outdoor Adventures has partnered with the Pursuit Channel, CZ-USA, and other top companies in the hunting industry for this trip of a lifetime. As a bonus, the whole thing will be filmed for an episode of Wild Outdoor Adventures. Click here to read the story of the last winner. Wayland, a firefighter from Florida won the rifle and stag hunt(Awesome stag Wayland!) in Argentina, but it wasn't his first time there. The first was when he was abducted with his younger brother at the age of 3. He didn't make it back to the US and his mother until he was 16.

Stay tuned for more opportunities to win other guns from CZ-USA. You'll read about them here first.

CZ-USA Photo Contest: I'll be letting you know all the details soon, but because some deer seasons are already starting up in some places.... If you're hunting with a CZ this season, make sure that your trophy photo includes the CZ rifle in it, as you will need that photo for the contest.

-Jason

2009-07-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

2009 CMP National Rimfire Sporter Championship

Competitors shooting the CZ 452 dominated O-Class at Camp Perry this weekend.

There are some very interesting things that the match results show us, I think you will agree, but first I want to recognize some very impressive performances by CZ 452 shooters.

Congratulations to CSM Steven Slee, USAR. Steven won the O-Class (open sights) at the CMP National Rimfire Sporter Championship this weekend at Camp Perry. Steven wasn’t the only person shooting a CZ rifle that did well, Charles and David shot their way to the top of their classes also. Charles is the 2009 O-Class Junior Champion and David is the 2009 O-Class Senior Champion. Ron took 3^rd place in T-Class (telescopic sights), making him the highest placing CZ shooter in T-Class.

Analysis:

The CZ 452 was the most popular model in O-Class. 42 shooters competed with the CZ 452 out of 157 registered shooters. Out of the 157, 16 didn’t participate in the equipment survey leaving us 141 rifles identified. Based on that info more than one third of the competitors picked CZ to give them the best performance possible in a national championship match!

CZ rifles were used by 15 of the top 18 shooters. (shooters using H&K, Remington, and TC took places 5, 9, and 16 respectively)

Making this more impressive is that while CZ was the most popular rifle, it was not even close to being the majority represented manufacturer. Almost 2 out of every 3 shooters shot non CZ rifles. Ruger had an impressive showing with 30% shooting their rifles, and their top shooter taking 19^th place. Other makes that had a good following were Remington with 10%, TC with 9%, and Marlin with 7%.

To see the complete match results, go to…

http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/report_matchResult.cgi?matchID=4687

2009-07-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

Cliff's Wild Outdoor Adventures is an international hunting and adventure series with episodes from the most remote areas of all the continents.
The show is hosted by professional hunter and explorer, Cliff Tulpa. Each episode follows his quest to hunt all the big game species. At this time, Cliff has taken over 180 big game species and many of those have been filmed for this series. Cliff talks about his choices and experience with equipment and many tips for both the local and traveling sportsman throughoug the show as well.
WOA TV also gives a unique view of the remote destinations featured on the show through local people, customs, food, drink. and traditions.

Cliff uses several different CZ rifles on his hunting expeditions throughout the world. For the Dangerous Game of the World, including the Dangerous 7 of Africa and the huge Bears of the World, Cliff uses the CZ-USA Safari Classics rifle in .458 Lott caliber and the CZ-USA Safari Classics in .416 Rigby caliber. For long range shooting on medium to large size big game animals, including the mountain species like Sheep and Ibex, Cliff uses the CZ-USA 550 Ultimate Hunting rifle in .300 Win Mag. caliber. On the smaller sized game animals, Cliff uses the CZ-USA 550 American in .243 caliber. For wingshooting ducks and geese, Cliff’s choice is the CZ-USA Woodcock Over-Under model in 12 gauge and for high volume doves he uses the CZ-USA semi-auto shotgun in 20 gauge.

Some of the upcoming episodes include hunts in Mozambique where Cliff was joined by Jason Morton to hunt the Southern Cape Buffalo while on foot in the tall grass. Using the CZ-USA Safari Classic in .416 Rigby, both Jason and Cliff take fine trophy Cape Buffalo!

"For long range accuracy, I completely trust the CZ-USA Ultimate Hunting Rifle. It consistently provides me with almost one hole groups. That kind of accuracy is exactly what I need when everything is on the line for that one shot opportunity!" -Cliff Tulpa
PURSUIT CHANNEL (DirecTV channel 608) Thursday 10:00PM EST, Saturday 8:00pm EST
WILD TV - (Satellite and Cable networks across Canada)Wednesday 10:00AM EST, Thursday 8:30am EST, Friday 11pm EST.FANZ TV - local cable networks.Also on many local broadcast and cable channels from Satellite Feed
MY OUTDOOR TV – (Internet Distribution) episodes free On Demand
http://www.myoutdoortv.com/hunting-microsite/cliffs-wild-outdoor-adventures.html

2009-06-30T14:36:00.000-07:00

With the new TV season starting this week, I thought this would be a good chance to share a bit about the shows that CZ-USA is sponsoring in 2009.

Petersen's HUNTING Adventures first episode of the season airs this week and features Craig Boddington using a CZ 550 American in .270 Win on an Arizona hunt for Desert Bighorn. Craig told me that he tried to draw this tag for 30 years before he got lucky!

The episode airing the week of July 20th is another one that should be great as well. In that episode Host Kevin Steele and I travelled to the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain to hunt Red Stag with a CZ 550 American chambered in .30-06. It's a thrilling hunt in a beautiful setting and a definite must see.

Petersen's HUNTING Adventures is one of the best produced shows out there. All of the hunts featured on the show are also featured in Petersen's Hunting Magazine. The show is hosted by some of the very best outdoor writers that we've followed through the years in not only Petersen's Hunting, but Guns & Ammo, Shooting Times and many other top firearms publications. They don't only show you a hunt, but Petersen's Hunting virtually brings you along on the adventure.

Check out the show schedule at www.huntingmag.com/tv/.

I asked publisher and host Kevin Steele for a brief description of his show. Here's what he had to say:

Petersen's HUNTING Adventures leaps from the pages of Petersen's HUNTING magazine, bringing to life all the excitement, expert tips and tactics you've come to expect from America's original where-to, how-to hunting magazine. Join expert hosts Craig Boddington, Kevin Steele, Mike Schoby, Greg Rodriquez and Wayne van Zwoll as they travel across North America and around the globe on trophy quests that are sure to whet your appetite for adventure. Learn what equipment to bring on specific hunts; how to select the best rifle, optic and ammo combination and then stalk in close for the kill. You won't want to miss a single episode of the hunting TV show that delivers credibility, excitement, exotic locals and exceptional high-definition footage...Petersen's HUNTING Adventures!

-Jason

Welcome to the new CZ-USA website!

2009-06-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

Metathesiophobia is the fear of change. Change is sometimes difficult and long in coming, but we finally have our new website up. http://www.cz-usa.com/ This time the change has been eagerly anticipated and welcome.

For those of you reading this on the site. Thanks for visiting! We are still working through cleaning up some of the details and we're making corrections and updates all the time.

The new site went live around noon on Tuesday. The first full day for the new site was Wednesday. The page visits are up over 275% from only a month ago. We actually had to make some major changes Tuesday night just to accomodate the higher traffic levels.

Take a look around, there are lots of new features. The most exciting for me is the opportunity to share pictures and videos with other enthusiasts. Go to the page where the product you want to feature is displayed, and submit your story, picture or video at the bottom of that page. (for more details, read the blog post below)

Browsing for products is now much improved. Not only can you browse by firearm type, but now you can browse by brand or purpose. Browsing by purpose is pretty cool. You can select the type of hunting you are interested in and only the firearms best suited for that type of hunting are displayed. Other purposes we've categorized include firearms sized for youth or ladies, home defense, law enforcement and competition.

Speaking of new pages, check out the new CZ-USA Twitter page. http://twitter.com/czusa

In the coming weeks, I'll be covering news from Keith, the Operations Manager at Dan Wesson Firearms, Angus Hobdell, Captain of the CZ-USA Shooting Team, and with the new TV season getting ready to start, I'll be covering each of the shows that feature CZ-USA products. To get a preview, take a look at the "CZ on TV" section of our website. http://cz-usa.com/cz-on-tv/

-Jason

The new CZ-USA website is coming soon!

2009-06-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

We're putting the finishing touches on a new website right now. Over the next few weeks, everything should be tested and finished. I'll update you as soon as it is available. The URL will remain the same... www.cz-usa.com

The new website has some great interactive features incorporated in it. Anyone will be able to post pictures of their guns, hunting photos and reports, product reviews, how-to guides and more. Video, text, and photo submissions can all be submitted. These can all be associated with individual models to help new buyers out with their decisions.

I've seen a ton of great pistol photos showing off customizations, etc. on the CZ Forum http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php. Show your favorite shots off on the product pages of the new website.

Start getting your video reviews filmed and loaded on to youtube www.youtube.com. When you're ready to submit them to the CZ-USA site, you just enter the link to your youtube video.

-Jason

2009 NRA Show Report, handgun & ammo supply vs. demand

2009-05-19T06:42:00.000-07:00

I'm back in Kansas City today after attending the 2009 NRA of America Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Phoenix this weekend. It was a great show and for those of you that made it by CZ-USA booth, I want to say thanks for stopping by. For those who could not make it, hopefully we'll see you next year in North Carolina.

Phoenix was the perfect host city for the convention. The local support was incredible. Over 64,000 people attended the show this year making it the biggest show in NRA history. The combination of a great pro-gun host state and the current nationwide trend in firearms purchases helped I'm sure.

Speaking of the current trends, it was very cool to have the opportunity to speak with way more people than usual who were interested in purchasing their first handgun. They were eager to learn, asking relevant questions, and I enjoyed being able to help. Reasons behind their upcoming purchase varied, but there was a noticeable trend in current rifle and shotgun owners wanting to buy their first handgun just to exercise their right to have one.

Handgun and ammunition availability was a common concern for just about everyone in attendance. Both CZ and Dan Wesson are running at full capacity, and the vast majority of the handguns we’re making are headed for the US consumer market. This normally wouldn't be possible, but high demand in the US is happening at the same time as a global recession slows orders in the rest of the world.

Ammunition availability appears to be limited judging by the stock on dealers’ shelves across the country. There are a few reasons that very by caliber, but there is also a common thread at work here. Ammo in certain calibers (like .380) is really tough to find right now due to the popularity of the caliber in new models released over the last year and a half. 9mm is tough to find as well. I assume that this is due to it's popularity in many handgun models with the highest magazine capacities (like the CZ 75 series). 7.62x39 and .223 are tough to find rifle calibers. Along with handguns the surge of interest in centerfire semi-auto rifles (for example the AR-15, AK models, and others like the VZ 58) is fueling the demand here.

Even with the significant increase in firearms purchases (Google NICS background check data 2009), the ammo availability is less than what would be expected. I speak with both CZ dealers and friends in the ammunition industry on a regular basis. All of them agree that people are stocking up on ammo. I have some ideas about this but would like to hear your take on this as well.

Here are a couple of shots that Dave Esch from http://www.czforum.com/ took in the booth at the NRA show. The first is Jo Esch and I posing for a shot for the forum, and the second is an overview of the booth.

2009-04-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the CZ-USA blog! The focus here is primarily on events and product news from CZ-USA, but occasionally the discussion may stray to just about anything that may influence hunting or firearms issues impacting the US shooter.

In mid May, Sherri (sales), Richard (gunsmithing), Keith (Dan Wesson) and I will join Angus and Rob from the CZ Custom Shop for the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Phoenix. If you are able to make it to the convention, stop by the CZ-USA booth (#1515). We'd like to meet you and we'd be happy to show you some of the new models on display.