CZ550 getting upgrades

[Cowboy777]

I have been talking to Tim from Matrix gunsmithing for a couple months. I finally got around to shipping my CZ in 416 Rigby to him this morning. I’m going with upgrade option 2; 3 position safety, action tuning, trigger job, barrel sling band, cut and crown the muzzle, upgrade sights and bed the stock. I may add some engraving before it is all complete, we’re still talking designs.

Can’t wait to see the final product. The rifle is in mint condition for it from a guy that only took it out of the box a couple times to cycle snap caps through it.

Shipping was a PITA, so keep your fingers crossed for me. UPS closed their customer service hub where I am located and the stores would not accept it. FedEx was not helpful, all the gun stores in the area wanted to charge $150 fee on top of shipping costs. Finally took it to the post office which I originally thought would not ship it but they do. No issues there accept the postman accidentally insured it for $500 instead of the $5000 I requested and then claimed he only could have done a $1000 but couldn’t change it. It’s packed in its original box with foam and then in a guitar shipping box heavily padded on all sides, so damage should not be an issue. I doubt the postal service wants to deal with loosing a firearm so it should have no issue reaching its destination but for the next 5 days I’ll be anxiously waiting for delivery confirmation.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

good luck on 5 days, my 3 day shipping from SD to Or and back with a rifle barrel took 12 and 13 days shipped 3 day express, when asked for refund for the difference between 3 day and regular mail they laughed . please post lots of pictures when Tim gets finished.

 

[Surgeon1]

They will also ship Registered mail which is extremely safe.

 

[RR 314]

good luck on 5 days, my 3 day shipping from SD to Or and back with a rifle barrel took 12 and 13 days shipped 3 day express, when asked for refund for the difference between 3 day and regular mail they laughed . please post lots of pictures when Tim gets finished.

Yuuuuuup. I had a rifle stuck in limbo for almost two weeks. It was stuck at a sorting facility on the west coast. Tracking simply stated something were it was last scanned. Checked daily and no updates final scan when delivered at my FFL. I bring Christmas joy. It is what I do

Seriously, should be fine. Good luck on upgrades.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

They will also ship Registered mail which is extremely safe.

Did not know that, thanks

 

[colorado]

I have been talking to Tim from Matrix gunsmithing for a couple months. I finally got around to shipping my CZ in 416 Rigby to him this morning. I’m going with upgrade option 2; 3 position safety, action tuning, trigger job, barrel sling band, cut and crown the muzzle, upgrade sights and bed the stock. I may add some engraving before it is all complete, we’re still talking designs.

Can’t wait to see the final product. The rifle is in mint condition for it from a guy that only took it out of the box a couple times to cycle snap caps through it.

Shipping was a PITA, so keep your fingers crossed for me. UPS closed their customer service hub where I am located and the stores would not accept it. FedEx was not helpful, all the gun stores in the area wanted to charge $150 fee on top of shipping costs. Finally took it to the post office which I originally thought would not ship it but they do. No issues there accept the postman accidentally insured it for $500 instead of the $5000 I requested and then claimed he only could have done a $1000 but couldn’t change it. It’s packed in its original box with foam and then in a guitar shipping box heavily padded on all sides, so damage should not be an issue. I doubt the postal service wants to deal with loosing a firearm so it should have no issue reaching its destination but for the next 5 days I’ll be anxiously waiting for delivery confirmation.

Good luck! I'm sure it will come out great. CZ 550s are great rifles. Here's my CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery. Wayne at AHR did the upgrades (3 pos M70 type safety, straighten and fill bolt, and single stage match trigger). It came with the barrel band an NECG front sight. Kevin Weaver worked on the action and put on the ebony forend and grip cap

 

[Surgeon1]

Too bad Wayne no longer does his CZ up grades.

 

[leslie hetrick]

good luck on 5 days, my 3 day shipping from SD to Or and back with a rifle barrel took 12 and 13 days shipped 3 day express, when asked for refund for the difference between 3 day and regular mail they laughed . please post lots of pictures when Tim gets finished.

the post office is a joke if anything goes missing or damaged.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

the post office is a joke if anything goes missing or damaged.

here in So Dakota both of our senator and house member have called for an investigation into how the post office is handling mail service here. if I mail a letter 40 miles away to another town it will travel to 2 cities in SD then to N Dakota then back to 2 cities in SD the to the town I sent it to. to send a letter 30 miles it travels over 100 miles to be delivered and takes up to 4 days. just sucks

 

[Ontario Hunter]

You should have hid an AirTag in the gun or the box. I'm wondering if anyone has tried shipping rifles with AirTags hidden behind the recoil pad in hollow of stock? Just now thought of it. Bet that would work.

 

[colorado]

Too bad Wayne no longer does his CZ up grades.

True I paid $500 for my CZ#1 Upgrade, it was a steal

 

[Cowboy777]

Too bad Wayne no longer does his CZ up grades.

Tim was mentored by Wayne and provides the same services.

 

[colorado]

Yes I hear he's very good.

 

[Sideshow]

What length are you getting it cut to?
Having my 602 done at the moment slow going. But fingers crossed I’ll see it this year

 

[One Day...]

I have been talking to Tim from Matrix gunsmithing for a couple months. I finally got around to shipping my CZ in 416 Rigby to him this morning. I’m going with upgrade option 2; 3 position safety, action tuning, trigger job, barrel sling band, cut and crown the muzzle, upgrade sights and bed the stock. I may add some engraving before it is all complete, we’re still talking designs.

Can’t wait to see the final product. The rifle is in mint condition for it from a guy that only took it out of the box a couple times to cycle snap caps through it.

Shipping was a PITA, so keep your fingers crossed for me. UPS closed their customer service hub where I am located and the stores would not accept it. FedEx was not helpful, all the gun stores in the area wanted to charge $150 fee on top of shipping costs. Finally took it to the post office which I originally thought would not ship it but they do. No issues there accept the postman accidentally insured it for $500 instead of the $5000 I requested and then claimed he only could have done a $1000 but couldn’t change it. It’s packed in its original box with foam and then in a guitar shipping box heavily padded on all sides, so damage should not be an issue. I doubt the postal service wants to deal with loosing a firearm so it should have no issue reaching its destination but for the next 5 days I’ll be anxiously waiting for delivery confirmation.

Awesome

I have extensive experience with the CZ 550 (.375 H&H, .416 Rigby, .458 Lott, custom .300 Wby on the double square bridge action) and once they are tuned-up they are every bit as good as the rifles Rigby built on their action. Although admittedly less glamorous... But considerably less expensive...

I would highly suggest:

1. straightening and filling the bolt handle
2. replacing the CZ set trigger with a direct trigger (e.g. Timney)

Wayne used to include upgrade #1 in upgrade #2, so I am "assuming" that Tim does the same and that this is included

I also like a jewelled bolt

As far as the stock goes, the problem with the CZ stocks is that they are notorious for cracking at the wrist because they are generally not made from high quality i.e. old i.e. dense wood and bedding will not change that . Have you considered a Bell & Carlson? I know that they change the looks, but a kevlar/full aluminum bedding block stock is virtually indestructible...

 

[Jefferry404]

Tim had done a lot of CZ upgrades and a lot of new chambering.
He got the new CNC installed just waiting on new power. Then, it is off to the races with integral barrels, qrib kits, sights, etc.
You will like your upgraded rifle.
I have a NIB Cz550 458 Lott at Tim’s getting reinforced with grip pin, cross bolt and mercury tube, before I put it up for sale.

 

[Captain Munro]

Does anyone have one of Time custom rifles? I wonder if he could make a quarter rib for the Ruger Hawkeye African. Always thought that would class them up a bit.

 

[RR 314]

Tim was mentored by Wayne and provides the same services.

Not to be that guy, well, heck I guess I am that guy. Matrix had a lot of issues initially. Sounds like they may have it sorted now.

 

[HunterX]

Does anyone have one of Time custom rifles? I wonder if he could make a quarter rib for the Ruger Hawkeye African. Always thought that would class them up a bit.

Yes he can

 

[baxterb]

You should have hid an AirTag in the gun or the box. I'm wondering if anyone has tried shipping rifles with AirTags hidden behind the recoil pad in hollow of stock? Just now thought of it. Bet that would work.

I know of guys who are building secret little slots in the electronic cavities of guitars for air tags.