If you’re looking to do some CZ 457 upgrades, it’s worth checking out Pete’s Pillars. While he started out offering pillars for bedding rifle actions, the site offers much more than that today. Browsing the site, you’ll find many of the big names in the firearms aftermarket, with a focus on rimfire. Since installing his CZ 457 firing pin, I’ve ordered some additional parts for my rifles. And I’m sharing a few of them, because I find them to be worthwhile upgrades.
Note that these parts are only a tiny sampling. In addition to his own parts, Pete offers products from MDT, Green Mountain, TandemKross, Volquartsen, Lilja, KRG, XLR Industries, and more.
Pillar CZ 455 452 453 457 Extended Smooth Flat Magazine Release
Releasing a magazine should be easy, even under the pressure of competition. But that little nub of a release isn’t always easy to find, so there’s a fix. Pete’s Pillars offers this extended magazine release. It’s CNC-machined from steel, and given a black nitride finish. At 1.59″ long, it’s definitely easier to find than the OEM one. There’s a “bumpy” version as well, but I went with the smooth one. As far as CZ 457 upgrades go, this is one of the simpler ones, requiring minimal tools and time.
Installation is pretty easy, and it found the best way is to remove the action from the stock or chassis. Then remove the magazine well. Pushing out the pin holding the factory release will allow it to fall right out. Add a dab of grease to the cup where the spring sits, and set the spring in there. Looking down from the top of the well, line up the spring with the hole in the well. Then carefully push the cross pin back through the magazine well and through the release. It took me a few tries, but it’s not difficult. And the end result is worth the price ($21.99) and 1-15 minutes of your time.
Pillar CZ 457 Replacement Upgraded Stainless Steel Extended Cocking Indicator
Keeping the “Easy CZ 457 upgrades” theme is the Pete’s Pillars Stainless Steel Extended Cocking Indicator, also known as a loaded chamber indicator (LCI). From the factory, CZ rifles have a red plastic LCI. It’s functional, but one of the few cost-cutting measures CZ made with this rifle. Pete’s version is machined from stainless steel, and a bit longer, making it easier to see. Due to its placement, it adds some mass behind the firing pin. It also increases the spring tension a bit. Both should help with more consistent ignition, though that hasn’t been a problem.
Installing this part only requires removal of the bolt. That’s the easier part. Carefully pry off the extractor/ejector spring, and remove those parts. Twist the handle so that the firing pin is sticking out of the bolt face, and compress the spring while pushing out the pin. Hold the rear of the bolt as you remove your punch, otherwise parts under tension will fly. Slide the back of the bolt off, and swap out the indicator. Assembling is the reverse of this process. I haven’t created a tutorial, but a YouTube search of “CZ 457 bolt upgrades” should bring you to some helpful videos. You can see this installed in the lead photo of this article.
CZ USA 457 Series Aftermarket Trigger Pull Spring 8oz
There may not be such a thing as a free lunch, but this aftermarket CZ 457 trigger pull spring is pretty close. Rating on the factory spring is 48 lbs/in, and this spring is just 5.2 lbs/in. A complete aftermarket drop-in trigger runs $180-$193. This spring sells for $13.99, making it a bargain. What’s the catch? Those complete triggers are engineered for performance and safety. That’s not to suggest that a spring swap is unsafe. But it does require a bit more work on the user’s (installer’s) part to ensure it’s safe.
I’m not going to cover the installation at all. Plenty of tutorials exist online, and it’s not difficult. But this spring needs to be viewed as part of a system. CZ designed the 457 trigger to be adjustable for pull weight, pre and post-travel. Before installing the spring, those settings need to be understood, and it’s probably a good idea to dial them in with the OEM spring. After installing the aftermarket spring, check all settings again. The goal is to have the trigger reset properly, but not be so light that it goes off unintentionally.
If you’re not comfortable with the installation and adjustment, pay someone to do it, or buy a complete trigger. If you do install this spring, it will be one of the best values in CZ 457 upgrades. My bench rifle has a trigger that breaks at a crisp 8 ounces, with no creep, and no overtravel.
There’s more. Plenty more.
This is just a small sample of the CZ 457 upgrades available from Pete’s Pillars. You’ll find little things like replacement hardware, all the way up to barrels, complete factory rifles, and aftermarket chassis systems, with plenty of parts in between. What I appreciate most is that it’s all in one place. And he’s got all sorts of parts for other rimfire firearms too. If you’re looking to upgrade a plinker, or build a competition rifle, head over to the Pete’s Pillars website and check out all the excellent parts and accessories available.
*All parts discussed in the article were purchased by me at full retail directly from the Pete’s Pillars website.