Bruno model 21

[ZG47]

I have one dated 1948, 8x57 full stock, set triggers. Great rifle.
Mike

Good to hear that it still has the double set trigger. The majority of Model 21 and 22 rifles that were imported to New Zealand, had the set trigger replaced—at owner request—with a standard M98 trigger.

 

[Milan]

@Milan 1. The F and H suffixes are a North American invention.
2. The Brno Model 22 has the shorter barrel and a full length stock.
3. A small percentage of Model 21 production had the shorter barrel length and those guns are referred to as carbines.
4. Barrel fitting and cartridge length is NOT the issue, in regard to safety. CZUB obviously has historical data to support their assertion, in regard to inappropriate chamberings for the Model 21/22. It is also no great secret that a Tikka rifle with deep receiver grooves is more vulnerable to catastrophic failure—due to user error—than a rifle such as the Brno ZG 47, which has extra metal on top of the receiver, to raise the height of the scope mounting grooves and avoid a proven failure mode.

Well I have a full stocked rifle (not carbine). I also have a carbine which looks like it was originally with half stock (due to the barrel band swivel shape). Additionally, I wrote this:
21 for rifle (60cm barrel), 22 for carbine (50cm barrel).
So I think we are saying the same thing. The stock was inconsequential, IMHO.

 

[MS 9x56]

here's a picture of my "original" stocked Brno 22F and a brochure from the company ...View attachment 664751View attachment 664752

Beautiful rifle.

 

[Milan]

As to the receiver strength, I can't really speak to that. But, I do know this:

1. Being small ring, the mod 21 is about 0.5mm smaller in the "top of the ring/bridge" area than ZG47
2. ZG47 is smaller in that area than ZKK/CZ550
3. Small ring round top is thicker than both DSB 21/ZG47 in that area, but ZG47 has bigger receiver ring overall
4. I have seen one DSB mod 21 made out by Ralph Martini in 9.3x64
5. I have talked to another reputable gunsmith and he agreed 9.3x62 is doable in the mod 21 but he would not advise going bigger (yet I think he meant Magnum cartridges with bigger/thicker cases).

I have only 1 round top mod 21. It has been machined to accept front claw mount. So probably weaker also. I wish I could find one unmolested round top, where the claw mount base has been slid into a groove machined in a band soldered onto the chamber/barrel instead.

 

[ZG47]

Well I have a full stocked rifle (not carbine). I also have a carbine which looks like it was originally with half stock (due to the barrel band swivel shape). Additionally, I wrote this:
21 for rifle (60cm barrel), 22 for carbine (50cm barrel).
So I think we are saying the same thing. The stock was inconsequential, IMHO.

There is always something new to learn about Brno production. One day I was chatting to a local guy who hunts, shoots NRA and collects firearms. He had just acquired a ZG 47 Lightweight in .30-06 and remarked that he did not know there was a lightweight version until he bought that rifle! News to me, as well.

 

[Longwalker]

To add to the "something new" comments, I have a factory original Brno 21H 8x57S with a very unusual combination of round knob bolt and single trigger. Almost all the Brno 21/22 rifles I've seen have double set triggers, and only a very few were made with a round knob bolt properly inset low in the stock to clear a modern low mounted scope. The only improvement it needed was to replace the original flag safety ( which does not lock the bolt and interferes with a scope) with a M70 style three position safety and shroud made by Recknagel. It's a very nicely configured rifle for my tastes.

 

[Milan]

There is always something new to learn about Brno production. One day I was chatting to a local guy who hunts, shoots NRA and collects firearms. He had just acquired a ZG 47 Lightweight in .30-06 and remarked that he did not know there was a lightweight version until he bought that rifle! News to me, as well.

I have never heard of it. Would need to see it.

 

[Milan]

To add to the "something new" comments, I have a factory original Brno 21H 8x57S with a very unusual combination of round knob bolt and single trigger. Almost all the Brno 21/22 rifles I've seen have double set triggers, and only a very few were made with a round knob bolt properly inset low in the stock to clear a modern low mounted scope. The only improvement it needed was to replace the original flag safety ( which does not lock the bolt and interferes with a scope) with a M70 style three position safety and shroud made by Recknagel. It's a very nicely configured rifle for my tastes.
View attachment 664898

Looks like mod 21 with ZG47 bolt, trigger and firing pin. 1954 or later?

 

[Longwalker]

Nope, 1951 model, original model 21 bolt and trigger. Changed the bolt shroud & safety, which was the typical M21 safety not the ZG47 style.

 

[Milan]

Nope, 1951 model, original model 21 bolt and trigger. Changed the bolt shroud & safety, which was the typical M21 safety not the ZG47 style.

Then the trigger or cocking piece had to have been modified. Mod 21 and ZG47 have different cocking pieces. Mod 21 is 90 degree sear engagement ala Mauser, ZG47 is angled ala Rem 700. Maybe they did it at the factory. Mine came with the ZG bolt and mod 21 cocking piece and shroud. But it had double set triggers.
On the other hand I know that 90 degree cocking piece will work with ZG47 angled trigger sear. Just not something i would do or think would be done at factory. Would you perhaps share a picture or two of these parts?

 

[Longwalker]

The original bolt shroud and safety is sold and gone. The M70 style safety on the new shroud did need to be fitted. The trigger is factory original.

 

[ZG47]

ZG47 is angled ala Rem 700.

Did you mean to type 'a la Winchester model 70'?

 

[Milan]

Did you mean to type 'a la Winchester model 70'?

Not really. I'd have to look at M70 maybe it is same as Rem 700. Same in principle, not necessarily dimensions of course.

 

[Milan]

The original bolt shroud and safety is sold and gone. The M70 style safety on the new shroud did need to be fitted. The trigger is factory original.

It's not just the shroud that needs to match the safety, but also the cocking piece and firing pin. The cocking piece should match the sear on the trigger. I'm not saying the trigger or cocking piece are not original. Just would like to see them.