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Member Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 328 Location: So Cal

I'm looking for information or ideas on how my friend can open his CZ O/U without struggling. The gun is a new 12ga which he struggles to open it after firing. The reason he has problems with it is that he shoots left handed and has to "push" the opening lever hard over to the right, which is difficult for him using his left thumb.

The gun opens quite easily 'if the lever is pushed over hard to the right." If not hard over then the gun just won't open. Easy enough to do when shooting right handed but very difficult to do when trying to open it with the left hand. Right now he has to move his left hand off the grip so he can push the lever hard to the right.

I told him that there is nothing wrong with the gun and that he either has to adapt to it or see about getting the lever movement reversed (if that's even possible or not overly expensive). Any opinions or ideas would be appreciated. I told him that reducing the spring pressure a little on the lever mechanism could help some but it would have to be just a little so as to make the gun still safe and have it that way for years to come.

Has anyone out there had this same problem and how did you solve it, other than just adapting to having to relearning how to open this gun? He has a CZ 20 ga that he doesn't require the "hard right" push and hopes to get the 12ga to match.

Joined: 04 Sep 2024 Posts: 10 Location: Pennsylvania

Are you saying that it opens normally for a right handed shooter and he is having trouble because he is left handed?

Member Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 328 Location: So Cal

Yes , my friend is and shoots left handed. And while this CZ does open properly it does take a lot of extra effort (as compared to all other O/U's I've used or handled) to push the opening lever hard to the right.
Just when you think you've pushed it enough with normal pressure, it isn't over far enough and won't open until you push it more into the stops. That's easy enough for a right hander but really difficult for a leftie unless he moves his hand around on the grip. I'm ambidextrous and often shoot all my guns left handed even though I usually shoot right handed. As such I am used to working an O/U's lever with my left thumb but this CZ requires even me to move my hand around to get enough leverage to open the gun.

Joined: 07 Mar 2010 Posts: 512 Location: South Eastern PA

I'm left-handed so I understand what he's experiencing. I've got big hands so it might not work as well for him but he could try what I do.

Two things he could try:

Hold the gun with his right hand by the forearm and keep his left hand around the grip, rotate the gun enough in his right hand to be able to push the gun to the lever with his left thumb STRAIGHT, rather than trying to push it over with the side of his thumb. This will greatly reduce the strain on his thumb.

Hold the gun with his right hand by the forearm and use his left hand to grab the lever between his thumb and forefinger while keeping the stock low down near his left elbow. Then twist right with both fingers and push the stock down with his forearm while it is secured under his left armpit between his arm and rib cage.

With a little practice, both of these can become second nature for a hard to open gun. It's all about creating some type of leverage so you don't beat your thumb up too much.

Joined: 04 Sep 2024 Posts: 10 Location: Pennsylvania

One thing I would suggest is to make sure there is sufficient lubrication on the underbolt. I had a similar issue with my CZ after giving it a thorough cleaning. It was very difficult to open until I lubed the underbolt.

Member Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 328 Location: So Cal

I appreciate the advice and will pass it on. The gun is well lubed. In fact, if I hold the buttstock in my right hand and push that lever to the hard right the barrels just drop open by themselves. Most of my guns won't do that, especially if just fired.

Now I did offer him a $100 for this "piece of crap" but he said no, actually he said a few other choice words too but that's what friends are for. So, I guess he'll just have to learn to deal with it and hopefully it will ease up for him.

Member Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 67 Location: Michigan

It is probably a long shot but check to be sure there is good clearance between the bottom of the opening lever and the top of the stock. I've seen a few turkish guns that have had a slight interference in this area but it has usually caused problems locking up on closing. Since he is applying force differently than RH shooters maybe that is causing more deflection of the lever. Good luck to you both.

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1515 Location: Western WA

There’s a reliable solution to this problem: Push the lever over with the base of the palm of the trigger hand. Maybe not the fastest, since the hand comes off the grip, but with a little repetition it becomes second nature. Very useful especially if the lever is stubborn.

B.