BRNO CZ 531

The History of Brno

The history of the Brno company or Czechoslovak Armory (Československá zbrojovka) as it was known prior to WWI, began in the city of Brno in the Czech Republic, formerly known as Czechoslovakia. In 1918, the Brno Rifles factory was established. Before 1918, Brno Plant was an arsenal located in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Brno started producing Mauser 98 rifles in 1920 after buying excess weapons and equipment from Mauser-Oberndorf. These Brno-produced Mausers had a 98/22 designation stamped onto the receivers marking the year of production.

In the period between WWI and WWII, Brno collaborated with the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield, England to develop a well-known Bren light machine gun. They produced weapons for the Czechoslovakian and German armies during World War II. After the war, the company was nationalized by the Czechoslovakian government and renamed Zbrojovka Brno. While it was under socialist control until 1989, it switched to the production of sporting weapons which quickly gained a reputation for their reliability. For some time, the company also produced light artillery and several other products such as tractors, typewriters, and early computers.

During the years they presented numerous models of weaponry such as the ZB vz. 26 light machine gun, ZB-50 heavy machine gun, the MG34, several bolt action rifles, ZKM and ZH series, ZKR 551 handgun etc.

The company was privatized in 1990, just three years before Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Zbrojovka Brno was acquired by Česká zbrojovka (CZ) in 2008. With the new ownership, they agreed to a longer lease, which allows the business to continue production in rented facilities. They still make high-end products for hunting and competition, including pistols, single-shot and double rifles, combination rifles, as well as over/under shotguns.

Brno CZ 531 Rifle Review

The Brno CZ 531 is a rare bolt-action rifle that was introduced in the 1980s as a replacement for the ageing ZKK models. With only 766 pieces produced by 1988, it is a highly sought-after firearm for collectors since real serial production never actually started.

One of the standout features of the Brno CZ 531 is its reconstructed trigger mechanism, which includes a double-set trigger as a standard option. This allows for improved precision and accuracy when shooting. Additionally, the bolt sleeve was altered, and the bolt handle came in two variations: one with a traditional ball design and the other with a flat, Mannlicher-style design.

There is a two-position lever safety positioned above the handle, behind the bolt shroud. This provides added security when the rifle is not in use. The receiver bridges are rounded and have threaded holes to enable the fitting of a telescopic sight, making it easier to shoot accurately at long distances.

The Brno CZ 531 inherited several key design elements from the Brno ZKK series, such as the two locking lugs and the ejector in the receiver. However, the long Mauser-type extractor was replaced with a short, crosswise sprung claw. This allows for faster and more efficient loading and reloading of the rifle. The rifle is fed from an internal magazine, although there were versions with detachable magazines available. The stocks on the rifle are either of the Bavarian or Monte Carlo type, providing a comfortable and secure grip.

Figure 1: Brno CZ 531 chambered for .30-06 Spr. (Source: http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Number=293999)

Brno CZ 531 Calibers

The rifle is chambered for the following calibers:

• .308 Win.

• .30-06 Spr.

The receiver of Brno CZ 531 comes with four holes for mounting purposes, two on the front, and two on the rear mounting surface.

Figure 2: The receiver of Brno CZ 531, chambered for .30-06 Spr. (Source: http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Number=293999)

A: 21.9 mm

B: /

C: 21.9 mm

BHU: 3 mm

Ø: M3.5

R1: R18.5

R2: R17

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Brno CZ 531

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Brno CZ 531

For one-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces on these rifles must match in every dimension.

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Brno CZ 531

For two-piece mounts to be interchangeable, the mounting surfaces of the rifle must match in every dimension except the action length which can vary.

Due to specific receiver dimensions and a limited production run of Brno CZ 531 rifles, we were unable to find data on scope mounts interchangeability for this rifle. Moreover, we currently lack information regarding the B distance between the holes. Should you happen to own this rifle, we would appreciate it if you could share with us the exact dimension between the inner holes and any knowledge you might have on the topic of interchangeability so that we can update our data accordingly. Thank you for your help!

Best Scope Mounts for Brno CZ 531

Fixed Scope Mounts for Brno CZ 531

If you are looking for a fixed scope mount that is easy to install and recoil-resistant, we recommend checking out this MAKfix mounting solution by the German company MAK. It is made of high-quality steel and comes with a thirty-year warranty.

Check out MAKfix Rings with Bases

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the scope mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards.

Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: info@optics-trade.eu