Achiever vs Chopping a 1416

[mordecai]

I found an Achiever ST (bull barrel) and for the price, I have a 1416 I can chop the barrel and stock and it'll have a far better trigger.

Any opinions on which way to go? Once I chop the barrel, it won't be worth replacing, but I'll get a lot of mileage out of it with all of my boys.

[CWS]

Might want to save the 1416 as a 'move up' gun as the kids get older. CZ makes a dandy little 'Scout' that you could whittle away on and feel no remorse. Used a $100 Rem 581 to chop and channel for our two urchins and it gave yeoman service. Later still had a 1416 for them to move up to. As you say, once you cut the bbl on a 1416 you are committed to a kiddy gun.

[mordecai]

Good point. I had forgot about the 452's.... Is the Scout trigger any different that the rest? Can it be helped with that aftermarket kit?

[Mike Sporer]

Hello,

I first started out in silhouette in 2002 with an Anschutz 1451R (same barrel/action as the Achiever but with a different stock). Thing is, I was 31 years old at the time and I'm tall with long arms - not exactly the target audience for this "junior" rifle. I used big spacers to get the LOP right and I put a full pound of running target weights at the muzzle. It looked like something out of Star Wars but it shot great - many scores in the lower 30s with that set-up. I never understood all the "bad press" that gun got. I found the trigger to be heavy but crisp and predictable. With the added muzzle weight it was also well balanced.

I have nothing bad to say about the 1451 and it's one that I won't be parting with.

Sincerely,

Mike Sporer

[mordecai]

I have to agree with you on the trigger some. It let off crisp and was predictable, but there is so much pre and post travel it isn't funny. Had you asked me about that trigger 10 years ago I'd have said it was great, but now I'm jaded.

[Pete A.]

My sons & I have both the Achiever & 1451. Both shoot superbly at 100m with good ammo.

I have 2 sons that are shorter than most in their age groups. So gun size is an issue with us.

We had a CZ Scout; too short to stand on most rifle racks. I know someone will come with some "ace" method the get to stand up.

However with a 9-11 year old I'd strongly prefer to focus on other things (shooting, safety, moving to next animal,.......) than trying to get him to do "ace" methods to get his gun to stay up. Plus most matches seem to run very quickly when trying to corral 1-2 younger shooters and myself to next animal.

No way was CZ Scout as accurate as the Anschutz's. I also have owned a 452 which was pretty accurate but not awesome. Sure with some ammo but all things being equal both Anschutz's shoot much better with same ammo as my CZ's.

Plus when we boys grow out of these guns both have very minimal changes so resale will be better. "Chopped & cropped" guns don't resale well at all.

Achiever & 1451 triggers are IMHO better than 'tuned' CZ triggers. For younger shooter IMHO 2 stage triggers with a long 1st stage in much safer.

Bear in mind the 1451 as it is is not complient with "hunter" class. But a very slight trimming of the stock will take care of 'stock' issues (about 1/4" off bottom in front of trigger guard) . Bobby Ptichford did a fine 'taper' and reblue to bring the barrel within compliance. Looks better than orginal. He does good work at a fair price.

Few dad's can afford 2 guns for a young shooter. Especially with all distractions they have. thus bring a single gun into compliance.

So to summarize I like the 1451 & Achiever and think they are great great "kid" starter guns. Plus you can buy the spacers to extend the stock as they grow.

Pete A.