"Where the rimfires are concerned, they really are not when you compare them (I did) to the Annie, which was several times the price
of my 455."
You have mentioned a very good point. However, I still think these guns have issues.....
Hmmmm let me see.... I just bought a $355 Stirling from shooters delight, with scope, it shoots great and I have no problems with it....rugers are a little bit more expensive than them around $400-500.... I don't see many people complaining about them.
HOWEVER, I do see heaps of people complaining about cz's. Their QC has dropped and I think there are better value, more reliable, more accurate rifles to be had for much less money.
It doesn't take much effort or money to make a superior product. Treat your staff well, pay them what they deserve and invest in a good manufacturing culture. In my opinion cz firearms show all the signs of a product put together by people who just don't care. Either they are rushed to produce more, treated like dogs or just don't give a damn about their jobs. It shows up in the end product.....
They are like an Italian automobile....looks great, but is inherently unreliable and put together by people who just don't give a damn.