Impala Carbine

Impala is a sports rifle in caliber [[.22 LR]] produced by Companhia Brasileira de Cartridges (CBC ).

Were manufactured between the years 1983 the 1993 Specifically for Shooting in two models: the 322 and the 422. Has butt in hardwood treated, with parts of grip and carved with adjustable size, and bolt action by system. The Model 422 has a capacity of ten shots in charger free, while the model 322 has capacity for six shots in magazine fitted. Having produced a total of 4,000 guns of this model, its main features were its advanced design and the fact that it was developed specifically for use in competitive target shooting.

Description
The CBC, Companhia Brasileira de cartridges, this is a company in the Brazilian scene for nearly 70 years. She is originally from the former FNCM, Factory National Cartridges and Ammunition , founded by Italian immigrants Nicola Costabile and Matarazzo. The F.N.C.M. was a historically important undertaking for the State of Sao Paulo, because at the time of the Constitutional Revolution was the supplier of the cartridges used by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the State. On that occasion, came out of this factory about 30,000 7X57mm Mauser caliber cartridges per day. In 1936 the company had transferred its controlling interest for Remington Arms, a traditional North American arms and ammunition. In 1953, the CBC begins in Brazil to manufacture the circular fire cartridges .22 caliber versions Short - and Long Rifle ( LR ).

Its output rose to 2.5 million cartridges per year. The .22 caliber because of its low complexity and low cost manufacturing, is the most widely used gauge in the areas of sport shooting and small fighters. Being equipped with the ignition system of circles, known worldwide as " rim- fire ", does not use external fuse and thus the construction of the cartridge is much easier and less expensive. Thus, it is also the cartridge firearms more accessible, economically. With the popularization of the use of this caliber in shooting sports and fun ( plinking ) and in the wake of other national companies that have launched small arms for this purpose, enter the CBC in the 60s, the market for manufacture of weapons with models that have success, such as semi-automatic rifles model 66 Nylon , actually comes from a model of Remington , and the rifles of line 122, by repeating bolt action.

But a gap still existed in the market; the rifles manufactured by Rossi, a company located in Rio Grande do Sul and CBC in Sao Paulo, did not fit very well the requirements of the sniper shooting sports more seriously in the 22-gauge , which until then had to import these weapons manufacturers offering more refined models.

Thinking in this niche market, precisely in the range of snipers practitioners of evidence of .22 rifles with targets positioned 25 meters , the CBC decides in 1983 to launch a new line of sport rifles , which he named Impala. These weapons had actually derived a bolt action rifle model 122, with slight modifications, but with a completely new trigger system and more elaborate. Two models were presented : Model Match -Master 322 and Master 422. The difference being most prominent among them was the design of the pipe and the charger. The 322 was offered with a pipe and heavier style " bull- barrel, the barrel weighed only 1.760 kg and six cartridges charger built into the butt. The 422 had the barrel lighter, weighing 1.280 kg, thinner , and his ability to boot with 10 shots could be removed through an opening in the bottom of the butt , in the style of the models 122. However, the 422 can be loaded with the magazine removed from the weapon , the 322 , the load of cartridges can only be done with the breech open, entered one by one in the charger that is not removable. The magazine accepts .22 caliber ammunition in three sizes , Short , Long and Long -Rifle.

For the price range in which stood two models, well above the average of other rifles on the market at the time, and by the small

difference in value between the two versions, one would assume that the model 422 would not be so well accepted as its more expensive version. This detail is perceived today, when one observes the presence of 322 practically unanimous in the stands of fire.

The butt -style Monte -Carlo, is surprisingly well finished and balanced for a national gun. Besides being equipped with a damper ( recoil pad ) rubber on the threshold of the ventilated type, the grip of the pistol is crafted with a slip resistant finish , grainy, black in color , giving the weapon a very flashy and sophisticated look. The latest versions of this weapon were provided with metal sills featuring height adjustment. The brush guard, despite being made of plastic, has a splined exterior trim , slip , and profile of the butt attached to the bottom. Thus, in addition to further decrease the fulcrum into the hands of the shooter, the weapon gives a stately appearance and robust. The shaft, the barrel bottom, there is an aluminum rail , very well machined, fixed with screws , which allows the installation of a support sling with a " knob "aluminum zigrinado , supplied as standard. Thus, the strap could be adjusted in length very easily. This trail also serves to accommodate other accessories such as " mushroom ", counter- weights, etc. . Removing the barrel and breech assembly and secured by two screws, it appears that there are holes in the butt especially made for the placement of weights. The same applies on the back, accessible by removing the sill. One can thus better balance the weapon according to the preference of the gunman. From experience, the author added some 300gr. lead to the rear of the housing stock, getting to that weight, the balance in the breech region. The weapon uses a system called barrel floating, ie it is fixed so only the butt of the gun and the butt does not touch at any point , so the normal vibration of the barrel when the trigger is not transferred to the butt

as well as the barrel does not suffer from possible and minimum deformations, derived from wood.

The elements of marksmanship were a weak point the gun and CBC tried, over time , minimize this problem by launching handles targeting more sophisticated in later models. In every case, the mass sighting tunnel type is mounted on two channels machined in the barrel and can be easily removed. The Tunnel has a threaded ring that allows the removal and exchange of the type of lattice or mass desired. The backside, however, was lacking , and very , during the first manufactured weapons.

Actually it was the same used in backside air gun 245 and 345 of the CBC, very simple , but with lateral and vertical correction. Lacked, however, for not being the type and clicked yes, with ongoing adjustments , which hampered the accuracy with precision. Fortunately, the CBC launched in parallel, and the first sale as an accessory, a backside far higher, with adjustments clicked in both directions , which finally gave a weapon aiming device more accurate and in accordance with its intended purpose.

The breech has in its rear, on the opening of ejection slots machined size standard for the alternative mounting of telescopic sights or other systems in marksmanship. For this, the CBC also had an optional system of " peep -sight "interesting and easily adapted. Due to the greater height of the system, it was necessary to install an extender made of aluminum, provided in order to raise the mass sighting. Overall this unit was well constructed. Adjustments clicked with millimetric adjustment range (not too accurate), and supply of two albums (diopters ), with an aperture 1.0 mm in diameter and another 1.4 mm. In addition, accompanying a larger disk of rubber to be applied to diopters, serving as protection and support more comfortable to the eye.

Unfortunately this system diopter becomes somewhat useless, because the evidence of official competition for 22 rifles , for targets at 25m , require open sights and do not allow their use and , of course, is far from serious shooters the intention of the Impala can be used in tests of 50m, where she would have to compete with imported rifles category incompatible.

The bolt, as said before, was basically the same as the 122 rifles. The design and management is a bit far from being considered perfect. Many moving parts, a certain fragility in the construction of a lever handle and disassembly time consuming and complicated, which makes use of a steel wire that is made to fix the rear body of the bolt. This body has no rotational motion (as in the actions of Mauser rifles ), which performs the locking of the breech is an existing shoulder, and the actual lever itself. The precursor is exposed from the bottom, allowing easy entry of dirt. The system allows the weapon to be triggered only with the movement to raise and lower the lever, which is quite practical. As safety signs, once cocked the weapon, a pin provided with a red ring is exposed at the back, easily visible to the shooter. A manual lock gets to the right, in place convenient , but it operates directly in the bolt , and yes, the system trigger. Not a lock efficient that prevent accidental firing due to receive a greater impact on the weapon. The handling of the bolt is not bad, but is a bit harsh when compared to imported models, finer. There is a set of thin steel washers serving as spacers at the junction of the lever with the body of the bolt that, over time, wear out and can begin to rub on the frame of the receiver. The extraction is done through two extractors fixed by a steel spring in the shape of cuff. Even with much use and excessive waste of gunpowder, it is difficult to occur cartridges that can not be extracted. The ejector is well positioned and effectively kicked out and away, the cartridge detonated.

The withdrawal of the bolt is by means of a retaining -shaped button, located opposite the bolt lever that rotated in either direction , it locks in position , displaying a color ring for viewing. Besides this holds, it is still necessary that the trigger is pressed to let the bolt housing.

The trigger system is a revolution, in the case of a rifle for use in non- Olympic events, made in Brazil. Of course, compared to

more sophisticated systems found in weapons for use in competition made primarily in Europe leaves much to be desired. However, justice is done : to the purpose for which this weapon is intended, is an apparatus of very good design. For the first time in Brazil has a gun with the possibility of setting multiple, both in pressure, position and size of course the key.

Measurements taken indicate the possibility of setting minimum pressure around 250-300 grams, reaching a maximum of 1,200 grams. Just as a comparison, some rifles for use in Olympic competition level may have minimal adjustments in the house 20-30 grams. However, in rifles for the purpose it was intended to Impala, the pressure of the trigger is light enough. The key trigger can be adjusted via a screw in order to tilt it to either side, or slip it in the longitudinal direction , regulating the distance from the shooter's finger length. By two holes at the bottom of the guard can, using a screwdriver, supplied as an accessory , to regulate the spring pressure of the trigger and trigger sensitivity. The last screw is, however, a very uncomfortable position for access. The adjustment of the sensitivity of the trigger can be as follows : set up a cartridge detonated in the chamber and closes the bolt. Then it introduces a screwdriver through the hole and turn the screw clockwise until the firing of the gun. Then he turns the screw 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 turn in a counterclockwise direction and tries to pressure in this position. Never leave this setting too sensitive at risk of getting shot accidental.

One of the most packaging used by CBC for these rifles was a Styrofoam box with internal fittings and accessories for the gun, shaped into two parts. Involving these halves, one layer of nylon with zipper and carry handle. The accessories that accompanied the gun, serial, was the support sling , two spacers, two screwdrivers to disassemble and fittings , seals promotional Impala and CBC , a flannel and personalized manual with instructions and exploded view.