I have a 452 Varmint in 22LR and a 452 American in 17HM2. They are both the best shooting rimfires I have every owned. I have been on a life long search for what I consider to be the best squirrel rifle and when I got my 17HM2, I quit looking. I have had Savages,Marlins,Rugers,and a couple of Remington 541's. None have been the equal to my CZ's. I shoot at a local rifle club in what we call "squirrel shoots". And I can tell you that CZ's win most weeks. Occasionally an Anschutz will win, but not very often. Yes the safety is backwards, and the triggers need some work, I replaced both of mine. But now that you can get the 453, that is the way I would go. Just my .22 cents worth.