bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
They're older. Older is always better. A mid 70's F150 is a much better truck for everything than a new F150 just because it's older. Same goes for guns, simple science.
Sako 100
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- Start date
They're older. Older is always better. A mid 70's F150 is a much better truck for everything than a new F150 just because it's older. Same goes for guns, simple science.
Yes, the A-series models have a fully shrouded bolt sleeve (missing on the L-series), and this is an obvious safety improvement over the L-series as it will stop backward-escaping gases in the event of a cartridge failure of some kind, however unlikely that is to occur. Focusing solely on the actions, there is very little else that differs between them. The L-series striker assembly is more easily disassembled than the A-series unit. CNC machining was introduced in 1985, which is about halfway into the A- series production period., and so the later A-series rifles benefit from this. The A-series models tended to be a little heavier than the L-series, especially the early L-series guns which had somewhat lighter barrels.
I’ve owned L- and A-series Sakos over the years, and now have an 85. Aside from the recoil-lug assembly on the 85 (which I don’t really like, although it does work), I think it’s a better-designed action than the L- and A-series actions. Of course, reliable ejection is a must, but I gather that most 85s do eject properly (mine certainly does). So all-in-all, and assuming proper ejection, I would rate the 85 as the best of these Sako actions. The bolt lift is shorter, the bolt slides very smoothly with almost no wobble whatsoever, and surpasses the L- and A-series Sakos in these terms. The 85 trigger is superior to the Sako No. 4 trigger found on most L- and A-series guns and can be had with a single-set feature. The action weight—with all-steel bottom metal—is no greater than that of the A-series. I know that, for most Sako aficionados, this comparative evaluation will be seen as bordering on heretical, but it is based on my experience with all of them.
