Sako Garcia Background

duke1

duke1

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I'm looking for some details and background information on the Sako line of firearms during the period when Garcia was the importer in the US.

I have been able to come up with some information but would be interested in any additional details someone on this forum might have.

As a collector, I have the following information:

1. From 1972 to the early 80's Sako firearms were imported to North Americal by Garcia (Fishing reels, etc)

2. Models imported included the L-46, L461, L469, L579 and L61 rifles with trade names such as the Finnbear, Finwolf, Forester, etc. It also included the model 72, 74, etc.

3. The model 72, 74, etc, were economical rifles to compete with the Remington and Winchester lines of rifles.

4. Pre-Garcia (pre-72) Sako rifles are listed in some value books at a 25% premium over the same models from the Garcia period.

5. Stoeger took over from Garcia as importer to North American in the early 80's until Beretta became the latest importer.

My basic question is whether pre-Garcia Sako guns of similar designation are better than during the Garcia period. Is there any comparison, for example such as the pre and post 64 Winchester model 70, etc. I realize that Garcia imported some economical models but these are not the same models as ones from the pre-Garcia period.

All comments are very welcome.

Thanks,

Duke1
 
The first high powered Sakos used the FN action.The pre-Garcia were lighter.My Finnbear 338 weighs less than my M-700 30-06. They were imported by International Arms (Interarms).The later Garcia rifles were a bit cheapened and heavier.All Sakos are fine rifles. They have the truest forged receivers ever made.
 
I have a Garcia Sako in a deluxe Finnbear in 25-06 unfired. It has a beautiful piece of wood, and I thought it originally to be pre garcia till I notice the light engraving under the barrel, serial number 74286. Put a Zeiss 3-9 Conquest on it but it is so purdy I'm almost afraid to take it hunting, and still remains unfired.FS
 
Fassteel said:
I have a Garcia Sako in a deluxe Finnbear in 25-06 unfired. It has a beautiful piece of wood, and I thought it originally to be pre garcia till I notice the light engraving under the barrel, serial number 74286. Put a Zeiss 3-9 Conquest on it but it is so purdy I'm almost afraid to take it hunting, and still remains unfired.FS
Click to expand...
Wow , that sounds very sweet , good taste :cool:
 
Levi Garrett said:
Wow , that sounds very sweet , good taste :cool:
Click to expand...

Yeah, that gun must have been well cared for. Nice buy!
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Garcia's are labelled on the underside of the barrel forward of the forestock "Imported by Garcia" and yes their barrels tend to be heavier than pre-72 Sakos. Still fine rifles however. Some very minor differences in fit and finish (pardon the pun) between pre and post 72 - tends to be deeper blue and more figure to the wood, bit trimmer stocks as well for pre-72s. But all in all, both are very good quality.

Rob
 
Sako

I purchased a Sako Finnbear, L61, 270 calibre, directly from Sako in Finnland in 1964, when there was no Canadian distributor. Serial number is just over 17,000. Yes, there is a difference between this one and the newer ones. Most visible is the third locking lug near the rear of the bolt, which I don't believe the ones made later had.
This one has the smoothest bolt of any rifle I have ever seen. I used to demonstrate this by opening the floor plate and lift the bolt handle up with the rifle in the horizontal position. Then I would slowly raise the barrel of the rifle and at a fairly low angle, the bolt would smoothly slide back.
 
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