You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Swedish Stiga?
- Thread starter Dean C
- Start date
It may be best to ask this question on the "Swedish Commercial and Hunting Firearms" forum at Gunboards.com. Having researched this issue a couple month back, my understanding is that Stiga, a commercial sporting goods company in Sweden, took surplus M96 (model 38) actions and fitted them to a new barrel and sporter stock, usually it seems in 30.06. The quality of these rifles are good, though I have been unable to confirm whether the Stigas took unused or used surplus actions for the making of these rifles. Husqvarna sporters used fresh M38 recievers taken off the production line for military arms, or built commercial recievers that lacked the thumb cut on the left side of the reciever intended to aid loading with stripper clips.
A further consideration with the Stigas are scope compatability. The bent bolt on these rifles in their normal configuration does not allow mounting of a regular scope. Many Swedish rifles including the Stiga were equipped with a side mounting system, though most of these rifles come without the original mount and have just a few holes in the side of the reciever to show for it. Another option that was commonly utilized by Swedish hunters was to install an Aimpoint sight (manufactured in Sweden), as they do not extend behind the top of the reciever where they would come into contact with the bolt handle. Fortunately, many Stigas have had their bolt handles modified in which case they can be scoped. You might also want to confirm the type of safety that they use, as some come with the original mauser type safety that might interfere with a scope, while others might have a modified or side safety installed for this purpose.
The availability of Swedish firearms in North America stems from laws in Sweden that limits non-collectors from owning more than six longarms and ten pistols. Consequently, as the popularity of newer models and rifle calibres won the interest of Swedish hunters, many older bolt guns have become available for import. Asides from a common habit of marking stocks for every big game animal killed, and a tendency (among the Husqvarnas at least) to develop cracks in the tang of the stock, most of these rifles are in good shape. While the 6.5mm rifles have usually been shot a fair bit, rifles in the larger calibres (8mm, 9.3mm and 30.06) probably had no more than a box of ammo shot out of them each season they were used. The Stigas would fall into this latter category and with the bolt handle bent, should be fine for hunting here in Canada.
I hope that clears up a few of your questions.
With Regards,
Frank
A further consideration with the Stigas are scope compatability. The bent bolt on these rifles in their normal configuration does not allow mounting of a regular scope. Many Swedish rifles including the Stiga were equipped with a side mounting system, though most of these rifles come without the original mount and have just a few holes in the side of the reciever to show for it. Another option that was commonly utilized by Swedish hunters was to install an Aimpoint sight (manufactured in Sweden), as they do not extend behind the top of the reciever where they would come into contact with the bolt handle. Fortunately, many Stigas have had their bolt handles modified in which case they can be scoped. You might also want to confirm the type of safety that they use, as some come with the original mauser type safety that might interfere with a scope, while others might have a modified or side safety installed for this purpose.
The availability of Swedish firearms in North America stems from laws in Sweden that limits non-collectors from owning more than six longarms and ten pistols. Consequently, as the popularity of newer models and rifle calibres won the interest of Swedish hunters, many older bolt guns have become available for import. Asides from a common habit of marking stocks for every big game animal killed, and a tendency (among the Husqvarnas at least) to develop cracks in the tang of the stock, most of these rifles are in good shape. While the 6.5mm rifles have usually been shot a fair bit, rifles in the larger calibres (8mm, 9.3mm and 30.06) probably had no more than a box of ammo shot out of them each season they were used. The Stigas would fall into this latter category and with the bolt handle bent, should be fine for hunting here in Canada.
I hope that clears up a few of your questions.
With Regards,
Frank
