Stumped on a Sako

There are lots of different models of Sako's, too. The one I own is a Sako L46 single shot action. It's the small bolt diameter for use with the .222 size case head. It's completely different than the one that you have in the photo. The safety is mounted on the squared off bolt shroud. The firing pin comes out with a 90 degree twist with the firing pin to the cocking piece similar to how a Mauser 98 firing pin comes apart from the cocking piece. It has a bayonet mount on the firing pin assembly, but has to be turned opposite of the way that you would normally turn a bayonet mount to get the whole assembly come off the bolt body. The few newer model Sako's I've taken apart especially with the guide rib have been a bear to put back together. There is a piece with a leaf spring that goes in the guide rib that keeps the guide rib from over-rotating around the bolt body that is pretty tough to keep in place while the guide rib is being reinstalled. A little grease here helps hold it in place when you put it back together.
 
I have built custom rifles, re-barreld countless others, and have had to disassemble countless others for bluing. I am no an expert but what Mike says generally holds true about the cocking piece needing to be rotated to remove it. It has flats on it that are not parallel and that makes it a bear to hold to get it apart. The cocking piece is held to the bolt shroud and is peened to hold it from rotating.

Jim
 
Mike,
L46's are beautifully made. I have never seen a single-shot version in the flesh; one is on my bucket list. ;-)
F1
 
WANTED: Weatherby Vanguard 300 win mag bolt

I bought a Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe 300 win mag missing the bolt. It is a very early SN# V04xxx (1970 -84) but most likely made 1970 to 74. According Weatherby customer service, it used a "side bar" ejector which is obsolete . After searching many forums, I began searching for old Sako L series (691) and they look just like the WVgD bolt with the exception of the tapered contour of the bolt shroud.

Any body know if a Sako L magnum will fit a WVgD 300 win mag and where to find one ? ....eternally grateful, Bob
 
It's a shame that Beretta has abandoned the vintage Sakos. Their design and machining are magnificent. It would be nice if a Sako expert would write a book re their gunsmithing.

Is a single shot L-46 a true single shot, or is the magazine opening equipped with some kind of filler-piece/adapter?

Just my 2 cents, I would never coat a firearm with something that can not be removed chemically, or electronically. Unless it is a pitted mess...
F1
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have probably had a half dozen or more of the L Sakos apart, all the way from the 4 series through the 6's. The pin you refer to is indeed a retainer and needs to be drilled out, the shroud then turns 1/4 turn and then you need to gently drive it off the firing pin assembly. Some of these, by the way, were peened instead of pinned! You need to really work at getting the shroud rotated on those. The shroud is really an abortion, nothing to hold to, all different angles on different surfaces so you have to be inventive to hold it.

Incidentally, the hardest part about the firing pin removal was getting that little piece of wire back into the groove so the retaining collar would slip over it.
 
Fussy1 said:
It's a shame that Beretta has abandoned the vintage Sakos. Their design and machining are magnificent. It would be nice if a Sako expert would write a book re their gunsmithing.

Is a single shot L-46 a true single shot, or is the magazine opening equipped with some kind of filler-piece/adapter?

Just my 2 cents, I would never coat a firearm with something that can not be removed chemically, or electronically. Unless it is a pitted mess...
F1
Click to expand...

The L-46 action that I have is a true single shot. A friend of mine had a later model Sako single shot, but it was just a repeater with the magazine cut filled and pinned to the action.
 
An added bonus re your single shot: You don't have to worry about losing a magazine, and then trying to find a replacement! ;-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top