kirkbridgershooters
Well-Known Member
I have an AI Varmint from the mid 80's with the "Herringbone" (as some call it) checkering. I find it to be built to the same high quality as my L46, L57, L579. etc. There are no plastic parts in mine. According to the serial number mine was made after the introduction of CNC machining. In fact, from a fit & finish standpoint it is slightly better than my other Sakos. Whether one likes or dislikes the aesthetics of the checkering, stock finish, or other cosmetic features has little to do with "quality", IMHO. I happen to like the "looks" of the checkering on my AI & I think it gives it a "unique" appearance. Each of us is entitled to their own aesthetic preferences, but not liking the "looks" of a particular model of Sako is not grounds for disparaging it's "quality".
Called whatever is may be, it is a product of unfinished cut checkering to save time in the build of the rifle. CNC machining is also given too much credit. CNC machining has made it more economical to machine steel, but still doesn't improve over hand fitting. Ruger American rifles are CNC machined and I don't think there is anyone here that would agree that a Ruger American is even close to the Sako rifle in quality.
For example, I am including a picture of a Burgess wrist slide action rifle that was made in the 1890's and you may not even be able to see the fitting of the 2 pieces of the receiver as it was made that way to be able to machine the interior of the action to accept all the pieces as they worked to make this unique rifle function. This is a long time before CNC machining. You can't CNC anything better than this dovetail seen on the side of this receiver.
Quality isn't always about personal preference, but I do think quality is the residue of careful time taken to build the rifle. Unfinished checkering and plastic followers are a result of time saving, something that wasn't practiced on the earlier Sakos...