Bulged Bottom Metal

[stonecreek]

This is about as extreme an example as I've seen of a re-installed magazine box not seated properly and the gorilla who put the gun back together just screwed the action screws down until the bottom metal was seriously deformed. And this is a "Top 25" seller on Gunbroker. The gun is an otherwise fairly nice Bofors Finnbear. This just makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up while my stomach is turning over. Sheesh.

 

[bigcountry4me]

This just makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up while my stomach is turning over.

I think that same special place in Hell applies, right next to the red Loctite bubbas.

 

[icebear]

Hideous. This common problem is the result of ignorance - but, let's face it, there's a design flaw at the root of it. The stamped-metal magazine boxes of Sakos built between the 1960's and the 1990's tend to be loose in their brackets. When the bottom metal assembly is inserted into the stock, the magazine box falls out of the slot, blocking the bottom metal from seating properly. Bubba, using his muscles instead of his brains (if he has any), cranks down on the front screw, bending the bottom metal. It's happened to me many, many times and it took me a while to figure out what was happening. The problem can usually be fixed by bending the metal box outward so it has enough tension to stay in its slot. Occasionally some kind of easily removable adhesive, like silicone, is necessary.

 

[stonecreek]

I've found that in re-assembling a Sako it is best to lay it on its side on a padded surface with the barreled action in place in the stock. Then you insert the (admittedly too loose) magazine box in its seat on the bottom metal, then insert the magazine box and bottom metal as a unit into the stock recess. Often, the magazine box will slip out, but with a little care it will seat properly in the recess of the action. I have found it necessary at times to bend the little tabs on the sheet metal box to make them hold a little tighter to the bottom metal.

As many of these bulged bottom metals as I've seen, I wonder why Sako has never added a caution to their assembly instructions. After all, if you're going to adjust a trigger (as the factory instructions show), you're going to have to remove the metal from the wood. Knowing that, and knowing how easy it is to get the box displaced, you'd think there would be something about that in the trigger adjustment instructions. Or maybe Sako just doesn't realize how dumb some Americans can be.

 

[bloorooster]

Or maybe Sako just doesn't realize how dumb some Americans can be.

I’m sure they have by now…bloo

 

[Jeffrey Harvey]

What is the fix for this? Can the trigger plate be bent back flat for a correct re installation?

 

[icebear]

Can the trigger plate be bent back flat for a correct re installation?

The short answer is yes. Fortunately, Sako made these parts from a steel that is relatively ductile and resilient. I've bent several of them back into shape. Requires some skill, but it isn't rocket science.

 

[stonecreek]

The short answer is yes. Fortunately, Sako made these parts from a steel that is relatively ductile and resilient. I've bent several of them back into shape. Requires some skill, but it isn't rocket science.

Dammit, Icebear, there you go giving away what I thought was my secret. I've bought several Sakos with bent bottom metal at a nice discount due to the problem. Careful pressure applied in the right way can restore them to their original (straight) shape. Now everyone will know what you and I know and there goes the price!

 

[Bucktote]

Hi Icebear & Bloo,

If anyone takes a short ride on the highway, they will see just how dumb some Americans are. On a short trip last Sunday, dope #1 pulled out from the side of the road ( he waited until I got closer) went about 100 yds & stopped dead still in the road??? Dope # 2 made a right turn from the passing lane ( across 2 lanes of traffic ) to exit the highway. NOW That will bulge your bottom metal!! Bet those two don't shoot Sakos, Be careful out there! B/T

 

[P04R]

Careful pressure applied in the right way

I have been doing it with a plastic mallet on a rubber mat to great success. 😁
Edit: yes we get these in Finland too.

 

[clovis]

I don't care if members know the how to fix the problem and get a better deal. Just as long as the dealer at the gun show doesn't read this first.

 

[ERP]

I’m sure they have by now…bloo

I had that problem once with a Sako Deluxe I took apart. I feel really intelligent now after reading this. I saw the problem and continued to mess with it till it fit perfect before cranking down the screws...No I don't need a medal.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you very much.....

 

[bloorooster]

I had that problem once with a Sako Deluxe I took apart. I feel really intelligent now after reading this. I saw the problem and continued to mess with it till it fit perfect before cranking down the screws...No I don't need a medal.
View attachment 30161 Thank you, Thank you, Thank you very much.....

Hey !
That’s a sweetheart of a rifle!

I’m kinda thinkin’ everyone has had this “Misfortunate alignment of circumstances “
Once or twice..like you know, it didn’t look like that before we took it apart , no reason for it to not go back like it was..boils down to brains … or brawn.

 

[kevinlg]

FWIW......here's how I do it.
First.....take your time.

Then.....attach magazine box to bottom of action. Slowly lower barrelled action into supported-on-bags stock. Firmly grasp action and stock, and turn upside down.......being sure the two are still fully supported.
Open floorplate of bottom metal.......and slide magazine spring off of floorplate. With floorplate fully open.......carefully lower bottom metal into stock recess. At this point, any magazine box misalignment can be easily corrected with a dental pick or small flat-bladed screwdriver.
Action screws can then be attached and torqued.
Lastly.....slide magazine spring back into it's recess......and close floorplate.

Also.......take your time!!!!