Short Actions Curious L46 left handed stock?

[jobl]

Hi,
New member from Sweden here!

I recently acquired an L46 chambered in .222R. I haven't gotten my hands on it yet and I only realized after winning the auction that the stock differs from others I have seen in that it appears have the chin rest on the right side, same side as the bolt. See the picture:


It did not mention anything in the description about being a left handed rifle so I guess that led me astray. The bolt is oriented for right handedness but maybe they did not manufacture proper left handed models back in the day? I actually inspected it in person but was looking at several guns and missed this "detail".

Anyways, just wondering if any of the more seasoned collectors have some insight into this or have seen something similar? It did not feel very off in terms of alignment with the scope when I aimed it in the store so I hope the stock is not horribly angled for a leftie (don't know the technical term for this in English) but I might just have to go looking for a new stock.

They also mentioned that they thought the magazine was "quite long" and held 5 rounds as opposed to the original 3 that I've read about. They did not have tho magazine in the gun in the showroom, I really hope it comes with an original 3 round magazine otherwise I'll be looking for that too

Regardless, happy with my acquisition and from what I've read on the site it seems to be a nice rifle.

BR,
Johan

 

[misako50]

Great rifle, Johan. The term you wish is called cast-off. The factory did have higher capacity magazines but you along with so many of us, will be looking for items to enhance your experience for a hell of a long time. Wish you luck finding your magazine. There are many out there.Look for a cal. mark as those are likely factory. Also.....you should be able to trade for a right hand stock with a minimum of effort. That stock you now have is a rarity as far as I know. A lefty will like that one.

 

[stonecreek]

I own three "right handed" rifles with cheekpieces for a left-handed shooter. Two of them came from a friend who found them for me in Sweden, one is a birch L46 stock and the other is a walnut L61R stock. The third came on a Finnwolf lever action. Such "left handed" Sako stocks are rare, but, as you can see, they can be found -- and they are not to be confused with the later true left hand rifles which Sako made with the bolt on the LH side.

As far as fit, I shoot from the left shoulder and have many regular right-hand Sako stocks. They work just fine for me since they are about equally off-center whether from the right or the left.

 

[Bucktote]

Welcome Johan, sorry, duplicated reply. B/T

 

[Bucktote]

Welcome Johan,
I like stonecreek am a left eye dominant shooter & shoot lefty with right hand action rifles. ( I knew there was something special about him) I used to shoot Skeet, Trap & several other shotgun sports. The way we would check" cast on, or cast off on a gun, is to hold the center & end of the butt stock to your dominant eye near the top of the stock, and with your other arm slowly raise the muzzle. You will then see which way the barrel is cast, left, or right. This is important to a shotgunner because the eye acts as the rear sight. Also the existing cheek piece should not be a bother to you, since you would be shooting like the rifle like one that has no cheek piece & the rear sight adjustment would compensate for your aim. Also as described there are many stocks to be found on E-Bay & others.

 

[jobl]

Great rifle, Johan. The term you wish is called cast-off. The factory did have higher capacity magazines but you along with so many of us, will be looking for items to enhance your experience for a hell of a long time. Wish you luck finding your magazine. There are many out there.Look for a cal. mark as those are likely factory. Also.....you should be able to trade for a right hand stock with a minimum of effort. That stock you now have is a rarity as far as I know. A lefty will like that one.

Interesting regarding the magazines. I definitely don't might a higher capacity magazine (it was one of the things I considered when choosing between the L46 and L461), hopefully it is a factory original. I don't like the idea of the magazine sticking out at the bottom for superficial reasons but it's not a big deal. I'll keep a lookout for magazines, always nice to have a spare or two.

I own three "right handed" rifles with cheekpieces for a left-handed shooter. Two of them came from a friend who found them for me in Sweden, one is a birch L46 stock and the other is a walnut L61R stock. The third came on a Finnwolf lever action. Such "left handed" Sako stocks are rare, but, as you can see, they can be found -- and they are not to be confused with the later true left hand rifles which Sako made with the bolt on the LH side.

As far as fit, I shoot from the left shoulder and have many regular right-hand Sako stocks. They work just fine for me since they are about equally off-center whether from the right or the left.

Good to hear, based on my impression when handling it at the shop it will probably not be an issue. If so it's a bit fun that it's a bit rare. And since I plan to use this rifle mostly for hunting capercaillie it will be even less of a bother since the shots will not be rushed.

Welcome Johan,
I like stonecreek am a left eye dominant shooter & shoot lefty with right hand action rifles. ( I knew there was something special about him) I used to shoot Skeet, Trap & several other shotgun sports. The way we would check" cast on, or cast off on a gun, is to hold the center & end of the butt stock to your dominant eye near the top of the stock, and with your other arm slowly raise the muzzle. You will then see which way the barrel is cast, left, or right. This is important to a shotgunner because the eye acts as the rear sight. Also the existing cheek piece should not be a bother to you, since you would be shooting like the rifle like one that has no cheek piece & the rear sight adjustment would compensate for your aim. Also as described there are many stocks to be found on E-Bay & others.

I will check it when I get my license in order and get my hands on the gun. As you say the cheek piece is not likely to be an issue, but I was a bit surprised when I realized it, never seen it before.

BR,
Johan