Finnwolf VL63 Finnwolf questions from new member

[keith]

Hi, I'm a new member._ I would like to get a Finnwolf and I'm keen to find about them. What are they like to hunt with?_ What is the weight and balance like for off hand shooting? Can the action be cycled safely when in the shooting position without hitting you in the face? Good and bad points?


Thanks for any information. Keith

 

[misako50]

Keith- Hunting with a Finnwolf isn't much different than hunting with a forester. Seems like I don't miss a beat switching over to one or the other. There is a few lbs. difference in the two, so I prefer to still hunt with a Finnwolf and walk long distances with a Forester. I don't think about follow shots. I've always treated every rifle as a single shot. Had to buy my own ammo from the time I was nine. There are two distinct stock configurations with the FW. I only have experience with the monte carlo style w/cheekpiece.The few times I have offhanded at the range, the action performed very nicely. Good short throw lever action is easy to gain confidence with. As for target shooting? NO!- there is anything better than a lever rifle for that. My experience with local smiths tells me that I don't wish to buy a rifle that needs expert work. I would always be money ahead buying a rifle in good condition. At best, the reaction from a gunsmith when he sees a FW, is a hearty laugh to go along with his disclaimer. Most explain that they never did work on an 88 winchester. The spiritual atmosphere that I percieve from New Zealand and Australia is that there is little fear of performing work on "difficult" rifles. Must come from having fewer rescources and having to make do. You need to buy a Finnwolf for the same reason I did. You will kick yourself if you don't.- Regards, Mike

 

[kuntao]

Hello Keith

Not trying to discourage you about buying a finnwolf but there are some important points too consider. One is definately the weight. My rifle equipped with sling and scope excedes 10 lbs. There were two models made that I'm aware of. The older version is a 3 shot and the newer a 4. Clips are not interchangeable and parts for either, nonexistant. As misako stated, few smiths have any experience with these guns. Their mechanics are complicated and beyond cleaning I myself wouldn't touch one. I did have a feeding problem with mine but luckily had one of the best smiths in the business, just around the corner, who made it right. Last but not least is the cost. Checking guns america or gunbroker you'll find they range from 1200 to 2500.00 dollars depending on their condition. That's a lot of coin. You can look at just about any gun here for that money and they come with a warranty.

Now if you're like me you probably won't listen to any of this. You'll ignore the advice and buy one anyway. In doing so however you'll have one of the most unique and beautiful lever actions that I think was ever built.

Goodluck with your decision

 

[misako50]

Just a bit of " I don't agree totally" with what Kuntao said. I think the older ones have the 4 shot clip and the newer ones have the three. That's what I have seen anyway. I do follow the market, because I have been looking for a nice .243. I made a relacement clip for a 4 shot out of a modell 88 Winchester (after market) clip. Took just a few minutes to grind it down to fit. Works fine, I might add. I know that some FWs are sold in NZ. Many are from a distributor with the name of "Custer". Haven't paid much attention to your pricing there. -Best, Mike

 

[keith]

Hi guys, thanks for your comments. I didn't realise FWs were so heavy! I understand what you are saying about the following shots. I'm using a single shot at present. No luck tracking down 'Custer' but I'm sure a Finnwolf will turn up for sale in due course. There was one here for sale in NZ at auction a month ago, just before I decided I wanted one. I keep hearing about the Winchester 88 and how they look similar, was that the poor cousin?_

Cheers, Keith

 

[misako50]

Keith-The Winchester 88 is a "stand alone" rifle that winchester started to produce many years before the finnwolf. Many people confuse the two because of looks. Other than looks they are completely different rifles. They died for the same reasons the Finnwolf did. Excessive production costs. There is a great following in collectors and shooters for these riflles, as they are fine firearms. DW Custer was a distributing dealer for Sako some years ago and there is a commemorative series of Finnwolfs made with Custer's name on them. They are seen for sale in the US a few times a year on GB. Weight in a rifle is a personal perception to me. A light weight rifle that handles well is a great find, as is a heavier rifle that handles well. The Finnwolf feels no heavier than a Finnbear to me. The only thing I had and will have trouble with is the "thumb knuckle in the eye" thing when I try to work the "bolt" for another shot. Been shooting the bolt guns far too long to adapt to a lever gun instantly.- Mike

 

[keith]

I had heard about the Custer commemorative series but didn't realise they were distributed from NZ. Now I can connect the dots. Hopefully I can find a FW to look at and handle before too long. None in the gun shops at present. Keith

 

[robw42]

Are you looking for a FInnwolf .243? I have one from my dad and am thinking of selling it. I live in Arizona. Thanks-Rob

 

[finnwolf64]

Hi Im a new member so excuse me for going through old topics, but I saw this one & had to comment on the "custer" commerative Finnwolfs as my rifle is one of these.

Unfortunately my rifle is at present at the gunsmiths(see related topic I posted re broken firing pin), & I canot recall the exact numbering, but I think mine is numbered 99 out of 105.

I can shed some light on the "custer" edition. My 2 brothers are married to sisters, the daughters of Norman Mills. Norman owned DW Custer Firearms in Sydney ,Australia & they had the sole agency for Sako in the south pacific region for many years, I guess from the early 1970s until the early 90s.

Norman Mills organised to get the commemerative editions made for the distributorship which he owned.

Unfortunately Norman took ill & died some years ago & the Sako agency went to Winchester Australia & then Berreta.

Interestingly Norman was originally in partnership in Australia with a DW Custer which he subsequently bought out ,an American whose first name escapes me, but he was a grand nephew of General Custer of 7th Cavalry fame.

 

[Rogan Kinnear]

Hi Im a new member so excuse me for going through old topics, but I saw this one & had to comment on the "custer" commerative Finnwolfs as my rifle is one of these.

Unfortunately my rifle is at present at the gunsmiths(see related topic I posted re broken firing pin), & I canot recall the exact numbering, but I think mine is numbered 99 out of 105.

I can shed some light on the "custer" edition. My 2 brothers are married to sisters, the daughters of Norman Mills. Norman owned DW Custer Firearms in Sydney ,Australia & they had the sole agency for Sako in the south pacific region for many years, I guess from the early 1970s until the early 90s.

Norman Mills organised to get the commemerative editions made for the distributorship which he owned.

Unfortunately Norman took ill & died some years ago & the Sako agency went to Winchester Australia & then Berreta.

Interestingly Norman was originally in partnership in Australia with a DW Custer which he subsequently bought out ,an American whose first name escapes me, but he was a grand nephew of General Custer of 7th Cavalry fame.

Thanks for sharing that. I am too digging up old archives but am stoked you shared this because my rifle we as shipped to them in 1972. I had no way of tracking down the shop without your post. Cheers mate.