Interesting Sako seen at gun show

[Guest]

Saw an interesting Sako at a gun show at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson this weekend. It was the model 74, the short-lived downmarket Finnbear made in 1974 to compete with the Remington ADL, post-64 M70, etc.These are easily identified by the smooth, uncheckered top on the scope bases. Anyway, it was a .270, with a heavier than normal barrel, European-style tangent rear sight, and much nicer wood than would be typical for a model 74. Not sure I remember the asking price correctly, but I think it was $795. Condition was like new, maybe a few handling marks on the stock. I passed on it, since I already have a .270 Finnbear and I prefer to collect older guns, .222's, and metric calibers. Thought I'd share the sighting, though. I did pick up a U.S. carbine, as there was one just too good to pass up. Inland 1943, usual late features, apparently unfired since an arsenal rebuild. NO re-import marks. Stock sanded but crossed cannons still visible. Price was only $350, which made it a real bargain. Carbines aren't actuall good for much except plinking, but it's a piece of history and a fun shooter.

 

[deergoose]

hello icebear.

interesting piece, I must say. Could the gun you found at the gun show be a model 72 to model 74 transition gun ?? the smooth scope bases with the nice wood just blows me away. Most of those guns had plain-Jane wood. Now, I've got a model 74 "Super Sporter" in .243 that is is brand new w/ the box. Inspection tag says 1975 production. This rifle has nice wood, checkered scope bases and normal bluing, but still not the nice blueing as on the older sporters. I also have a model 72 .30-06 that is NIB. This thing is as plain as they come, the receiver has dull blueing and you can see the tool marks, it also has the smooth scope bases. As for the barrel size, there are plenty of barrel combos out there. thanks for the info.

DeerGoose