Sako 22LR imported by Stoeger

[sserlachius]

Was this type of Sako 22.LR common in the US? - I never saw one after I aquired this one.
It has an integrated silencer and shoots superbly (with subsonic ammo).

SS

 

[stonecreek]

No, never common. This looks like a P72 or M78 (virtually identical) in the target/heavy barrel model. These were pretty pricey comprared to other .22's when they were being imported to the U.S. in the late 1970's and 1980's, so not very many were sold. Most of those were the sporter configuration, so the HB is extremely scarce. I can only recall seeing one other.

If the barrel is suppressed it is not a factory job as all Class 3 weapons in the U.S. have to be "special orders". You say the suppressor is "integral", however the barrel is apparently stamped with the Stoeger import mark. If you could post a more detailed photo it might help.


I have a P72 sporter and it is the most accurate .22 rimfire I've ever shot.

BTW: The P72/P75/M78 was also chambered in .22 WMR and .22 Hornet.

 

[sserlachius]

The barrel is just 20cm and covered from root to end with a much longer silencer (which looks like a heavy barrel). The rifle is very light.

SS

 

[stonecreek]

HOLD THE PHONE! That import mark is in the "wrong" place! It is usually on the underside of the barrel, although I've seen some on the right-hand side of the barrel. I've never seen an import mark on the action itself. This causes me to wonder about the very unique suppressed barrel. Could this be a Sako factory suppressed barrel, which is why the import mark was moved to the action? ENQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW!

Also, are you saying that the barrel itself is only about 8" long (20 cm) and that the rest of the barrel is suppressor? Wow!

By the way, it is definately a Model 78. The scope bases are taller than I am accustomed to seeing, and the rings look like Sako-made rings for a tip-off mount rail.

Are you located in Europe? And if so, how did a M78 get imported to the U.S. by Stoeger and find its way back to Europe, equipped with a suppressed barrel, nonetheless?

 

[cmjr]

It's not uncommon to see a suppressed barrel with a full length sleeve, I've got a buddy with a Ruger bolt gun in 22lr with the same large sleeve. He reeks havoc on the local feral cat population with it. Could it be a requirement if your modifying a rifle with an import stamp to relocate it?

 

[stonecreek]

CMJR: Once a gun is through the import process there is no requirement that it keep its import stamp. In other words, if you rebarreled a Garcia and throw the barrel with the importer's stamp away you're under no obligation to reproduce that stamp on the rifle. Also, the Stoeger import stamp on this one looks identical to the one they used on the underside of the barrel, indicating that Stoeger applied it rather than some gunsmith.

I understand the full length suppressor sleeve; what has me intrigued is its combination with the "misplaced" Stoeger import stamp on the receiver. Maybe SS can provide some additional information to shed some light.

 

[mcgrif2243]

Hey Stone,
My special order L61R Finnbear, .458 barreled action has the Stoeger import stamp on the receiver. You can view it in the photo section here.
Will

 

[stonecreek]

Yes, now that you mention it I've seen that one. I should have said that I've never seen the import stamp on the action on a finished rifle. Of course, bare Sako actions had the import stamp on the action as there is no barrel to stamp. The stamp was usually in a place that would be below the wood line on a finished rifle, however. The stamp on the M78 in this thread is clearly visible above the wood line.

Don't you love Sako mysteries?

 

[sserlachius]

Hi Stonecreek,

I was told that the rifle on initiative from a Sako Manager was brought back (early 80xB4s) to Finland to the factory and stayed for some years in the office of this guy. Why it was brought back I do not know. - The silencer is probably a "Vaime" with which company Sako was collaborating mainly in the 80xB4s.

SS

 

[gowyo]

would that be a "valmet" suppressor? Cool rifle SS. Decent would as well!

 

[sserlachius]

Hi Gowyo,

The suppressors for Sako (in the 80xB4s) at least were made by VAIME (not Valmet). They were either completely
covering the barrel or screwd at the end of the barrel. - The strange thing was that on many occasions
the silencer improved the accuracy of the rifle.

SS

 

[5280sakonut]

Sserl, Mcgrif, Stone: Is it legal in the US to purchase a rifle with an existing suppressor installed? Or is a permit required for possession of any type?

 

[misako50]

You need a permit for the suppressor. BATF time. Go to the web site and find the rules. A bit expensive but worth it if you are wanting to shoot quietly.-Misako

 

[Anonymous]

SS,
The tax stamp fee for a suppressor is $200. The rifle must be kept by a Class 3 FFL while you get forms signed from your local Police Chief and a fingerprint card done. Then it goes to Batfe with your $200 and the Form mentioned below. Expect to pay a fee for the prints. If the suppressor is detachable, then you can take the rifle. If it is integral, then you have to wait for BATFE's blessing. That could take up to six months.
After you get it, you will have to make copies of the form and have one with you whenever and wherever you take the rifle. You keep the original in your safe. It has the original tax stamp.
So, if you are in the US, that's how it goes. The BATFE form is ATF Form 4 (5320.4).
If you move, you are required to notify the BATFE office on your form where and when you moved. If you pass and will the rifle to a relative, they must go through the ATF process to legally own it.
Hope this helps,
S-A

 

[5280sakonut]

Wow. They make you work for it.

 

[sserlachius]

Hi guys,

Thank you so much for the investigation.

Now I understand why Sodini at Stoeger was happy to get rid of the rifle.

I found it in Finland and it is still there. - No permits needed for suppressors - integral or not.

Enjoy the week-end,

SS

 

[steelbreeze]

You'er a lucky man. You enjoy your weekend as well! We're all (I'm) (us poor folks) jealous about having "whisper" surpressed weapons!

 

[sserlachius]

Steelbreeze: Don't be too sad! - Having one like that tempts you to foolish things.

One of the funnier ones was when I out of my bedroom balcony shot a crow 70 m away sitting on

high tension lines. An old lady happened to walk right under the lines on the road and hearing

something above her head, looked up. The crow came down "propellerstyle" and landed in front of her feet stonedead. The old lady bent down to look at the crow and then looked up on the lines and shook her head. She probably thought it died of electric shook.

Cheers,

SS

 

[5280sakonut]

SS: Very funny story. I hope to follow in your footsteps... We have a gang of crows terrorizing our neighborhood and I have decided it is time to convince them this is not a good place to hang out but I'm learning they are not stupid.