Sako Buffs- What is Pre-Garcia?

D

DeBee

New member
At a recent gunshow, I saw some nice light handy rifles-- Pre Garcia Sakos in .243 and .30-06

My question is what is Pre Garcia and why is it more desirable than other models?

Is it also worth the premium for Bofors Steel?

I also noticed some Sakos have Canjar triggers... Is it still possible to get Canjar triggers for the Sako (old style)?

Any input would be helpful...
 
Thanks for the support burrhead...

Good links or book references??? Already checked "Bolt Action Rifles" some help not much...
 
Awww, you young folks...

Somewhere back in the early 1970s, the Garcia Corporation bought all or part of the stock in Sako, Inc. The quality was then said to have declined. I do know that the styling changed. (SFAIK, it's the Garcia as in Abu-Garcia fishing stuff.)

Somewhere in that era, there was a fire at the Sako factory. There were quality problems for a few years, thereafter.

My only Sako is a 1970-vintage model, so I'm sorta iggerant about the grimy details. I have not felt the need to improve the trigger, as I did on my Weatherby of the same vintage. About all I can say is that Canjar triggers are Very Good Things.

FWIW, Art
 
Thanks Art... We youngsters really appreciate tidbits of knowledge from an ol' sage like yourself... Any further information other members might be holding out on would also help...

I know you often mention your Sako Mannlicher .243 as one of your favorite rifles-- that probably got me looking at the Sakos...

I find myself looking more for the old guns: FN Mausers, Old Sakos, Springfield 03s, etc. -- Am I getting old?
 
Sako Mannlicher

I've got a left-handed .308 that is post-Garcia, but it is still the sweetest rifle imaginable!
 
Sako Manlichers

I love my .308 carbine I brought back from Germany when I was staioned there. I set it up with a Schmidt & Bender 1.5 x 5 30mm tube scope and a nice german braided leather sling. It is one well made and sweet handeling rifle. here is a pic:

View
 
Intel6: When I first got my 1970-ish Sako (Forester, .243), I was disappointed in its groups. Vertical strings, 1/2" wide, each shot one inch higher than the previous.

I discovered the Mannlicher stock was two piece. Easy fix: Got rid of the front junk and barrel bands. Removed the front sight (still haven't got all the sliver solder ground off!) Put a wax paper shim at the "new" fore end of the stock. Thereafter, 1/2" to 3/4", five-shot groups.

Last time I sat down at the benchrest with it, I had three shots you could hide with a dime.

At seven pounds with sling, ammo and scope, it's a real nice "walking gun".

Art
 
Art,

I put the .308 togeather for hunting pigs when I lived in Germany. I really like Manlicher's for "walking" guns and my Sako is great for that. If I want something smaller I carry my Anschutz 1433 Manlicher in .22 Hornet set up almost the same as the Sako. That little hornet is a wonderful walking gun when you don't want the larger caliber.
I honestly haven't shot mine for serious groups but it has been plently accurate enough to hunt with. If I want to shoot great groups with a Sako I use my Sako Varmint in 6 PPC. :O)
 
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