This article is about the SAKO firearms manufacturer. For the Polish 1950s programming language, see SAKO programming language or Non-English-based programming languages.

SAKO, Limited (Suojeluskuntain Ase- ja Konepaja Oy, Civil Guard Gun- and Machiningworks Ltd) is a Finnish firearm manufacturer located in Riihimäki.

It was formed on 1 June 1927 from the Suojeluskuntain Yliesikunnan Asepaja (Civil Guard Supreme Staff Gun Works) and moved from Helsinki to Riihimäki. In 1987, state-owned Valmet and SAKO fused into SAKO-VALMET, with ownership split evenly between Nokia and Valmet. After several organizational shifts in state ownership, the SAKO name remained for the privately owned gun- and cartridge-producing company located in the cities of Riihimäki and Jyväskylä (former Valmet factory in Tourula, which was later closed). The company now has a strategic partnership with Beretta Holdings.

Sako rifles are known for their quality, accuracy, and premium price. Sako also offers lower-priced arms under the Tikka brand.

Post-WWII production[link]

The first civilian rifle bearing the Sako name was the L42 (Luodikko [rifle] model 1942) chambered for the 7x33mm Sako cartridge, prototyped in 1942, and commercial production started after WWII. Sako developed the 7x33 cartridge based on the 9x19 pistol cartridge, by making a longer case and "necking" the case down to 7mm calibre (7.21mm bullet diameter). This cartridge was designed for and well suited to capercaille and black grouse hunting, a popular sport in Finland, Sweden and Norway. The L46 was later denoted L461 "Vixen". The L461 has been very popular in Finland and Sweden, especially chambered for the .222 Remington cartridge and has an almost mythical status among aficionados.

In 1957, Sako launched a longer action, the L57, subsequently renamed L579 "Forester". This is a "medium action" intended for the .308 Winchester and similar cartridges.

In 1961, Sako introduced the L61R "Finnbear" for the long cartridges like the .30-06, 6.5x55 and similar.

For a short while, Sako produced a lever-action gun, the Sako Finnwolf, in .243 Win and .308 Win

Sako has also produced a number of rimfire rifles, among those are the P72 Finnscout, the M78,the Finnfire and the Quad. The M78 was also chambered for the .22 Hornet and the .22 WMR in addition to the .22 LR

During the 1980s (1987), Sako started using the AI/AII/AV designations (previously used for models imported to the US) for the three action lengths in Europe. The complete rifles were still designated L461/L579/L61. The bolt was given a slight cosmetic makeover, with the hammer covered by a conical shell. This visual design was also used on the later models (M4/5/691, M75, M85).

The L579 could be delivered with detachable magazine although the default was a hinged floorplate.

From 1987 to 1992 a version of the short (Vixen) action was produced for the .22 PPC and 6mm PPC cartridges, when Sako introduced these former wildcat cartridges as commercial cartridges, denoted ".22 PPC USA" and "6mm PPC USA" to avoid confusion with the specialized bench rest cartridges which required a "tight neck" chamber. These actions are the same external dimensions, and have the same bolt diameter as the 222 Remington, 222 Rem. Magnum, 223 Rem. cartridge actions. Only the bolt face recess was enlarged to suit the PPC case.

In 1992, the first of the "newer" Sakos, the 591, was introduced as a replacement for the L579. Shortly after, the 491 and the 691 were launched. These rifles (491/591/691) are not as highly regarded as the L461/L579/L61R and according to folklore, the quality of the workmanship is slightly inferior for the 491/591/691. They featured a separate recoil lug, also found on the 75, and a Tikka trigger assembly. However, these rifles were available in left-hand configuration both as a medium action (591) and long action (691)

In 1997, Sako launched the M75, named for Sako's 75th anniversary. The 75 was externally similar to previous Sako models, but the construction was radically different featuring three symmetrical locking lugs and a detachable magazine.

Before the 75, Sako hunting rifles (except the L46 and the L579) did not have detachable magazines, but a hinged floorplate with the lock placed on the front of the trigger guard.

Sako's latest (and current) model, the M85, was introduced in 2006.

Current production[link]

Sako 85 centerfire rifle. This is a premium hunting rifle available in many configurations and calibers from 204 Ruger through 416 Rem Mag.

Sako Quad rimfire rifle. This rifle is available in a variety of configurations and has interchangeable barrels in calibers .17HM2, .17HMR, .22 Long Rifle, and .22 WMR.

Sako TRG centerfire rifle. This is a long-range sniper rifle geared toward law enforcement and military use.

Sako A7 centerfire rifle. This is Sako's mid-price-range hunting rifle, filling the gap between their premium line of Sako 85 hunting rifles, and their value line of Tikka T3 hunting rifles. The A7 combines different features from the Sako 85 and the Tikka T3, along with a unique in-line detachable magazine design, and is currently (2010) available only with a synthetic stock, in combination with either a blued chromoly or stainless steel barrelled action.

Sako model history (Europe)[link]

Models[link]

Sako Rifle in .25-06

Sako Finnlight in .243 Winchester

External links[link]

• SAKO corporate website
• TIKKA brand website
• TIKKA brand Canadian mirror
• Sako A7 website
• Modern Firearms
• Gunwriters' M95 Assault Rifle
• 50 Years of Sako