icebear
Sako-addicted
A few weeks ago, I bought an L461 Mannlicher-style carbine in .222 Magnum from another forum member. I paid him, he shipped it to my FFL transfer guy, and I went to the shop to pick it up. Only it wasn't there. Somebody had stolen it from the shop! So, the dealer notified ATF and the local PD, and he said he would make the loss good. There was some discussion about a rifle he had that I might be interested in, as part of the compensation. He didn't have it right to hand, and I trust him, so we deferred action. Well, a bit over a week ago he heard from ATF that the gun had been recovered! He had to go get it from ATF, and I picked it up from him today. Still in the box it was shipped in, everything intact including the sight hood. You can imagine what a relief that was for both of us!
The dealer's best guess as to how it was stolen is that someone had grabbed it and run out the door when he was distracted by a customer or in the back room. The thief probably didn't even know what he had stolen, as it was in the Ruger box it had been shipped in. The dealer didn't know how the gun had been recovered, but he thinks he'll find out from his regular contact at ATF. My guess is that either ATF picked it up in a trafficking investigation, or the local PD found it in the possession of the thief or a fence and turned it over to ATF. If my dealer doesn't get the story, I have some contacts at the local PD who can probably find out for me. One remaining piece of unfinished business is to make sure the serial number is off the stolen list. The local PD has already assured him that they've cleared the record, and he's going to follow up with ATF.
Anyway, the gun is finally in my hands, much to my relief. And, it's quite a nice one. Condition is excellent plus to near-new, with bright, high-polish bluing and typical Sako high-gloss wood finish. It's got a 3-9x40mm Leupold with fine plex reticle in Leupold clamp-on dovetail rings. Scope is immaculate. Wood has a little bit of interesting figure and is stained a nice dark, slightly reddish brown. I'm going to put a more compact scope on it, either a 3-9x Burris Mini or the equivalent Leupold. I have original Sako rings for it so will sell the Leupold rings, but will keep the scope as I'm sure I'll find a use for it. I also may want to take a look at the trigger. It's a little heavy and may have some hardened gunk in it. It wouldn't be the first time I've had to clean the trigger on a Sako of that vintage. All in all, I am quite pleased (not to mention overjoyed that it was recovered intact). I'm looking forward to shooting it, possibly this week or next.
At the same time, I picked up another Finnish rifle - a WWII-era Mosin-Nagant m/91 built by VKT (Valmet) and converted to a fake PU sniper by somebody, probably the importer. Stock is gorgeous and the gun looks brand new. I'll post photos of it, along with my other fake Finn snipers, on the Finnish military forum when I get time to do the photography.
Here's one quick snapshot of the .222 Magnum carbine. I'll post more later, including a group shot with my other .222 and .222 Magnum carbines.
The dealer's best guess as to how it was stolen is that someone had grabbed it and run out the door when he was distracted by a customer or in the back room. The thief probably didn't even know what he had stolen, as it was in the Ruger box it had been shipped in. The dealer didn't know how the gun had been recovered, but he thinks he'll find out from his regular contact at ATF. My guess is that either ATF picked it up in a trafficking investigation, or the local PD found it in the possession of the thief or a fence and turned it over to ATF. If my dealer doesn't get the story, I have some contacts at the local PD who can probably find out for me. One remaining piece of unfinished business is to make sure the serial number is off the stolen list. The local PD has already assured him that they've cleared the record, and he's going to follow up with ATF.
Anyway, the gun is finally in my hands, much to my relief. And, it's quite a nice one. Condition is excellent plus to near-new, with bright, high-polish bluing and typical Sako high-gloss wood finish. It's got a 3-9x40mm Leupold with fine plex reticle in Leupold clamp-on dovetail rings. Scope is immaculate. Wood has a little bit of interesting figure and is stained a nice dark, slightly reddish brown. I'm going to put a more compact scope on it, either a 3-9x Burris Mini or the equivalent Leupold. I have original Sako rings for it so will sell the Leupold rings, but will keep the scope as I'm sure I'll find a use for it. I also may want to take a look at the trigger. It's a little heavy and may have some hardened gunk in it. It wouldn't be the first time I've had to clean the trigger on a Sako of that vintage. All in all, I am quite pleased (not to mention overjoyed that it was recovered intact). I'm looking forward to shooting it, possibly this week or next.
At the same time, I picked up another Finnish rifle - a WWII-era Mosin-Nagant m/91 built by VKT (Valmet) and converted to a fake PU sniper by somebody, probably the importer. Stock is gorgeous and the gun looks brand new. I'll post photos of it, along with my other fake Finn snipers, on the Finnish military forum when I get time to do the photography.
Here's one quick snapshot of the .222 Magnum carbine. I'll post more later, including a group shot with my other .222 and .222 Magnum carbines.
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