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Sako L579 Forester


General

The Sako L579 -rifle was designed by Eino Mäkinen at the Sako factory in 1958 on basis of the previous Sako L57 -rifle. The new hunting rifle was designed in such a way that in it could be used as much as possible the precision casting parts of a new precision casting foundry. The weapon was originally named Sako L579, but later the word “forester” was included to the name.

There are four versions of the Sako L579 Forester's rifle, Standard, Deluxe, Heavy-Barrel and Mannlicher -carbine stock model. The weapons were manufactured in following calibers: .22-250, .243 Win, .308 Win and 7mm-08. Heavy-Barrel version was 500 grams heavier than other models (total weight 3.8 kg). The rifle was also produced a Sako L579 "Mannlicher" model, caliber .308 Win, this had carbine model stock.

In 1984, the entire Sako rifle collection was renewed and the following models were available with the Sako L579 lock bolt: Hunter, Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Carbine, Varmint, Classic and Target.

Sako L579 ForesterSako L579 Forester Zoom

Construction

The barrel is made of a cold-forged from the high-quality Swedish Bofors steel. The surface of the barrel is oxidized. The barrel has six right-handed rifling bars, the rise of the rifling varies by the caliber. Bofors Steel was used at least in the barrels produced between 1968 and 1985. The receiver frame is made of forged, surface-hardened tempered steel and has been driven into its dimensions by automatic machine tools. The bolt and bolt handle have been forged from one piece. The bolt is extremely durable and has been tested with a pressure test load of eight tons.

Rifle stock with pistol handle is made of walnut wood and its surface treatment was either oil or lacquer (models Hunter, Deluxe and Super Deluxe).

The receiver bridge has a, so called salmon tail, wedge-shaped rail for rifle scope mounts. The Sako rifle bolt is further developed tube bolt from the Mauser bolt.

The weapons safety lever is positioned on the right side of the weapon. The loaded weapon is safe and the bolt is locked when the safety lever has been turned to the rear position. When the safety lever is pushed into the front position, the bolt is released and the red marker is visible under the safety lever. The red marker indicates that gun is ready for shooting.

The trigger assembly mechanism is wedge threshold firing device with a vertically falling sear. Trigger has no first pull (single stage trigger pull). Both the sear engagement and after pull are adjustable. The trigger assembly is the same as for the Sako L461 and L61R rifles. The trigger assembly is adjusted at the factory to approximately 2 kg. It is possible to adjust the Trigger pull by turning the adjusting screw, but for safety reasons no less than 1.5 kg. Also the trigger after pull movement is adjustable.

Sako L579 adjustable trigger assembly.

Picture explanation in adjustable trigger assembly: A = Trigger pull adjusting screw with self-locking screw, B = Trigger after pull adjustment, C = Trigger assembly attachment screw with locking screw.

Calibers and rifling twist rate

  • .222: 1 / 14"
  • .243: 1 / 10"
  • .270: 1 / 10"
  • .30-06: 1 / 10"
  • .308: 1 / 10"
  • .264: 1 / 9"
  • .338: 1 / 12"
  • 7 mm: 1 / 10"

Detachable magazine

Sako manufactured for the L579 -rifles a detachable clip magazine for the calibers .308 Win and .234 Win. However, the installation kit does not fit directly into all Sako L579 -rifles, because during decades of production, small changes have been made to the weapon. In the light of these changes, Sako L579 -rifles are divisible into four groups;

  1. In weapons manufactured before 1970, the front end of the magazine is rectangular, a new trigger arch is required.
  2. In weapons produced between 1969 and 1980, the front end of the magazine's baseplate is round and unsuitable for the detachable clip magazine, so the material should be removed and the trigger arch replaced.
  3. In weapons manufactured in 1979 – 1981, the holder of the magazine's base plate is too long.
  4. The series of weapons manufactured after 1982 is suitable for direct installation.
Sako L579 floorplate catch with detachable clip magazine.

Production

Sako L579 -rifles have been manufactured since 1957. By the year 1978 was manufactured about 132 000 rifles, of which about 32 000 rifles were caliber .308 Win. The gun production continued until 1992.

In addition, the model Sako A II/L 579, with calibers .22-250 Rem, .243 Win, 7mm-08 Rem and .308 Win were manufactured between 1979 and 1980. The weapon has a Sako’s so-called medium-length bolt action device.

Serial numbers

The serial number of the weapon starts from the year 1957, serial No. 1. In 1974, the serial number 115033 was completed and from now on the serial numbers 300000 was always up to the number 499999 were reserved. However, between 1991 and 1992 there are serial numbers outside of the reserved serial number range, series 800000.

Serial numbers 1957–1974

  • 1957, SN – 1 (.257 Weath.)
  • 1958, SN – 8200 (.243 Win ja .308 Win)
  • 1959, SN 8201 – 10090
  • 1960, SN 10091 – 19500
  • 1961, SN 19501 – 23000
  • 1962, SN 23001 – 29000
  • 1963, SN 29001 – 34000
  • 1964, SN 34001 – 43000
  • 1965, SN 43001 – 51000
  • 1966, SN 51001 – 63800
  • 1967, SN 63801 – 72000
  • 1968, SN 72001 – 79300
  • 1969, SN 79301 - 86374
  • 1970, SN 86375 – 101200
  • 1971, SN 101201 – 109000
  • 1972–1974, SN 109001 – 115033

Serial numbers 1974–1992

The serial numbering of the Sako guns was changed in 9.5.1974. The serial numbers 300,000 – 499999 were reserved for the Sako L579 Forester. The change in the receiver frame, i.e. the extension of the bedding surface, was introduced 3.5.1982 from serial number 351081 (series 73). The shape of the end of the rifle’s stock frame type was changed to straight. However, between 1991 and 1992 there are serial numbers outside of the reserved serial number range, series 800000.

  • 09.05.1974–27.12.1977, 300001–327115
  • 03.05.1982–28.12.1984, 351081–359880
  • 22.05.1985–27.06.1989, 360001–372629
  • 04.05.1989–31.01.1991, 380001–385127
  • 06.02.1991–01.04.1992, 800316–821799

Price evolution years 1961-1990

The Sako L579 Forester -rifle’s price was changed in 1963, as in all other products with the new Finnish monetary law. At the beginning of 1963, according to the Finnish Currency Act, one new mark corresponded to the 100 old mark. This explains the price change down in the price list.

  • 1961, 30 100 mk (walnut stock)
  • 1961, 42 400 mk (Deluxe)
  • 1962, 32 000 mk (walnut stock)
  • 1962, 45 200 mk (Deluxe)
  • 1965, 383 mk (walnut stock)
  • 1965, 474 mk (Deluxe)
  • 1970, 520 mk (walnut stock)
  • 1970, 747 mk (Deluxe)
  • 1990, 4 100 mk (walnut stock)
  • 1990, 5 100 mk (Deluxe)

Sako Target L579

Sako started in 1982 to manufacture Sako Target L579 – precision rifles, mainly for moose hunting and range shooting. The rifle was produced in calibers .222 Rem and .308 Win. The Weapons are made of heavy range-firing stocks and high accuracy barrels. The barrels were available in two lengths, 600 and 660 mm. The rifle weighs 4.5 – 4.6 kg and its length is 1080 - 1135 mm, depending on the installed barrel type. The rifle was available with a six-cartridge built-in magazine or a five-cartridge detachable clip magazine. The trigger pull of the Target -model firing assembly mechanism is adjustable from 0.2 to 1.5 kg (0.5 to 1.5 kg base model).


References

  • Arma Fennica - Suomalaiset aseet, Timo Hyytinen, 1985
  • Arma Fennica - Sako aseet, Timo Hyytinen, 2012
  • Sako, url: http://www.sako.fi, 7.6.2015
  • Sako L579 käyttöohje
  • Sako Collectors Club, http://www.sakocollectors.com, 18.3.2016
  • The Bolt Action, Volume I, Stuart Otteson
  • Sako lipassarjan ohje

★ June 6, 2015 (✪ April 27, 2019)

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