My First M39 Finn

[Capybara]

It finally arrived and so far, I am very happy with it. The build, trigger feel, sights and even the feel of the bolt is very different than any of my Russians. It looks nice and I hope it will be a good shooter.

I like that it is a 1968 "Sneak" M39, interesting history there. Can anyone identify how old the receiver is on this rifle?

[Capybara]

[Capybara]

[cjo1971]

Look at the bottom of tang on the receiver

[cjo1971]

Btw nice rifle

[TopperT]

The "No Maker" M39 rates "about" a 7 out of 10 on the collection scale.

Once you shoot your rifle I am sure it won't be your last M39. OK: No Makers were produced in the late 60's into early 70's from either AV 3 or SAKO depending on who you listen to. I wager they were done at AV 3 with SAKO parts About 8,500 in total were ever made. The really rare duck is the NO DATE No MAKER. Find one of them and you really hit pay dirt .

A fantastic rifle. Enjoy, you have a beauty .

[Capybara]

Thanks Topper and CJO. Yes, I can already see a wartime Sako in my future but I am fascinated by the history of the sneaks. I almost bought a '42 Puolustuslaitos instead of this one but it hardly had any bluing, was quite a bit rougher than this one and I figured for a shooter, a rifle assembled in 1968 might be newer and tighter than a 1940s very collectible but much more beat up rifle. I like to collect but I am more of a shooter who likes to collect a few interesting rifles than a completest or fanatic who has 20-30 of the same model.

[husker51]

Very nice! Gotta love those Finns. Love my M39s! That is a very sweet rifle! I could just collect Finns and be Very happy. Congratulations on a superb M39!

[desdem12]

Excellent 39

[bunkysdad]

Capybara, you sure completed your mission, if that mission was to get a great shooter. But you also got a beautiful example too. Congrats.

[jonnyboy091373]

Be very careful. These m39's multiply rapidly great looking rifle.

[Capybara]

My safe is full and I mean full. I have lots of other C&R bolt actions stashed all over the house but the bolts are in the safe. So what that means is no more rifles unless I sell some of them. It has already gotten out of control. But had to have an M39 to round out the collection.

[TopperT]

CORRECTION: I said 8500 "No Makers" were produced. I was wrong. Doug Bowser states:

"A few M39 rifles were manufactured in 1967-72 from SAKO parts. Serial numbers range observed 300,608 to 306,431. At least 5,471 rifles were apparently built by SAKO. quoted from " Rifles of the White Death" ( a must read BTW ).

I have serial number 301,659. A bit worn, most of the bluing is gone but its a tight shooter

[zeebill]

My safe is full and I mean full. I have lots of other C&R bolt actions stashed all over the house but the bolts are in the safe. So what that means is no more rifles unless I sell some of them. It has already gotten out of control. But had to have an M39 to round out the collection.

That doesn't stop you from buying another safe, I have done that 6 times now. That is a very low numbered 1968 both of mine are in the 302 and 303 ranges. I do sort of wonder with that many serials covered in 1968 alone if they really were consecutive or maybe jumped around a bit. Of course they say they made 8500 of them so I guess it is possible. 1969 is a tough find too. That is in a post war stock which seems to be normal although that square stock patch on the side there really is cool. First time I have ever seen that. I am hovering around 40 M39's now depending on whether some impending trades happen or not. Still no round receiver ones or no maker and no date ones, but I am open to trades for one though! Filling the holes is very slow so it seems and again I have slowed with age too. Excellent find and more than likely a great shooter too. I think you will find the older well worn will most times be great shooters too. Keeping that in mind you actually can in M39's get a historically neat good shooting rifle. My PL marked rifle is so loose the first time I shot it I became aware instantly that the bolt actually sort of undulates when it is fired. Believe me when I say it sure doesn't make you very confident in it but shoot she does though and very accurately too. Congrats again! Bill

[Capybara]

Thanks Bill! Wow, 40 M39s, you are hard core. It looks to be a great shooter, I just need some free time to break her down, remove cosmo, see what date is on the tang, check the headpsace and FP protrusion. Someday I will have the time to do that.

[390ish]

Probably the best military rifle for standing shots ever made. You will really enjoy it.

[cjsimoh]

Gah! That is a fantastic rifle!

[bunkysdad]

I have one. One I tell ya! But I love my M39. Antique receiver. That seems to be a strong point to many. I don't see the advantage or disadvantage, except for being able to have it shipped without a C&R, but yet I still am glad to have a pre-1899. Mine is a Tula 1898.