Latest acquisiiton - 1944 Sako M39

[kouye]

Picked up my new to me 1944 Sako M39 with war-time pistol grip stock. Ran a few wet and dry patches through it and got absolutely nothing out, very clean barrel. Shiney bore and no counter-bore.

After the quick cleaning, I took it to the range to see how it shot. Here are the first two 50 yard groups. I had the wrong type of targets for 100 yards for my eyes, could hardly make out any details so I'll wait until I get some easier to see targets for 100 yards. First shot was a flyer due to an unexpected butter smooth 3lb trigger! SWEET!

I do have a question though, the receiver appears to be bedded or shimmed but it looks more modern then I would have expected. I have not taken it apart yet as I didn't want to risk messing anything up until I get to play with it for awhile. Did the Finn's have some kind of bedding compound or did they use metal or other type of shims? If they didn't have a bedding compound, was this gun accurized at a later time?

BTW - Shooting '72 Russian light ball surplus.

Here are the pics:

First group, 50 yards:



Second group, 50 yards:



War-time pistol grip stock:




Markings:




Bedding compound or shims?:




Repairs (I read that most Finn's came with new stocks and not many had repairs):

[Donkeypunch0420]

Ah she's a beauty! Love the wood pattern. Nice shooting too, both of you. I'm pretty sure they used shims for bedding. The experts will add more about this.

[Mustang]

I'm not aware of the Finns "bedding" the action of their rifles, although metal shims in M39's are quite common.

What are you seeing that makes you think the action is bedded?

[kouye]

I'm not aware of the Finns "bedding" the action of their rifles, although metal shims in M39's are quite common.

What are you seeing that makes you think the action is bedded?

Look at the pictures of the action and tang areas. There's some kind of grey compound surrounding them.

I haven't taken it all apart yet as I wanted to shoot it for bit before doing anything.

I've read some old comments about Finn's being glass bedded, but not many. Most talk about the brass shims.

I'm thinking this gun was messed with.

BTW - Any recommendation on ammo? I've been using Russian '72 silvertip light ball surplus and have no issues with it. I've heard that Bulgarian is good too and I've seen posts about heavy ball yellow tip being good. I'm open to trying others but wanted to see if anyone knew any difference between the Russian and Bulgarian sliver tip light ball or if heavy ball is desirable before I order some up. TIA

[6mmintl]

Definitely bedded, lost all of its collector value if your one of those hysterical collectors.

Now you need to bring it dawn to the Swiss rifle club this Sat in Gonzales (Gloria rd. east) and shoot the 200/300/385/500 meter silhouette rifle course/match.

[kouye]

Definitely bedded, lost all of its collector value if your one of those hysterical collectors.

Now you need to bring it dawn to the Swiss rifle club this Sat in Gonzales (Gloria rd. east) and shoot the 200/300/385/500 meter silhouette rifle course/match.

Yeah, kind of what I figured. It's a shame that I didn't get to shoot it before this was done. No problem for me though since I plan to shoot it until the lands are gone. I'd imagine the same person worked on the trigger too. I'm going to open it up and see what was done so I can try to replicate it on my beat up 91/30.

"200/300/385/500 meter silhouette"...man I hope your silhouettes are GIANT...I need a scope to see beyond 50 yards...lol...So are all of the Swiss Rifle club events matches? Or can you just come out and shoot? I'm pretty new to the sport (ie. 1 month). And also do I need a sponsor (club member) to go?

[SVT-40]

If it's been bedded don't remove the action from the stock. Just leave it be. There is nothing to gain from wrenching it out of the stock. You could crack the stock or cause some other damage.

If it's not broken don't fix it!!!!!

[kouye]

If it's been bedded don't remove the action from the stock. Just leave it be. There is nothing to gain from wrenching it out of the stock. You could crack the stock or cause some other damage.

If it's not broken don't fix it!!!!!

Well, when I got it, the front trigger guard bolt was missing and the rear was loose. Somebody had it apart. But you're right, if it works....I just wanted to have a look to see what I can do to my 91/30 to get the same results, particularly the trigger.

[Fate]

Those splices in the stock are not repairs. That's how they made the M39 stock. The first pic shows the wartime era rounded finger spliced fore stock. The second pic shows a typical Finnish buttstock splice. This method allowed them to use smaller blanks for the stocks. Saved wood...a precious resource during wartime. The rounded plugs were standard "fixes" for dealing with knots in the arctic birch. It was also done as part of the original manufacturing process.

Nice looking M39.

[DennisCA]

[Flyin Brian]

Beautiful M39 you have there. That is the earliest numbered 1944 I have seen yet, so that one must have been built the first few days of 1944.

The bedding is something that was added later, but I really don't think it detracts from the value of the rifle. It looks like it shoots well, although you really need to get off the 50yd line and get the right target out there to 100+. Here is a good link for some free targets you can print:

http://www.reloadbench.com/pdf.html

I prefer the one marked "200 reduced for 100" which has one black circle and prints well on an 8.5X11 sheet of standard copy paper. I've taken this file into Office Depot and had them print 100 of these at a time, then I tape them up with masking tape and shoot 5 or 10 rounds. Then I write all the details on the target such as which rifle, what powder/bullet combo, wind, etc, and file them in my binder so I have a record of how each rifle in my collection shoots.

Have fun, you got a great shooter.

[kouye]

It looks like it shoots well, although you really need to get off the 50yd line and get the right target out there to 100+. Here is a good link for some free targets you can print:

http://www.reloadbench.com/pdf.html

Thanks! Yeah, I was just sighting it in since I just picked it up. When I moved the target to 100 yards I found that I couldn't really see it. The orange on white in particular just washed out. They are fine with a scope, but terrible with iron sights on a bright day.

I might just get some 8" orange dots on black paper. I should be able to make out that contrast at least.

[Pthfndr]

I might just get some 8" orange dots on black paper. I should be able to make out that contrast at least.

Black on white gives the best contrast for iron sights. The one Brian mentioned in his post works very well at 100 yards.

[kouye]

Black on white gives the best contrast for iron sights. The one Brian mentioned in his post works very well at 100 yards.

Thanks. I was told the same thing at the LGS today so I cut out center of a couple of my black targets and put some white paper behind it. I'll see how I like it on Thursday.