Sako Finnfire

Lore & Background

The Sako Finnfire was introduced in 1996 as a successor to the Finnscout 78, sharing many design elements while substituting steel parts with plastic ones such as the trigger guard and magazine. The receiver was machined from steel, and the barrel was mounted with a push fit secured by two cross bolts. Barrels were hammer-forged with a 412.75 mm rifling twist. The bolt featured two rear locking lugs and a 50-degree lift.

The Finnfire first launched in the Hunter version, followed by the larger Varmint version with a wider forend and heavier barrel, and later the Range version with the heaviest stock intended for precision shooting. All versions had walnut stocks and free-floating barrels. The Hunter had the slimmest stock and came with open sights, though these were often removed for a scope mounted on the dovetail rail. The Varmint added a rubberized recoil pad. Only later production models had a threaded muzzle from the factory.

Reader's Guide

The Sako Finnfire occupies a distinct place in Sako's rimfire lineup as a transitional model between the all-steel Finnscout 78 and later designs like the Sako Finnfire II and Sako Quad. Its use of plastic parts for the trigger guard and magazine marked a shift toward cost-effective manufacturing while retaining the accuracy and reliability expected of Sako rifles. The rifle's adjustable single-stage trigger, derived from the TRG-S series, allowed shooters to set pull weight between 1 and 2 kg. The three variants—Hunter, Varmint, and Range—catered to different shooting disciplines, from hunting to precision target work. The Range version, despite being designed for precision shooting, also found favor with some hunters. The Finnfire's free-floating barrel and hammer-forged construction contributed to its reputation for accuracy. Though no longer in production, it remains a reference point for Sako's rimfire evolution and is often compared to its successor, the Finnfire II.

Did You Know?

• The Sako Finnfire replaced many steel parts of the Finnscout 78 with plastic, including the trigger guard and magazine.
• Only the Hunter version came with open sights, which were often removed for a scope.
• Later production models of the Finnfire were delivered with a threaded muzzle from the factory.