Sako A-7

[Hun-Ter]

Does anyone own the Sako A-7 model? I was just reading about it and it seems to be a great rifle - just like any other Sako, for an excellent price.
Any significant difference between the A-7 and the model 85?
I wonder if anyone on AO has one and would share his/her experience?
Thanks,

Hunter

[jim-bo]

Friend of mine has one, and I have had some trigger time behind it:

Cheap plastic stock (like the Tikka t3), light but not bad, I would keep it.

Cheap plastic inline mag (like the T3) but with metal lips (nice touch), more than durable enough.

Same mag release as Sako

Three locking lugs (like a Sako 85), true 60 degree bolt lift (Tikka's are about 70)

Open reciever (like the 85)

Controlled round feeding

Intergrated scope bases into the reciever (OptiLock)

Accurate as all hell.


This is not a gun you would regret buying.

[elkhunter11]

The A-7 has a plastic bolt shroud like the T-3, A single row synthetic magazine like the T-3, and it uses weaver bases, unlike the 85 and T-3 ,which have integral dovetails. The opti loc mounting system is not compatible with the A-7. Like the 85, feeding is listed as being controlled round, but it isn't as secure as the mauser system of controlled round feeding.

I've owned a couple and both were super accurate and I really liked them. There were a few issues with the stocks on the original A7 but they have been rectified in later models. For the price they are a good solid lightweight rifle.

[Mike_W]

I had one and liked it the A7 is a slight better than the T3 but it is marginal the difference between the A7 and a 75 or 85 is huge much better quality and stock.

With a good stock the A7 is a shooter.

[Hun-Ter]

I appreciate your responses!

The US MSRP for the A7 is just $935 and a Tecomate Stainless is $1410.
It seems to be a low price for Sako accuracy.
Would you rather pay the extra $300 for the 85 Grey Wolf with laminate/stainless?
Do you know the CA prices? I did a search but couldn't come up with anything.
Thanks again!

Hunter

[Mike_W]

The Tecomate Stainless is a nice gun with a good stock but at that price and with duty I would way rather invest in the real deal, or a laminate stainless tikka T3 at a fraction.