Thread: 22 Sako issue

Hi all, my old school 22 Sako L54 has developed a nasty habit.

At times it will uncock itself when closing the bolt, every so often it will do it when reloading after firing a shot.

But it can be provoked into doing this if the bolt is worked rapidly as in closing the bolt and turning down the bolt handle in one movement.

Also will do it when replacing the bolt after having it out of the rifle ( you have to push the trigger forward to slide the bolt in)

The bolt cocks on lifting the bolt handle HOWEVER in the above scenarios it won’t re-cock on lifting the bolt handle, you have to pull the bolt to the rear then push it forward again. (But not too fast!)
Any ideas?

Sounds like something is a little worn and a gunsmith job. Before it goes that way I'd just check by cleaning the bolt thoroughly with brake clean and trying it incase it's a bit gummed up inside. If it works then a small amount of a light oil like wd40. If not a professional needs to look and adjust it repair

Good suggestion, clean the bolt as well as the trigger assembly. Sounds like either some foreign object has found its way into the bolt or trigger or one of the springs collapsed(highly unlikely).

You have'nt by any chance tried to lighten the trigger pull at some stage?

Yeah clean bolt and the rocking trigger set up.

Have you taken it out of the stock and observed the operation?
Not the smoothest operating bolt around

I love my P54 but the system of the trigger assembly hinging worries me as the main screw holding it doesn't screw into substantial metal.

Ta guys, the bolt and action are both fairly clean but I’ll blast them with brake clean and re-oil.

Trigger IS fairly light, about 2lb at a guess so maybe part of the issue, having said that I would not have thought it would cause the failure to recock when lifting the bolt handle after the rifle had ‘decocked’ itself.

First thing Id look at is the trigger adjustment. Few years back I lightened the trigger on my .270 Finnbear to the point where it wouldn't cock; luckily I realised my mistake before it was to late. If your trigger is set around two pound then maybe the trigger components need attention

Sounds like what happens when a trigger is set too light so has insufficient sear engagement.

Originally Posted by Finnwolf

Ta guys, the bolt and action are both fairly clean but I’ll blast them with brake clean and re-oil.

Trigger IS fairly light, about 2lb at a guess so maybe part of the issue, having said that I would not have thought it would cause the failure to recock when lifting the bolt handle after the rifle had ‘decocked’ itself.

My P54 has an about 2lb trigger. I have never touched it. One of the best trigger releases I have ever found on a sporting 22. The mechanism itself, mmm, not so enthralling methinks.

Basically the sear is not returning for some reason. Need to get it out of the stock, if you haven't already done so, and give it a good coat of looking over.

If you cannot suss it I will pull mine out of its stock and have a further think.

Sounds like trigger adjustment, it happens to Remingtons if you adjust them to light and becomes a dangerous rifle.

Could be that the sear is worn. It happens with the older Sako .22lrs as the bolt rides on the sear under tension and they wear a groove in the sear. Take it to a gunsmith to fix. I had one that would fire on closing due to same issue. Very poor design.

Yes, I agree to trigger adjustment being too light , or the sear is a bit worn causing it to be slack on engagement at times. Can be a dangerous issue if not fixed properly. I would adjust the trigger to the heavier end and trying shooting it again and see what happens. I had my brand new Tikka T3X triger adjusted to the lightest, it had the same issue. It would uncock on closing when I cycle it quick and slam it too hard. Remington 700 Xmark trigger would not cock on bolt lifting if trigger adjusted too light.

A stirling 22 I've got did that years ago.
Had to build up and regained the engagement on the bolt.
Mint after that