Thread: 85 SS & Finnlight

$1 per gram is cheap in the world of trying to lighten a rifle

Too true. Always worry about the 100 grams on the rifle, but not the 15kg around the waist.

I don't think I have all that many kg around the waist to lose.

I with i could say the same. The 85finnlights are bloody good.

Really the only weight saving I can think of excluding the difference in the fluted barrel is the alloy trigger guard and mag base plate in the Finnlight.

Originally Posted by gimp

Anyone know the actual weight difference? Sako site doesn't help much, maybe .1kg according to them...

Sounds like the Carbonlight is what you are after

Originally Posted by kokako

Sounds like the Carbonlight is what you are after

gimp is allergic to man calibers

This clip solves the argument regarding the weight of a rifle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX0MB7pJtKs

Originally Posted by Savage1

This clip solves the argument regarding the weight of a rifle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX0MB7pJtKs

Boris lied though

So no one knows what a SA 85 Finn actually weighs?

Originally Posted by gimp

Boris lied though

So no one knows what a SA 85 Finn actually weighs?

I do now, but then so do you...

Have you looked at the retail price of the 85 Finnlight in the states? It's $1700 at Cabelas. That translates to about $2250. Over here we sell them for $3200. That's quite a mark up isn't it? I'm looking at a Finnlight for myself also, however that mark up is really putting me off.

Originally Posted by Daniel Kwon

Have you looked at the retail price of the 85 Finnlight in the states? It's $1700 at Cabelas. That translates to about $2250. Over here we sell them for $3200. That's quite a mark up isn't it? I'm looking at a Finnlight for myself also, however that mark up is really putting me off.

Do you need an export permit to buy a rifle out of the states? Did you include the shipping, insurance, customs fees and GST in that? Did you allow the NZ shop you buy it off any profit margin? How about giving the NZ shop some slack for having one on the shelf for you to handle? Not trying to start an import debate, I just thought if you were going to make those sort of comparisons you might want to be a little more realistic with your numbers.

Originally Posted by Gillie

Do you need an export permit to buy a rifle out of the states? Did you include the shipping, insurance, customs fees and GST in that? Did you allow the NZ shop you buy it off any profit margin? How about giving the NZ shop some slack for having one on the shelf for you to handle? Not trying to start an import debate, I just thought if you were going to make those sort of comparisons you might want to be a little more realistic with your numbers.

With the greatest of respect, I don't think mr Kwon was contemplating importing a Sako out of the U.S.

I read it as a comparison of the retail price of an identical item in two 1st world Western countries.

I have no idea whether Cabellas can by direct from Sako.fi direct or if it's through Beretta USA....either way, their buying power probably gives them some discount leverage.

I don't think we have much to thank Beretta NZ for here in NZ.

B

Originally Posted by shift14

With the greatest of respect, I don't think mr Kwon was contemplating importing a Sako out of the U.S.

I read it as a comparison of the retail price of an identical item in two 1st world Western countries.

I read it as he was comparing a perceived difference in profit margin. The US has a different tax and duty regime and as you have said Cabellas have more buying power and in all likelihood, lower profit margins than Beretta NZ / NZ retailer. Not really a fair comparison just looking at the retail prices. The differences I mentioned apply to any importer into NZ including private individuals and businesses.

Originally Posted by shift14

I don't think we have much to thank Beretta NZ for here in NZ.

Yeah I see a few people on NZ forums with this attitude - my personal experience with Beretta NZ has been really good though.

On track with the thread though - I know Sako will try and produce complete Carbonlight rifles to start with but it would be great if they also offered the stocks on their own for those people that already have a Sako 85. Would be a simple bolt in replacement. Because they will try and fill complete rifle orders first I expect it will be a fair while before they will have "spare" stocks available to buy on their own.

Markups probably are extravagant. The proof in my view is that competitors are still doing ok even with the rise of Gun City. In Canterbury for example I don't know what % of the market they hold, but it would be absolutely huge. Yet the other stores still seem to be surviving despite selling what must be far far less than they used to. And I want them to survive, don't get me wrong.

The thing that annoys me more than markups though is being told whatever you pick up is suddenly the greatest rifle ever designed. I'd just like the honest opinion of the salesperson now and then. Problem isn't limited to hunting shops, I know .