So, thinking about renewing my subscription to Rifle Magazine since Mr. Barsness is back writing for them. Get the latest issue and start reading the article on the new Howa XL Lite and right there on the first page it claims "Sako L61 and L579 rifles were Howa creations"
WHAT ????? My recollection is that Howa COPIED those Finnish designs and got called to task for it by Sako (possibly sued), and then altered their future guns. Called the copies the "Golden Bear" model or some such.
Am I mis-informed ? Or is the author Patrick Meitin blowing smoke up you know where............

It is in fact the Howa Golden Bear introduced in the late 60s that is very identical to the Sako L61R action used in the Finnbear. I would go so far as to say the Sako L61R is in many ways the parent action to todays Howa Model 1500. There appears to have been enough variation added whereby Sako, to my knowledge, never pursued patent infringement lawsuits. Howa went on to supply the Wby Vanguards in the early 70s Mossberg and S&W rifles as well.

There's some discussion about it on the SAKO Collectors Club site.

Author essentially incorrect.

-Chris

Well, Howabout that!!

If as expressed, "author" is absolutely and embarrassingly incorrect. Sadly, there's an awful lot of "journalism", predicated on ill-founded information. Just getting facts wrong is forgivable depending on circumstance, controversially and ability to procure correct information. The referenced article, for such plain factual error, was without bother to engage simple, easy to verify "fact checking" research. Reflecting on the magazine itself. Too much of such nowadays. The American Rifleman, also nowadays more subject to such questionable authors/sources!
Sakos are simply great guns! The subject Howa "Golden Eagle" rifle is itself a great gun. Knockoffs don't always have to be poor quality! To my 'understanding' and nothing more, the threat of Patent infringement action, was sufficient to dissuade Howa's move in the Sako style rifle!

The aside that I have what seems to be clearly a Golden Eagle prototype curiosity! Very similar to their subsequent production model but subtle differences and one considerable one: "Cock on closing" type action! I have some nice Sakos and do appreciate them!

Best & Happy Holidays!
John

I like the early L-61’s with slim forend, White spacer grip cap. A pair of 264’s with first year 26” Barrels. One is a 3 digit serial number, the other is a four Digit.

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Those are two beautiful rifles!
There was one just like them for sale at the LGS last month; it didn't last long.

I never could love a Sako with vented recoil pad factory installed.

They certainly give way over time.

I’ll bet that wouldn’t have slipped through if Ol’ Dave was still doing the editing......

The guy probably saw it on the internet, so knew it was good info.