I just acquired an "as new" O/U Tikka Model 512 in 9.3x74R. I thought that all the Valmets and Tikkas in the O/U's were supposed to have been made in Finland (all by the same company), but this one says "Made in Italy" on the barrel. Does anyone know if some were made in Finland and others made elsewhere ? This one seems very well made. Thanks for your help

Frank, the early ones were made in Finnland, and were not TIKKA, but VALMET 412! SAKO bought them, changed the name to TIKKA, and contracted to have them made in Italy. I have one of the old "Finnish lions" as the Valmet 412 was known, and they are reasonably priced, yet quality made rifles, and shotguns. The 9.3X74R is a great round, as well! With the interchangable barrel sets, a set of 12 ga barrels, and a combo with a 9.3X74R under a 12 ga barrel,along with your double 9.3X74R barrels, would give you a one gun for the world tool! Fine rifle, enjoy it!

[ 05-22-2003, 16:36: Message edited by: MacD37 ]

Frank

Marocchi/Italy produced the Tikkas for Sako.
Now they sell it on their own under the new name Finclassic.

Marocchi (look under shotguns)

Franz

Thanks Franz. At least now I know where to look for parts. - Dan

Dan

Cape Outfitter caries spare part and change barrel sets.

Cape Outfitter Fennewerk

Franz

A friend of mine has had a Valmet for several years with a set of 12ga shotgun bbls and a 12xeither 308 or 30-06. He likes it very much and the rifle bbl shots good. Rays Hardware in Dallas TX has several Valmet 12ga shotguns and some extra rifle and combo bbls.

The Valmet 412 is positively clumsy compared to any good S/S double I've ever seen, but it is still a nice rifle in some versions. The first ones WERE made in Finland.

The 412 came into the States with at least two styles of buttstock...one a plain butt, the other with a poorly designed "American-style" (they thought) stock. At least two finishes were also used....one a pretty decent laquer type finish, on usually pretty good wood, and the other a very dull oil finish on rather unfinished poorer grade wood.

I have one of the early ones with the nice stocks, and sets of barrels in
9.3x74R/9.3x74R
.308/.308
.30-06/.30-06
7x65R/7x65R
12ga/12ga, and
.223 Rem/12ga.

They also sold barrels in the 'States for .375 Win/.375 Win, but I never had or wanted a pair of those.

Many of the 412 Valmet barrel sets in high intensity cartridges like the .308 or .30-06 open with great difficulty after firing as in many individual rifles the firing pins do not retract reliably.

Still, with the rimmed case barrels that doesn't seem to occur too much, and with the shotgun/shotgun barrels or shotgun/rifle barrels it hasn't happened to me at all.

The .223/12 ga. combo is particularly handy for turkeys (and in certain very remote areas, for geese).

Hopefully the Italians have resolved the firing pin retraction problem, but I have not tried one to find out.

AC

[ 05-31-2003, 11:40: Message edited by: Alberta Canuck ]

Alberta Canuck
You might try a little trick I used to use when I shot my S&W 22 Jet. Clean your chambers and loaded ammo with lighter fluid. It may lessen the setback of the fired cases making it easier to open the rifle. If it is the firing pins sticking in the primers this may not help.

I have a 412 "Shooting System" in 12/12, 30.06/30.06, 9.3x74/9.3x74. It shoots very well. Yes it is clunky but for my use a few times a year it doesn't matter. It is very accurate in all calibers if somewhat difficult to regulate. Once set it is set. Don't change the loads.
I only use the 9.3 and 30.06 barrels for hogs, etc.
It groups both barrels in 2" for 4 shots at 100 yds and that's enough for me. Each barrel groups under an inch. All in all a nice working tool.

[ 06-03-2003, 01:34: Message edited by: Dr. Duc ]