I just got my Peterson Hunting magazine in the mail yesterday. As I was flipping through the pages I noticed an add for Sako. The picture of the gun was taken from the rear so that the back of the bolt was in focus and highlighted. What really caught my eye was the lack of a internal lock. It was checkered from the top of the action all the way down the back of the bolt. Isn't that where the lock used to be? Please say they removed it.
If they did, now I need to save up some money and figure out which caliber I want. Thanks

You have just had your eyes on an old Sako 75 bolt with the shroud without the lock. When Sako 75 was released in '96/'97 it did not have the ugly shroud, but thanks to you American's that had to install a locking mechanism. Same as the J-key on Remington.



But the best thing is that the old shroud is available for about $100

I don't remember wanting a lock on any of my rifles. Maybe it was just them giving in to pressure (pussing out) like the other factories!!

Hate the lock. That's why I didn't look at a new Sako for my last rifle. I found an old Tikka Deluxe that called my name.
The old adds used to promote the lock. This is a new add and it seems to be saying, in a subtle way, that there is no longer going to be a lock. Or at least that is what I'm hoping it is saying. Only time will tell.