Rare Sako 22-32 .22 Short, LR .32 S&W WC Smallbore Semi-Auto Target Pistol

SOLD FOR: $2,079.44

LSB#: LSB250525MC037

Make: Sako

Model: 22-32

Serial Number: 806130 (frame and .22 LR barrel), 802968 (.22 Short barrel), 806092 (.32 barrel)

Year of Manufacture: 1977-1981, the .22 Short and LR barrels were proofed in Germany in 1981, the .32 barrel was proofed in Germany in 1983

Caliber: Barrel/Slide assemblies are included for .22 Long Rifle, .22 Short and  .32 S&W Long Wadcutter.

Action Type: Single-Action Semi-Auto Pistol fed by  Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5 7/8″ (150mm)

Sights / Optics: The front sights are blades integral to bases in-line dovetailed and screw-set to the fronts of the barrel. The rear sights are square-notches adjustable for windage and elevation in a base pinned to the rear of the barrel’s “tail”. One additional front sight and five additional rear sight leaves are included.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece Morini Competition textured, contoured wood. The bottom of the right panel is marked “X-L”. The palm-shelf is integral to the panel. The grip has even handling wear with some discoloration and residue in the texturing. There are a few minor marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-Fine condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue & Chrome

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: 

.32: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.

.22 Short: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9/10.

.22 Long Rifle: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. The actions show light operational wear. There are some scattered minor marks. The .22 Short barrel assembly has some scattered stubborn residue, most of which wiped off easily. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong sockets/slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a Sako case fit for the additional barrel/slide assemblies, one additional front sights, five rear sight leaves, three replacement buffers, one replacement extractor, a bore slug from the .32 barrel, cleaning rod, an assortment of cleaning brushes, patches, a spanner wrench for the barrel weight assemblies and a series of tools for disassembly/adjustment/maintenance including those in a roll-up Sako pouch. Two magazines each are included for .32, .22 Short and .22 LR (six magazines total).

Our Assessment: This is a very nice find for colllectors of Sako firearms or rare firearms as well as smallbore competition shooters. Originally introduced in 1976 as the “22-32”, the model would later be re-designated the “TriAce”, emphasizing the ability to install barrels in .22 Short, .22 Long Rifle, and .32 S&W Wadcutter. It is believed that this model was developed for marketing to nations which restricted the quantity of handguns that can be possessed, allowing the use of the same gun for three different divisions of smallbore competition. A total of 8,225 models 22-32 were produced with 6,250 TriAces, but far fewer than that made it into the United States where they are quite rare. Based on the lack of an import mark as well as the presence of German proof marks, this example was likely purchased in Germany and brought back individually. The pistol is an amazing set with all three chamberings (only the .22 LR barrel is serial-matched to the frame), a fitted Sako case, a suite of cleaning and maintenance accesssories, as well as two magazines for each of the chamberings. This is one of the finest, and rarest, target pistols in the country and it may be a while before you get another chance at a Sako set like this. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud