Sako L579 L-579 Garcia 23″ .220 Swift Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1964
Sold For: $2,825
LSB#: 200728CG06
Make: Sako
Model: L579 Forester
Serial Number: 316076
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1964
Caliber: .220 Swift
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “FORESTER MADE IN FINLAND”, the top is marked “SAKO / .220 Swift”. The left of the receiver is marked “L579 No. 316076” and with two proof/inspection marks. The bottom of the bolt handle is hand-scribed “076”. The bottom of the barrel is import-marked “THE GARCIA CORP., WASH., D.C.”.
Barrel Length: 23″
Sights / Optics: The top of the receiver has integral Sako-style optic bases with Redfield mounts and rings holding a Bushnell Banner 3-9x scope with duplex reticle. The scope has scattered minor wear with clear glass, in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece checkered walnut with pistol grip, monte carlo comb with cheekpiece, serrated black Sako buttplate and sling studs front and rear. The stock has some scattered light scuffing, nicks and scratches with light marring at the bottom edge of the grip and a more notable ding in the top-rear of the cheekpiece. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear, mostly at the heel. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The action shows minor operational wear and there is a spot of light wear on the bottom of the barrel in front of the import mark. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition and would likely rate Excellent but for the light wear in the stock.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. There is a bolt release on the left side of the receiver and a safety on the right side the locks the bolt handle as well as the trigger. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the installed scope as described.
Our Assessment: Sako first started making rifles with FN Mauser actions in 1951. By 1961 they had settled on 3 different length actions. The medium action designation, L579, was changed to AII around 1978. This is an L579 chambered for .220 Swift which has been equipped with a Bushnell 3-9x scope. The rifle is in about Fine condition with 98% of its blue finish remaining and light wear in its stock. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. The .220 Swift cartridge is a wonderful varmint cartridge capable of velocities exceeding 4,000 fps and some find it suitable for medium game due to the outsized damage velocity grants to its rather small projectiles. This rifle ought to make for a great hunting rifle for the lucky winner and won’t do too bad on the target range, either. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R CAN be transferred in California. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.
