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  #1  
Old 04-12-2012, 09:01 AM
kenbro kenbro is offline
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Default M491

Can anyone help me out with the pros and cons on a Sako M491. Was this a good one to own?
Thanks,Ken.
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Old 04-12-2012, 01:07 PM
Old Hawkeye Old Hawkeye is offline
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Sako introduced the S491 in 1992 to replace the L461 as their short action along with the 591 & 691 for there medium & long actions. The L461, L579, & L61R not only were of different lengths, but also had different diameters. The 91 series retained the different lengths for the different cartridge classes, but were all the same diameter. Because of this, the 491 loses some of it's "petiteness". They are very similar to the L series in design. They were produced for only a very short period of time before the introduction of the Model 75, so are a lot scarcer then the L series. Their quality & accuracy are typical Sako. The larger diameter allows for a larger barrel shank/barrel if you want. They are kind of the odd stepchild of the Sako lineage & don't seem to bring a premium price in relation to their scarcity. However, they are a VERY nice rifle & I wouldn't hesitate to purchase one if I had the opportunity & "need".
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Old 04-12-2012, 02:14 PM
Chuck Miller Chuck Miller is offline
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Default S491

I have 3 of the S491's, a custom 223 and a pair of factory 17's in both varmint and sporter config. Probably the only thing I could add is that they have a round removeabe recoil lug. It's the one thing you will hear negative comments about as most of us are used to the more conventional lug. Just wanted to mention it because when I pulled my first S491 barreled action out of the stock it definitely got my attention.
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Old 04-12-2012, 04:33 PM
Kevin Gullette Kevin Gullette is offline
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Lightbulb Say fellas......

......the AI action was in there somewhere. Just say'in........

Kevin
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Old 04-12-2012, 05:42 PM
kenbro kenbro is offline
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Thanks for your replies. Could someone explain the difference between the M491 and the S491?
Thanks again,Ken.
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Old 04-12-2012, 07:45 PM
Chuck Miller Chuck Miller is offline
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Default 491

I've never heard of a M491 before, here's an outfit advertising a M491 with a pic of a S491.

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/111203203552009
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Old 04-12-2012, 08:30 PM
kenbro kenbro is offline
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Chuck Miller,
Don't know if you noticed that I'm in the UK. And that particular rifle was the reason for my question. I only ever had one sako before and that was a 85 model. When I saw the ad on gunbroker I didn't know there wasn't a M prefix model. I should have stated I was looking at something with pics on guntrader, sorry about that and thanks for doing the research. Ken.
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Old 04-13-2012, 01:19 AM
Old Hawkeye Old Hawkeye is offline
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The AI was nothing more than a L461 with a modified bolt shroud & is still designated as a L461 in the Sako data base. It was just a stamping change to designate the bolt shroud change. The correct designation of the 91 series is S491 for the short action, M591 for the medium action, & L691 for the long action. Confusion is typical with Sakos because most people are only familiar with the Rugchesterton stuff. There is no such thing as a M491! Don't believe everything you see on the auction sites. If the seller is marketing it incorrectly, he obviously is ignorant of what he has for sale. Caveat Emptor!!
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  #9  
Old 04-14-2012, 07:41 AM
kenbro kenbro is offline
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Default M491?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Hawkeye View Post
The AI was nothing more than a L461 with a modified bolt shroud & is still designated as a L461 in the Sako data base. It was just a stamping change to designate the bolt shroud change. The correct designation of the 91 series is S491 for the short action, M591 for the medium action, & L691 for the long action. Confusion is typical with Sakos because most people are only familiar with the Rugchesterton stuff. There is no such thing as a M491! Don't believe everything you see on the auction sites. If the seller is marketing it incorrectly, he obviously is ignorant of what he has for sale. Caveat Emptor!!
Hi Old Hawkeye,
I emailed the seller and he replied thus: In the 80s, series built were M491 (17rem,222,223) M591 (medium action 22/250,243,308 et cetera)and long action M691 (25.06, 6.5x55, 270, 30.06 et cetera.
I don'tknow if this is correct or not.
Ken.
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  #10  
Old 04-14-2012, 08:20 AM
Old Hawkeye Old Hawkeye is offline
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Kenbro:
According to the Sako list of models, numbering, & changes for 1946 thru 1992 (which covers all Sakos except the Model 75 & the current Model 85), the model change from AI (L461) to S491 occurred on August 25, 1992 with serial number 827162. There is nothing in the Sako data base referring to any M491, nor any reference to any models other than the L461, L579, or L61R being made in the 1980's. I have seen oddities & strange variations of Sakos pop up from time to time & among the Sako collectors the saying is "with Sako, never say never", but this sellers tale is a hard one to swallow. Sometimes people use the "M" to designate Model, so maybe he is unaware of the letter designation Sako officially used for the 91 series. Close up pictures of the action & stampings would be interesting to see. With Sako you never know for sure until you SEE it.

Last edited by Old Hawkeye; 04-14-2012 at 08:27 AM.
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