Finnish M28/76
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:44 pm
The M28/76 rifle was developed in the 70's and is an update to the Finnish M28/57 and M28/66 target rifles. It's based off the M28 and M28/30 rifles, one of the Finn's highly accurate models. While not a true battle rifle, these were used by the Finnish Defense Forces for target shooting, qualification, competition and could pull double duty as a sniper weapon if needed. Some that were set up for use as a sniper or scope use had the mount installed you see mounted on the receiver of this rifle. Scopes for these are few and are a very rare in the states. Even with all the modern advances made to it, at it's heart beats a 1901 Izhevsk hex receiver and the familiar 5rd box magazine. These were reportedly hand built and fitted, the biathlon-style stock is custom bedded to the particular action and the bore free floated. The stock has adjustable sling rails along the bottom and left side to suit the individual shooter.
The bolt and cocking knob were highly modified to clear the rear diopter sight, also found is a double disc rear sight setup. The original Sako made rear sight is present, between the close tolerance between the bolt/rear peep sight and the scope mount makes it pretty much unusable. The front sight has no blade, but the sight ears were modified to use an aperture style sight, the aperture being changeable by unscrewing the front section. The trigger set-up on this particular rifle is the same as the M-27, one of the finest made of the Mosin triggers. This model would be about as close to a modern Mosin as you could get, unless you could get the next version, the highly accurate TAK-85. And, even that rifle is still based off the standard Mosin receiver.
Again, even though it's not a weapon of war, and never saw front line use, it goes to show the Mosin heritage/design and evolution is still alive and well in military use in Finland, even though it's over 120 years old.
Discussion Section
The bolt and cocking knob were highly modified to clear the rear diopter sight, also found is a double disc rear sight setup. The original Sako made rear sight is present, between the close tolerance between the bolt/rear peep sight and the scope mount makes it pretty much unusable. The front sight has no blade, but the sight ears were modified to use an aperture style sight, the aperture being changeable by unscrewing the front section. The trigger set-up on this particular rifle is the same as the M-27, one of the finest made of the Mosin triggers. This model would be about as close to a modern Mosin as you could get, unless you could get the next version, the highly accurate TAK-85. And, even that rifle is still based off the standard Mosin receiver.
Again, even though it's not a weapon of war, and never saw front line use, it goes to show the Mosin heritage/design and evolution is still alive and well in military use in Finland, even though it's over 120 years old.
Discussion Section