The big gun brands usually offer a range of three products to cover the commercial sectors divided according to a consolidated market practice. From the most economical type in price and set-up, but always perfectly suited to the best in performance, we move on to an intermediate with greater refinements to reach the one called top of the range or premium segment. To simplify, we will say that in the latter the best solutions of gun technology are added in a classy appearance with maximum functionality: here the quotation is a less important factor because the customer to whom such a rifle is addressed does not pay attention, within certain limits, at the expense of obtaining what is at the top of the pyramid.
Sauer is one of those firms that, for a sum of factors, has a similar sector: its history dates back to 1751, but it is above all the depth of its projects and its production over time that certifies the importance of this company and to have created its fame.
The premium rifle
Today a rifle shotgun of the most important range often offers an interchangeable barrel and a fairly low weight: the Mod. 404 has these characteristics with the castle made for milling operations from an extruded Ergal and a similar technical setting to the 202 series. the block with high sides with front ring for inserting the barrel, closed rear bridge with faceted section and passage for the handlebar, rounded upper cap with integral bases for the optics, two consequential lower slits for the trigger group seat and for inserting the magazine, ejection window on the right side.
The height and thickness of the sides are the specific features of the project, along with the bolt that closes directly into the barrel breech: milling reduces this thickness, leaving only two inclined bars positioned approximately in the rear third of the length. These protrusions act as a stop for the two parts of the stock, a solution now ingrained in Sauer rifles: the large surface area of these bars discharges the recoil energy onto the corresponding parts of the stock head evenly, shot after shot, without the need for glass bedding . Likewise, the forend, resting on the front portion of the two protrusions, remains firmly in place. Disassembly of the rifle, necessary for several operations, begins with the extraction of the front pin, where the sling is located, by pressing the central spring button that releases the peripheral ball retainers: the Allen key used to access the various services is hinged on the internal extension of this part.
The forend was removed by exposing the barrel's locking system: two flanges protrude beneath the ring, crossed by three hex-head screws that must be released to operate the eccentric-based lever, thus removing the barrel from its seat. A small notch in the breech ensures correct repositioning. The bolt is made from a sturdy cylindrical bar, fitting a small tube at the end into which the handle, with an angled arm and a spherical knuckle, is inserted: simple, classic, and extremely functional. The apex cap is more complex, serving as a support for the manual cocking mechanism of the firing pin, which in the original language sounds like "handspannung." A button with a locking button slides in the inclined guide with the function now familiar to all: by relaxing the firing pin spring and locking it, you have a complete guarantee against a discharge. The bolt action is therefore used only to chamber or extract the cartridge (or spent case): to fire, remember to press the button we just described. Likewise, since the rifle has a very light trigger and lacks an additional safety, if you postpone firing, remember to unload the battery to avoid restarting in extremely dangerous conditions.
We come to the bolt head equipped with six fins of different thickness and placed on two rows: it has a very recessed face with a firing pin hole and an extractor nail of the type recently in vogue for its extreme resistance and functionality, derived as it is. from automatic weapon designs. A harmonic steel wire is fixed with one of its ends to the body, following its roundness in a special recess for an angular development of almost half a turn: a right angle bend follows, passing through special holes under the thickness of two fins in sequence to come out at the level of the face by inserting into the hole made in the sturdy block of the extractor. This detail slides orthogonally in the T-shaped seat milled in the head, avoiding overturning of the case even in the worst situations; furthermore, the slightest movement in relation to the section and length of the harmonic cable will never create breakage problems. The expulsion is ensured by a double elastic pawl that provides ample energy and a better fluidity of execution. Finally, we note how this elaborate head is replaceable to accommodate the change of barrel in a certain range of calibers: a ribbed key longitudinally recessed in the bolt cylinder releases the front portion joined with a T-joint, therefore with a peak load on the body. central.
The barrel
We have already mentioned the joint system between barrel and castle with the double flange crossed by three Allen screws and the lever with eccentric. At the same time, we go back to underlining how the mortises for the six bolt tenons are obtained in the breech which, in closing, forms a single unit with the barrel itself. The external aspect benefits greatly from the grooves whose technical function is to obtain equal rigidity with less weight compared to a traditional conical cylinder line while favoring the dissipation of heat.
A muzzle brake with differentiated round holes is mounted on the muzzle: this accessory has now become an obligation even if the .30-06 Sprg. here dormitory would certainly not need it. Nothing is as necessary as the superfluous, especially if it is fashionable. The internal surfaces are mirrored with a chamber and rotomammed grooves. The opaque surface finish acts as a barrier against any kind of aggression: it is even obtained earlier than what was needed for those bluing with blue tones of the old Sauer Mod. 80 that we cannot forget.
The shot
The handspannung button cocks and decocks the firing mechanism: in the non-fire position, the spring is extended, the trigger and the handle are locked, but a light pressure on the button opens the bolt and safely extracts the chambered cartridge. The well-arched trigger ensures a constant finger position on the rifled surface; furthermore, the position adjustment has eight mm of longitudinal travel and five angles.
By removing the fore-end you can access the trigger adjustment, always with the Allen key, having four options for a variable weight between 350 and 1200 g depending on the hunt and your sensitivity. The sharpness of the release is exemplary, but the immediacy of a stecher with two triggers or a schneller with the French system still seems preferable to this ingenious intricacy. The packet charger is supplied with different capacities and is equipped with a safety release to avoid accidental losses.
The stock and the assembly of the scope
The two-piece Synchro stock uses carbon as a distinguishing feature, ensuring lightness and durability over time and under the influence of atmospheric agents. The almost silky surface offers a comfortable feel and a decidedly avant-garde look, as does the shape of the stock, with its adjustable back and wide grip entablature for easy hand movement. The position on the pistol allows for exemplary control of the grip and trigger action, both when stationary and when firing from a distance. In both cases, the fore-end offers good support with stability, or good control with the hand closed in the rounded section. The very straight axis of the entire assembly, in keeping with the American style, dissipates recoil with minimal muzzle rise, thus allowing for optimal control of the shot.
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Absent the metal sights, a Leica Fortis 6 2,5-15x56i spotting scope finds the right set-up with the specific attachment on the bases obtained directly from the castle cap: this precious piece of the House with the white and red brand offers, at a very attractive price , all that is necessary for hunting even in extreme conditions. The performance of the lenses, the robustness of the whole and the precision of the adjustments are a primary pride of this brand.
We conclude by observing how once again Sauer & Sohn has expressed itself in a manner in keeping with its style: we do not mention the listing, a detail that is irrelevant for customers who decide to own a rifle of this caliber. A warm Weidmannsheil seems a must.
The author thanks Mr. Carlo Bonardo, co-owner of the Bonardo gun shop in Bra (CN), for providing the gun and scope for this piece. Bonardo Armeria, via Vittorio Emanuele, 60 – 12042 BRA (CN). Tel. +39 0172 44200 – [email protected]
Data Sheet
Manufacturer : JP Sauer & Sohn GmbH – Ziegelstadel 20, D-88316 Isny im Allgäu
Tel. +49(0)7562.97554-0, Fax +49(0)7562.97554-801 – [email protected] – www.sauer.de
Model : 404 Synchro
Type : rifled shotgun
Operation : Sliding rotating shutter with ordinary repetition
Closure : detachable head with six front lugs on two rows of three machined from a recess – mortise in the breech of the barrel
Percussion : firing pin with coaxial spring in the bolt activated by the external slide
Extractor : nail-type with orthogonal movement and wire adjustment spring
Ejector : two spring-loaded buttons at the head of the bolt
Barrel : steel, rifled by hammering – length 510 mm for standard medium calibers – 560 mm for standard calibers and 620 mm for magnums
Trigger : direct with single trigger with 4 pre-set calibrations that can be set to your choice
Cocking and safety : sliding button in the bolt tang, with a stop button, with two positions: it blocks the firing pin, deactivates the spring and locks the bolt handle. The bolt is opened with the safety engaged by pressing the slide a couple of mm.
Magazine : removable single-stack polymer pack for 3 or 2 cartridges (standard or magnum calibers) 4 and 5 for standard and 3 and 4 magnum
Sights : None – integral bases for specific optic attachment
Stock : two-piece carbon fiber – shock-absorbing butt plate
Caliber : .30-06 Sprg.
Materials : extruded milled ergal for the frame and forged steel for the bolt – carbon steel barrel
Length : 101,5 mm 51 cm barrel – 106,5 mm 56 cm barrel – 112,5 mm 62 cm barrel – For transport with stock disassembled: 69 – 74 – 80 cm maximum overall dimensions
Weight : approximately 2.800 (standard calibers and 56 barrel)
Finishes : central body of the shutter polished with rosettes and matt burnishing of the remaining parts
