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 represent the specificity of the project together with the bolt that closes directly in the breech of the barrel: with the milling this thickness is lowered, keeping at the initial measurement only two inclined bars placed approximately in the rear third of the length. These reliefs act as a stop for the two parts of the stock, representing a solution now rooted in Sauer rifles: the large surface of these bars discharges the recoil energy on the corresponding parts of the butt of the stock with a regularity, shot after shot, without the need from glass bedding. Likewise, the rod under the barrel which rests in the front portion of the two reliefs remains firmly in its position. The disassembly of the speargun, necessary for various operations, begins with the extraction of the front peg, where the shirt is located, by pressing the central spring button that releases the peripheral ball retainers: in the internal extension of the detail the key is hinged. Allen wrench with which to access the various services.
The rod has been extracted by opening the barrel constraint system: under the ring protrude two flanges crossed by three hexagonal head screws which must be unlocked to act on the lever with an eccentric base, then extracting the barrel from its seat. A small notch in the breech ensures correct repositioning. The bolt is obtained from a cylindrical bar with a sturdy section by keying a tube at the tail into which the handlebar with angled arm and spherical knuckle is inserted: simple, classic, extremely functional. The apical cap is more complex as it acts as a support for the manual cocking mechanism of the firing pin, which in the original language sounds like handspannung. A button with locking button slides in the inclined guide with the function that is now known to all: by stretching the firing pin spring and locking the latter, you have the total guarantee against the start of a shot. The action of the bolt therefore serves only to chamber or extract the cartridge (or the spent case): to shoot, remember to act on the button we have just described. Likewise, given that the shotgun has a very light trigger and lacks an additional safety, if the shot is postponed, it is necessary to keep in mind to discharge the battery so as not to resume the journey in conditions of high risk.
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 key of thehandspannung arms and disarms the percussion mechanism: in the non-firing position the spring is extended, the trigger and the handlebar locked, but a slight pressure on the button is enough to open the bolt, taking the chambered cartridge in total safety. The well arched trigger guarantees the constant position of the finger on the ribbed surface; in addition, the position adjustment sees 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 stock Synchro made in two pieces sees carbon as an element of distinction for lightness and non-deformability over time and under the action of atmospheric agents: the almost silky surface offers a comfortable sensation to the touch and a decidedly avant-garde appearance as well as the shape of the stock with adjustable back and handle with wide entablature for the passage of the hand. The posture on the pistol allows exemplary control in holding and in the action on the trigger both in the stop shot and in the reach one: the shaft offers in both cases a good service with stability on the support or good control with the hand clenched in the rounded section. The very straight axis of the assembly according to the American style discharges the recoil with minimum detection: therefore it allows to keep the result of the shot under control.
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 armory of the same name located in Bra (CN) for having made available the weapon and optics of 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: rifle barrel
operation: sliding rotating shutter with ordinary repetition
Closure: detachable head with six front flaps on two rows from three lowered - mortise in the breech of the barrel
Percussion: firing pin with coaxial spring in the shutter activated by the external slide
Extractor: claw with orthogonal movement and flush register spring
Ejector: two spring buttons at the top of the shutter
canna: in hammered steel - length 510 mm for medium standard calibers - 560 mm for standard calibers and 620 mm for magnums
Shoot: direct with single trigger with 4 pre-settings that can be set at your choice
Armament and safe: sliding button in the bolt shank, with locking button, with two positions: locks the firing pin, deactivates the spring and locks the handlebar. Opening of the bolt with safety inserted by pressing the slide a couple of mm
loader: with removable monofilament polymer package of 3 or 2 cartridges (standard or magnum calibers) of 4 and 5 for standard and of 3 and 4 magnum
Look: absent - integral bases for specific attachment of the optic
Stocking: in two pieces in carbon - shock absorbing pad
CALIBRO: .30-06 Sprg.
Materials: extruded in milled ergal for the yoke and forged steel for the bolt - carbon steel barrel
Length: 101,5 mm 51 cm barrel - 106,5 mm 56 cm barrel - 112,5 62 cm barrel - For transport with disassembled stock: 69 - 74 - 80 cm maximum overall dimensions
Weight :: Approx. 2.800 (standard calibers and 56 barrel)
Finishes: central body with rosette polished shutter and matt burnishing of the remaining parts
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