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SAKO TRG (Series)

Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle (2000)

The Finnish SAKO TRG sniper rifle family sees considerable widespread service with military and police forces throughout the world.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 06/14/2021 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

TRG designates a family of proven, purpose-built bolt-action sniper rifles showcased by gunmaker SAKO, Limited of Riihimaki, Finland. The initial models appeared in 1989 and the line has gone on to see continued production today (2015). It has been featured by coalition sniper elements during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. At its core, it is a sound, precision-minded, reliable sniping platform which has found a plethora of military and police customers willing to stake reputations on this fine Finnish-originated product.

As a bolt-action rifle, the TRG series requires the operator to operate the bolt handle to clear the firing chamber of spent shell casings and introduce a fresh cartridge from the awaiting 5-, 7-, or 10-round detachable box magazine. Sighting is either through an iron arrangement or (more typical) through mounted optics set over the receiver in the usual way. Day and night optics are both supported for day or low-light-level work. Effective ranges (depending on rifle model and cartridge in play) reach out to 800 meters and 1,500 meters. The heavyweight barrel and receiver are both cold forged for strength and longevity while the barrel is capped by a combination muzzle brake / flash hider (this can also be substituted with a sound suppressor for clandestine work against high-value targets at range). The stock is constructed of synthetics as a weight-savings measure and the shoulder section features an adjustable design offering a relatively high degree of customizability for the shooter. It can also be setup to favor a right- or left-handed shooter as needed. Various external finishes have become available to better suit operating environments (tan for desert, olive drab green for forests , etc...) and some models go further in featuring a folding stock for compactness when traveling.

The TRG family includes the TRG-21 and TRG-41 models which first appeared during 1989 and these were followed by the TRG-22 and TRG-42 of 1999. Because of the various models, overall weights between the products are different and range from 4.7 kilograms in the TRG-22 to 5.8 kilograms in the TRG-42. Similarly, overall lengths become variable as well with the TRG-22 measuring 1,000 mm long and the TRG-42 1,200 mm long. Barrels follow in 20", 26", and 27.2" lengths depending on the model.

Few notable variants make up the TRG rifle family and these are largely differentiated by their chosen chamberings which reflect changes to the rifle's internals: the TRG-21 is chambered for the .308 Winchester cartridge and the TRG-22 is marketed as its improved form with an all-new stock. The TRG-41 is chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge and a subvariant of this mark feeds the .300 Winchester Magnum cartridge. The TRG-42 represents the TRG-41's improved variant and is given an all-new stock. The TRG-42 "Sniper" is a specialized precision model by Beretta of Italy which began appearing in 2008 and features a shortened barrel assembly, increased rail surface, and folding stock. The TRG M10 "Sniper Weapon System" appeared during 2011 with the focus on tactical modularity - indeed its external appearance makes it something of a completely new rifle all its own. Changes to its internals, as well as the magazine and barrel, will allow for firing either .300, .308, and .338 cartridges. This model is primarily reserved for military and police forces.

The TRG series has found considerable use on the global market which has generated a rather lengthy list of operators for a modern sniper rifle - from Albania and Australia to Turkey and Ukraine. As such, some local designations have been created such as the Danish Army's "Finskyttegevaer M/04" and the Finnish Army's "8.6 TKIV 2000". The Swedish Army knows the rifle as "Prickskyttegevar 08" while the Swiss recognizes it as the "SSGw 04". Australian special forces have taken on the highly specialized M10 mark.

Of the models offered in the TRG-42, the appears to be the most widespread in service. Beyond its military and police service, some forms have proved popular in hunting and sporting civilian markets as well.

Specifications

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