Author Topic: Recall on Tikka T3 and Sako Rifles (Read 26156 times)

303carbine · « **on:** November 10, 2004, 08:10:00 AM »

To all who have these rifles please be advised of the recall on T3 Stainless rifles with serial numbers starting with 419140 and going to 461951.I was about to buy a Tikka with the serial number 435081 and the Stoeger rep told me my rifle was fine and safe to shoot.Although he would not give me any guarantee especially when the serial number fell within the list he provided. Hows that for PR work on the buying public ? The Sako rifles are affected too as they use the same barrel manufacturer. If you have one of the rifles with those serial numbers you are urged to call Beretta USA at 1 800 636-3420. In Canada call Stoeger they are the Canadian importers for Tikka and Sako rifles at 1800 263 1945. The rifles in question have barrels made from sub standard steel and are subject to rupture.If you call don't let the sales rep tell you the rifles are fine, they are walking the company line on this one.Stoeger Canada said they are sending letters to all who bought these rifles.What about if the rifle has been sold a few times?Look up the story about the Sako that blew up in Victoria BC , Canada and you will see that it was one of these rifles in question.Of course they made it out to be the shooters fault by saying he overloaded the rifle but in reality he was using factory ammo that resulted in the blown up rifle.This is my first post here on GBO and I hope I helped,John

Holiday · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2004, 02:18:39 PM »

Thanks for the info, John. I'm going to move this to the bolt action forum, though. Might be more useful and reach more bolt-gun shooters there.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2004, 04:27:23 AM »

This is for stainless only-----right??

Wolfe · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2004, 07:17:53 PM »

I called in my tikka with serial #431*** and they said it was not involved in the recall. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to call again.

marylandeer · « **Reply #4 on:** November 12, 2004, 04:31:19 AM »

Ha, Ha, Ha, I called 3 times. Mine is ok by 3 different people. I feel safe now. Actually I called and talked to 2 different people and then a 3rd person called me to tell me again in reply to my message that I left. Mine is 434***

deerhunter10 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 24, 2004, 09:30:37 PM »

I just bought a Sako finlight serial #438*** and had to find out about the recall from leupold, when I called to ask them a question. I called Beretta just to get them to tell me that my serial number was ok, but not what the problem was. Once I found out I wrote them an E-mail to again, clarify what the problem was, and that consumers at risk have a right to know, only to get no reply. I have owned numerous Sako's in my life and so has my family, and I am in the market for another one for my child, but am really considering going a different direction. I agree this does not look good for this once solid company, and I'm glad other people are taking notice on how they have handled this unfortunate incident.

chma · « **Reply #6 on:** November 25, 2004, 02:24:22 PM »

i have a tikka t3 lite stainless i recieved my recall notice on 11/1/04 i just did recieve the box to ship it back to beretta on 11/23/04. how is that for customer service? does anyone know what action will be taken to correct the problem? if so please e-mail me at chma816@aol.com thanks

4godsako · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2004, 06:05:20 PM »

As the Tikka and Sako rifles suffer from the same batch of stainless steel this has come to my attention.
Firstly, I will start with the fact that Beretta Australia has recalled all(so they say) offending Sako and Tikka rifles with faulty barrel steel. The customer liasion person at Beretta told me the reason my Tikka T-3 was recalled was directly related to the Sako Finnlite that is in the internet that was blown to smithereens(Search GOOGLE:"Sako Ka-Boom"). If you havn't seen the pictures...........you should ! !.
A close mate of mine is a metalurgist and on seeing the pictures of the blown up Sako he immediatly commented that he could see that the fractured barrel steel is definatly suffering the same brittleness fault that can be seen in the split reciever.
NOW HERES MY PROBLEM..........Unlike our Nth. American couzins who are having their Tikka/Sako's replaced, Beretta Aust tells us our rifles are at the Sako factory having the barrels replaced.
I find this totally unsatisfactory but although my correspondance with Beretta has been more than polite, they just dont seem to want to return calls or emails.
I want my rifle replaced just like in the U.S. and Canada but am at a loss what to do?........If anybody has any ideas ,especially if you are in Aust I'd love to hear from you.
P.S: Anyone in New Zealand who's had their rifle recalled can you tell me if you are getting a new rifle or just the barrel.
Cheers. :?

dww · « **Reply #8 on:** December 15, 2004, 08:16:19 PM »

I spoke with the US rep about my rifle, in the range but not part of the recall.

He told me the barrels would be replaced on all of the faulty-barreled rifles. He did not say anything about replacing the rifles.

Why would you want them to replace the action, when the fault is known to be in the barrel?

Vern Humphrey · « **Reply #9 on:** December 16, 2004, 05:08:27 AM »

Why would you want to replace the action?

As the man said, "A close mate of mine is a metalurgist and on seeing the pictures of the blown up Sako he immediatly commented that he could see that the fractured barrel steel is definatly suffering the same brittleness fault that can be seen in the split reciever. "

Now, I don't know if that's true or not -- but the receiver ought not to split, regardless of what the barrel does!

safetysheriff · « **Reply #10 on:** December 16, 2004, 05:53:55 AM »

Quote from: chma

i have a tikka t3 lite stainless i recieved my recall notice on 11/1/04 i just did recieve the box to ship it back to beretta on 11/23/04. how is that for customer service? does anyone know what action will be taken to correct the problem? if so please e-mail me at chma816@aol.com thanks

That's real good.......now are you going to tell us what your first three numbers are in your serial number or are we supposed to guess?

? :shock:

If you want to be of help, then put it down ---- PLEASE! :x

ps: I don't own one, so you aren't hurting or helping me.

tcforec · « **Reply #11 on:** December 17, 2004, 10:07:43 AM »

I had one of the recalled rifles (.308). After a lot of research and BS'ing with people at Beretta's customer service I finally got the direct phone number (301)-283-2191. Cheryl (ext 1212) is in charge of this "situation" and was very helpfull (once she called me back). The best thing to do is to call that number then hit "0" for the receptionist. You won't get through to Cheryl but chances are you will get through to Peter. I spoke with him twice and he got my message to Cheryl with a quick response. They do not have any stock of certain calibers (.308 would have been a long wait) but they did upgrade me to a 270wsm, which I took. Three shots covered up by a dime(just like the .308) and not much more recoil. Love it.
TC

270Handiman · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2005, 10:38:36 AM »

I just bought a used T3 Lite Stainless in 25-06. Its SN is 424***, I called Beretta and had to leave a message with the "recall" department. I hope they call me back. I was on hold for 19 minutes before I got thru to the persons voice mail requesting I leave a message.

270

Shamus99 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2005, 11:34:18 AM »

Quote from: 270Handiman

I just bought a used T3 Lite Stainless in 25-06. Its SN is 424***, I called Beretta and had to leave a message with the "recall" department. I hope they call me back. I was on hold for 19 minutes before I got thru to the persons voice mail requesting I leave a message.

270

They will, I called the direct (800) for the recall dept and it rings directly to them or their voicemail. They called me back the next day to let me know that the 25-06 (ss/lam) I was considering was not a 'problem child'

Good luck and keep us posted.

270Handiman · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2005, 05:25:56 AM »

Well, Berretta USA called me back this morning. They said my rifle is not part of the affected batch of guns. So, I guess I'm off to the range! :grin:

hardly · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2005, 05:19:06 AM »

The whole recall thing is a little strange. I was in the market for a Sako stainless in 270 WSM. Called three dealers the last week of December here in the Memphis TN area for availability and asked about the recall. None of the local Sako dealers were aware of the recall. One talked to me like I was a dummy and explained to me that he was the largest Sako dealer in the area and if there was a recall, he would know it. Found one in Jackson TN and got the serial number and cleared it with Beretta before buying it. That dealer was also unaware of the recall and asked me to call him back if it was on the recall list. Go figure.

Shamus99 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 10, 2005, 09:16:12 AM »

I wonder if they know which retailers have the affected guns. I ran into one retailer that hadn't heard anything and another who was sending in a batch of affected guns. Then again, if the retailer didn't purchase the gun through the normal trackable channels then maybe it gets lost in the shuffle.

Hey 270, you get that thing to the range yet? I just got the T3 Lam/SS in 25-06... any ammo your's was particularly fond of?

270Handiman · « **Reply #17 on:** January 11, 2005, 05:34:04 AM »

Shamus99,

I did get to the range on Sunday. :grin: I bought a box of Hornady Custom 117g. BTSP on my way in, because that was the best available at Bass Pro. I shot about 15 rounds total, because the scope was only bore sighted. Anyway, after I finished adjusting POI, my final 3 shot group at 100 yds. was a tiny 5/8" group center to center with 2 holes touching and one slightly to the left.

I need to post a pic of the target I guess. Anyway, I know some people will say one little 3 shot group doesn't mean anything, but it dang sure makes me an extremely happy camper. And with factory ammo no less. Impressive.

270

scruffy · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2005, 04:06:42 AM »

Here's a pic of a blown up stainless sako that prompted the recall. Notice that even the spent cartridge case (sitting on the federal box) is spit the same as the barrel and reciever.

I don't know the condition of the shooter, but given the looks of the stock and all the metal, it can't be good!

later,
scruffy

Shamus99 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2005, 09:02:00 AM »

Yeah, if you do some searching around on various forums, I know there is a few of these photos floating around from various folks.

If I had that thing go off in MY hand I think I'd ask Sako replace the offending rifle with something a little up-market... like a Sako TRG-42 in 338 Lapua Mag... in green...

richie · « **Reply #20 on:** January 14, 2005, 01:06:45 AM »

Another aussie is starting to regret buying a tikka t3 stainless just looked at the photo of whats left of the disintergrated sako. I bought a tikka t3 s/s in 308 in september 2004 then had a phone call on the 16 th october 2004 telling me it had to go back for a recall and safety inspection.After seeing that photo how safe am i supposed to feel shooting it whenever i may get it back rifle serial no 435###

Shamus99 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 14, 2005, 06:36:14 AM »

Richie,

I'd feel perfectly safe shooting that rifle once you get it back, and wouldn't regret the purchase at all. If it bothers you too much, there will be plenty of guys willing to ease your mind and take it off your hands! :grin:

Kidding aside, there are thousands of these rifles out there and they are bloody good shooters. One bad batch of barrels doesn't change that. They are sought after for several reasons - they are super accurate, have the cleanest triggers out there, the fit/finish (or is it Finnish) is excellent, and the performance per dollar is unmatched by the competition.

These things happen to all manufacturers at some point and while Beretta/Tikka/Sako didn't deal with it perfectly initially - they seem to be taking care of it now.

richie · « **Reply #22 on:** January 14, 2005, 11:08:18 PM »

shamus 99 i know there acurate and smooth in the action thats why i bought it . The bloke i go shooting with bought one for his wife 6 months ago in 243 and after shooting it on a couple of occasions i bought one in 308 and was very happy till the recall i am just annoyed that they told me mines not comming back till after the end of january i handed it in on the 17 october