I have a fondness, ok sickness, for .22 competition pistols. Currently on my RADAR is a Sako Triace. I know next to nothing about them. I'd sure appreciate it if any of you can educate me on these pistols. I know replacement parts are a headache, but I also understand they are very robust. If I snag a good one, perhaps repairs are a non-issue.

What are their pluses and minuses? Any cautions? Are there different variations that I should consider or stay away from? Any additional insight would be appreciated.

Maybe you could get some answers from this forum: Triace pistols. | Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum

What little I saw on a QUICK Google search is that they've been gone for quite awhile so as you noted parts are likely scarce & expensive. It's a simple blowback with a locked barrel which is typical of good target pistols.
I'd stick with a Mod 41 or if you prefer a 208 Hammerli/Sig. Just my $0.02!

I am quite familiar with the Triace, having shot one when they came out in the mid 1980s.
They were very nice pistols in their day. They were probably the best all steel match pistol that could be converted between 22 lr, 22 short, and 32 wadcutter.
But, that was then....

I bet I know the seller where you are looking at these. Watch out!

Be VERY careful. Most sellers are extremely ignorant about the Sako target pistols.
There is a Sako Triace and there is a Sako 23-32. They look almost identical. The Triace was sold cased, usually with a 22 LR unit and a 32 Wadcutter unit, and often with a 22 short (rapid fire) unit ...hence the name "Triace", plus tools, extra mags, and spare parts. These sets are often broken up!
The Sako 22-32 looks almost identical, but did not ship as a cased kit. Beware the 22-32! The frames are prone to cracking, especially if used as a 32!!!
There are a few ways to spot the 22-32:
- bottom of trigger guard is sloped. On the Triace it is straight and parallel to the bore.
-The Triace has a long extension past the front of the trigger guard to reinforce the area around the takedown lever. The 22-32 has a shorter frame extension.
-The front of the grip frame is plain on the 22-32, and serrated on the Triace.

Many parts do not interchange between the two pistols. The Triace is slightly easier (but still difficult) to find parts for.
The locking lug under the barrel can sometimes crack...watch out!
I wouldn't buy one unless it was a complete cased Triace, in excellent+ to mint condition, complete with all spare parts, etc.

Berretta now owns Sako. They have completely memory-holed the Triace and 22-32. They even removed the pdf of the owner's manual.

Oh, I tried to contact the seller in question, as they have several "Triaces" (not!) in stock. I gave them the information cited here and suggested they update their listings.
They did not!

Good Luck, and Caveat Emptor!

Thank you, 6string! I very much appreciate your detailed reply.

Indeed, you saved me from a pricey mistake. It seems the "Triace" I was considering is a 22-32. As you note, the differences between the two weren't readily apparent. That is, until I learned what to look for. Conveniently, on the Big Auction Site, there's a cased Triace to compare with the gun I was considering.

The auction closed, so here's the link. To my inexperienced but now better informed eyes, it's a 22-32 not a Triace. Just a moment...

Thanks again!

Hi Krogen,
Glad to be able to help. This is the sort of stuff that's of the semi-useless information that seems to stick in my head. I've been tempted to acquire a "Triace" on a number of occasions. But, then I lay down and come to my senses.
The deals usually end up being a 22-32, while the real Triaces are usually very expensive, and quite often, heavily used.
They were very nice target pistols, but Sako apparently got into the market to prove to themselves that they could really do it right. Consequently, they lost money building them!
Even rarer than the Triace and 22-32 is their free pistol, called the Finnmaster. I think they built less than 100 of those.
I tracked down a minty left hand example, but for $4000 I decided it was too rich for me!

Attached Images

IMG_7216.jpg (54.4 KB, 19 views)

The Triace is a nice looking gun. There was one for sale at the club few years ago in 22 short, 22 lr and 32. Priced at 1900.00, I thought it was a good price and neat to shoot the 3 cartridges in one gun. Some bullseye shooter was selling it, could have been shot a lot. Never called on it, didn’t want something with hard to find parts.

6string has a great knowledge on guns like this from the past. He helped me with a Hammerli Free Pistol I purchased years ago when it wouldn’t fire consistently. Bought it unfired new in the box. Thanks again Jim, Larry