Finnish Assault rifles
A little preface/disclaimer about this post
Since infantry will be getting added into the game I get to make this post
I intended to make a larger post about all of the mainline infantry weapons in the Finnish service but it would’ve been way too large in scope so I decided to start out with the one I am most knowledged about. Not a lot of the information is readily available on the internet so the internet sources may not be the best.
Almost all of the sources will be in Finnish (get your Google Lenses ready) and some conflicting claims in these sources will result in some vagueness in the history of some equipment and some pieces (polymer magazine) will just appear with no readily available online sources (there was a forum where people who served claimed to have seen it in the turn of the 90’s and with most M/92S rifles including said polymer magazine I have made the assumption of it being in service in the mid-90’s and if not by then they were in service in 1998 since Taistelukenttä 1998 (official FDF video on YouTube) includes these magazines)
A New Type of Firepower
In 1950s the newly renamed Finnish Defence Forces (previously Finnish Army) found themselves lacking in rifle firepower and the domestically refurbished and upgraded Mosin-Nagants along with the soldiers equipped with SVT-40s acquired as war loot weren’t up to the task.
By the early 1960’s the Finnish Defence Forces had bought AK-47s from the USSR being atleast 20,000 units. The rifles were likely Type 2s or 3s and included both solid and folding stock variants. These rifles were designated “7.62 Rynnäkkökivääri 54” (7.62 Assault Rifle 54) abbreviated 7.62 RK 54 and 7.62 RK 54 TP for the folding stock variant
In 2007 the Finnish Defence Forces destroyed 20,000 RK 54s along with early production RK 62s (likely the RK 62 PT which lacked tritium night sights)
Specifcations:
Muzzle velocity: 715 m/s
Cyclic rate of fire: 600 rpm
Weight: 3.47 kg (Type 3 receiver)
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Examples of both variants from Mikkeli Infantry Museum
from Tiedosto:7,62 RK 54 TP.JPG – Wikipedia
Sources for this segment:
https://rautaportti.fi/tuote/ak-47-rynnakkokivaari-taittotukilla-venaja-1947/ (yeah this one is kind of questionable but I used as little of info as possible from this)
Puolustusvoimat silpunnut tuhansia tarpeettomia rynnäkkökivääreitä | HS.fi (paywalled article)
AK-47 - Wikipedia
https://puolustusvoimat.fi/documents/1948673/2258487/PEVIESTOS-Kevytasekasikirja_netti.pdf/3b7d0d85-e71c-4fbb-a8b9-9cf37ae6072d
https://puolustusvoimat.fi/documents/1948673/2258487/PEVIESTOS_Kevytasekäsikirja_2019.pdf/f80efe96-3d7a-9ce0-0a21-74c10c13cd1c/PEVIESTOS_Kevytasekäsikirja_2019.pdf
Video of it in service:
https://youtu.be/Tnjp6r0WUfk?si=irKk5qHcO-0luSfY&t=198 (yeah the watermark is bad)
The Age of the Shovelhandle
The aspirations for a domestically produced assault rifle began in the late 1950’s and design proces for a new rifle started in 1957 with testing which ultimately culminated in the RK 62 which originally had furniture which resembled a cheese grater (relatively rare nickname for the older furniture).
Other changes included a tight fit for the dust cover which allowed the mounting of the rear on the dust cover with better iron sights with sighting ranges of 150 m, 100-600 m in 100 m increments (ranges are in this order on the rear sight), a shovelhandle stock, a flash hider with a bayonnet lug, a newer lighter ribbed magazine and slightly different gas pipe and vent
Prototype/preproduction/early production variants:
Valmet m/58, RK 60, RK 62 PT
RK 62 (with older furniture) along RK 54 on a display
In 1968 the FDF were looking for the possibility of making the receiver stamped instead of the previous rifles having been milled this experimentation produced the RK 71 which was not deemed fit for service and RK 62 76 and RK 62 76 TP (with the RK 54 style folding stock) which had a limited production run due to problems with reliability but by 1976 a few changes had been made, namely the new type of furniture but the changes also included a new simpler recoil spring.
Some RK 62s had some other improvements aswell. The RK 62 TP was in production by 1985. Also as infantry NVS equipment became more prominent the Finnish armorers had drilled mounting holes for Night-Vision optics that were designated with VV suffix thus making the variants RK 62 VV and RK 62 TP VV respectively. These holes made the mounting of VV 2000 possible to the rifle. The FDF also begun using polymer magazines in the early to mid-90’s as SAKO had made a magazine for the SAKO M/92S a civilian version of the later RK 95 TP. There was also a jungle magazine strapping device for the older ribbed magazines which went by “nippulipas” when assembled to the jungle magazine configuration (see fig. 51 in rynnäkkökiväärin käsikirja). The amount of rifles produced and last manufacturing date are publically unknown
There was also a suppressor developed for the RK 62 under the BR Reflex Suppressors
Specifacations:
Weight: 3.5 kg empty
Magazine weight: 0.35 kg empty, 0.8 kg full
Cyclic rate of fire: 700 rpm
Muzzle velocity: 715 m/s
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
RK 62
By Gentlemanxxx - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, File:RK62.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
RK 62 TP
By MKFI - Own work, Public Domain, File:7,62 RK 62 TP.JPG - Wikimedia Commons
Sources for this segment:
https://puolustusvoimat.fi/documents/1948673/2258487/PEVIESTOS-Kevytasekasikirja_netti.pdf/3b7d0d85-e71c-4fbb-a8b9-9cf37ae6072d
https://puolustusvoimat.fi/documents/1948673/2258487/PEVIESTOS-rynnakkokivaarinkasikirja.pdf
Into the end of History
In the post Soviet world most of Europe scaled down their militaries and sold off old equipment. This was not the case for the FDF as they sensed a great opportunity in arming the whole war time strenght and some reserves with assault rifles. Along with the acquisition of the T-72 from ex-DDR stocks in 1991. The models acquired were the MPi-KM and MPi-KMS (DDR AKMs) which were named RK 72 and RK 72 TP respectively. Along these models might’ve been also DDR made AKMNs (AKM with NVD mount in the receiver) as these rifles were destroyed in 2007. Later in 1992 the FDF decided to buy Type 56-2 rifles with folding stocks designated as the RK 56 TP with modification of the hammer spring. Together these rifles number around 200,000 units
Specifications:
Weight: 3.9 kg (RK 56 TP), Unclear for RK 72s (stamped receiver and bakellite/plastic furniture excpect on the lower handguard for the base RK 72 might make it lower than the AK-47 type2/3s
Muzzle velocity: 715 m/s (RK 72s), 735 m/s (RK 56 TP)
Cyclical rate of fire: 600 RPM
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
RK 56 TP
from “Kevytasekäsikirja 2019”
RK 72 and RK 72 TP
from “Kevytasekäsikirja 2019”
Sources for this segment:
https://puolustusvoimat.fi/documents/1948673/2258487/PEVIESTOS-Kevytasekasikirja_netti.pdf/3b7d0d85-e71c-4fbb-a8b9-9cf37ae6072d
Poistetut mallit | HS.fi (paywalled)
https://www.eduskunta.fi/FI/vaski/sivut/trip.aspx?triptype=ValtiopaivaAsiakirjat&docid=kk+79/2012
Type 56 assault rifle - Wikipedia (the reference link for the Finnish section doesn’t exist anymore)
The show must go on
In 1988 the FDF issued requirements for a new improved assault rifle. Designing was completed in 1990 and it was accepted into service in 1995 and was designated as the RK 95 TP. The rifle featured a new type of folding stock, slightly changed iron sights, an upward angled charging handle and a new muzzle brake. The iron sights offered a familiar sight picture but had a sighting options for 150 m and 300 m. The new muzzle brake allows the use of rifle grenades, sound suppressors but they had to be designed so the older bayonnettes couldn’t be used. The bayonnette in use with the RK 95 TP is featured on ‘Sotilaan käsikirja 2017’ page 58 and seems to be a KCB style bayonnette. The RK 95 TP also has holes in the receiver for mounting night vision sights and later an optical railmount which is incompatible with the RK 62. The RK 95 TP also has the capability to mount an underbarrel grenade launcher, namely the M203.
The RK 95 TP was in production from 1995 to 1998 and produced around 20,000 rifles. The RK 95 also had experimental suppressors under the BR Reflex Suppressors trademark. The RK 95 TP has a cheekpad for the folding stock and some railmount solutions in front of the handguard
Specifications:
Weight: 3.7 kgs
Magazine weight: 0.16 kgs (empty polymer magazine)
Muzzle velocity: 715 m/s
Cyclical rate of fire: 600-750 rpm (due to adjustable gas port)
RK 95 TP with optic mount rail with Kiväärikaukoputki 2004 attached, accessory rail with flashlight and a cheekpad
Sources for this segment:
https://puolustusvoimat.fi/documents/1948673/2258487/PEVIESTOS-Kevytasekasikirja_netti.pdf/3b7d0d85-e71c-4fbb-a8b9-9cf37ae6072d
High speed gear for high speed men
In 2015 FDF acquired 300-500 SCAR rifles in the 5.56x45mm NATO caliber for peace keeping and national defence. This was the first time the FDF used any other assault rifle caliber than 7.62x39mm. The SCAR also has the option of mounting the FN40GL and more picatinny mounts compared to other FDF equipment
SCAR-L
Sources for this section:
Need for a Modernisation
In 2011 the modernisation program started in Guard Jaeger Regiment started. Beginning as a small program the program was initially led by research officers and had some input from the regiment’s regular staff with the modernisation costs per unit in mind. The rifle chosen for the moderisation was RK 62 as it had a lower weight compared to the RK 95 as the modernisation would increase weight and also the RK 62 had better logistics and maintenance due to higher production numbers. In addition the RK 95 was deemed not numerous enough to equip frontline units.
The designing was done with the needs of military police and urban jaegers and was designed to fit the diverse sizes of conscripts in mind and thus it was decided that the rifle would have a telescopic stock instead of the folding stock despite requests of folding stock. This might have been influenced by finding that the folding stock was rarely utilised by conscripts, even when mounting into a vehicle.
In 2015 the project grew to a national size and requirements realized. The task of modernisation was given to Millog Ltd, a strategic partner of the FDF. Universal improvemnts included: Magpul CTR stock along with the tube, optic railmount that can be attached on the left side of the receiver, an improved switch easing operation of select-fire and safety and overall improved ergonomics as the center of mass shifted backwards from a front-heavy rifle. Finland also acquired Aimpoint Micro T-2 red dot sights (with hexcap ARD lens covers and red-light filtering lens cover) to equip these rifles these are designated as “Punapistetähtäin 2016”
Type specific modifications:
RK 62M1:
- Has the later type of furniture
- Has an accessory railmount (Can not hold zero for laser aiming modules)
RK 62M2:
- Has a new muzzle brake which cannot be used with a bayonnette but the threads allow the use of a sound suppressor and a muzzle brake designed for breaching
- Has a new type of handguard with M-LOK mounts issued with picatinny rails attached to the M-LOK mounts (unlike the M1 the M2 can hold zero with laser aiming modules attached to the front end)
- Accessories including a fore-end pistol grip
RK 62M3
- Constructually the same as the M2 but is Cerakoted in OD green
- Ordered with sound suppressor and the breach muzzle brake made by Ase Utra
All of the rifles are issued with a 2-point quick adjust sling made by Savotta
Specifications (only incl. changes from RK 62):
Weight: 4.1 kg
RK 62M1, this one is missing the newer sling
By Tuukka Junttila - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, File:RK62M1.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
RK 62M2
By MoRsE - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, File:RK76M2.png - Wikimedia Commons
RK 62M3
from Puolustusvoimien kalustokuvasto - Puolustusvoimat
Sources for this section:
The End of an Era
Preparations of a project for a new small-arms family begins atleast in May of 2021. Finland and Sweden sign “Technical Arrangement in Co-operation concerning Joint Procurement of Soldier Weapon Systems and Technologies” document which allows Finland and Sweden to buy infantry equipment jointly. Finnish minister of defence signs on accepting “Framework Agreement regarding Small Arms Family” agreement which binds the governments of Finland and Sweden to buying the small arms family from Sako Oy
The small-arms types to be bought from Sako Oy listed are:
- Assault rifles (7.62NATO/6.8/5.56) (6.8 referring to 6.8x51mm)
- Semi- and full-automatic rifles (7.62NATO)
- Personal defence weapons (PDW, 5.56)
- Single-fire sniper rifles (8.6LM, 7.62NATO, .22LR)
- Military shotguns
Finland also ordered some weapons for testing with this framework agreement (these are likely named K22 (Rifle system 22))
- Assault rifles (7.62NATO, with 16" barrels), 20 pcs, with all equipment
- Personal defence weapons (5.56NATO, with 11.5" barrels), 50 pcs, with all equipment
- Assault rifles (5.56NATO, with 16" barrels), 50 pcs, with all equipment
- Assault rifles (5.56NATO, with 14.5" barrels), 20 pcs, with all equipment
As of writing this Finland hasn’t made an order on a production assault rifle but they have made on order according to the agreement on a semi-automatic AR-10/15 style rifle in 7.62NATO but differing in the recoil system by incorporating a short-stroke gas piston over the traditional direct-inpingement that is traditional to the AR-15s. This system goes by the name “Kiväärijärjestelmä M23” (Rifle system M23) and has two variants: KIV 23 and TKIV 23. These rifles are the same from a production point of view but they are issued with different optics.
The KIV 23 replaces the assault rifle with a magnifying optic for the designated marksman and is equipped with a Trijicon VCOG 1-6x24 and the TKIV 23 will replace TKIV 85 and the Dragunov and is equipped with Steiner M7Xi 2.9-20x50
What will the future replacement for the RK 62 be like?
We know for a fact that Sako will be manufacturing and delivering the rifle for the FDF. The FDF isn’t the only organisation to acquire rifles through Sako. Other authorities can decide to buy small arms from Sako and MPK (National Defence Training Association of Finland) have already bought Sako made AR-style rifles. This rifle is known by the name Sako ARG S-40 the main difference to the future is that it lacks the capability to fire full-auto. Another likely difference is that the ARG S-40 uses direct inpingement unlike the likely short-stroke gas piston.
Sweden has also ordered the rifle in its assault rifle configuration. The main differences will be barrel length and the coating color. The delivered Swedish Automatkarbin 24 have a barrel length of 11.5" and are Cerakoted in FDE colors unlike the Finnish KIV 23 which is Cerakoted in OD colors
Automatkarbin 24
from https://www.reddit.com/r/ForgottenWeapons/comments/1c0ljt4/automatkarbin_24_ak_24_adopted_by_swedish_military/
Test versions of PDW, short-barreled carbine, standard barreled carbine respectively, also featuring Punapistetähtäin 2016, Punapistetähtäin 2009 and the 3x additional optic respectively
from
Sources for this section:
https://www.fmv.se/projekt/eldhandvapen/
https://markkinaoikeus.fi/fi/index/paatokset/hankinta-asiat/mao2842024.html
Improving Firepower with Accessories
Optical devices for assault rifles
- Punapistetähtäin 2004 (Aimpoint CS)
- Punapistetähtäin 2009 (Aimpoint Comp M4)
- Punapistetähtäin 2016 (Aimpoint Micro T-2)
- Kiväärikaukoputki 2004 (Trijicon TA11FIN 3.5x35mm ACOG) (With a donut reticle)
- Kiväärikaukoputki 2014/Kiväärikaukoputki 2015/Optical sight 4x30 (Hensoldt ZO 4x30i-L) (Finland has this for the PKMs and assault rifles with different reticles)
- Additional optics 3x (made in Sweden so likely an Aimpoint made magnifier for red dot sights)
Kiväärikaukoputki 2014 (assault rifle reticle)
from https://imgur.com/QH1OrDV linked to reddit by u/J0h1F
Kiväärikaukoputki 2004 (ACOG with Finnish reticle, ranges indicated, horizontal lines are for rangefinding 50 cm wide objects particularly the shoulder width, donut inner/outer ring are 2/4 MOA)
from “Huomio! Reserviläisen käsikirja 2007”
Nightvision devices that can be attached to assault rifles
- VV3x, features 3x magnification
- VV2000
- VV Dual Lite
VV3x and sight picture
from “Ampumakoulutusopas 2018”
Laser aiming modules and flashlights
- Leader laser sight M20
- Soldier laser sight M20
- MOD 7500 (AN/PEG-2A)
- Weapon light M20 (seems like SureFire KE2-B)
- Taktinen valaisin -04 (VLI-002 Insight Industries Inc. Visible light/IR/red light, seen in the RK 95 TP picture)
- Older tactical lights (referenced in “Ampumakoulutusopas 2018” no particular models are referred)
Weapon light M20
from Materiel and Equipment of the Finnish Defence Forces - Puolustusvoimat - The Finnish Defence Forces
Laser sights M20
from Materiel and Equipment of the Finnish Defence Forces - Puolustusvoimat - The Finnish Defence Forces
Magazines
- Nippulipas (basically a jungle magazine, see “Rynnäkkökiväärin käsikirja” fig. 51)
- AK drum magazine with a capacity of 75 rounds (legend tells that these came in with the NSVs)
Drum magazine
from https://www.reddit.com/r/ForgottenWeapons/comments/yn5twi/ak_drum_magazines_in_finnish_naval_service/
Sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ForgottenWeapons/comments/yn5twi/ak_drum_magazines_in_finnish_naval_service/
https://puolustusvoimat.fi/documents/1948673/2258487/PEVIESTOS-rynnakkokivaarinkasikirja.pdf
“Huomio! Reserviläisen käsikirja 2007” a special publish of Suomen Sotilas
Post Scriptum
To be honest this topic is very large in scope so it will be statistically probable I have made mistakes while writing this if you see said thing feel free to correct me. Inevitably I might have missed some things for various reasons. Also constructive criticism is more than welcome.
Also literature that I haven’t featured but seemed to be referred to a lot were the “Arma Fennica” book series written by Timo Hyytinen which has 10 volumes. Also “Rynnäkkökivääri 7,62x39” by Pauli Salo was referred a lot. If you want higher quality sources I think those might be worth a look.
Edit 1: tried to fix the headline
Edit 2: received a new source: the “Huomio! Reserviläisen käsikirja 2007” and obtained new information