RK 62
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Rk 62 (also 7.62 Rk 62 and M62; Rynnäkkökivääri 62 or "assault rifle 62") is an assault rifle manufactured by Valmet and Sako. It is the standard issue infantry weapon of the Finnish Defence Forces.
The Rk 62 was designed in 1962 and is based on the Soviet AK design. The Rk 62 uses the same 7.62x39mm cartridge as the AK. Between 1965 and 1994 350,000 M62 rifles were produced jointly by Valmet and Sako.
The Rk 62 has a flash suppressor, and a groove for a specially designed knife bayonet, which can be used alone as a combat knife. The Rk 62, along with its improved model, Rk 95 Tp, are considered to be the best AK-47 variants in the world by many experts, due to the superior quality of materials and workmanship.[1]
Contents |
Versions
The first version called the Rk 60 was produced in 1960 and was internally almost a copy of the AK-47. It featured a metallic buttstock, a plastic handguard and pistol grip. The very first prototypes, closely modeled after Polish licence made AKs, had tinted birchwood stocks. After testing by the military, the Rk 60 was slightly modified and adopted as the 7.62 Rk 62. The Rk 62 is considered a high quality AK-47 variant. This is apparent especially in its accuracy, as it can frequently achieve less than one minute of arc. The rifle uses a "peep" diopter sight, which is flipped over to reveal the open tritium enhanced rear night sight. The forward sight has also a mode for night operation. After basic training, some 30% of Finnish conscripts can score 92 or more points with ten rounds at 150 m distance with target shooting on RK 62, the bullseye (10 points) diameter being 100 mm.
The Israeli IMI Galil assault rifle is based on the Rk 62.[2]
The civilian version of the rifle is called M62S, and it is nearly identical in appearance to the Rk 62, except for the fire selector which lacks the automatic fire setting. Valmet has also produced a hunting rifle variant using a further development of the Rk 62 receiver, called Valmet Petra, "petra" being an old Finnish word for deer, chambered originally for .308 Winchester and .243 Winchester, but later also .30-06 Springfield and through aftermarket modification, 9.3x62mm. The Petra was marketed as the "Valmet Hunter" in the US and Canada. It is very different in appearance to the Rk 62, having a wooden stock without separate pistol grip, a sporter type front grip, and the trigger has been moved further back on the receiver.
As an anecdote, the conscripts noticed soon the versatility of the Rk 62 magazines for opening beer bottles. This usage damaged the magazine lips, causing problems with the ammunition feed. [3] The Israelis introduced an integral bottle-opener on the Galil (incorporated into the rear handguard ferrule on the ARM variant) to avoid magazine damage.[4] The Finnish Army has fully replaced the metal magazines with ones made of polymer.
Variants
Different versions of the weapon include the Valmet M76, which is a version with a stamped steel receiver that reduces the weight to 3.5 kg. The latest version is called Rk 95 Tp, which is able to fire rifle grenades, can be fitted with a suppressor, telescopic sight and has a folding stock, among other improvements. It is currently used by the Finnish Defence Forces in relatively small numbers. As Sako had bought Valmet's small arms manufacturing division, the Rk 95 was manufactured only by Sako.
The naval version of Rk 62 has folding stock for easier storage on board the warships.
A special version of the Rk 62 featuring the Rk 95 buttstock, fire selector and the possibility of mounting optics is in use with the Finnish border guards' Special Border Jäger course.[5] [6]
Resources
This article is either missing some diagrams which would help to illustrate a proper breakdown of the firearm in question or the diagrams which are here are inadequate. This article could use more input to fill in the missing bits. You (yes, you!) can help Gunsopedia provide more comprehensive information to our users by using your own knowledge to add to it.
This article has no links to any manuals whatsoever! This article needs more input to fill in those missing bits. You (yes, you!) can help Gunsopedia provide more comprehensive information to our users by submitting a manual that you might have. See this page to find out how you can contribute a manual to the Gun Owners' Resource Online Library and help your fellow gun owners. With your help, we really can make this a one-stop resource for all gun owners!
Gallery
Loaded Rk 62/95 magazine of the new plastic type.
Rk 62 rear sight.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Valmet Rk. 62 / 76 / 95 (Finland) - Modern Firearms
- ↑ Konetuliaseet ja automaattipistoolit - Antti Värri
- ↑ Kokalis, Peter. Weapons Tests And Evaluations: The Best Of Soldier Of Fortune. Paladin Press. 2001. pp253
- ↑ Kokalis, Peter. Weapons Tests And Evaluations: The Best Of Soldier Of Fortune. Paladin Press. 2001. pp253
- ↑ Salpa 07-yhtymäharjoitus - Uutiset ja artikkelit
- ↑ Kuvia ja videoita
External links
- Finnish Defence Forces: assault rifle Rk 62
- Gunwriters' M95 Assault Rifle
- Buddy Hinton Valmet Photos
| "RK 62" is part of a series on the AK-47 and its cousins |
|---|
 |
