RK 62

Infobox Weapon
name=RK 62


caption=RK 62 (modernized)
origin=flagcountry|Finland
type=Assault rifle
is_ranged=yes
service=1962-present
used_by=Finnish Defence Forces
wars=
designer=Valmet
design_date=1962
manufacturer=Valmet, SAKO
production_date=1962-1994
number= 350,000+
variants=Valmet M76, RK 95 TP, IMI Galil
weight=3.5 kg emptycite web | url=http://world.guns.ru/assault/as43-e.htm | title=Valmet Rk. 62 / 76 / 95 (Finland) | publisher=Modern Firearms | accessdate=2007-09-02]
length=950 mm with fixed or extended stock / 710 mm with stock folded
part_length=418 mm
crew=
cartridge=
caliber=7.62x39mm
action=Gas-operated, rotating bolt
rate=600-750 rounds/min
velocity=720 m/s
range=300 m
max_range=
feed=30-round detachable AK magazine
sights=Aperture rear sight on a sliding tangent with flip tritium night sight, forward hooded post, 470 mm sight radius

The RK 62 (also 7.62 RK 62 and M62; Finnish: "Rynnäkkökivääri 62" for "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-47 design. The RK 62 uses the same 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition as the AK-47. Between 1965 and 1994 350,000 M62 rifles were produced 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 puukko. 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.

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 93 or more points with ten rounds at 150 m distance with target shooting on RK 62, the bullseye (10 points) diameter being 100 mm.Fact|date=December 2007

The IDF based the IMI Galil assault rifle off of the RK 62. [cite web | url=http://www.students.tut.fi/~varria/ASEET.htm | title=Konetuliaseet ja automaattipistoolit | accessdate=2007-09-02 | author=Antti Värri]

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 and 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 magazines, causing problems with the ammunition feed.Fact|date=December 2007 The Israelis introduced an integral bottle-opener on the Galil to avoid magazine damage.Fact|date=December 2007 The Finnish Army has partially 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.Fact|date=December 2007

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. [ [http://tietokannat.mil.fi/salpa07/news.php?action=show_article&article_id=18&language=fi_FI&page_id=3 Salpa 07-yhtymäharjoitus - Uutiset ja artikkelit ] ] [ [http://www.raja.fi/rvl/rmvk/home.nsf/pages/398CC622FE4C0EFFC2257348002ABA53 Kuvia ja videoita ] ]

Footnotes

ee also

*R4 assault rifle, a South African copy of the Galil

External links

* [http://www.mil.fi/maavoimat/kalustoesittely/index.dsp?level=63&equipment=37 Finnish Defence Forces: assault rifle Rk 62]
* [http://guns.connect.fi/gow/M95.html Gunwriters' M95 Assault Rifle]
* [http://www.sturmgewehr.com/bhinton/Valmet/ Buddy Hinton Valmet Photos]