Rk 62 Valmet
Summary
| Country | 🇫🇮 Finland |
| Category | Assault rifle |
| Manufacturer | Valmet |
Technical specifications
| Rk 62 Valmet | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 600 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 7.62 x 39 mm |
| Magazine | 30 rounds |
| Length | 914 mm (36.0 in) |
| Weight | 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) |
| Range | 400 m (1312 ft) |
Description
The development of a Finnish assault rifle chambered in the 7.62×39mm cartridge began in the 1950s, examining various foreign designs, notably the Soviet AK-47. The initial version, designated the RK 60, was produced at the Valmet factory in 1960. Internally mirroring the AK-47, it featured a metallic buttstock and plastic furniture, omitting the trigger guard. Prototypes closely followed Polish licensed AKs and had wooden stocks. Following military testing, the RK 60 was slightly modified, including the reinstatement of the trigger guard, and adopted as the 7.62 RK 62. Designed between 1957 and 1962 by Lauri Oksanen of Valmet, production of the M62 (commercial designation) occurred jointly by Valmet and Sako from 1965 to 1994, with approximately 350,000 rifles produced.
Considered a high-quality variant of the AK-47, the RK 62 features improved sights and overall quality. The rear sight is mounted on the rear of the receiver cover, providing a sight radius of 470 mm, contributing to accuracy. It utilizes an aperture rear sight on a sliding tangent with a flip tritium illuminated night sight and a forward hooded post. The barrel is a hammer-forged match CM type. The gas system incorporates a single-diameter gas tube dove-tailed into the front trunnion and a piston with a cog-shaped ring for guidance. The rifle is equipped with a three-pronged flash suppressor featuring a groove for a knife bayonet that can also cut barbed wire. Designed to endure extreme environmental conditions, the tubular buttstock includes a port for storing items. The RK 62 served as the basis for the IMI Galil.
Military variants included the early m/58 and RK 60 prototypes, the initial production RK 62 PT, and the primary production RK 62, which underwent subsequent updates including improved sights, reinforced buttstock, and changes to the gas port and receiver rear. The RK 62 TP was a folding stock version. More modern versions include the RK 62 95 TP, incorporating features from the RK 95 TP, and the modernized RK 62 M1, M2, and M3 variants, featuring telescopic stocks, rail interfaces, and updated flash hiders. Other military prototypes included the M/74 LMG and unnamed carbine types.
Stamped steel receiver versions such as the RK 62 76 and RK 71, along with the M/82 bullpup prototype and TAK sniper prototype, were also developed. Export military/LE models such as the Valmet M62, M72, and M76, as well as the Sako M95 were produced. Civilian semi-automatic variants included the Valmet M62/S, M71/S, M76, M78 (including the M78/83s DMR variant), M82, and M83, as well as the Petra/Hunter M/83 and M/88 models.
Derivative firearms developed based on the RK 62 platform and related designs include:
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The IMI Galil and subsequent lines like the IWI ACE
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Licensed production by Vektor, Bernardelli, FFV, and APS
The RK 62 is the standard issue infantry weapon of the Finnish Defence Forces. A program commenced in August 2015 to gradually modernize existing RK 62 rifles to the RK 62 M standard, involving updates such as telescopic stocks, tactical slings, and options for mounting optical sights and tactical accessories.
The RK 62 has been adopted by several nations, including Finland, Indonesia, Libya, and Qatar.