One thing on the new service rifles. The project actually began years ago, before NATO membership. So it doesn't really have anything to do with us joining NATO, 5.56 AR-style rifle was going to be adopted regardless. Finland was actually discussing adopting a new service rifle even before the RK-62M project. However, FDF always wanted a domestic manufactured rifle if possible and back in those days Beretta (who owns Sako) just wanted to offer the ARX-160. They offered to manufacture it on Finland, and FDF apparently tested it, but wasn't satisfied. That, combined with the cost of acquiring new rifles (while RK-62 and 7.62x39 were still deemed mechanically functional for a few decades) prompted the FDF to just kick the can down the road for a decade and just modernize existing rifles. And at some point, Beretta gave the green light for Sako to start developing their new modular AR-style rifle family in conjunction with the Finnish Defence Forces.
I'm pretty sure the caliber hasn't been officially decided yet. It'll almost certainly be 5,56 mm, but only the Sako AR-15 pattern has been locked in thus far.
@@MythicFrost Why would it not? Funny how these RK-62M rifles do, even though they have this plastic Magpul stock and whatnot. I just think that the money was tighter at that point, and FDF really wanted an AR-style rifle at some point.
@@jaakkomaaniemi2136 The majority of the test guns acquired by FDF have been 5.56. They did buy a small batch of 7.62x51 guns though. Sweden is apparently also doing a 180 on their caliber choices. At first they were supposed to buy 7.62x51 guns for the infantry, and 5.56 was going to be a PDW and for mechanized troops. Not, it seems that everyone will get 5.56. But the guns that were already in order as 7.62x51 will be delivered as such, probably replacing the AK4.
If your RK-62 rifle isn't scuffed, you're doing something too carefully. Some 30 years ago in conscription service I dropped mine 5 meters to a smooth rock, it landed on its flash hider. It went to the garrison weapon smiths for day, they checked it over and bench fired it for any deviation. The verdict was there's nothing wrong with it, not even a noticeably bent flash hider.
For a heavily wooded nordic country and to equip reservists, dark green makes so much more sense. The only problem would be camouflage in the snowy six or eight months of the year.
I don't comment as much as I should. From the UK and although not technically minded you make these videos so accessible. I love weapons that have stories behind them like the Pancor Jack hammer, PTRD and the Green Meanie.
@@benjaminphipps8325 They were partnered with "The Great War" series, and had the bulk of WW1 sidearms, and light and heavy machine guns loaned to them from around the world. They have lots of video of shooting the weapons as well.
Yea I can confirm that especially noncombat roles, second-line units etc. are still issued original unmodified 62 rifles for exercises. And I wouldn't be surprised if e.g. Navy recruits get them for basic training as well, although maybe they get 62M1 rifles now. My guess is higher priority units train with RK95 with the folding stocks or these M3, then some have M2, some M1, and original 62 for the rest. And at least before there used to be a big stock of old AK rifles purchased from East German stocks after unification, but I'm not sure if those have been scrapped or sent to Ukraine or what. They're pretty deep storage stuff though, I don't think they were ever used for conscript training or reservist exercises.
@@Snaake42 As I got reservist training two years ago we got the good old unmodified RK-62's. But then again I'm a combat engineer and, as they said, if I have to use my rifle something has gone very, very wrong and the rifle is least of my problems. I'll expect that they will modernize the best examples and just keep some in the old style, not like you need top tier stuff to guard a highway landing strip in westers Finland even in a crisis. One has to remember we actually have a reserve of over 800 000 trained men even if the official war time strength is 280 000, so we need a lot of waepons.
@@lepathewarrior4445 Pioneeri, though I think "combat engineer" is an accurate enough translation to Londonese for the international audiance as people are probably more fimiliar with it and the job discriptions are quite similar.
Fucking RjK is probably gonna keep using the original rk62 forever, they dont get any of the new stuff because theyre not under the ministery of defense
@@ironmikezero too bad they moved away from the Galil and the "standard" Tavor never caught on in a series production way. Still using the M - 16 / M 4 in most units, because they can't seem to commit to the X95 "micro" Tavor
I'd like to fire the one in this video. I've shot most of the endless variants of the original RK 62 and some of the newer RK variants like RK 95. The round stock RK62 which this rifle is based on, has always been my favorite, and I would not be surprised if this was the best variant of the RK62 and as such also the best AK47 clone.
@@ABCantonese Proprietary. Some have converted G3 steel mags for .308 rifles. There are no new guns available, but some used hunting rifles are regularly being sold in Finnish gun stores.
@@JanoTuotanto the 1980s Valmet and later Sako pattern was 1983; the proper 1976 pattern was the separate article that is the RK 62 76, which is a stamped receiver rifle by Valmet. Sako continued to make the original 1962 night sight pattern rifles until the 1980s, although the furniture gradually changed to the 76 model parts. Sako rifles were a bit oddballs until they bought Valmet, as the main development was led by Valmet.
As for the Magpul mags, FDF actually bought a batch of them to see if they were a viable option, manufacturing of the Finnish Sako plastic mags hasn't happened for two decades now. Apparently, the Magpul AK mags were deemed not fit for service. The RK-62 bolt carrier? geometry is slightly different than an AKM bolt carrier, and if the feed lips are not steel reinforced (which they are not in the Magpul mags) the RK-62 will just gradualy eat away the feed lips. Then again, maybe this is not such a big concern for civilian shooters?
No one is gonna use the magpul AK mags even for standard AKMs in a military capacity. The mags experience the same issue for the same reason on standard AK style rifles. Magpul AK mags are good for range use only, and even then there’s better quality mags for the same price. If Magpul introduces a Steel reinforced feed lip, steel front/back spine, steel locking lug and back tab mag for the AK I’d say they’d be good to go. I don’t know why they haven’t done that yet and likely they never will now.
The M1 furniture (handguard and pistol grip) isn't actually the original type of furniture. That is a newer type and entered production in 1974. The older ones are colloqually known as "cheese grater" furniture. Some frankenstyle rifles exist with these two mismatched. Typically in my experience the modernized rifles are produced mid-80s and onwards. The new stock makes the center of mass move backwards and provides a much more comfortable handling. The M1 modernization is the vastly the most numerous of these and relatively common to see on a cosncript. Edit: Also 5.56 NATO isn't confirmed to be the new calibre of the new assault rifle. .277 Fury is still possible but the platform is going to be Sako M23 of which the models 7.62 KIV 23 and 7.62 TKIV 23 have been adopted in 7.62 NATO. These rifles are for a support gunner and marksman's rifle respectively. The decision in what type of configuration the new assault rifles are ordered is projected to be made by the end of 2020s
This RK 62 clone was a pretty neat gun to look at and i'm very happy that there were no problems with it in this year's Finnish Brutality. The RK 62 is undoubtedly one of the better copies of the AK.
This modernization was in testing phase in mid 2013 when I was in NCO school at the time. Our class were given various slightly modified RK-62’s, mostly with different stock options. One configuration was equipped with this MagPul stock and cheese grater front stock and it quickly became “god-rifle”. If I remember correctly, some poor soul had rk-62 rear stock modified to swing on the side.
That RK62 M3 looks like a great way to modernize an AK style platform for modern times. I also enjoy the absolute in-depth coverage that went into making this clone and I'm happy to see that buttstock, since I have the same on my AR platform.
The Sako AR has nothing to do with the NATO. It was in development in 2020, when it was leaked on Twitter, and who knows how long before that. I'm guessing it was put into development at the same time as RK M project was put on, to give aging RK's more lifetime.
@@jerryjantola Yes, a big reason behind this modernization project was buying some time to see whether for example the U.S. Military will move on from 5.56 to some new caliber for their general infantry rifles, as they were exploring options at the time (and maybe still are).
@@jerryjantola True, though what I hear the consensus is that the old 7.62X39 isn't seen as a viable anymore. Just like the AK platform. It works, but we can do better.
i mean.... its a bit bold to say _NOTHING_ to do with nato... not to sound pedantic, but fairly sure we wouldn't be developing 5.56 nato round gun without nato existing beforehand.. and we had relations with nato even before the nato membership. we exchanged technical information with nato beforehand, you know, all the way in the 90s.. i can guess some plans have existed before the official membership.. Finland joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 1994. In 2007, with the then Defence Minister Jyri Häkämies, Finland made various technical preparations of the Finnish Defence Forces for membership. In April 2014, while Carl Haglund was Defence Minister, the government announced that it was negotiating a memorandum of understanding with NATO [fi] on Finland's readiness to receive military assistance and to aid NATO in equipment maintenance. He emphasized that this memorandum was not a step toward membership.[21] The agreement, signed in September 2014, allows NATO and Finland to hold joint exercises on Finnish soil and permits assistance from NATO members in situations such as "disasters, disruptions, and threats to security".[22] As such, Finland (and Sweden) participated in the 2015 NATO-led Arctic Challenge Exercise.[23] we sure as heck never planned to develop our own random unique proprietary finnish caliber weapon like 6.12x45, we were never going north korea route.
2:33 Fun fact, even in 2018 prototypes of the RK 62 M were issued, even to some conscripts. 4:16 It only has picatinny at 6 and 9 o'clock, for some reason.
Rk 62 remained in production into 90s when it was replaced in production by Rk 95TP, there is some debate whether the two were actually in production simultaneously for a while, but in any case the last 62s were made in 1990s, my service rifle was a 1986 Sako.
Yeah, the last RK 62 are marked 1994 AFAIK. I have a memory of seeing a 1994 marked RK 95 that was well within the RK 62 serial number range, but I don't have a picture of it.
Nice rifle and CONGRATULATIONS on the match. You may not have taken first but, from what I saw you left it all on the range and thats what counts. Well done sir!
I was in the first batch of conscripts that got issued the M1, but also got to try the "old" rifles. The best feature was the collapsing stock since you could make it more compact which is important when you are going in and out of a tent etc. Ironically and sadly this was also the worst feature; The stock is just slightly fatter/broader than the original tube, which makes it impossible to stowe it in the designated rack inside Finnish military trucks. So we had to hold them or put them on the floor of the truck which was actually against regulation since in case of a crash or other sudden change in velocity of the vehicle would send the rifle flying around inside the truck in a dangerous manner. So we got issued equipment which we can only transport by directly breaking regulation. XD
Wait you have racks in the trucks these days. Back in the day it was always just holding your rifle throughout the motorized marches, you'd find the least hard and sharp bag of equipment and lay on it and try to nap in the cold.
@@Yupppi You can see a modern seating arrangement "module" on the wikipedia page for the Rasi/SA-240. It's not clear in the picture but there's a rack in between the seating to store the rifle.
Range video using Finnish Lapua brass ammo. Fun writer Dave Fortier achieved 1 MOA to 1.5 MOA accuracy all day using a modernized Sako Rk95 TP rifle. Curious if Ian's rifle like all Finnish made AK series are capable.
My unit was the first American unit to train with the Finns when they joined nato. It was awsome, and honestly i love their RKs i definitely want to make a clone one day.
For Finland it was a lot more cheaper and practical solution to upgrade their old rifles than creating a new one like AK12. M23 Sako is pretty much AR15 licensed copy intended for the territorial guard use.
@@DawidKov Finland can produce its own, but for the last 40 years the money has been better spent on: hornets, wild leopards, US patriots, pleasure yachts to patrol somalian waters and things that know where they are because they know where they aren't. RK62 is just fine, the only reason its even being replaced in next few decades is entropy
well its not yet set in stone, the M23 Sako, with future trials, could actually play a larger part and replace the ak, now that the budget for defense is increasing. we will see in years to come.
It's cool to see the old reliable getting modernized, but given the option I'd still probably use the service rifle I had. The classic cheese grater handguard with the polymer grip. Granted I haven't handled the new version with modern stock and optic, but theoretically I'd probably would use the stock too.
Uuh, takes me back to my military service...😅 The RK-62 us such a good rifle. Never had a single malfunction during my service despite of harsh conditions (having swum with the rifle, -25 degree Centigrade icy weather, etc.) and you can easily hit a target the size of your fist from a 150 m away with the standard iron sights. Love it.👌🏼
I''m currently serving in the military and we don't really get much with these guns except the optic and the adjustable stock, at most the higher-ranked personnel get stuff like ACOGs and different foregrips etc
So nothing has changed in 15 or so years, the conscripts use stuff in the way it was originally issued (except camos have been fully deployed since then) and outdated equipment.
@@Yupppi No point in giving the M2 or M3 to regular conscripts and hardly even possible because of their lower production numbers. The M1 is plenty for the normal conscript, maybe for conscripts training for actual frontline stuff could have the M2.
I went to military service in 2016 and after 6 months in service my whole company got a suprice, never used, "new" RK-62:s. We are still pulling those old, but gold guns out of storage. Still remember first three digits of the serial number.
5:32 dunno what its called now a days but i have fain memory of those being called "Räkäpää" bc it would spit the training ammo all over the place when it hit that stopper. me and my fried found some old training ammo when we where exploring some old facility ruins and we found this rifle ammo that had wood like tips that where painted light blue about 20 years ago :D
The old "räkäpää" were standard type blanks with crimped cases sealed with wax, hence the "räkä", as the wax fouled the barrel and started dripping off the muzzle when shot enough. But FDF discontinued their use long ago, and moved to these current-day wood bullet plugged reloaded cases due to logistics reasons, but the name for the blanks kept on.
I don't know what the actual doctrine is these days but Ase Utra and Silent Steel both make an add on breacher part that attaches the same way that the suppressors do. The Ase Utra breacher is supposed to be placed against the hinge of a door or a similar obstacle.
No joke. I'm building a clone myself and the handguard has been a sticking point for me. Decided to just go with this same Valman HG...at least it's Finnish still. That, and finding a Valmet grip is near impossible.
Me too, I tried to contact Millog (the Finnish contractor doing the modernisation work) for it, but got no reply. Senop, which makes the genuine sight rail, responded that the handguard is not their product.
Rk62 looks so god damn old with the good old shovel buttstock. But at least your example had a pistol grip instead of the bicycle handle. Your example also has the nicer front grip instead of the round shiny piece full of holes. Fond memories of that gun, still remember pulling it slightly to the side to get the loose movement off the magazine when prone. Also the memory of suddenly in one shooting it stopping firing altogether, nothing happening. No bullet stuck, no feeding issues, cycles well, just dead quiet. Turned out the firing pin had disappeared in the middle of the shooting. Never been as confused when we figured it out. Can you quickly remove the top cover like in the original when you have the sight rail attachment? I remember the requirement for full disassmebly being something like less than 7 seconds and I wonder if handling that rail makes it more difficult. And does your Rk still have paint on the rear sight when you flip it for night sights? They were all worn out in the service rifles so you struggled to use them for anything. Not that shooting in the pitch black darkness would've got any more easier with the night sight dots. This clone is beautiful. The green color makes me think of AK12 or whatever the designation of the Swedish rifle is. Cool to hear about Sako M23 and adopting 5,56mm, the last I heard (last year I think, although the decision could've been during covid) the government required more modernising the Rk platform and further research on if they should adopt a new rifle and if it should be in 7,62 or 5,56. One of the arguments for 7,62 over 5,56 if I recall was the foresty and bushy terrain deviating bullet path. And there was the project of AR rifle with Sweden, I assume Sako is the result?
@@dbmail545 To my knowledge very first galil models actually used genuine Rk receivers as their base. When they got their own production started they switched caliber to 5.56 But in all sense RK and Galil are still very close relatives.
At least we used Magpul magazines on RK62 and RK95TP throughout the time in the Finnish Army already two decades ago. Or some Magpul-looking black polymer anyways. Maybe older model of magpul? Edit: Not Magpul but a bit similar Sako polymers. Occasionally we saw metal magazines, but I was never handed any.
Probably the original Finnish made Sako polymer mags that we got issued already back in 1992. We had 3 metal mags and 3 polymer ones. One used the metal ones for exercises and the polymer ones for actual shooting or when you generally needed to fire the RK. The metal mags were all so banged up that a failure to feed at some point was pretty inevitable. I spent one battle exercise (with blank ammo) just fighting with my rifle because stupid me had taken a metal magazine with me and it just wouldn't feed at all.
Looks good in that matte ark green! The RK62 was the only solid gun I gotto shoot during my service time. The pistols were horrible, the TK80 sniper rifles were just old Mozins with a "modern" stock, the barrels were really worn, though still surprisingly accurate up to 800 meters. The LMGs had nothing but malfunctions and the shotguns were just your basic shotguns. The RK62 was accurate, had no malfunctions or even jams. With the folding stock it wasn't too cumbersome to haul around.
@ForgottenWeapons thank you, I am looking forward to it! In another comment on this video a local said the Swedes were going to have a .308 version for the Infantry and a 5.56 with 11.5" barrel as a PDW for everyone else. The 11.5 AR as PDW is the new hotness eh?
Hi Ian, Can you talk a little about how the process is for you traveling back and forth US/Europe with weapons. Do you ship them out before traveling? Do you bring it with you? How does it work as an civilian?
The thing with adopting an AR-15 in 5.56 - it was always, and only was, a political decision ever since joining NATO. Especially since it's a joint program with Sweden and Sweden themselves wants to align more with NATO and the US, this was merely a decision to align more with the US (and therefore allow greater interoperability with US and NATO forces). That's the only way that makes sense. Outside of that context, adopting an AR-15 in 5.56 (not a good cold weather gun) with no ability to change cartridges literally makes no sense for Finland or Sweden.
Very interested to hear about this weapon. I've always thought the Valmet was the pick of the litter for AK's. Got myself a Galil ACE. About the closest I could get to a Valmet.
That suppressor caught my eye. It looks like it may have 3 cylinders with springs and pistons. It seems like this would be a good way to dampen the initial gas charge pulse, ...which would help to lower the gas coming back to the shooter. Is that correct, or am I seeing something that isn't there?
This brings up a very interesting point in my opinion: The Finns at large have more extensive experience with firearms of many types than most populations. I would be ***very*** curious to hear the opinions of folks at all levels how a mature AK platform compares to a mature AR platform. There is going to be an entire nation/military who can compare first hand their day-to-day experiences. I know the AR vs AK "discussion" is fraught with yabbuts, caveats and good old "NUH UH!!!" but as an individual who does not have a dog in the fight I look forward to HUGE reams of "anecdotal" usage data in 3 years, 5 years and decades to come. Particularly as Ian pointed out AK systems are "very gassy" and I am given to understand getting blow-back in the face with silencers is not bueno. p.s. as a novice in usage is the HK416 a "better" basic suppressed platform than a "regular" AR? Peaceful Skies
The main difference is indeed the green cerakote, but also M3 rifles all come with sound suppressors, while the M2 has the same muzzle device, only a limited amout of "breaching brakes" for the flash hider are provided per unit using The M2. It should also be noted that the M3 is a very limited production run, and there are like a couple thousand rifles made.
@@hakes98 Even a couple thousand is probably pushing it. I'm not even sure if there is a 100 made, they really are quite rare to see in photos. The M3 was just a prototype to see how that green cerakote behaves and lasts in service. If it's good, FDF will give up parkerizing and that green cerakote will be adopted for all rifles when they go through refurbishment. That cerakote finish is the only difference between that and the M2.
@@keldon1137 " Valmet M72 - a chrome plated variant of the RK 71 for the Royal Guard of the Qatar Armed Forces in 7.62×39mm.[citation needed] " and RK 62 kromattu - a fully functional chrome plated version of the late RK 62 production variant for FDF conscript band displays.
@@ForgottenWeapons Thank you very much! Knowing that, really was the missing peace in the puzzle to finally understand why these types of muzzle devices are so popular.
I wonder how many of these upgrades would work on a galil, which is ultimately just an Israeli licensed copy of the Valmet. Dressing up a galil would probably be the easiest way for me to get something close to a valmet in the US (without paying out the nose for an original valmet, if I can find one)
One thing on the new service rifles. The project actually began years ago, before NATO membership. So it doesn't really have anything to do with us joining NATO, 5.56 AR-style rifle was going to be adopted regardless.
Finland was actually discussing adopting a new service rifle even before the RK-62M project. However, FDF always wanted a domestic manufactured rifle if possible and back in those days Beretta (who owns Sako) just wanted to offer the ARX-160. They offered to manufacture it on Finland, and FDF apparently tested it, but wasn't satisfied. That, combined with the cost of acquiring new rifles (while RK-62 and 7.62x39 were still deemed mechanically functional for a few decades) prompted the FDF to just kick the can down the road for a decade and just modernize existing rifles. And at some point, Beretta gave the green light for Sako to start developing their new modular AR-style rifle family in conjunction with the Finnish Defence Forces.
ARX-160 would not have lasted long in hands of finnish conscript :)
I'm pretty sure the caliber hasn't been officially decided yet. It'll almost certainly be 5,56 mm, but only the Sako AR-15 pattern has been locked in thus far.
@@MythicFrost Why would it not? Funny how these RK-62M rifles do, even though they have this plastic Magpul stock and whatnot.
I just think that the money was tighter at that point, and FDF really wanted an AR-style rifle at some point.
@@jaakkomaaniemi2136 There was some talk of adapting 7.62×51mm NATO also but never know before its offical.
@@jaakkomaaniemi2136 The majority of the test guns acquired by FDF have been 5.56. They did buy a small batch of 7.62x51 guns though.
Sweden is apparently also doing a 180 on their caliber choices. At first they were supposed to buy 7.62x51 guns for the infantry, and 5.56 was going to be a PDW and for mechanized troops. Not, it seems that everyone will get 5.56. But the guns that were already in order as 7.62x51 will be delivered as such, probably replacing the AK4.
If your RK-62 rifle isn't scuffed, you're doing something too carefully. Some 30 years ago in conscription service I dropped mine 5 meters to a smooth rock, it landed on its flash hider. It went to the garrison weapon smiths for day, they checked it over and bench fired it for any deviation. The verdict was there's nothing wrong with it, not even a noticeably bent flash hider.
The rock, however, retired with a disability.
@@christopherreed4723 The rock went to Nokia to make cellphones out of.
@@Finwolven thanks for the reminder that we have our Finnish cousins to... "thank" for the ubiquitousness of modern cellphones.
lol
Prob only care about function lol
@@tyler1768 ??? If it shoots accurately up to 300m, it is perfect
I wonder how many years I've watched this channel, I've no clue. I only know that this is where I find quality, and I've never left.
That green color is just perfect! 😍
Reject FDE modernity, embrace Olive Drab tradition
@@johnsanko4136hot take - I like both and regularly dress my guns in both interchangably
For a heavily wooded nordic country and to equip reservists, dark green makes so much more sense. The only problem would be camouflage in the snowy six or eight months of the year.
@terrywarner8657 We put white cloth tape on the weapons in winter. Same stuff you use for hockey sticks.
@polhokustaa4989 do you think the pistol grip was painted, or molded in green? If so, who made it?
I don't comment as much as I should. From the UK and although not technically minded you make these videos so accessible. I love weapons that have stories behind them like the Pancor Jack hammer, PTRD and the Green Meanie.
If you like older guns, candrsenal does really good mechanical breakdowns and histories. They’ve been doing WW1 guns lately.
@@benjaminphipps8325 since 2014😂
@@benjaminphipps8325 They were partnered with "The Great War" series, and had the bulk of WW1 sidearms, and light and heavy machine guns loaned to them from around the world. They have lots of video of shooting the weapons as well.
*Pancor Jackhammer is mentioned* *Angry Zach noises in the distance*
I'm sure there will be large number of conscripts and reservists still training with the original ones from 60s for many years to come.
Yea I can confirm that especially noncombat roles, second-line units etc. are still issued original unmodified 62 rifles for exercises. And I wouldn't be surprised if e.g. Navy recruits get them for basic training as well, although maybe they get 62M1 rifles now. My guess is higher priority units train with RK95 with the folding stocks or these M3, then some have M2, some M1, and original 62 for the rest. And at least before there used to be a big stock of old AK rifles purchased from East German stocks after unification, but I'm not sure if those have been scrapped or sent to Ukraine or what. They're pretty deep storage stuff though, I don't think they were ever used for conscript training or reservist exercises.
@@Snaake42 As I got reservist training two years ago we got the good old unmodified RK-62's. But then again I'm a combat engineer and, as they said, if I have to use my rifle something has gone very, very wrong and the rifle is least of my problems. I'll expect that they will modernize the best examples and just keep some in the old style, not like you need top tier stuff to guard a highway landing strip in westers Finland even in a crisis. One has to remember we actually have a reserve of over 800 000 trained men even if the official war time strength is 280 000, so we need a lot of waepons.
@@jkausti6737 Actual engineer or a pioneer?
@@lepathewarrior4445 Pioneeri, though I think "combat engineer" is an accurate enough translation to Londonese for the international audiance as people are probably more fimiliar with it and the job discriptions are quite similar.
Fucking RjK is probably gonna keep using the original rk62 forever, they dont get any of the new stuff because theyre not under the ministery of defense
The AK has reached it's final form. Seriously, coolest AK that I've seen.
The swiss version of a ak is the best
The Israeli versions (Galil) in 5.56 & 7.62x51 were no slouches, either.
@@ironmikezero too bad they moved away from the Galil and the "standard" Tavor never caught on in a series production way. Still using the M - 16 / M 4 in most units, because they can't seem to commit to the X95 "micro" Tavor
@@ironmikezero Galil is based on Valmet RK62.
i wonder why Galil desingner change his last name to Galili...
his original last name was Balashnikov.
I'd like to fire the one in this video. I've shot most of the endless variants of the original RK 62 and some of the newer RK variants like RK 95. The round stock RK62 which this rifle is based on, has always been my favorite, and I would not be surprised if this was the best variant of the RK62 and as such also the best AK47 clone.
It's impressive how the M3 pattern updates the rifle's functionality without losing its original charm.
Fun fact, you can still get semi auto AK pattern rifles made by Valmet...in 308 and 30-06
Those 30-06 ones are pretty sick
Sounds awesome!
What kind of mags do they use for 308?
@@ABCantonese Proprietary. Some have converted G3 steel mags for .308 rifles. There are no new guns available, but some used hunting rifles are regularly being sold in Finnish gun stores.
You mean in Finland for civilian sales? Very cool.
"Manufactured in the sixties, seventies, maybe eighties", Hah! My service rifle was from 1992. And it was till a normal RK-62.
Bulk of them were 80's vintage SAKO made m62/78 pattern.
Like the one seen here. As it has the m76 style foam rubber grips.
Mine was from 94. And that was modernized to M2.
I preferred that to RK-95
@@JanoTuotanto the 1980s Valmet and later Sako pattern was 1983; the proper 1976 pattern was the separate article that is the RK 62 76, which is a stamped receiver rifle by Valmet. Sako continued to make the original 1962 night sight pattern rifles until the 1980s, although the furniture gradually changed to the 76 model parts.
Sako rifles were a bit oddballs until they bought Valmet, as the main development was led by Valmet.
Thats rare. Mine was a -69.
Kiitos Ian .
As for the Magpul mags, FDF actually bought a batch of them to see if they were a viable option, manufacturing of the Finnish Sako plastic mags hasn't happened for two decades now.
Apparently, the Magpul AK mags were deemed not fit for service. The RK-62 bolt carrier? geometry is slightly different than an AKM bolt carrier, and if the feed lips are not steel reinforced (which they are not in the Magpul mags) the RK-62 will just gradualy eat away the feed lips. Then again, maybe this is not such a big concern for civilian shooters?
AC-Unity magazines work great and can be had both with and w/o BHO followers.
No one is gonna use the magpul AK mags even for standard AKMs in a military capacity. The mags experience the same issue for the same reason on standard AK style rifles. Magpul AK mags are good for range use only, and even then there’s better quality mags for the same price. If Magpul introduces a Steel reinforced feed lip, steel front/back spine, steel locking lug and back tab mag for the AK I’d say they’d be good to go. I don’t know why they haven’t done that yet and likely they never will now.
The M1 furniture (handguard and pistol grip) isn't actually the original type of furniture. That is a newer type and entered production in 1974. The older ones are colloqually known as "cheese grater" furniture. Some frankenstyle rifles exist with these two mismatched. Typically in my experience the modernized rifles are produced mid-80s and onwards. The new stock makes the center of mass move backwards and provides a much more comfortable handling. The M1 modernization is the vastly the most numerous of these and relatively common to see on a cosncript.
Edit: Also 5.56 NATO isn't confirmed to be the new calibre of the new assault rifle. .277 Fury is still possible but the platform is going to be Sako M23 of which the models 7.62 KIV 23 and 7.62 TKIV 23 have been adopted in 7.62 NATO. These rifles are for a support gunner and marksman's rifle respectively. The decision in what type of configuration the new assault rifles are ordered is projected to be made by the end of 2020s
🧀
I just started my asventure to SRA. This is a rifle i would want to get when i get my licences. Thats for this video!
Valmet is like the Finns taking that "nyet, rifle is fine" meme personally.
Usually not a huge fan of AK platform weapons looks-wise. But that RK 62 M3 looks like a modern battle rifle. I like it.
Its about as modern as an AK platform can get, except maybe the Zenitco kitted out AK.
This RK 62 clone was a pretty neat gun to look at and i'm very happy that there were no problems with it in this year's Finnish Brutality. The RK 62 is undoubtedly one of the better copies of the AK.
This modernization was in testing phase in mid 2013 when I was in NCO school at the time. Our class were given various slightly modified RK-62’s, mostly with different stock options. One configuration was equipped with this MagPul stock and cheese grater front stock and it quickly became “god-rifle”. If I remember correctly, some poor soul had rk-62 rear stock modified to swing on the side.
Hi Ian, do not forget to send one RK 62 M2 or M3 to Jonathan Ferguson in England i am assuming he want one rifle for his museum in London!
Stealing a military rifle and smuggle it to another country is a pretty big crime.
That RK62 M3 looks like a great way to modernize an AK style platform for modern times. I also enjoy the absolute in-depth coverage that went into making this clone and I'm happy to see that buttstock, since I have the same on my AR platform.
The Sako AR has nothing to do with the NATO. It was in development in 2020, when it was leaked on Twitter, and who knows how long before that. I'm guessing it was put into development at the same time as RK M project was put on, to give aging RK's more lifetime.
Yeah. Also ,the service rifle hasn't been confirmed to be in 5.56 either to my knowledge. Even though it probably will be.
@@jerryjantola Yes, a big reason behind this modernization project was buying some time to see whether for example the U.S. Military will move on from 5.56 to some new caliber for their general infantry rifles, as they were exploring options at the time (and maybe still are).
@@jerryjantola True, though what I hear the consensus is that the old 7.62X39 isn't seen as a viable anymore. Just like the AK platform. It works, but we can do better.
i mean.... its a bit bold to say _NOTHING_ to do with nato... not to sound pedantic, but fairly sure we wouldn't be developing 5.56 nato round gun without nato existing beforehand.. and we had relations with nato even before the nato membership.
we exchanged technical information with nato beforehand, you know, all the way in the 90s.. i can guess some plans have existed before the official membership.. Finland joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 1994.
In 2007, with the then Defence Minister Jyri Häkämies, Finland made various technical preparations of the Finnish Defence Forces for membership.
In April 2014, while Carl Haglund was Defence Minister, the government announced that it was negotiating a memorandum of understanding with NATO [fi] on Finland's readiness to receive military assistance and to aid NATO in equipment maintenance. He emphasized that this memorandum was not a step toward membership.[21] The agreement, signed in September 2014, allows NATO and Finland to hold joint exercises on Finnish soil and permits assistance from NATO members in situations such as "disasters, disruptions, and threats to security".[22] As such, Finland (and Sweden) participated in the 2015 NATO-led Arctic Challenge Exercise.[23]
we sure as heck never planned to develop our own random unique proprietary finnish caliber weapon like 6.12x45, we were never going north korea route.
Was waiting for this video - didn't think we would see it - very cool!
I hope Varusteleka continues to make the IanLovesCosmolene pattern BDUs. They're very functional and eye-catching.
Ianpat. no, they're not planning to.
Love the Finnish Brutality videos and the cool firearms you bring!
2:33 Fun fact, even in 2018 prototypes of the RK 62 M were issued, even to some conscripts.
4:16 It only has picatinny at 6 and 9 o'clock, for some reason.
Cool, would be fun to have a range video with this, your ak4c clone and the new sako rifles bought by sweden and Finland
He has Finnish Burtality vidoes posted before this one!
Rk 62 remained in production into 90s when it was replaced in production by Rk 95TP, there is some debate whether the two were actually in production simultaneously for a while, but in any case the last 62s were made in 1990s, my service rifle was a 1986 Sako.
Yeah, the last RK 62 are marked 1994 AFAIK. I have a memory of seeing a 1994 marked RK 95 that was well within the RK 62 serial number range, but I don't have a picture of it.
Nice rifle and CONGRATULATIONS on the match. You may not have taken first but, from what I saw you left it all on the range and thats what counts. Well done sir!
That is how you write off a brutality match! Thats a gorgeous rifle!
I was in the first batch of conscripts that got issued the M1, but also got to try the "old" rifles. The best feature was the collapsing stock since you could make it more compact which is important when you are going in and out of a tent etc. Ironically and sadly this was also the worst feature; The stock is just slightly fatter/broader than the original tube, which makes it impossible to stowe it in the designated rack inside Finnish military trucks. So we had to hold them or put them on the floor of the truck which was actually against regulation since in case of a crash or other sudden change in velocity of the vehicle would send the rifle flying around inside the truck in a dangerous manner. So we got issued equipment which we can only transport by directly breaking regulation. XD
Wait you have racks in the trucks these days. Back in the day it was always just holding your rifle throughout the motorized marches, you'd find the least hard and sharp bag of equipment and lay on it and try to nap in the cold.
Sounds universally like the military lol. And then some officer comes along and disciplines you for breaking regs
@@Yupppi You can see a modern seating arrangement "module" on the wikipedia page for the Rasi/SA-240. It's not clear in the picture but there's a rack in between the seating to store the rifle.
Suomi perkele! 😎🇫🇮
Yayy
Torille!
@@Fiilis1 Torilla nähää! 🍻🍺😵💫🤮
That green finish is my jam.
Very cool video. Also loved the video on your competing in the match!
Congratulations on your participation in the match. You are in great shape and young. Use it while you have it. heh
Range video using Finnish Lapua brass ammo. Fun writer Dave Fortier achieved 1 MOA to 1.5 MOA accuracy all day using a modernized Sako Rk95 TP rifle. Curious if Ian's rifle like all Finnish made AK series are capable.
Several of the AK2.0 kits are also serving in Ukraine as individual purchases and mounted to AK-74:s and AKM:s
beautiful rifle
Had this one in the military. 7.62 really blasts. Special jaegers on top
The RKO variant allows for Lights! Lasers! Action!
My unit was the first American unit to train with the Finns when they joined nato. It was awsome, and honestly i love their RKs i definitely want to make a clone one day.
I had the RK62M2 as my service rifle with the Aimpoint and Magpull RVG grip loved it 😋
Love the handguard
For Finland it was a lot more cheaper and practical solution to upgrade their old rifles than creating a new one like AK12.
M23 Sako is pretty much AR15 licensed copy intended for the territorial guard use.
Well no. You are now mixing up MPK and FDF.
FDF is also going to eventually adopt the Sako rifle in 5.56. Field trials are set to begin next year.
It's funny how Finland is repeating the three-line rifle story here. Can't produce its own, will upgrade the old one for the next 100 years.
@@DawidKov Finland can produce its own, but for the last 40 years the money has been better spent on: hornets, wild leopards, US patriots, pleasure yachts to patrol somalian waters and things that know where they are because they know where they aren't. RK62 is just fine, the only reason its even being replaced in next few decades is entropy
well its not yet set in stone, the M23 Sako, with future trials, could actually play a larger part and replace the ak, now that the budget for defense is increasing. we will see in years to come.
@@adskafjrufhauäšhlklöjlllhhhui5.56 for the carbine at least. Can't remember if there was a decision on the other versions.
It's cool to see the old reliable getting modernized, but given the option I'd still probably use the service rifle I had. The classic cheese grater handguard with the polymer grip.
Granted I haven't handled the new version with modern stock and optic, but theoretically I'd probably would use the stock too.
For my last active retraining I carried one of these, it is great, greater than ever, like DJ.T would frame it.
Uuh, takes me back to my military service...😅 The RK-62 us such a good rifle. Never had a single malfunction during my service despite of harsh conditions (having swum with the rifle, -25 degree Centigrade icy weather, etc.) and you can easily hit a target the size of your fist from a 150 m away with the standard iron sights. Love it.👌🏼
I saw RK 62Ms with our newest recruits when my conscription was coming to an end
...I didn't know there were three different variants of it, though!
I''m currently serving in the military and we don't really get much with these guns except the optic and the adjustable stock, at most the higher-ranked personnel get stuff like ACOGs and different foregrips etc
So nothing has changed in 15 or so years, the conscripts use stuff in the way it was originally issued (except camos have been fully deployed since then) and outdated equipment.
@@Yupppi No point in giving the M2 or M3 to regular conscripts and hardly even possible because of their lower production numbers. The M1 is plenty for the normal conscript, maybe for conscripts training for actual frontline stuff could have the M2.
Where are you serving though and in what role? That really matters in seeing what equipment you get
too bad that isnt a valmet m82, that is clearly the rifle that is taking us into the future
Paired with Jatimatic for 2-gun match ;)
The Fins would be smart to use both calibers. Always loved the Valmets.
I went to military service in 2016 and after 6 months in service my whole company got a suprice, never used, "new" RK-62:s. We are still pulling those old, but gold guns out of storage. Still remember first three digits of the serial number.
Pretty cool.
Also RK62 M1 is very good too
More details on the breaking device, I would love to see a demo! That is such a nice requirement, it would be neat to see why they do that.
5:32 dunno what its called now a days but i have fain memory of those being called "Räkäpää" bc it would spit the training ammo all over the place when it hit that stopper.
me and my fried found some old training ammo when we where exploring some old facility ruins and we found this rifle ammo that had wood like tips that where painted light blue about 20 years ago :D
Yup, the wooden bullets are still painted light blue. And it's officially called a sysäyksenvahvistin, or sysäri, a blank-firing adapter.
The old "räkäpää" were standard type blanks with crimped cases sealed with wax, hence the "räkä", as the wax fouled the barrel and started dripping off the muzzle when shot enough. But FDF discontinued their use long ago, and moved to these current-day wood bullet plugged reloaded cases due to logistics reasons, but the name for the blanks kept on.
@@XoravaX Really interesting, I had no idea! o: Thanks for sharing!
Actually that flash-hider mounted on the gun is the barbedwire cutter.
I don't know what the actual doctrine is these days but Ase Utra and Silent Steel both make an add on breacher part that attaches the same way that the suppressors do. The Ase Utra breacher is supposed to be placed against the hinge of a door or a similar obstacle.
Really wish the military issue M-LOK handguard was available to cloners.
No joke. I'm building a clone myself and the handguard has been a sticking point for me. Decided to just go with this same Valman HG...at least it's Finnish still. That, and finding a Valmet grip is near impossible.
Me too, I tried to contact Millog (the Finnish contractor doing the modernisation work) for it, but got no reply. Senop, which makes the genuine sight rail, responded that the handguard is not their product.
Bussin
thx🙂
Rk62 looks so god damn old with the good old shovel buttstock. But at least your example had a pistol grip instead of the bicycle handle. Your example also has the nicer front grip instead of the round shiny piece full of holes.
Fond memories of that gun, still remember pulling it slightly to the side to get the loose movement off the magazine when prone. Also the memory of suddenly in one shooting it stopping firing altogether, nothing happening. No bullet stuck, no feeding issues, cycles well, just dead quiet. Turned out the firing pin had disappeared in the middle of the shooting. Never been as confused when we figured it out.
Can you quickly remove the top cover like in the original when you have the sight rail attachment? I remember the requirement for full disassmebly being something like less than 7 seconds and I wonder if handling that rail makes it more difficult. And does your Rk still have paint on the rear sight when you flip it for night sights? They were all worn out in the service rifles so you struggled to use them for anything. Not that shooting in the pitch black darkness would've got any more easier with the night sight dots.
This clone is beautiful. The green color makes me think of AK12 or whatever the designation of the Swedish rifle is.
Cool to hear about Sako M23 and adopting 5,56mm, the last I heard (last year I think, although the decision could've been during covid) the government required more modernising the Rk platform and further research on if they should adopt a new rifle and if it should be in 7,62 or 5,56. One of the arguments for 7,62 over 5,56 if I recall was the foresty and bushy terrain deviating bullet path. And there was the project of AR rifle with Sweden, I assume Sako is the result?
I is called sysäri, the device that allows you to soot blanks.
Certainly has that cool factor
That's a sexy clone!
Rk is the Galil PAPA
The Galil ACE is totally new but quite a hattip to the original.
@@dbmail545 To my knowledge very first galil models actually used genuine Rk receivers
as their base. When they got their own production started they switched caliber to 5.56
But in all sense RK and Galil are still very close relatives.
At least we used Magpul magazines on RK62 and RK95TP throughout the time in the Finnish Army already two decades ago. Or some Magpul-looking black polymer anyways. Maybe older model of magpul? Edit: Not Magpul but a bit similar Sako polymers.
Occasionally we saw metal magazines, but I was never handed any.
Probably the original Finnish made Sako polymer mags that we got issued already back in 1992. We had 3 metal mags and 3 polymer ones. One used the metal ones for exercises and the polymer ones for actual shooting or when you generally needed to fire the RK. The metal mags were all so banged up that a failure to feed at some point was pretty inevitable. I spent one battle exercise (with blank ammo) just fighting with my rifle because stupid me had taken a metal magazine with me and it just wouldn't feed at all.
@@janiilola5810 True, that was it. Not Magpul, but "Sako RK 7.62x39 30pcs Magazine BLK"
That's what Ian means I guess.
Valmet also made a Kalashnikov in 30-06 called the petra
Fricking early gang reporting. Meet me behind motor pool and bring a water source
Reporting in.
I think conscripts and reservists will be still using RK's for years to come. Finland is not getting rid of these that for sure.
At 05:05, that poor flash hider.
Now I'm just sad that we didn't have these in the army when I did my time.
i used in army rk62 little heavy but it has many use if not shooting bullets
Looks good in that matte ark green! The RK62 was the only solid gun I gotto shoot during my service time. The pistols were horrible, the TK80 sniper rifles were just old Mozins with a "modern" stock, the barrels were really worn, though still surprisingly accurate up to 800 meters. The LMGs had nothing but malfunctions and the shotguns were just your basic shotguns. The RK62 was accurate, had no malfunctions or even jams. With the folding stock it wasn't too cumbersome to haul around.
Et ole tainut käydä palvelusta nyky aikana...😅
@@MRtapio5 08/09
@@SoulRollerFIN jep... 🤣
@@MRtapio5 Ja Sodankylä vieläpä. Siellä ei taida vieläkään olla moderneja kamoja. :D
@SoulRollerFIN itseasiassa yksi modernimmista kamppeista koko Suomesta löytyy sieltä 😅.
Can you please do a Future Forgotten Weapons on the Sako M23?
Working on it.
@ForgottenWeapons thank you, I am looking forward to it!
In another comment on this video a local said the Swedes were going to have a .308 version for the Infantry and a 5.56 with 11.5" barrel as a PDW for everyone else. The 11.5 AR as PDW is the new hotness eh?
Magnus opus quality 👏 Can you ask Finland if I can have a Type 56-2 stock ? 🙏
Hieno ase!
Hi Ian,
Can you talk a little about how the process is for you traveling back and forth US/Europe with weapons.
Do you ship them out before traveling? Do you bring it with you? How does it work as an civilian?
th-cam.com/video/_hvgZ3qxzbw/w-d-xo.html
Suomi Finland Perkele !
Looks good, & I'm not particularly an AK-guy
I used the M2 while I was in the army, the only negative thing I can say that its kinda heavy lol
The thing with adopting an AR-15 in 5.56 - it was always, and only was, a political decision ever since joining NATO. Especially since it's a joint program with Sweden and Sweden themselves wants to align more with NATO and the US, this was merely a decision to align more with the US (and therefore allow greater interoperability with US and NATO forces). That's the only way that makes sense. Outside of that context, adopting an AR-15 in 5.56 (not a good cold weather gun) with no ability to change cartridges literally makes no sense for Finland or Sweden.
I am interested in retailing their stuff! ❤❤❤
Will the new Sako line be better? How about KAR-21?
Its so weird to see a rk 62 look so neat
That things hot
Very interested to hear about this weapon. I've always thought the Valmet was the pick of the litter for AK's. Got myself a Galil ACE. About the closest I could get to a Valmet.
I like the m1 upgrade better but still a nice rifle
That suppressor caught my eye. It looks like it may have 3 cylinders with springs and pistons. It seems like this would be a good way to dampen the initial gas charge pulse, ...which would help to lower the gas coming back to the shooter. Is that correct, or am I seeing something that isn't there?
ive got two steel 30 round mags from an rk-62 for $10 at some random shop in missouri
So, your gear helped you reach the Finnish line? ^-^
This brings up a very interesting point in my opinion: The Finns at large have more extensive experience with firearms of many types than most populations. I would be ***very*** curious to hear the opinions of folks at all levels how a mature AK platform compares to a mature AR platform. There is going to be an entire nation/military who can compare first hand their day-to-day experiences. I know the AR vs AK "discussion" is fraught with yabbuts, caveats and good old "NUH UH!!!" but as an individual who does not have a dog in the fight I look forward to HUGE reams of "anecdotal" usage data in 3 years, 5 years and decades to come. Particularly as Ian pointed out AK systems are "very gassy" and I am given to understand getting blow-back in the face with silencers is not bueno.
p.s. as a novice in usage is the HK416 a "better" basic suppressed platform than a "regular" AR?
Peaceful Skies
I'd love to know whether you built this gun in Finland, or were able to bring it with you when traveling.
Max leveled starter weapon
Rk is the galil PAPA
Unfortunately IWI got rid of all their original Galil tooling and had to design the Galil ACE from scratch. The G1 is also a nice if heavy carbine.
I love how the m3 version just means green… unless ian is being sarcastic, in which case he definitely got me
m3 is special green coating/treatment. Theres also chrome plated version.
The main difference is indeed the green cerakote, but also M3 rifles all come with sound suppressors, while the M2 has the same muzzle device, only a limited amout of "breaching brakes" for the flash hider are provided per unit using The M2. It should also be noted that the M3 is a very limited production run, and there are like a couple thousand rifles made.
@@hakes98 Even a couple thousand is probably pushing it. I'm not even sure if there is a 100 made, they really are quite rare to see in photos. The M3 was just a prototype to see how that green cerakote behaves and lasts in service. If it's good, FDF will give up parkerizing and that green cerakote will be adopted for all rifles when they go through refurbishment. That cerakote finish is the only difference between that and the M2.
M1 is the regular M2 meant for urban area and M3 is for special units.
@@keldon1137 " Valmet M72 - a chrome plated variant of the RK 71 for the Royal Guard of the Qatar Armed Forces in 7.62×39mm.[citation needed] "
and RK 62 kromattu - a fully functional chrome plated version of the late RK 62 production variant for FDF conscript band displays.
Does Finland have export requirements that would prevent us from getting the M23 stateside?
No, but we have import regulations that would prevent it.
So is this a preban US import? Or made for the commercial European market, and you have to leave it behind in Finland when you come home?
It's a European gun that has to stay in Europe.
hey ian did you see the movie the unknown soldier the Fin with subs i just watched it last weekend again has to be the best war movie iv ever seen
4:24 that "soldier" is so good that he can shoot with the lens caps still on....
Typical staged promo picture from product.
Happens all the time in every military.
Would not be too worried.
we also tried that among many other things to find best way to shoot for everyone in the unit. i atleast couldnt do it well especially with NV.
you have probably never used a red dot sight since otherwise you'd know that you can see the dot and the target perfectly fine with the caps closed
a noob question here, does that muzzle device influence muzzle velocity?
No.
@@ForgottenWeapons Thank you very much! Knowing that, really was the missing peace in the puzzle to finally understand why these types of muzzle devices are so popular.
Not usually. It can effect accuracy if improperly mounted or damaged.
I wonder how many of these upgrades would work on a galil, which is ultimately just an Israeli licensed copy of the Valmet. Dressing up a galil would probably be the easiest way for me to get something close to a valmet in the US (without paying out the nose for an original valmet, if I can find one)