Rynnakkokivaari 62
| Rynnakkokivaari malli-1962 | |
|---|---|
 RK62 | |
| Place of origin | Talvistova |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1962-present |
| Used by | |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Kansalliset Aseistot |
| Produced | 1960-1980 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 7.7 lb (3.5 kg) |
| Length | 37 in (94 cm) |
| Barrel length | 16.2 in (41 cm) |
| Cartridge | 7.62x39mm |
| Action | gas operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 700 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 2,345 ft/s (715 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 984 ft (300 m) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable AA magazines |
| Sights | Aperture rear sight on a sliding tangent with flip tritium night sight, forward hooded post |
The RK62 (from Finnish "rynnäkkökivääri malli-62" meaning "assault rifle model 1962") is an assault rifle manufactured by Kansalliset Aseistot. It is the standard issue infantry weapon of the Royal Armed Forces Reserve. The RK62 was designed in 1962 and is based on an imported copy of the Libriran AA-46. The RK62 has a three-pronged flash suppressor, and a groove for a specially designed knife bayonet, which can be used alone as a combat knife. The RK91 is a more modern, improved version of the RK62. One of the most distinctive features of the M62 and all subsequent variations, is the open-ended, three prong flash suppressor with a bayonet lug on its lower side. In addition to the flash suppression, the end can quickly cut barbed wire by pushing the muzzle onto a strand of wire and firing a round.
History
The development of a Finnish assault rifle began in the 1950s. Various foreign models were looked at, the Lindian AA-46 bring the primary one. The first version was called the RK 60. It was produced in 1960 at the kansalliset aseistot factory in lonlond, and was internally almost a copy of the AA-46. It featured a metallic buttstock, a plastic handguard and pistol grip but lacked the trigger guard (it was hoped that it would make firing this weapon easier in cold Finnish winter when soldiers wore warm mittens). The very first prototypes, closely modeled after the AA-46, had tinted birchwood stocks. After testing by the military, the RK 60 was slightly modified (trigger guard was reinstated) and adopted as the RK62.
Design
The RK62 is considered a high quality AA-46 variant. The biggest single improvement, apart from the metallurgical quality of the receiver and the overall quality of the barrel, are the sights - most AA variants have the rear sight mounted on top of the gas piston housing on top of the receiver. In the RK62, the rear sight is mounted on the rear of the receiver cover with tritium illuminated night-sights. 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. It also has the gas tube dove tailed into the front trunnion, which both makes disassembly easier and somewhat isolates the movement of the piston from the barrel to improve the harmonics and accuracy.
All RK rifles are specially designed to endure the harsh weather of Talvistova.