[[Battle rifle]]
[[Designated marksman rifle]]
[[Sniper rifle]]"},"service":{"wt":""},"used_by":{"wt":"See ''[[#Users|Users]]''"},"wars":{"wt":""},"designer":{"wt":"[[SAKO]]"},"design_date":{"wt":"2020–2021"},"manufacturer":{"wt":"[[SAKO]]"},"production_date":{"wt":"2022–"},"number":{"wt":""},"variants":{"wt":"[[Automatkarbin 24|Ak 24]]"},"mass":{"wt":""},"length":{"wt":""},"part_length":{"wt":"'''7.62 KIV 23:''' {{Convert|406.2|mm|0|abbr=on}}
'''Swedish 5.56 carbine:''' {{Convert|292.1|mm|1|abbr=on}}
'''Swedish 7.62 rifle:''' {{Convert|406.2 to 457.2|mm|0|abbr=on}}
'''Swedish 7.62 marksman rifle:''' {{Convert|457.2 to 508|mm|0|abbr=on}}"},"cartridge":{"wt":"[[7.62×51mm NATO]], [[5.56×45mm NATO]]"},"action":{"wt":"[[Gas-operated reloading|Gas-operated]], [[rotating bolt]]"},"velocity":{"wt":""},"range":{"wt":"{{convert|600|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} (KIV 23)
{{convert|800|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} (TKIV 23)"},"max_range":{"wt":""},"feed":{"wt":"20-round detachable polymer [[box magazine]] (7.62 variants), 30-round detachable polymer [[box magazine]] (5.56 variant)"},"sights":{"wt":"Iron or optical sights
[[Trijicon|Trijicon VCOG 1–6×24]] (KIV 23)
[[Steiner-Optik|Steiner M7Xi 2.9–20×50]] (TKIV 23)"}},"i":0}}]}" id="mwBQ">Assault rifle
Sako M23 | |
---|---|
Type | Assault rifle Battle rifle Designated marksman rifle Sniper rifle |
Place of origin | Finland |
Service history | |
Used by | See Users |
Production history | |
Designer | SAKO |
Designed | 2020–2021 |
Manufacturer | SAKO |
Produced | 2022– |
Variants | Ak 24 |
Specifications | |
Barrel length | 7.62 KIV 23: 406.2 mm (16 in) Swedish 5.56 carbine: 292.1 mm (11.5 in) Swedish 7.62 rifle: 406.2 to 457.2 mm (16 to 18 in) Swedish 7.62 marksman rifle: 457.2 to 508 mm (18 to 20 in) |
Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO, 5.56×45mm NATO |
Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
Effective firing range | 600 m (656 yd) (KIV 23) 800 m (875 yd) (TKIV 23) |
Feed system | 20-round detachable polymer box magazine (7.62 variants), 30-round detachable polymer box magazine (5.56 variant) |
Sights | Iron or optical sights Trijicon VCOG 1–6×24 (KIV 23) Steiner M7Xi 2.9–20×50 (TKIV 23) |
The Sako M23 is a Finnish family of assault and battle rifles designed by Sako in cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces [1] and manufactured by Sako. [2] The Swedish Armed Forces also participated in the development program for the M23. [3]
The Finnish Defence Forces have adopted the rifle in two configurations, as the 7.62 KIV 23 (from Finnish kivääri 2023, 'rifle 2023'), designated marksman rifle variant and 7.62 TKIV 23 (from Finnish tarkkuuskivääri 2023, 'sniper rifle 2023') sniper rifle variant, which are to enter service in 2023. [2] The M23 is based on the AR-10 and AR-15 design by Eugene Stoner [2] but features an AR-18 short-stroke gas piston system [4] , similar to Heckler & Koch HK416, SIG MCX Spear, CZ 805 BREN, FN SCAR and other modern assault rifles. In March 2023, Sweden announced it will procure 5.56 and 7.62 variants of the M23 to replace their current carbine, rifle, and DMR inventory. [5]
In May 2020, the Finnish Defence Forces announced that they had signed a letter of intent with Sako for the development of a new rifle system in two configurations, one for infantry designated marksmen and one as a sniper rifle. [1] At the time, the rifle system was known as the K22 [1] (from kokeilu, 'experiment'; literally 'E22'). [6] The new rifle system was planned as a complete replacement for the existing Dragunov sniper rifle and as a partial replacement for the TKIV 85 sniper rifle. [1] The Inspector of the Infantry, Colonel Rainer Peltoniemi specified that the rifle system should be deliverable in 2022, be chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO and be more ergonomic than the previous systems. [1] He noted, that at the time the K22 program did not have other participating nations, but other nations could join should they have similar needs for a rifle and a similar schedule. [1]
In April 2021, the Finnish Defence Forces announced that they had signed an information exchange agreement with the Swedish Armed Forces concerning small arms. [7] The Commander of the Finnish Army, Lieutenant General Petri Hulkko said in a press conference in October 2021 that Sweden was participating in the K22 program. [3]
On 21 December 2021, the Finnish Defence Forces announced the procurement of the M23 in the planned two configurations, at an initial price of €10 million, with an option of up to €525 million. [8] The purchase includes also equipment for the rifle, spare parts, servicing equipment and training for the system by Sako. [8] At the same time, the Minister of Defence of Finland Antti Kaikkonen also authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to perform a joint acquisition with Sweden. [8]
As of March 2023, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration intends to buy the M23 in both 5.56 and 7.62 variants of different barrel lengths, as part of a larger project to replace their current small arms inventory. [5] The 5.56 personal defense weapon (SSV 24) will have a 11.5 inch barrel, an Aimpoint CompM5 red-dot sight and Magpul furniture. [9] The introduction of the 5.56 variant will start in 2025, and the 7.62 variants will begin seeing service in 2026. The 5.56 PDW variant with an 11.5" barrel will replace the current Swedish inventory of Ak 5D carbines and other PDWs, while the infantry 7.62 rifle (16" or 18") will replace existing Automatkarbin 5C rifles and Automatkarbin 4B/C rifles. The 7.62 marksman variant (18" or 20") will replace the Ak 4D DMR.
The Swedish procurement will supply both the armed forces (including Home Guard), police, customs service, SÄPO, and coast guard.
The Sako M23 is based on the American AR-10 and AR-15 originally designed by Eugene Stoner, with a proprietary self-regulating short stroke gas piston. [2] [10]
As displayed in the announcement of the adoption of the rifle system by the Finnish Defence Forces, and confirmed by Major Mika Mäenpää, the rifle features a telescoping Magpul CTR stock, [11] green ceramic surface treatment, ambidextrous controls, has a full length NATO Accessory Rail (STANAG 4694) on top of the receiver and handguard for sights and M-LOK rail on the handguard for various accessories. [2] [4] FDF issued kit of the M23 includes 10 and 20 round magazines, bipod and an Ase Utra sound suppressor. [4] The TKIV 23 has a Steiner Optics M7Xi 2.9–20×50 telescopic sight with the Finnaccuracy MSR reticle variant MSR FDF reticle, while the KIV 23 has a Trijicon VCOG 1–6×24 telescopic sight. [4]
The Finnish Defence Forces also has specifically designed ammunition for the Sako M23, which can also be used in the MG 3 and FN MAG which FDF uses. [12] [13]
The IMI Galil is a family of Israeli-made automatic rifles chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges. Originally designed by Yisrael Galili and Yakov Lior in the late 1960s, the Galil was first produced by the state-owned Israel Military Industries and is now exported by the privatized Israel Weapon Industries.
The RK 62, officially 7.62 RK 62 and commercially M62, is an assault rifle manufactured by Valmet and Sako. It is the standard issue infantry weapon of the Finnish Defence Forces.
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A designated marksman (DM), squad advanced marksman (AD) or squad designated marksman (SDM) is a military marksman role in an infantry squad. The term sniper was used in Soviet doctrine although the soldiers using the Dragunov SVD were the first to use a specifically designed designated marksman rifle.
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The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a bolt-action sniper rifle designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International. It has proved popular as a civilian, police, and military rifle since its introduction in the 1980s. The rifles have features that improve performance in extremely cold conditions without impairing operation in less extreme conditions.
A designated marksman rifle (DMR) is a modern scoped high-precision rifle used by infantry in the designated marksman (DM) role. It generally fills the engagement range gap between a service rifle and a dedicated sniper rifle, at around 300–600 metres (330–660 yd).
The RK 95 TP, officially 7.62 RK 95 TP and commercially known as the M95, is a 7.62×39mm Finnish assault rifle adopted in relatively small numbers by the Finnish Defence Forces in the 1990s.
The 7.62 TKIV 85, short for 7.62 Tarkkuuskivääri 85 is a sniper rifle used by the Finnish Defence Forces.
The Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) is a major firearms and a defence contractor headquartered in Wah Cantt, Punjab, Pakistan. Described as "the largest defence industrial complex under the Ministry of Defence Production, producing conventional arms and ammunition to the international standards" by the Government of Pakistan.
The Heckler & Koch HK417 is a battle rifle designed and manufactured by Heckler & Koch.
The Sako TRG is a bolt-action sniper rifle line designed and manufactured by Finnish firearms manufacturer SAKO of Riihimäki. It is the successor to the SAKO TR-6 target rifle, and thus the letter G within the rifle's name is meant to represent number 7.
The Marine Scout Sniper Rifle (MSSR) is a Philippine semi-automatic designated marksman rifle developed by the Philippine Marine Corps for their Marine Scout Snipers. Designed in the mid-1990s to replace severely-outdated battle rifles then used as marksman rifles, the MSSR is essentially an M16A1 that has been heavily modified and accurized to serve as a marksman rifle.
Lewis Machine & Tool Company (LMT) is an American armaments company founded by Karl Lewis, in 1980. It manufactures weapon systems, including a variant of the M4 carbine and the M203 grenade launcher. Its products are used by the military forces of the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Estonia and the United States. It formerly produced forged FN FAL receivers for Illinois-based DS Arms.
The FB MSBS Grot is a family of modular assault rifle developed and manufactured by FB "Łucznik" Radom. Early prototypes were known as the MSBS-5.56 Radon.
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