The Finnish firearms manufacturer Valmet built assault rifles, in co-operation with SAKO, based in part on the Kalashnikov action in the early 1960s, and continued to manufacture them up until 1994. Their original offering was the milled receiver Model 62 which was offered in 7.62x39mm and 5.56x45mm NATO for export. The model M62 (known as Rk 62 in Finland) was adopted by the Finnish Defence Forces, and still serves as the standard infantry weapon of the Finnish Army. The M62 has an unusual T-shaped tubular buttstock, compared to other Kalashinkov pattern rifles. The gas block and front sight design is very similar to the Israeli Galil rifle, as the Galil was designed based on the Valmet. The M71S was a stamped receiver offering that more closely resembled the original AK-47 design and was developed for customers who wanted a rifle that looked like an AK-47 (since at the time many customers couldn't get a military or civilian version at all). The M71S was built between 1971-1977 and was offered in 7.62x39mm and 5.56x45mm NATO. The M76 was the Model 62 with a stamped receiver, more conventional buttstock and foregrip assembly. Later, Valmet produced the M76F which was an M76 that had a side folding version of the original M62 buttstock. Valmet later merged into SAKO (in the late 1980s), and the some of their designs are currently being manufactured.
See also Valmet M78.
The Valmet Assault rifle series can be seen in the following:
Valmet M62
Valmet M62 (Rk 62) (older model) with wooden stock - 5.56x45mm
Valmet M62 (Rk 62) (modernized) with plastic handguard and tubular stock - 7.62x39mm. This version is the most commonly available/used version of the rifle.
Film
Title
|
Actor
|
Character
|
Notation
|
Date
|
Vares: Private Eye |
Juha Veijonen |
Jussi Vares |
|
2004
|
Never Too Young to Die |
John Stamos |
Lance Stargrove |
5.56x45mm with plastic handguard |
1986
|
Telefon |
|
MVD agents |
modernized |
1977
|
Television
Anime
Title
|
Actor
|
Character
|
Notation
|
Date
|
Jormungand |
|
Finnish UN peacekeepers |
|
2012
|
Video Games
Game Title
|
Appears as
|
Mods
|
Notation
|
Release Date
|
Survarium |
|
|
|
2015
|
Valmet M71
Valmet M71S with wooden furniture - 5.56x45mm
Valmet M71S with plastic handguard and wood stock - 5.56x45mm. The Valmet M71S was also offered in 7.62x39mm
Valmet M71S Sporter - 5.56x45mm
Valmet M71S with plastic handguard and resin stock - .223 Rem
Film
Television
Valmet M76
Valmet M76 - 5.56x45mm. The Valmet M76 was also offered in 7.62x39mm
Valmet M76F with side folding tubular stock - 5.56x45mm
Film
Television
Show Title
|
Actor
|
Character
|
Note / Episode
|
Air Date
|
Chuck |
|
Stavros Demitrios' henchman |
"Chuck Versus the Imported Hard Salami" (S1E09) |
2007
|
Airwolf |
|
Limbabwe soldier |
"And They Are Us" (S1E10), Valmet M76F |
1984
|
Valmet M82
Bullpup Valmet assault rifle with the internal mechanism from M76.
Film
Television
Show Title
|
Actor
|
Character / Episode
|
Note
|
Air Date
|
V.I.P. |
|
Assassin |
(S01E02) "What to Do with Vallery When You're Dead" |
1998
|
Video Games
M95
M95 (Rk 95 Tp) - 7.62x39mm
The Rk 95 Tp (known commercially as M95) is an upgraded variant of the M62, designed and manufactured by SAKO. It has a folding stock, and can be fitted with suppressors. It was adopted into service by the Finnish Army, although in relatively small numbers, and it is still used by Finnish Special Forces.
Video Games
Anime
See Also