The Ak 4 (Swedish: Automatkarbin 4 , English: Automatic Carbine 4) is a license-built Swedish version of the West German ⓘHeckler & Koch G3 battle rifle. It was adopted as the service rifle of the Swedish Armed Forces in 1965, replacing the bolt-action m/96 Mauser.
Ak 4 | |
---|---|
Type | Battle rifle |
Place of origin | Sweden West Germany |
Service history | |
In service | 1964–present |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | War in Afghanistan |
Production history | |
Designer | Heckler & Koch |
Designed | 1950s |
Manufacturer | |
Produced | 1965–1985 |
Variants | See Variants |
Specifications | |
Mass | 4.1 kg (9.04 lb) |
Length | 1,045 mm (41.1 in) |
Barrel length | 450 mm (17.7 in) |
Width | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
Height | 220 mm (8.7 in) with inserted magazine |
Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
Action | Roller-delayed blowback |
Rate of fire | 500–600 rounds/min |
Muzzle velocity | 800 m/s (2,625 ft/s) |
Effective firing range | 500 metres (547 yd) 200–500 metres (219–547 yd) sight adjustments 100–600 metres (109–656 yd) with optics |
Maximum firing range | 3,700 metres (4,046 yd) |
Feed system | 20-round detachable box magazine. |
Sights | Rear: rotary diopter; front: hooded post |
The initial Ak 4 incorporated some minor modifications compared to the original G3 design, including a 20 mm (0.79 in) longer buttstock, a serrated thumb groove on the bolt carrier to aid in silent bolt closure, a heavier recoil buffer for increased reliability and a 200-500m rotary diopter rear sight.[1]
The Ak 4 was manufactured from 1965 to 1985 by both Carl Gustafs stads gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna and Husqvarna Vapenfabrik in Huskvarna.
It was replaced as the standard-issue service rifle in 1985 by the Ak 5, a license-built version of the FN FNC, but remains in use with the Home Guard and in specialist marksman roles within the regular armed forces.
The Ak 4 replaced the Automatgevär m/42 rifle and Carl Gustaf m/45 submachine gun in the 1960s. In order to replace the old weapons, Sweden held a trial of new weapons including: the Belgian FN FAL, the Swiss SIG SG 510, the Swedish Carl Gustaf GRAM 63, the American M14 and the German Heckler & Koch G3. After several different types of testing the FN FAL and Heckler & Koch G3 passed the tests. Due to its durability and lower price due to modern production methods the Ak 4 version of the Heckler & Koch G3 was selected as the new standard rifle in 1964. Sweden and Heckler & Koch agreed a 15,000 round service life.[2][3]
From 1965 to 1970 the Ak 4 was produced by Husqvarna and later changed to Carl Gustaf in Eskilstuna in 1970 until it was replaced by the 5.56×45mm NATO chambered Ak 5 (a version of the Belgian FN FNC), but the Ak 4 is still used in the Hemvärnet-Nationella skyddsstyrkorna (Swedish Home Guard). Sweden has supplied unmodified Ak 4s to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In 1985 the Ak 4 was replaced by the Ak 5.