Global InformationSako M23 information
| 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 | 7.62 KIV 23 7.62 TKIV 23 AK 24 2 unnamed Swedish variants in 7.62x51 |
| 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 unlike the original designs, it features a short-stroke gas piston system.[4] 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]
- ^ Larkovuo, Leevi (26 May 2020). "Uuden kiväärijärjestelmän kehitystyö alkaa" [The development of a new rifle system begins]. ruotuvaki.fi (in Finnish). Finnish Defence Forces. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "New rifle system to supplement infantry capability". maavoimat.fi. Finnish Defence Forces. 21 December 2021. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ Juonala, Jouko (19 October 2021). "Puolustusvoimien perinteinen RK 62 jää kohta historiaan – korvaaja voi olla kevyempi" [The traditional RK 62 will soon be left to history – replacement may be lighter]. Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Sanoma Media Finland. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ Mäenpää, Mika [@MMaenpaa1] (23 December 2021). "Muutamia kysyttyjä faktoja Kiväärijärjestelmä M23:sta" (Tweet) (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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