Ak 4
An Ak 4 with magazine removed
TypeBattle rifle
Place of originSweden
West Germany
Service history
In service1964–present
Used bySee Users
WarsWar in Afghanistan
Production history
DesignerHeckler & Koch
Designed1950s
Manufacturer
Produced1965–1985
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass4.1 kg (9.04 lb)
Length1,045 mm (41.1 in)
Barrel length450 mm (17.7 in)
Width45 mm (1.8 in)
Height220 mm (8.7 in) with inserted magazine
Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
ActionRoller-delayed blowback
Rate of fire500–600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity800 m/s (2,625 ft/s)
Effective firing range500 metres (547 yd)
200–500 metres (219–547 yd) sight adjustments
100–600 metres (109–656 yd) with optics
Maximum firing range3,700 metres (4,046 yd)
Feed system20-round detachable box magazine.
SightsRear: rotary diopter; front: hooded post

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.

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.

History

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.

Variants

Users

A map with users of the Ak 4 in blue

Gallery

References

  1. ^ "The Swedish AK4 – A Battle Rifle by Any Other Name?". Firearms News. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  2. ^ Janson, Olof (6 November 2017). "Swedish military assault rifles 1945-1990, Ak 4 and Ak 5". Gothia Arms Historical Society.
  3. ^ "Die Geschichte des G3" [The history of the G3]. Reservistenkameradschaft Marburg (in German). Archived from the original on 24 September 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Hensoldt 4×24 scopes for Heckler & Koch G3 rifles". MG-42.net. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Telescope Sight 4×24 for G3 Rifle: Instruction Manual" (PDF). Heckler & Koch, Inc – via drzero.org.
  6. ^ "Heckler & Koch G3". Bellum.nu. Archived from the original on 21 June 2006.
  7. ^ "New H&K G3 accessories from Spuhr AB". The Firearm Blog. 3 March 2016.
  8. ^ "The new Spuhr G3/MP5/HK33/53 Stock Assembly". The Firearm Blog. 2 March 2017.
  9. ^ "New assault rifle for sharpshooters". Imgrum.org. Archived from the original on 2 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Tehnika – Automaat AK-4". Eesti Kaitsevägi (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 6 January 2012.
  11. ^ ERR (12 September 2022). "Enamik kaitseliitlasi saab aasta lõpuks Rahed kätte". ERR (in Estonian). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  12. ^ a b Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland S., eds. (27 January 2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 (35th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  13. ^ "Automatinis šautuvas AK-4". Lietuvos kariuomenė (in Lithuanian). Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  14. ^ "Šaulių sąjungą apginkluos automatais". DIENA.lt (in Lithuanian). 28 December 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Automatkarbin 4". Försvarsmakten (in Swedish).
  16. ^ "AK4C till alla hemvärnssoldater" [Ak 4 C to all Home Guard soldiers]. Tidningen Hemvärnet (in Swedish). 21 December 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2021.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ak 4.
Sturmgewehr 45 derivatives
Categories