Sako ARG

Sako ARG
TypeAssault rifle
Battle rifle
Designated marksman rifle
Sniper rifle
Place of originFinland
Service history
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerSAKO
Designed2020–2023
ManufacturerSAKO
Produced2022–
VariantsARG 40 GP
ARG 40 DI
ARG 50 GP
M23
Ak 24
Ak 25
Specifications
MassARG 40 DI: 3.2 kg (7 lb)[1]
M23: 3.9 kg (9 lb)[2]
Ak 24: 3.2 kg (7 lb)
LengthM23: 880 to 965 mm (35 to 38 in) (retractable stock)[2]
Ak 24: 714 to 800 mm (28.1 to 31.5 in)
Barrel lengthM23: 406.2 mm (16 in)
Ak 24: 292 to 368 mm (11.5 to 14.5 in)
Ak 25: 406.2 to 457.2 mm (16 to 18 in)

Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
7.62×51mm NATO
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt

The Sako ARG (lit.'Arctic Rifle Generation') is a Finnish family of assault and battle rifles designed and manufactured by Sako.[3]

Background

Previously known as the K22 (Finnish: Kokeilu 22, lit.'Experiment 22'),[4] the ARG was designed along with the Finnish Defence Forces[5] and the Swedish Armed Forces.[6]

Design

The ARG is based on the AR-10 and AR-15 design by Eugene Stoner[7] but features a proprietary short-stroke gas piston system,[8] similar to Heckler & Koch HK416 and other piston versions of AR-15-type assault rifles.

Variants

ARG branding

ARG 40 GP

Assault rifle variant featuring short-stroke gas piston.

ARG 40 DI

Variant featuring direct impingent operation.

ARG 50 GP

Designated marksman rifle variant.

Military variants

Sako M23

Finnish Defence Forces precision rifle variants.

  • 7.62 KIV 23 – designated marksman rifle
  • 7.62 TKIV 23 – sniper rifle

Automatkarbin 24

Swedish Armed Forces variants.[10][11]

  • Ak 24A - 5.56 mm, 11.5 inch barrel assault rifle
  • Ak 24B - 5.56 mm, 14.5 inch barrel assault rifle
  • Ak 25 - 7.62 mm battle rifle

Users

References

  1. ^ a b Patrikainen, Valtteri (20 May 2025). "TESTISSÄ – Sako ARG S 40 Reserviläinen". Rekyyli (in Finnish). Outdoor Media Oy. Archived from the original on 17 October 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Kiväärijärjestelmä M23" (in Finnish). Finnish Defence Forces. Archived from the original on 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ Harju, Jukka (18 October 2021). "Suomi ja Ruotsi suunnittelevat asekauppaa: Tarkoitus on hankkia yhdessä suuri määrä uusia tarkkuuskivääreitä" [Finland and Sweden plan an arms deal: The intent is to purchase a large number of new sniper rifles]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Sanoma Media Finland. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "SAKO ARG S 40 – MPK -kivääri luovutettiin MPK:n koulutuskäyttöön" (in Finnish). National Defence Training Association of Finland. 31 July 2024. Archived from the original on 19 December 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  10. ^ "Nya Eldhandvapen" (PDF) (in Swedish). Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Eldhandvapen" (in Swedish). Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "POTD: Sweden's New Automatic Carbine 24". The Firearm Blog. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.