Automatkarbin 4
| Automatkarbin 4 | |
|---|---|
An Ak 4 with magazine removed | |
| 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 Automatkarbin 4 (Ak 4; lit. '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 self-loading automatgevär m/42 and the automatic rifles Kulsprutegevär m/21, Kulsprutegevär m/40.
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 rotary diopter rear sight with four apertures (numbered 2, 3, 4 and 5) used for: 200–500 metres (219–547 yd) in 100 metres (109 yd) increments.
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.