Sako M23
| 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 | Ak 24 |
| 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 and manufactured by Sako. The Swedish Armed Forces also participated in the development program for the M23.
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. The M23 is based on the AR-10 and AR-15 design by Eugene Stoner but features a proprietary short-stroke gas piston system, similar to Heckler & Koch HK416 and other piston versions of AR-15-type assault rifles. 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.