The 7.62 RK 62 – Finland’s Iconic Service Rifle The 7.62 RK 62, commonly known as the RK 62, is one of the most iconic firearms in Finnish military history. Developed in Finland during the early 1960s, it was designed to serve as the standard infantry rifle of the Finnish Defence Forces. Its combination of reliability, durability and simplicity has made it a highly respected weapon among Finnish soldiers and military enthusiasts. The RK 62 was developed by Valmet, with its design influenced by the Soviet AK-47 family. However, it was not simply a direct copy. Finnish engineers made their own modifications and improvements to meet the requirements of the Finnish military and the harsh conditions in which Finnish soldiers could be expected to operate. The rifle is chambered in the 7.62×39 mm intermediate cartridge. This ammunition was widely used by Soviet and Eastern European forces and provides a balance between range, power and controllability. The RK 62 uses a gas-operated system with a rotating bolt, a re