The Automatkarbin 5 (Automatic carbine 5) is the smaller caliber successor of the Ak 4. It is the Swedish version of the FN FNC, with certain modifications to meet the Swedish military requirements.
History[]
After the success of the Ak 4 (which itself was a Swedish, licensed copy of the Heckler & Koch G3) within the Swedish military, the notion of the late 1970's pushed an initiative to seek a smaller caliber standard-issue assault rifle for military usage, presumably a new weapon chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO round. Trials originally consisted that the FN FNC would be chosen as the primary candidate for the new weapon of the Swedish armed forces. In 1982, the firearm manufacturer Bofors Carl Gustaf introduced the Ak 5 for trials by the Swedish military. What would emerge of early prototypes would be certain, yet necessary, adaptations within the firearm for usage in colder climates. The buttstock of the weapon have been lengthened, with the handguard and pistol grip following suit with being enlarged for winter conditions. The charging handle was also considerably enlarged to allow for better traction and grip whenst wearing arctic outerwear, such as gloves. The function of having a three-round burst was seen as superfluous, and was thus omitted from the weapon. Magazines were also modified to allow interchanging between original, and those from the M16 rifle's STANAG magazines. Another non-used design would have seen the Ak 5's muzzle being capable of fitting grenades, whilst in existence, none were ever accepted for usage by the Swedish military. Surface treatment is also enacted among the handguard, bolt, and pistol grip to prevent further degradation when in action. Proving successful, the finalized Ak 5 design would enter service in 1986. Further modifications upon the rifle would occur throughout the service life of the weapon, leading to a wide differentiation of variants. Notably, at the beginning of the 2000's, the request for a more modern rifle for soldiers was considered. The "Bofors" model meets these demands, featuring a rail interface system, better ergonomics, and an improved overall reliability of the weapon. Instead of buying a new weapon completely, it was opted by the Swedish government to instead modify Ak 5B rifles, which itself was a modified Ak 5 to allow for mounting of optics, with a new stock design. The Bofors design also features a shortened barrel to 350 mm as trials stated that the weapon was too heavy for operational usage. Testing on the Bofors model concluded in June of 2005, with the final model being named the Bofors Ak 5C.
Design Details[]
As per being based upon the FN FNC, changes would be enacted for climate situations special to colder climates, and needed to be capable of withstanding temperatures as low as −30 °C (−22 °F). These changes would be made on a model derived from the FNC, with aim to be assisting with arctic climate outerwear, including jackets, gloves, and eyewear. Early models featured a tubular-wire stock, which was then lengthened to aide in colder climates. The handguard and pistol grip would also be lengthened considerately to allow for a better grip whenst wearing gloves. Also to assist with wearing gloves is the bolt, with a larger charging handle which allows for a wider grip upon it. Iron sights also differ from the original FNC, as well as the gas block. Other model variations would be built upon the finalized Ak 5, with models including shortened barrels (Ak 5D), and improved modernized models (Bofors Ak 5C). The original tubular stock for the Ak 5 would be also replaced in favor of newer stocks with cheek rests, present on the Ak 5B. An original feature of the Ak 5 was the choice to modify original FNC magazines to be interchangeable with the M16 rifle's STANAG magazines.
Variants[]
The Ak 5 was manufactured in several modifications, including the Ak 5B with a 4X telescopic sight and cheek-pad on buttstock, which is issued as a squad-level marksman rifle. The Ak 5C, opted with a Picatinny rail and no open sights. Ak 5D with a shortened barrel, and integral carrying handle with built-in telescope sight. This variant was intended for special forces units and paratroopers; and a variant with a mounted M203 grenade launcher, which is used mostly by amphibious forces.
Swedish[]
Ak 5B[]
Model fitted as a precision rifle, typically produced with a 4×25.5 SUSAT L9A1 tritium sight. The stock is also modified to fit a cheek rest.
Bofors Ak 5C[]
The Ak 5C is a modernized version of the Ak 5. It underwent a series of modifications, most notably the introduction of a bolt catch as well as a full length picatinny rail system.
Unnamed bullpup prototype[]
A experimental converted bullpup Ak 5 appeared online in 2013. Little is known about this modification of the original weapon.
Gallery[]
