Valmet Primer #2

[Templarx]

Here's the rest of the Valmets. If anyone else has info, please post it for us. Three Valmets figured in movies back in the 1980's. The M95 represents the latest incarnation of the line.

Valmet M78 7.62x51mm. The M78 is Vamet's version of the RPK squad auto. They were available in all three calibers, 5.56x45mm, 7.62x39mm, and 7.62x51mm. In the movie "Red Dawn", the RPK's that the Wolverines were using were actually Valmet M78's in 7.62x39mm.

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Valmet M78/83 7.62x51mm. These were a variant of the M78, same rifle, with a thumbhole stock. These were imported before the '89 ban, but apparently the thumbhole stock was viewed as a good thing by the importer back then. Arnie Schwarzeneggar used one of these in that thought provoking and avant-garde film, "Commando" , but in 7.62x39mm I believe. This is a very rare rifle, I have only seen one personally.

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Valmet M82 5.56x45mm. This was Valmet's one attempt at a bullpup rifle. Did not sell very well, it is basically just a bullpupped AK, and the trigger and safety are atrocious. In the movie "The Terminator", the human rebels used these as "pulse rifles" in Reese's dream sequence. Next time you see it, look closely at what they are carrying.

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Sako/Valmet M95 7.62x39mm. This is supposed to be the new rifle of the Finnish Defense Forces, but with the end of the Cold War, there is a flood of perfectly good AK's and AKM's on the international market. Apparently, the Finns decided to save some money, and buy a bunch of former East German (DDR) AKM's instead of purchasing the M95.

A few years ago, Valmet, Sako, and Tikka merged to form one company. The M95 is now being offered for foreign sales in either 5.56x45mm or 7.62x39mm. Don't look for this at your local sporting goods store though....sorry guys.

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Well, that's it....if anyone has more pics, please post them!

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[This message has been edited by Templar (edited 07-02-2000).]

[backblast]

Thanks templar, this is very good information. cya

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[Celery]

I don't know if i've got any new pics to submit but you could take a look at these sites: http://personal.inet.fi/business/reflex.suppressors/index.html
and http://practical.hypermart.net/ase.html (in finish)

Well that's all for now!

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[Templarx]

Thanks Celery, even if I can't read Finnish, I can still look at the pics and understand.

By the way, I realise that personal firearms ownership in Finland isn't as regulated as in say, Germany, but could you give a quick run down as to wha is allowed to civillians and what you have to go through to get firearms there?

Thanks.

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[Celery]

Well that's good, there is a lot more stuff like that from where it came from! I'm a big fan of the m92s/rk95 u see! http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif
To purchase/own a gun isn't as regulated as in most countries, as for example you mentioned Germany, and Sweden is quite alike! As long as you got a good cause to buy a gun it's yours, example sports or hunting!
Civillians can't buy small pistols/revolvers, so called pocket-guns is forbidden! Also full-autos (machine guns and guns like that) are forbidden, you have to be a collector to get your hands on those babies.... http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif

For example when you have got your license from the authroties to buy a specific gun (there is some forms you have to fill in) you buy your gun and then you have to bring it to the local police/alike so they can check that the gun you have bought is the one you got the permission for, (messy text, I know, hope you get the point)! And if everything is in order you get the final license from the police!

I for example own 5 guns, 2 rifles, 2 shotguns and a S&W 686, and i'm only 21 years old.... http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif But i'm a hunter and got good reasons to own my guns! My father owns about 15-20 guns (i'm not sure) he's also a hunter and a little bit of a collector!

Hope you get something out of this text....

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[DK]

Templar,
Is that an HK91 mag in that Valmet m78 7.62x51? Is it modified? Do you know by who?
DK

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[Templarx]

Celery, thanks for the information, and we all understood perfectly...your English is a hell of a lot better than our Finnish...the only thing in Finnish that I know is that "Suomi" means Finland or Finnish (I think... http://www.ak47forums.com/biggrin.gif )

Are there semi-automatic versions of the Valmet military rifles sold to civilians in your country? What is required to get a license to own fully automatic military weapons for a collection?

By the way...welcome aboard!!! I really appreciate someone's input from another country that has actual experiences with the firearms that we discuss. Thanks for contributing.


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[Templarx]

DK, that sure as hell looks like a HK G3 mag to me...I think that it is most likely a Tromix conversion, but I'm not sure.

Any luck on your Valmet quest?

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[DK]

Naw, not yet. Got several responses so far. They're all in the $1200-$1300 range, and generally seem to be in better condition than I'm really looking for. (How odd to be complaining that the rifles are in TOO GOOD of condition http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif LOL)
I just hate to pay too much for something that's gonna end up refinished anyway.

BTW, you have any pics of a Valmet w/ factory scope mount and rings? Do you know how it would mount?
DK

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[DK]

Hey! Somehow I ended up a "senior member" !! Cool!!
now how do I get some of those really cool stars under my name? http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif
DK

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[Celery]

Originally posted by Templar:
Are there semi-automatic versions of the Valmet military rifles sold to civilians in your country? What is required to get a license to own fully automatic military weapons for a collection?

By the way...welcome aboard!!! I really appreciate someone's input from another country that has actual experiences with the firearms that we discuss. Thanks for contributing.

There are semi-autos on the market for civilians, the m92s is a big hit among practical-shooters for example!

I'm not sure how get license to a fully automatic weapon, I only know it's quite difficult!

And thank you very much Templar, it's great to know that you guys like our weapons.... http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif

I myself have been using the M76 (7.62x39mm) with an steel tube fixed stock when I was i the army in -97! And i'm thinking of buying a m92s as soon I have some extra money!

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[M77B1]

DK: Back in the '80s Valmet offerred receiver covers with scope mounts attached. The NRA tried it out when they reviewed the .308 M78( see the NRA book "Semi-Auto Rifles"). They reported that every time a shot was fired the cover,scope,and mount would fly off the rifle onto the ground! Apparently some type of lock for the cover was needed (as on the Valmet Hunter),or a longer extension on the recoil spring guide,as on the Galil. They actually put a Galil recoil spring guide in the Valmet to try and solve the problem,but the Valmet receiver cover wouldn't fit over it.

BTW- I've heard from others that original Valmet .308 mags were converted from HK91/G3 mags by Valmet for their rifle; don't know if that's true,though.

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[Ekie]

Again very cool!

BTW SAKO has suspended production of their Kalashnikov's. Production ceased in 1998. http://www.ak47forums.com/frown.gif

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[Celery]

Originally posted by Ekie:
Again very cool!

BTW SAKO has suspended production of their Kalashnikov's. Production ceased in 1998. http://www.ak47forums.com/frown.gif


Hrmm... Sako has NEWER made ANY Kalashnikov's!!! Mark my words! They just made their own better version of the Kalashnikov.... http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif

Sorry, I just couldn't help myself!

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And yes it's true that they stopped making the m92s in 1998, it's a pitty, but there is alot of "second hand" m92s on the market here in Finland!


[This message has been edited by Celery (edited 07-24-2000).]

[Ekie]

Celery

You have confused me. You say they never made any Kalashnikovs, but they made better ones? What does that mean?

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[Celery]

Originally posted by Ekie:
Celery

You have confused me. You say they never made any Kalashnikovs, but they made better ones? What does that mean?



Well I can't imagine that the Tourulan Tehtaat (that's the factorys name BTW!) in Riihimäki, Finland, ever made any REAL Kalashnikovs, you know the ones that r made in Russia!?!? Get it?

But Tourulan Tehtaat and Sako/Valmet just made their own better version of that famous russian rifle!

There is a big difference between an Sako/Valmet and a fuXXing Kalashnikov! But I hope you guys allready know that!?! =)

Ekie, r u still very confused??!!


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[Ekie]

Ooooh now I get it. The Valmet/SAKO rifles are not Kalashnikovs.

I am not sure what a "fuXXing Kalashnikov" is though. hehehehehehe

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[Ekie]

Celery
I was unsure of some things. Things are much clearer now. Many thanks on helping me out.

FN49
Are you trying to confuse me? I thought I had this figured out.


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[Ekie]

No I am not making fun of you. I will admit that I was having some fun with you. I understand your viewpoint, but I am afraid that it is not shared by small arms enthusiasts outside of Finland.

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[Templarx]

Had some email requests to bring this back up front, so here it is.......

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"For so long as a hundred of us remain alive, we will never in any degree be subject to the Dominion of the English, since it is not for Glory, or Riches, or Honor we fight, but for Liberty Alone which no Good man loses but with his Life."

Declaration of Arbroath 1320.