Valmet M78
Valmet · Machine Gun · Discontinued · 1978
Also known as: Valmet M78/83
Overview
The Valmet M78 is a Finnish light machine gun and squad automatic weapon developed from the Valmet M76/RK 62 assault-rifle family. It pairs the Kalashnikov-derived, gas-operated long-stroke rotating-bolt action with a heavy, longer barrel, a strengthened front trunnion, and an integral bipod, giving it the sustained-fire role of a light support weapon while feeding from standard 30-round AK-pattern box magazines. Chambered primarily in 7.62x39mm and also offered in 5.56x45mm NATO and .308 Winchester (7.62x51mm NATO), it was produced by Valmet from 1978 as the light-machine-gun counterpart to the M76 export rifle. Semi-automatic civilian versions became prized collector items, notably in Canada where the M78 was specifically exempted when AK-pattern rifles were restricted.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4700 g (165.8 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 5200 g (183.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1060 mm (41.73") |
| Barrel Length | 480 mm (18.90") |
| Height | 260 mm (10.24") |
| Width | 70 mm (2.76") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 720 m/s (2362 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2067 J (1525 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 650 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.62x39mm · primary — also known as 7.62mm Soviet, 7.62x39mm M43
- 5.56x45mm NATO · 5.56 NATO — also known as .223 Remington, 5.56mm NATO
- 7.62x51mm NATO · 7.62 NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Hammer Notch
- Features: Heavy Barrel, Integral Bipod, Chrome Lined Barrel, Rotating Bolt, Select Fire, Stamped Receiver, Strengthened Front Trunnion, Multi Caliber Variants
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Finnish Defence Forces
Production
Production years: 1978-1989
Produced by Valmet as the light-machine-gun variant of the M76 family until firearms production was consolidated with Sako. Exact figures are not publicly documented.
Origin
Country of origin: Finland
Discontinued: 1989
Notes
The M78 was the light support weapon of the Valmet AK family, built on the strengthened trunnion and sight layout later associated with the RK 71. Its heavy barrel allowed more sustained automatic fire than the standard M76 while retaining commonality with AK-pattern magazines and controls. Multi-caliber offerings (7.62x39mm, 5.56x45mm and .308 Winchester) made it attractive on the export market. Exact per-caliber weight and barrel figures vary between the 7.62x39mm and .308 versions.
Background
When Canada restricted AK-pattern rifles, the Valmet M78 became notorious among Canadian gun owners as one of the few Kalashnikov derivatives specifically exempted from the ban, making its semi-automatic versions unusually collectible north of the border.