Valmet Petra M/88
Valmet · Rifle · Discontinued · 1988
Also known as: Valmet Hunter M/88, Valmet Petra Hunter M/88
Overview
The Valmet Petra M/88 is a Finnish semi-automatic hunting rifle, an updated version of the Petra M/83 built on the gas-operated, long-stroke piston Kalashnikov-pattern action of the Valmet RK 62 / M76 service rifles. The M/88 replaces the earlier Kalashnikov-type selector lever with a push-button safety and adopts a revised sight layout. Chambered for sporting cartridges including .308 Winchester, .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, and .30-06 Springfield, it pairs a wooden sporter stock and detachable box magazine with the rugged rotating-bolt mechanism.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Barrel Length | 521 mm (20.51") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .308 Winchester · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Win, 7.62x51mm, 7.62 NATO
- .223 Remington · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as .223 Rem, 223 Remington, 5.56x45mm
- .243 Winchester — also known as .243 Win
- .30-06 Springfield — also known as 30-06, .30-06 Sprg, 7.62x63mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Push-Button Manual Safety
- Features: Updated Petra With A Push-Button Safety Replacing The Kalashnikov-Type Selector Lever, Revised Sight Layout Compared With The M/83, Kalashnikov-Pattern Gas-Operated Action Derived From The Valmet RK 62 / M76, Wooden Sporter Stock And Forend, Detachable Box Magazine
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Finnish civilian hunters and sport shooters · adopted 1988 · as Petra M/88
Production
Production years: 1988-1990
Updated civilian hunting derivative of the Valmet RK 62 lineage; produced in limited numbers before Valmet's small-arms business was merged into Sako.
Origin
Country of origin: Finland
Designer: Lauri Oksanen
Discontinued: 1990
Notes
A late civilian sporting derivative of the Valmet RK 62 assault-rifle lineage. Distinguished from the M/83 by its push-button safety and different sight arrangement. Detailed M/88-specific dimensions are sparsely documented; barrel length and general dimensions vary by chambering and production batch.
Background
The name 'Petra' derives from an old Finnish word for deer - Valmet dressing its battle-proven RK 62 assault-rifle action in civilian hunting clothes, with the M/88 swapping the tell-tale AK selector lever for a discreet push-button safety.