Valmet KvKK-62
Overview
KvKK-62
KvKK-62 light machine gun in use with Finnish reserve soldier.
Source: Jippo @ www.militaryphotos.net -
© copyright lies with original owner
Description
Introduction
The KvKK-62 is a machine gun of Finnish origin. Development started in 1957 with pre-production starting in the early 1960's. The KvKK-62 was accepted for service in 1962 and entered service in 1966. KvKK stand for "Kevyt KoneKivaari", Finnish for "light machine gun". The number 62 stands for the year of introduction.
Design
The KvKK-62 is based on the Czech ZB 26 machinegun, but it bears little superficial resemblance. It features the tilting block locking mechanism. The KvKK-62 does not feature a quick change barrel. The decision was made to keep the weapon light and a quick change barrel would add too much weight. The KvKK-62 uses a non-disintegrating link belt and uses an unusual right hand feed. The KvKK-62 is credited with minimal ergonomics. The pistol grip is a simple tube, there is no trigger guard to suit firing with gloves and the stock is round and it does not set well against the shoulder.
Firepower
The KvKK-62 uses the Russian 7.62x39mm round, which is also used by the Finnish standard service rifle: the Valmet RK 62. Unlike other Valmet weapons it was never produced in different calibers. The KvKK-62 uses 100 round belts in cloth bags that are attached to the weapon. The KvKK-62 is fully automatic only and fires at a very high cyclic rate of fire of 1.100 rpm. The effective range is claimed to be 400 meters.
Users
The KvKK-62 was supplied to Finland and Qatar and are no longer in service. In Finnish service it was first relegated to reserve use. Recently it was fully replaced by the PKM.
Details
Media
KvKK-62
Left sight view of KvKK-62 light machine gun.
Source: Jippo @ www.militaryphotos.net
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
KvKK-62
KvKK-62 light machine gun in use with Finnish reserve soldier.
Source: Jippo @ www.militaryphotos.net
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
Valmet RK 62
In Finnish service the KvKK-62 was adopted alongside the RK 62 assault rifle. Both weapons are chambered for the 7.62x39mm Soviet cartridge.