Cold weather combat is the great equalizer. Just ask Napoleon or Hitler how their winter campaigns in Russia went. With increased focus on the strategic importance of the Arctic and the entry of Finland and Sweden to NATO, it’s more important than ever to ensure that infantry small arms function reliably in the cold and snow.
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With many NATO militaries fielding some form of AR-15 rifle, Finnish firearms manufacturer Sako introduced an Arctic version of the rifle for the alliance’s newest members.
Originally, the U.S. military’s M16’s barrel twist had to be changed in order to stabilize bullets in extreme cold. The original flat trigger guard also needed to be pivoted down to allow use with gloves. But the Finnish and Swedish militaries demand more extreme cold-specific features in order to effectively fight above the Arctic Circle.
So, in 2023, the two countries signed an agreement to procure Sako rifles and modernize their militaries.
Sweden’s previous standard service rifle, the Ak 5, is a licensed copy of the Belgian FN FNC with modifications for Sweden’s climate and uses standard NATO magazines and ammo. Logistically, this made it easy for the Swedish military to adopt a new rifle. Following the agreement with Finland, Sweden purchased the Sako Arctic Rifle Generation (ARG) 40 and 50 in 5.56mm NATO and 7.62mm NATO, respectively.
In Swedish service, the ARG 40 and 50 are designated the Ak 24 and 25, respectively. Accuracy on the ARG 40 is rated as 2 MOA, and the ARG 50 is quoted as 1.5 MOA, though it can be as accurate as 1 MOA with good ammo.
The ARG series is available with both direct impingement (DI) and short-stroke piston (with a suppressed setting) gas systems, and the Swedes opted for the latter. Norway’s military uses the HK416, which is also driven by a short-stroke piston system.
Notably, the ARG’s handguard aligns with the standard height of an AR-15 upper receiver regardless of its gas system. Between the two variants, it also uses the same upper and lower receivers. A single bushing in the upper receiver is all that needs to be changed to switch between a DI and piston gas system.
Sweden adopted an 11.5-inch barrel variant designated the Ak 24A and a 14.5-inch barrel variant designated the Ak 24B, both chrome-lined and cold-hammer forged. Standard furniture is Magpul, and the rifles are equipped with native Swedish Aimpoint CompM5 red dots. The Ak 24 also features ambidextrous controls. While the left-side magazine release can be an issue for right-handed shooters, the Sako rifle fences the control and stiffens it to prevent accidental ejection.
The Swedish military first took delivery of the Ak 24 in December 2024, and troops praised the rifle for its reduced weight and improved ergonomics over the Ak 5. However, Swedish instructors discovered an issue with the rifles where a delay occurred between the trigger press and the rifle’s firing. This safety concern led to a temporary ban on the use of Ak 24.
An investigation revealed a tolerance issue in production that was corrected, and the ban was partially lifted. Swedish military trials of the Ak 24 resumed in November 2025, and delivery of Sako rifles is expected to resume in 2026.
Across the border, Finland’s military uses the RK 62 rifle, chambered in the Soviet-standard 7.62x39mm cartridge. In addition to the agreement with Sweden and Sako, the Finnish Defence Forces announced in October 2025 that it plans to adopt a 5.56mm NATO rifle by the end of the decade. Finnish evaluation is still ongoing for a specific configuration of the ARG, but the contract provides for options to extend until 2053. While the Finns have improved on the AR-15, the core design is far from finished.
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