| 7.62 TKIV 85 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Sniper rifle |
| Place of origin | Finland |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1984 - present |
| Used by | Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1984 |
| Manufacturer | Valmet, FDF Asevarikko 1 |
| Produced | 1984 - 1985 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 7 kg (15.4 lb) |
| Length | 1,300 mm (51.2 in) |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | 7.62x53mmR |
| Action | Bolt action |
| Rate of fire | 8-10 rounds/min |
| Effective range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Feed system | 5-round magazine, loaded with 5-round charger clips |
| Sights | Zeiss Diavari ZA 1.5-6x42 or Schmidt & Bender 4x36 telescopic sights Simrad KN 250/252 F nightscope |
The 7.62 TKIV 85, short for 7.62 Tarkkuuskivääri 85 (7.62 sniper rifle 85) is a bolt action designated marksman/sniper rifle used by the Finnish Defence Forces.
It is based on the Mosin-Nagant rifle, using the same old (in some cases antique) receivers. The Finnish Army has produced such rifles since the nation was founded.
The Mosin-Nagant bolt-actions were modified in 1984 by Valmet who also manufactured new barrels for these rifles. The rifles were assembled in 1984–1985 by Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) Asevarikko 1 ("Arsenal 1") in Kuopio, Finland.
Though the 7.62 TKIV 85 sniper rifle has been modified extensively compared to the standard Mosin-Nagant rifle, the use of the old receivers in these rifles makes them arguably the oldest small arms in current use by any military. Some of the parts used may date back as far as the 1890s.
Another exclusive feature of the 7.62 TKIV 85 is its 7.62x53mmR chambering. No other currently used military firearm is chambered for this unique Finnish cartridge. The PKM machine guns and other Russian firearms in Finnish service are chambered for the 7.62x54mmR cartridge. The standard operating procedure calls for the use of 7.62x54mmR cartridges in 7.62 TKIV 85 rifles only in emergency situations when 7.62x53mmR ammunition is not available. The reason for this is the bullet diameter difference of 7.85 mm (0.309 in) in the 7.62x53mmR versus 7.92 mm (0.312 in) the 7.62x54mmR. Some 7.62x53mmR7.92 rounds were also loaded with an intermediate 7.88 mm (0.310 in) diameter bullet.