[BigG]

Does anyone have one of these? I'm not sure of the model but it's in .223 with the wooden stock.

It looks like a dolled up AK-47 with plenty of attention to workmanship and materials.

Please, tell me what you know! Thanks in advance,

George

[Spieler]

Valmets are great rifles! A wooden stocked .223 model sounds like the M-76W, which is the model I had years ago. The biggest drawback to them now is finding spare parts and the fact that they tend to be a bit pricey these days, but still cheaper than Galils. I really liked mine and so has everyone I've ever known who had one. Check out this site for more info.
http://www.valmet.org

[Kestrel]

Very good guns. The deal breaker for me is, you can't find mags for them.

Steve

[igor]

Also check here (http://www.valmet-weapons.com/) and here (http://www.mil.fi/kalustoesittely/00042_en.html) . Any specific question, feel free - I toted a fine example of a 80's modernized M62 around for a year and still occasionally get to it ;) . I'm with the mil reserve sports thing (3-gun) and IPSC, also in rifle class with a Kobra-equipped Saiga. There are M92S's around to be had but for at least 1600€ apiece too much for me.

edit to add: Steve, if it's .223 you're talking about, that's true. In 7,62x39 however any AK mag will fit.

[Grump]

You can modify Galil mags to work in the .223 Valmet. I've also tried a Chinese mag and it worked okay once we smoothed up the brass-slicing feed lips and opened up the back of the mag a bit (the bolt sometimes whacked the too-small opening between the feed lips).

[Spieler]

Original Valmet mags in .223 are tough to find in the U.S. but you can use .223 Galil mags which now seem plentiful and reasonably priced (relatively speaking). I used the 35 round metal Galil mags almost exclusivley whith my M76 and had no problems, although info on the old Valmet site said this was not a recommended practice. I don't recall why (slightly different feed angle maybe?) but with 55 gr. M193 ball I never had a stoppage. Mags from Tromix are another option, although I have no experience with these.

[BigG]

Here's one that looks similar to the one I saw:

Valmet M76 and Accessories (http://home.hiwaay.net/~sickler/opforstuff/valmetstuff/m76wood.jpg)

[blfuller]

The German Weiger mags have been modified to work with the Valmets too, they run about 13.00 each. These are the ones they are selling for the Romanian SAR-3. Inexpensive quality magazine. I use these on in my Bulgarian Arsenal K-101 with a little modification.

[Grump]

The problem with the Galil mags I've seen is that they are cut away at the front, and there is no "feed ramp" in the receiver to tip the M193 bullet noses up into the chamber. Without that front edge of the magazine for the case shoulder to "ramp" up on, the rounds slam into the back of the barrel between 1 and 3mm below the chamber opening.

Just dumped the powder out of one of those collapsed-bullet rounds last night. Leftovers from the last diagnosit trip before I did the magazine mods.

[jercamp45]

I shot a M76 in 308, and 223 and an M78 in 308 in the past...they were real sweet rifles. I was already to order a M76 woodstocked 308, had to wait a couple of months because of Bills when the AWB was signed into being.
Ohh, the disappointment. Could not afford one then, but I thought it was a awesome rifle and was tagging tennis balls at 50 yards.
Have to settle with the various other AK's now, but that is OK...I really do not need the power of the 308 personally....just want to get a Valmet sytle peep rear sight mounted on my dust cover and I'll be a happy boy! It is not a Valmet, but it'll do about all I need doing!(Still wish for a quality folding stock though!)
Jercamp45

[Grump]

Anyone know where one can get a receiver cover for one of these, either with or without rear peep sight? I like the dedicated receiver cover approach for mounting optics.

Don't poo-poo the idea, either. The first 10 rounds out of one of those was also my first 10 rounds with an Aimpoint (first gen!). It was an honest 3 inches using Lake City M193, and in kinda poor light at that, off a pickup truck bed.

[BigG]

OK, I got it! It's a Model 71, made 1971 to 73, 223 Caliber, wooden stock.

If you will note, unlike most Valmets with the rear peep sight gas tube mounted front sight, it has the rear sight in the normal AK location on the gas tube but the front sight is moved to the flash suppressor. Both front and rear sights are adjustable, front for windage, and rear for both windage and elevation. It's a glorified AK type, what can I say? Anybody have any .223 mags for sale?

http://www.valmet-weapons.com/Valmet_Model_72_Chrome_762_Russian.jpg

[BigG]

Here's a pic of the Model 71 Valmet in question:
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=622661

[BigG]

And the business end:
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=622670

[Triad]

I like it.

[Gordon]

Congrats looks like a very nice piece that gives more owner satisfaction than an AK of another make. I had an M-62 for a while and sold it as 7.63X39 was very hard to find in the late 70's!. :)