Valmet questions...

[Beemerguy53]

I bought a NIB Valmet M76 at a gun show recently, and I have some questions for those of you who might be familiar with these.

This rifle came with no manual at all...does anyone know of a source for one?

How about a source for spare magazines, a sling, or a bayonet?

Does anyone know the barrel twist for this rifle, or have any recommendations for specific ammunition?

Thanks for any help or advice you can offer!

 

[JohnBT]

www.biggerhammer.net/manuals

Other than that I don't know a thing.

JT

 

[LAK]

You can measure the twist rate with a cleaning rod and patch or mop. With the patch attachment with patch or bore mop firmly attached to the rod, insert into the muzzle all the way down the barrel near the chamber - but still engaged in the rifling. Mark the rod at the muzzle inline with the top of the barrel and center of the front sight. Carefully withdraw the rod so that it rotates with the rifling until it has turned one full revolution and the mark on the rod is inline with the top of the bore and center of the front sight. Now mark the rod at the muzzle again - and measure the distance between the two marks on the rod. Your answer will be "one turn in [whatever the measurement between the two marks is]" inches.

Nice find; I have wanted one of these Valmets for a long time.
-----------------------------------------

http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

 

[Beemerguy53]

You can measure the twist rate with a cleaning rod and patch or mop. With the patch attachment with patch or bore mop firmly attached to the rod, insert into the muzzle all the way down the barrel near the chamber - but still engaged in the rifling. Mark the rod at the muzzle inline with the top of the barrel and center of the front sight. Carefully withdraw the rod so that it rotates with the rifling until it has turned one full revolution and the mark on the rod is inline with the top of the bore and center of the front sight. Now mark the rod at the muzzle again - and measure the distance between the two marks on the rod. Your answer will be "one turn in [whatever the measurement between the two marks is]" inches.

Nice find; I have wanted one of these Valmets for a long time.
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Great idea for measuring the barrel twist! Thanks!

Funny thing about this rifle...I didn't go to that gun show specifically looking for a Valmet. There were a huge number of nice pieces there that I could have bought: Several collectible S&W revolvers, about 8 beautiful Winchester Model 52s, etc., etc., but that Valmet just grabbed my attention.

They are relatively rare in these parts, and I cannot remember how long it has been since I've seen one for sale, either in a store or at a show. I've always liked them, and a buddy who is a weapons engineer for the military swears that they are the Cadillac of the AK-47 family. This one is just beautiful, and brand-spanking new. The seller and I haggled a little over the price, but in the end it was a real good deal. I can't wait to shoot it.

There are several of these for sale right now at GunBroker.com and Gunsamerica.com, by the way.

Thanks again for the help!

Still looking for a source for spare mags, a bayonet, or a sling...

 

[8Balls]

Check PM.
Finnish manual, page 19. Technical details:

w 3.5 kg
length 93 cm, without the bayonet
full mag 800g
30 round magazines
rof 700 rpm
(real life 120 -180, magazine changes included)
caliber 7.62mm
isokaliiperi 7.88mm
length of rifled barrel 379 mm
right handed barrel twist 240 mm
4 twists
daysights 465 mm apart
nightsights 355 mm apart


If you want something, PM, ill translate.

 

[Grump]

M76 is the .223/5.56x45 cartridge, isn't it?

They were all 1:12 back then, AFIK.

Have *heard* that Galil .223 mags will work, but the one I tried punched the bullet noses into the back of the barrel, 1/8 inch below the chamber, until I did a little temporary goofball fix.

Have also *heard* that 5.45x39 mags will work, but I haven't tried that. Finnish mags, if you can find them, would start at $45 and probably go for closer to $90.

If you or anyone has a source for a replacement extractor, I could use one.

 

[Beemerguy53]

M76 is the .223/5.56x45 cartridge, isn't it?

They were all 1:12 back then, AFIK.

Have *heard* that Galil .223 mags will work, but the one I tried punched the bullet noses into the back of the barrel, 1/8 inch below the chamber, until I did a little temporary goofball fix.

Have also *heard* that 5.45x39 mags will work, but I haven't tried that. Finnish mags, if you can find them, would start at $45 and probably go for closer to $90.

If you or anyone has a source for a replacement extractor, I could use one.

Yes, this is a .223. Thanks for the twist information. It should shoot OK with 55 grain ammo if it is 1:12...shouldn't be too terribly expensive to feed!

Thanks also for the magazine information.

Your extractor question has me wondering: Is there any parts interchangeability between this and other AK variants? Anybody know?

 

[LAK]

..... Funny thing about this rifle...I didn't go to that gun show specifically looking for a Valmet. There were a huge number of nice pieces there that I could have bought: Several collectible S&W revolvers, about 8 beautiful Winchester Model 52s, etc., etc., but that Valmet just grabbed my attention.

They are relatively rare in these parts, and I cannot remember how long it has been since I've seen one for sale, either in a store or at a show. I've always liked them, and a buddy who is a weapons engineer for the military swears that they are the Cadillac of the AK-47 family. This one is just beautiful, and brand-spanking new. The seller and I haggled a little over the price, but in the end it was a real good deal. I can't wait to shoot it.

There are several of these for sale right now at GunBroker.com and Gunsamerica.com, by the way.

Thanks again for the help! ...

You're welcome It is actually the 7.62x51 version I desire - and unfortunately they are all out of reach for the present time. I have seen one at a local show several years ago tagged at $1800. Should I muster the funds for a pricey black rifle one of these is that is top of the list.

Indeed the Cadillac of AKs. Ah, those remarkable Finns.
-------------------------------------------

http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

 

[HPJeep]

Tromix.com used to make Valmet mags. Don't know if they still do though.

 

[english kanigit]

My dream toy would be the 7.62x39 flavor...



Nothing but a pipe dream.