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When Sweden decided to replace the AK-4 (a license-built H&K G3) with a 5.56mm rifle in the 1970s, they tested nearly every potential rifle on the market. Only two survived the stringent Swedish arctic trials; the FN FNC and the Israeli Galil. The Galil was being offered by a Swedish company called Försvarets Fabriksverk in cooperation with IMI, and was designated the FFV-890.

The FNC and FFV-890 advanced to a series of extensive trials that took several years, and the 890 was changed in a number of ways to address Swedish concerns. This led to the improved FFV-890C model, which we are looking at today. This models added a rubber gasket to seal the rear dust cover opening, a polymer handguard, green paint finish, Swedish selector markings, case deflector, shortened barrel, and changes to the trigger guard and magazine release.

Eventually, the FNC was chosen despite some claims that the FFV-890C actually performed better in testing. The choice was definitely politically influenced, and the Swedish government at the time was potentially leery of licensing an Israeli weapon and also in choosing a Soviet-lineage rifle.

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Sweden's Green Trials Galil: the FFV-890C (Ad-free)

When Sweden decided to replace the AK-4 (a license-built H&K G3) with a 5.56mm rifle in the 1970s, they tested nearly every potential rifle on the market. Only two survived the stringent Swedish arctic trials; the FN FNC and the Israeli Galil. The Galil was being offered by a Swedish company called Försvarets Fabriksverk in cooperation with IMI, and was designated the FFV-890. The FNC and FFV-890 advanced to a series of extensive trials that took several years, and the 890 was changed in a number of ways to address Swedish concerns. This led to the improved FFV-890C model, which we are looking at today. This models added a rubber gasket to seal the rear dust cover opening, a polymer handguard, green paint finish, Swedish selector markings, case deflector, shortened barrel, and changes to the trigger guard and magazine release. Eventually, the FNC was chosen despite some claims that the FFV-890C actually performed better in testing. The choice was definitely politically influenced, and the Swedish government at the time was potentially leery of licensing an Israeli weapon and also in choosing a Soviet-lineage rifle. The best firearms reference books: https://www.headstamppublishing.com http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com

Comments

z c

I own a JRA Galil and enjoy shooting it quite a bit. I can only assume shooting the shorter, better balanced galil would be even better. My galil is insanely over gassed. I hope it would be more tame for this.

Thomas Batha

Could the ejection port modification have something to do with case deflection?

Guido S

I don't like that not removable handguard at all but between this and the fn... absolutely the galil ! screw what the swedish snowflake government is butthurt about again.

Forgotten Weapons

Nope. Different handguard and no bipod, so the bottle opener feature isn't there.

Andy Porter

Thanks for the reply! Back to using the magazine lips to crack that after-battle bottle.

WayneWiiki

rubber gasket...so...one complainer officer got something in his eye...(probably not oil) and VOILA! No? Yes? :)

Steven Taylor

Great video. It's funny how this same story keeps repeating itself. (Insert country) wants a new gun to arm the troops. It comes down to 2 or 3 guns, and either for political reasons or military politics, they do the dog and pony show to claim they gave it a fair competition, but they already knew what they were going to pick. M14 vs T48 FAL, FFV-890C vs FNC, Colt IAR VS HK M27 IAR, and most recently the NGSW Rifle trial, where it was obvious the Army would choose the SIG entry since it was the most conventional, or safest design, verses a bullpup rifle, or caseless rifle. (Which I'm still hoping Berretta brings that Bullpup to market as it seemed interesting to me)

Bruce Brodnax

Geopolitical reality dictates it is far better to maintain close ties with a country with cuisine everyone loves and wants to visit vs. one surrounded by enemies whom one might want to trade with... Just sayin'.

Retired No Bad Days

Do you happen to know why the AR was not chosen? What is the Swedish army using now??