Since the eighties, the main infantry weapon of the Swedish army is the automatic carbine / submachine gun Automatkarbin 5 or Ak 5. There are several modifications of this weapon with various changes that affect the characteristics. At the same time, the general architecture of the machines of all versions does not differ. However, according to some reports, in the past there was an attempt to rebuild Ak 5 according to the bullpup scheme.
Misterious story
Unfortunately, almost nothing is known about one of the most interesting Swedish developments in recent years. The available data does not reveal the whole picture, and some of their features even allow one to suspect a joke or hoax. Nevertheless, in this case, the original sample based on Ak 5 is of interest.
The existence of an unusual modification of the assault rifle became known in 2013. Someone under the nickname meo_swe posted photographs of museum weapons on the Klocksnack.se Internet forum. Among the well-known and familiar samples, they had an unusual carbine, reminiscent of a modification of the serial Ak 5.
The author of the photograph indicated that this product was created at the beginning of the 2000s. At that time, the Ak 5 modernization program was underway, and the Swedish gunsmiths intended to explore the prospects for the bullpup layout. For this purpose, a prototype with a photo was made. No other information was provided. Moreover, since then no new details have appeared.
It is known that only existing modifications of the Ak5 of the traditional layout are still in service with Sweden. This suggests that the experimental bullpup machine did not show any advantages and therefore did not leave the testing stage. The reasons for this are generally clear.
However, another version has the right to life. The whole story with an unusual carbine can be a hoax of one origin or another. Someone made a product of a non-standard layout out of Ak 5 or its model and “shared” it with the public. However, it is not known who exactly, when and why did it.
Design improvements
The only known photo of the mysterious carbine shows the main features of the conversion. Its authors managed to preserve the bulk of the details of the weapon; only individual units were re-manufactured. Due to this, the total length of the weapon was reduced by a whole butt - approx. 260 mm.
The stock was removed from the serial carbine along with the hinge, the pistol grip, as well as the trigger and its protective clip. An original frame with a pistol grip, bracket and trigger was placed under the forend. Under the receiver, in place of the trigger guard, a new straightened casing appeared, containing the trigger.
In connection with the change in ergonomics, a new butt pad appeared on the rear edge of the receiver. A soft cheek was placed on the left of the box. A bracket with a standard rail for the sight was installed behind the forearm on the box.
The problem of the separation of the parts of the firing mechanism was solved in an original way. The main parts of the trigger remained in place. The flag of the fire translator was not carried over either. The trigger pulled forward was connected to the trigger using a flexible bowden cable. To avoid damage from moving parts, it was placed outside the receiver.
Removing the stock made it possible to reduce the length of the carbine to 750 mm with a barrel length of 450 mm. The vertical and lateral dimensions remain the same. The weight of the structure appears to have changed slightly. The weapon became lighter due to the lack of a stock, but it was immediately loaded with new parts.
This alteration did not affect the design and principles of the automation, did not affect the ammunition supply system, etc. Due to this, it was possible to quickly and easily execute a full-fledged technology demonstrator, suitable for the first evaluation of the bullpup scheme.
Obvious results
If the experimental bullpup carbine was not someone's joke or hoax, the results of experiments with it are obvious. The Swedish army continues to use the Ak 5 assault rifles of the traditional layout - from this it follows that the prototype did not show any advantages over the existing weapons. Moreover, he could demonstrate serious flaws.
As a result, the experimental carbine (or carbines) was sent for storage, and the work on weapons of the bullpup scheme was stopped. A few years after these events, the prototype got into the camera lens, and then gained fame in narrow circles.
Reasons for failure
Unfortunately, the authors of the project and the Swedish army are in no hurry to disclose data on an interesting project. However, even the available information allows us to imagine why the rebuilt carbine did not interest the army. He had not only advantages but also disadvantages. Correcting the latter could overly complicate the project and deprive it of some of the benefits.
The main advantage of the bullpup layout is the smaller dimensions with the same barrel length. It is also possible to gain in the accuracy and accuracy of the battle. Probably, an experienced carbine showed such qualities and in some parameters could even bypass the base sample. An important advantage was the maximum use of ready-made parts borrowed from the Ak 5. In the future, this made it possible to make new weapons by quickly and easily reworking cash.
At the same time, the bullpup layout leads to specific ergonomics. The center of gravity is located in a suboptimal way, moving parts and firing processes occur at a minimum distance from the shooter's head and hands, replacement of the magazine becomes more difficult, etc.
The bullpup version of the Ak 5 also had several drawbacks of its own. So, the fire translator was left in the old place, which made it difficult to access it. The connection of the trigger with the trigger using an openly located bowden reduced the reliability of the structure and could lead to fatal consequences.
It should be noted that all "own" or "general" shortcomings of the experienced carbine could be corrected. However, this required a serious alteration of the entire structure, implying the replacement of a number of parts. In this case, the degree of unification with the serial model was sharply reduced - and one of the main advantages of the project was lost.
Swedish riddle
Apparently, the purpose of the experimental project based on Automatkarbin 5 was to create a new small arms of reduced dimensions, as unified as possible with the existing model. This experiment ended unsuccessfully, and the modified machine gun did not enter service. The role of the "short" automatic weapon was retained by the serial Ak 5D carbine of the traditional layout.
A lot is known about the Ak 5 family, but the experimental bullpup carbine remains an exception. It remains to be hoped that the Swedish army in the future will decide to disclose data on this model and confirm or deny the existing versions. Unless, of course, it was a real development, and not a modern fake of unknown origin.
