The Sako AK 24 (Automatkarbin 24 – automatic carbine, model of 2024) is a 5.56mm assault rifle, adopted by the Swedish military in 2024. It is produced as a part of the Sako ARG (Arctic Rifle Generation) family of rifles, which was formally announced in 2025.
5.56mm Sako Automatkarbin 24 / AK 24 assault rifle, as adopted by Swedish military
Originally, the SAKO company (which is a part of the large Italian Beretta holdings) commenced the work on a semi-automatic 7.62x51mm sniper rifle for the Finnish Army in 2020. Later on, work scope was expanded to include smaller and lighter 5.56mm semi-automatic and select-fire weapons, adapted to the specific requirements of cold wear, snowy near-Arctic environments, typical for countries like Finland and Sweden. In around 2021, Swedish military expressed the interest to join this program, looking to replace obsolete 5.56mm AK 5 (licensed FN FNC) and even older 7.62mm AK 4 (licensed HK G3) rifles still in use by the Army and active reserves. As a result, the Swedish army was the first to adopt a 5.56mm rifle from the Sako ARG family in 2024, designating it as AK 24 (Automatkarbin 24). This variant is commercially designated as a Sako ARG 40 GP.
5.56mm Sako ARG semi-automatic rifle
Other variants which are currently offered by the Sako are a 5.56x45mm Sako ARG 40 DI select-fire assault rifle and a 7.62x51mm Sako ARG 50 semi-automatic DMR / sniper rifle.
Sako ARG 40 GP / AK 24 assault rifle is, basically, a yet another AR-15 clone, modified with addition of a short-stroke gas piston drive with a manual gas regulator, a set of fully ambidextrous controls, and modern furniture. It features the aluminum alloy upper and lower receivers and an aluminum alloy free-floating forend with integrated Picatinny rail and MLOK slots. Internal design closely follows the parent system, with a multi-lug rotary bolt that locks directly into the barrel extension, and a buffer spring that runs inside the tube that projects to the rear from the upper receiver. Ammunition is fed from the standard M16 / M4 compatible magazines, with a standard capacity of 30 rounds. All controls are fully ambidextrous, and a three-position Safety / Fire selector has a total rotation of 90 degrees (45 degrees between “Safe” and “Semi”, and “Semi” and “Auto” settings), as opposed to a typical 180-degree rotation found on most AR-15/M16 style select-fire rifles.
Standard furniture also includes an M4-style telescoping stock.
5.56mm Sako ARG semi-automatic rifle
The Swedish army is buying Sako ARG 40 GP / AK 24 assault rifles with the short, 11.5” (292mm) barrels, although Sako also offers longer barrel variants.
Other members of the Sako ARF family presently include two more basic versions, the 5.56mm Sako ARG 40 DI and the 7.62mm Sako ARG 50, both with the Stoner-type Direct Impingement gas systems. A semi-automatic only version of the 5.56mm Direct Impingement rifle is currently commercially offered to the Finnish army reservists, under the designation of SAKO ARG S 40 Reserviläinen.
Sako ARG 40 GP / AK 24 assault rifle specifications
Encyclopedia of firearms and ammunition of the XX and XXI centuries
All texts are written by Maxim Popenker © 1999-2026
