FFV 890

Lore & Background

The FFV 890 was initially based on the ARM variant of the IMI Galil, with the earliest rifles being plain Galil ARMs manufactured by Israel Military Industries in Israel. Over the course of development, FFV shifted to the Galil SAR as a base design, and after some IMI-manufactured FFV 890 rifles, FFV began licence manufacturing at the Eskilstuna Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori for the FFV 890C. Both IMI and the Finnish state firearms company Valmet participated in producing parts and assisting FFV. The chief firearms designer of Valmet, Timo Hyytinen, described working with FFV as easy and unproblematic, but noted that the Swedish Armed Forces had resentment towards cooperation with Valmet. The FFV 890 entered the Swedish Armed Forces trials for a new 5.56 mm assault rifle. Initial trials in 1974–1976 pitted the FFV 890 (both ARM and SAR) against the Heckler & Koch HK33, FN FNC, FN CAL, Colt M16A1, Steyr AUG, Beretta AR70, ArmaLite AR-18, SIG SG 540 and Stoner 63. The FFV 890 and FN FNC proved superior, especially in winter reliability, leading to the disqualification of other competitors. Between 1975 and 1979 FFV dropped the ARM variant and continued with only the SAR, culminating in the FFV 890C. This variant differed from the Galil SAR with a shorter gas system, two-piece clamshell front handguard, redesigned magazine release lever, larger right side selector, larger trigger guard, shorter barrel (348 mm), case deflector, OD green paint, rubber recoil buffer, and Swedish-based selector markings. After further trials, the Swedish Armed Forces requested changes, which FFV incorporated: a horizontally oriented charging handle, return to the standard Galil trigger guard and magazine release lever, an additional notch on the right side selector, a cross bar safety similar to the FN MAG, and a rear sight similar to the FN Minimi. The stock was painted green. Following the 1979–1980 trials at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Växjö, soldiers described the FFV 890C as superior to the FN FNC, but official documents described the FNC as better; officially neither rifle passed. The FNC was cheaper and used stamping instead of milling. FFV attempted to convert to stamped receivers like the AKM but was unsuccessful. Political difficulties between Israel and Sweden, and the Swedish government's low regard for Israel, may have played a part. Adopting an initially Soviet design could have conflicted with Sweden's neutral non-alignment policy. The FMV officially declared the FN FNC the winner.

Reader's Guide

The FFV 890C's significance lies in its near-adoption as the standard Swedish service rifle, losing only to the FN FNC after extensive trials. Despite being considered superior by soldiers who participated in the trials, the FFV 890C was not selected due to cost, manufacturing methods, and political factors. The rifle's development involved cooperation between Swedish, Israeli, and Finnish manufacturers, reflecting a complex international lineage. Less than 1000 rifles were produced, and it saw limited use by Swedish police. After the trials, FFV sold all blueprints and development work to Valmet, which presumably incorporated some features into its own rifle development. The FFV 890C remains a footnote in Swedish military history, a capable design that never entered full service.

Did You Know?

• The FFV 890 was initially just a rebranded IMI Galil ARM manufactured in Israel.
• Less than 1000 FFV 890C rifles were ever manufactured.
• The FFV 890C had a shorter gas system and barrel (348 mm) compared to the Galil SAR.