Madsen LAR
Danish battle rifle based on the Kalashnikov design.
The Madsen LAR is a Danish battle rifle that fires the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. Its design is derived from the Kalashnikov rifle and incorporates lightweight, high-tensile alloys and steel similar to those used in the M16. The rifle’s layout resembles other contemporary designs, including the GRAM 63 and the Valmet M62. Development began around 1957, a period when manufacturers like FN Herstal and Heckler & Koch were producing the FN FAL and the Heckler & Koch G3, respectively.
Several variants existed. Some had solid wood stocks that extended from the handguard to the buttplate, covering the receiver. Others used a fixed steel tube stock or side- and underfolding stocks. An earlier assault rifle variant, chambered for the 7.62×39mm M43 round but incompatible with AK magazines, was intended for the Finnish armed forces. The goal was to steer Finland away from adopting the Soviet-based Valmet M62. However, Finland, a neutral country, chose the Valmet M62 as its standard service rifle because it was cheaper to produce and potentially more reliable.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Denmark
- Is Ranged
- YES
- Design Date
- 1957-1962
- Manufacturer
- Dansk Industri Syndikat
- Variants
- Full wooden stock, Fixed tube stock, Side-folding stock, Underfolding stock
- Cartridge
- 7.62×51mm NATO, 7.62×39mm M43 (Proposed Finnish service variant)
- Caliber
- 7.62mm
- Action
- Gas-operated
- Feed
- 20-round detachable box magazine, 30-round AK magazine (Proposed Finnish service variant)
- Sights
- Iron sights
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Development of the Madsen LAR can be traced back to 1957 when various arms manufacturers such as FN Herstal and Heckler & Koch were producing the FN FAL and the Heckler & Koch G3, respectively. Variants of the LAR came with solid wood stocks that covered the receiver from the handguard to the buttplate, then with a fixed steel tube and side/underfolding stocks.
An earlier assault rifle variant chambered for the 7.62×39mm M43 round (but incompatible with AK magazines) was intended for the armed forces of Finland and to draw them away from using a Soviet-based design, the Valmet M62. However, Finland, being a neutral country, ignored this and went ahead with the Valmet M62, adopting it as their standard service rifle due to its cheaper cost for production and potentially better reliability.
Reader's Guide
The Madsen LAR represents a Danish attempt to produce a battle rifle in the 7.62×51mm NATO caliber using the Kalashnikov action, a departure from the more common designs of the era such as the FN FAL and Heckler & Koch G3. Its construction from lightweight alloys and steel similar to that used on the M16 rifle indicates an effort to reduce weight while maintaining durability. The rifle's layout placed it alongside contemporaries like the GRAM 63 and Valmet M62. The earlier assault rifle variant chambered for the 7.62×39mm M43 round was specifically marketed to Finland as an alternative to the Soviet-influenced Valmet M62, but Finland ultimately chose the Valmet M62 due to lower production costs and potentially better reliability. The LAR's variants, including solid wood stocks and folding steel stocks, show an attempt to adapt to different user preferences, but the rifle did not achieve widespread adoption.
Did You Know?
- The Madsen LAR is based on the Kalashnikov rifle.
- An earlier variant was chambered for the 7.62×39mm M43 round but was incompatible with AK magazines.
- Finland rejected the Madsen LAR in favor of the Valmet M62 due to cheaper cost and potentially better reliability.
More in Assault Rifles, Part 3 1-24
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