Swedish Army Resumes AK 24 Trials After Delayed-Ignition Fix

The Swedish Armed Forces introduced the new Automatkarbin 24 (AK 24) assault rifle in 5.56×45mm NATO caliber at the beginning of 2025, and regular TFB readers have been able to follow the introduction in detail. What is a lesser-known fact is that shortly after fielding began, a firing ban was imposed on the Ak24 due to incidents of delayed ignition affecting a number of rifles. TFB continues to follow the story and to explain the issues. There is now a Press Release with more information.

The Ak 24 and Ak M4A @ TFB:

• The Swedish Automatkarbin 24 (Ak 24) - A Detailed Summary
• Swedish Armed Forces CBRN School With Ak24 and AP2C
• Sweden Signs Agreement For More Sako AK 24 Rifles
• The AK M4A - Sweden’s Newest Service Rifle

Following corrective actions by the manufacturer, the Armed Forces have now lifted the ban on a limited number of weapons and restarted the operational validation process to confirm the rifle’s safety, reliability, and overall performance across a wider range of units. Previously, the error has been described as an issue with the tolerances.

Four Units Selected for Trials

Validation testing is now being conducted at four different regiments with varying operational profiles:

• Amf 4 (4th Marine Regiment) – Gothenburg
• F 17 (Blekinge Wing) – Ronneby
• I 19 (Norrbotten Regiment) – Boden
• P 4 (Skaraborg Regiment) – Skovde

Each unit will carry out company-level troop trials using continuously employed professional soldiers (GSS/K) as part of regular training and operations.

“The current firing ban on the AK 24 will be lifted locally on a number of weapons during the period,” said Henrik Lundin, project lead for the introduction of new small arms.

The verification phase runs from 1 November 2025 to 1 May 2026. The focus is on maximum operational use to gather real-world data on function, safety, durability, and wear under diverse environmental conditions and unit types.

“The continued validation trials are crucial in order to lift the firing ban completely. The ambition is to resume deliveries of the AK 24 during Q2 2026,” Lundin added.

Conscripts to Remain with AK M4A Variant

The original plan remains unchanged: conscripts undergoing basic military training will continue to train and qualify with the existing Ak M4A variant (Made by Colt). Even after the Ak 24 returns to broader service, priority will go to professional soldiers rather than conscripts.

“We see that when the AK 24 is reintroduced, it will primarily go to employed soldiers. The AK M4 fulfills its role in conscript training and is a good and reliable weapon,” Henrik Lundin stated.

The resumed trials mark the final stage before full-rate production and fielding of the AK 24, which is intended to become the standard service rifle for Sweden’s continuously serving personnel.

What Risks Does Delayed Ignition Pose?

The risks are that you do not have control over when and how you deliver the shot. In the worst case, it can mean that one aims the weapon at a target, pulls the trigger, but nothing happens. One would then suspect there’s been a stoppage and, with movement of the weapon, the barrel may swing to the side and what is now an accidental shot will most likely be discharged in the wrong direction. According to an article in The Officer’s Magazine, in addition to the delayed ignition issues, further faults have been reported, including a loose barrel and a gas block with poor attachment.

Sources: Swedish Armed Forces and The Officers' Magazine. Top image: Bezav Mahmod. All other images: FMV.