 The rifle was FFV's entry to the Swedish Armed Forces trials for the new 5.56 mm assault rifle in 1979-1980; in the initial tests, IMI manufactured Galil ARM and SAR renamed as FFV 890 had participated in its stead.Despite the FFV 890 C being superior to the other final contestant in the field trials, FN FNC, the FNC was chosen due to lower manufacturing costs.Due to the loss in the trials, it was never widely adopted anywhere, and saw only limited use within the Swedish police.