RPK
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TheRPK(Russian:Ручной пулемёт Калашникова/РПК,romanized:Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikova,English: "Kalashnikov's hand-held machine gun" ), sometimes retroactively termed theRPK-47,is aSoviet7.62×39mmlight machine gunthat was developed byMikhail Kalashnikovin the early 1960s, in parallel with theAKMassault rifle.It was created to standardize thesmall armsinventory of theSoviet Army,where it replaced the 7.62×39mmRPD machine gun.The RPK continues to be used by the military of thepost-Soviet statesand certain African and Asian nations. The RPK is also manufactured inBulgaria,Hungary,Romania,andSerbia.
Design details[edit]
Operating mechanism[edit]
The RPK functions identically to theAK-47.It also uses the same 7.62×39mmammunition.It has a similar design layout to theKalashnikov series of rifles,withmodificationsto increase the RPK's effective range and accuracy, enhance itssustained fire capability,and strengthen thereceiver.[5]
Features[edit]
The RPK features a thicker and longerbarrelthan the AKM. This allows for it to be fired for longer without permanent loss in accuracy due to the barrel heating up. Thechrome-lined barrel is permanently fixed to the receiver and cannot be replaced in the field. It is fitted with a new frontsightbase, and thegasblock lacks both abayonetlug and an under-barrelcleaning rodguide. The barrel also features a foldingbipodmounted near themuzzle,and a front sight base with a lug that limits the bipod's rotation around the axis of the barrel. The barrel has a threaded muzzle, enabling the use of muzzle devices such asflash hiders,compensators,andblank-firing adapters. When a muzzle device is not being used, the threads on the muzzle can be covered by athread protector.The barrel is pinned to the receiver in a modifiedtrunnion,reinforced by ribbing, and is slightly wider than the trunnion used on the standard AKM type rifles. Symmetrical bulges on both sides of the front trunnion ensure a proper fit inside the receiver.
The U-shaped receiver isstampedfrom a smooth 1.5 mm (0.06 in)sheetof steel compared to the 1.0 mm (0.04 in) sheet metal receiver used on the standard AKM rifles. It uses a modified AKMrecoilspring assembly that consists of a rear spring guide rod from the AK and a new forward flat guide rod and coil spring. It features a thicklaminatedwood foregrip and a fixed laminated wood "club-foot"buttstocksimilar to the stock used on the RPD, which is designed to allow the user to fire from theprone positionmore comfortably.[6]It uses a standard AKMpistol gripand can also use standard AKM detachablebox magazines,but it is most commonly used with a 40-round box magazine or a 75-rounddrum magazine.Interchangeability of parts between the RPK and AKM are moderate.
Sights[edit]
The weapon'srear sightleaf iselevationadjustable, and graduated for ranges of 100 to 1,000 meters in 100 m increments. The rear sight leaf also features awindageadjustment knob unique to the RPK series of rifles.
Accessories[edit]
Supplied with the RPK are: spare magazines, a cleaning rod, cleaning kit (stored in a hollowed compartment in the buttstock), asling,oil bottle, and magazine pouches (a single-pocket pouch for a drum magazine or a 4-pocket pouch for box magazines).
Variants[edit]
RPK[edit]
The RPK light machine gun chambered in 7.62×39mm cartridge, is essentially a Russian equivalent to asquad automatic weapon.It was adopted by the former Soviet Union, and was issued mainly tomotorized units.It was later adopted by several military agencies around the world.
RPKS[edit]
The RPKS ( "S" — Skladnoy (Russian: складной) means "folding" [stock]) is a variant of the RPK with a side-folding wooden stock was intended primarily for theparatroopers.Changes to the design of the RPKS are limited only to the shoulder stock mounting, at the rear of the receiver. It uses a trunnion riveted to both receiver walls that has a socket and tang, allowing the stock to hinge on a pivot pin. The trunnion has a cut-out on the right side which is designed to engage the stock catch and lock it in place when folded. The wooden stock is mounted in a pivoting hull, which contains a catch that secures the buttstock in the extended position. The rear sling loop was moved from the left side of the stock body to the right side of the stock frame.
RPK-74[edit]
| RPK-74 | |
|---|---|
 RPK-74 with a bipod | |
| Type | Light machine gun Squad automatic weapon |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1974–present |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | Soviet–Afghan War First Chechen War Second Chechen War Russo-Georgian War Russo-Ukrainian War 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1974 |
| Produced | 1974–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4.7 kg (10 lb)(RPK-74) 4.85 kg (10.7 lb)(RPKS-74) |
| Length | 1,060 mm (41.7 in) (stock extended)(RPK-74, RPKS-74) 845 mm (33.3 in) (stock folded(RPKS-74) |
| Barrellength | 590 mm (23.2 in) |
| Cartridge | 5.45×39mm M74 |
| Action | Gas operated,rotating bolt;closed bolt |
| Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 960 m/s (3,149.6 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range |
|
| Maximum firing range | 3,150 m (3,440 yd) |
| Feed system | 30-, 45-round box magazine |
| Sights | Iron sights: semi-shrouded front post and rear sliding tangent with an adjustable notch Sight radius: 555 mm (21.9 in) |
The RPK-74 (РПК-74) was introduced in 1974 together with theAK-74assault rifle and chambered for the new5.45×39mmintermediate cartridge.[8]It was derived from the AK-74 rifle, with modifications that mirror those made to the AKM to create the RPK.
The RPK-74 also uses a longer and heavier chrome-plated barrel, which has a new gas block with a gas channel at a 90° angle to the bore axis, and a ring for the cleaning rod. It is also equipped with a folding bipod and a different front sight tower. The muzzle is threaded for aflash suppressoror blank-firing device.
The rear stock trunnion was strengthened and the magazine well was reinforced with steel inserts.
Additionally, the RPK-74 has a modified return mechanism compared to the AK-74, which uses a new type of metal spring guide rod and recoil spring. The rear sight assembly, forward handguard and receiver dust cover were all retained from the RPK.
The RPK-74 feeds from a 45-round steel or polymer box magazine, interchangeable with magazines from the AK-74,[8]and is designed to be charged fromstripper clips.Drum magazines similar to those used on the previous RPK models were tested during its development phase, but were discontinued in favor of the 45-round box magazine. However, recently the production of a 97-round drum has started. This drum was designed to be used with theAK-107but can also be used in any 5.45×39mm weapon with compatible magazines, such as the RPK-74 and RPK-74M. They were also testing with experimental conventional drums, aprototype100-round belt fed drum magazine was also created. It attaches into the regular magazine well, but the cartridges are stored on a 100-round belt inside a box. A feed system removes them from the belt and puts them in a position where they can be loaded through the regular magazine well. This system is actuated by a lever from the magazine that clips around the charging handle. It is unknown if this ever went into service.
Standard equipment includes: eight magazines, six stripper clips (15 rounds per clip), a speedloader guide, cleaning rod, cleaning kit, sling, oil bottle and two magazine pouches.[8]Some variants do not come with the cleaning kit option.
It is in widespread use by member states of the former Soviet Union, as well as Bulgaria.[8]
RPKS-74[edit]
The RPKS-74 is the paratrooper variant of the RPK-74, equipped with a wooden folding stock from the RPKS.
RPK-74M[edit]
TheRPK-74M(Modernizirovannij"Modernized" ) is an updated variant of the RPK-74 developed during the mid-'90s. In line with the AK-74M assault rifle variant, the RPK-74M lower handguard, gas tube cover, pistol grip, and new synthetic stock are made from a black,glass-filledpolyamide.The stock is shaped like the RPK-74 fixed stock, but also side-folds like the RPKS-74. The stock additionally has an easier to use release mechanism, replacing the bullet press release from the RPKS and RPKS-74. Each RPK-74M is fitted standard with a side-rail bracket for mounting optics. It also includes most of the 74M economic changes, such as the dimpled on barrel hardware, omission of lightening cuts from the front sight block and piston and stamped gas tube release lever. Updated magazines were produced by Molot with horizontal ribs going up the sides of the magazines. An export variant chambered in5.56×45mm NATOwas also introduced, designated as theRPK-201.Also for export is theRPKM(A.K.A.RPK-203) chambered in 7.62×39mm; it uses the same polymer furniture as the RPK-74M variant.[9]
Night versions[edit]
The RPK family of light machine guns are also available in a night fighting configuration. These weapons are designated as theRPKN,RPKSN,RPK-74N,andRPKS-74N.They have a side rail mounting on the left side of the receiver that accepts a NSP-3, NSPU, or NSPUM night vision sight.[10]Models designated RPKN-1, RPKSN-1, RPK-74N and RPKS-74N can mount the multi-model night vision scope NSPU-3 (1PN51)[11]while RPKN2, RPKSN2, RPK-74N2 and RPKS-74N2 can mount the multi-model night vision scope NSPUM (1PN58).[12]
Derivatives[edit]
RPK-16[edit]
The RPK-16light machine gun(the number 16 indicates the year 2016, when the development first started) is Kalashnikov's response to the "Tokar-2" program, where it competed against Degtyaryov's submission. In 2018, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation have signed a contract concerning the procurement of the RPK-16, and is expected to take over the role of the RPK-74 in the Russian Armed Forces.[13]
The RPK-16 is chambered in5.45×39mmwhich features the traditional Kalashnikov gas-operated long-stroke piston system, and shares several novel technical and ergonomic features derived from the AK-12 program. Such as a Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver for mounting various optical sights and on the bottom of the handguard to mount the Picatinny rail mounted detachable bipod instead of the fixed bipod of the RPK-74, an ergonomic pistol grip and a folding buttstock, and two main barrel lengths; a 550 mm (21.7 in) long barrel (when it is applied or configured for the light machine gun role) and a 370 mm (14.6 in) short barrel (when it is applied or configured for the assault rifle role).[14]Its design enables it to have an interchangeable barrels that can easily be removed, and the ability to quickly attach a detachable suppressor. It has a combat weight of 6 kg (13.23 lb), a full-length of 1,076 mm (42.4 in), a cyclic rate of fire of 700 rounds per minute, an accuracy range of 800 m (870 yd). It primarily uses a 95-round drum magazine and is backwards compatible with box magazines from the AK-74,AK-12and RPK-74.[15]
After receiving feedback on the performance of the weapon, the Kalashnikov Concern has begun development on theRPL-20(20 indicating 2020) belt-fed light machine gun also chambered in 5.45×39mm and with a very similar rate of fire. Kalashnikov Concern has so far created at least one functional prototype.[16][17]If adopted, the gun will become the first light machine gun to be used by Russian forces since theRPDthat isn't magazine-fed or of the standard Kalashnikov pattern.
Molot Vepr[edit]
A series of semi-automatic rifles andshotgunsbased on the heavy RPK receiver are manufactured by theMolotfactory inVyatskiye Polyany,Russia. These rifles are known as theVepr(Vepr> "Wild Boar" ). They are offered in several chamberings, including:.223 Remington,7.62×39mm,5.45×39mm,6.5mm Grendel,7.62×54mmR,.308 Winchester,.30-06 Springfieldand Vepr shotguns in12 gauge,20 gauge,and.410 bore. The hallmark of Vepr rifles is their heavy RPK receiver and barrel. The barrel, gas block, and bore are chrome lined throughout. They are intended for the civilian market, and are marketed as high quality hunting rifles. Due to this designation, they lack features seen on most AK type rifles. Vepr rifles do not include a bayonet lug, integrated cleaning rods or tool kits, can not accept standard AK magazines, and have wooden thumb-hole stocks. Some buy these rifles to "convert" into a traditional style AK rifle, installing new pistol-grip stocks and adding tactical accessories.
Early generations of the Vepr rifle were manufactured with slant-back receivers, making them incompatible with most AK furniture sets without a converter. The receivers were changed to straight-back in the second generation. Subsequent versions of the rifle reverted to slant-back. Due to this rapid change between designs, it is not uncommon to find some second generation Vepr rifles with rough, incomplete stocks that have not been sanded or painted.
Users[edit]
Afghanistan[18]
Albania:[18]Uses both Soviet and locally producedASh-78 Tip-2rifles.[19]
Armenia:RPK-47
Bulgaria:Produced byArsenalas theLMGin three different calibers, 7.62×39mm, 5.45×39mm and5.56×45mm NATO.Uniquely had milled receivers. A folding stock variant is known as theLMG-F.[18][20][21][22]
Burundi[23]
Cambodia[24]
Cape Verde[18]
Central African Republic[18]
Chad[18]
Comoros[18]
Congo-Brazzaville[18]
Cuba[18]
Djibouti[18]
Equatorial Guinea[18]
Ethiopia[18]
Fiji:[25]RPK-201 variant.
Georgia:[18]RPK-74variant is still in use by the Georgian Army and special forces.[26]
Guinea-Bissau[18]
Hungary[18]
Iran:[18]Locally known as "BB-Kalash".
Iraq[18]Also manufactured locally asAl Quds[27]
Kazakhstan:RPK-74[28]
Lesotho[29]
Libya[18]
Malaysia:RPK-74variant is used by theGrup Gerak Khas(GGK) of theMalaysian Army.[30]
Mali:[18]Armed and Security Forces of Mali.
Malta[18]
Mozambique[18]
Namibia[31]
Nicaragua[18]
Nigeria[18]
North Korea:Type 64.[18]
Poland[18]
Romania:Built by Fabrica de Arme Cugir SA as thePuşcă Mitralieră model 1964( "model 1964 light machine gun" )[32]and later, a 5.45mm version based on thePA md. 86—theMitralieră md. 1993( "model 1993 light machine gun" ).[33]
Russia:[18]RPK-74, RPK-74M and RPK-16[13]
Seychelles[18]
Serbia:Manufactured locally as theZastava M72.
Somalia[18]
Sudan[18]
Syria[18]
Tanzania[18]
Transnistria[34]
Uganda[18]
Ukraine:RPK-74 and RPK, also used byseparatists[36]
United States: Used during theIraq War[37]
ATriple Canopycontractor gives a marksmanship class on the Zastava M-72 machine gun to 2US Armysoldiers. 
Uzbekistan[18]
Vietnam[38]
Yemen[18]
Zimbabwe[18]
Former users[edit]
East Germany:Manufactured locally as the LMGK (Leichtes Maschinengewehr Kalashnikov)[39][40]
Soviet Union
Yugoslavia:Manufactured locally as theZastava M72.
See also[edit]
- PK machine gun
- PKP Pecheneg machine gun
- M249 light machine gun
- IWI Negev
- QJY-88
- FN Minimi
- ČZW-762
- Nikonov machine gun
- IP-2
- Valmet M78
- Zastava M72
- RPL-20
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Bibliography[edit]
- Rottman, Gordon (2011).The AK-47: Kalashnikov-series Assault Rifles.Osprey Publishing.
External links[edit]
- Ponomarev, Yuri (2010)."Битва трёх «К»"[The battle of the three "K" ](PDF).Kalashnikov(in Russian). No. 6. pp. 76–85. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on April 13, 2022.(Covers the design competition.)
- "Soviet RPK-47 Light Machine Gun Manual".Kalashnikov. 1973.[permanent dead link]
- "Light Machine Gun RPK".EnemyForces.com.Archived fromthe originalon April 20, 2023.
- "RPK".Modern Firearms.
- "RPK-74".Modern Firearms.
- "RPK Light Machine Gun".Kalashnikov.guns.ru.Archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-29.
- "Technical data, instructional images and diagrams of the RPK-47M".Sovposters(in Russian). Archived fromthe originalon April 12, 2023.
- Video of operation (RPK-74)onYouTube(in Japanese)Archive
- 5.45×39mm machine guns
- 7.62×39mm machine guns
- Cold War firearms of the Soviet Union
- Light machine guns
- Infantry weapons of the Cold War
- Kalashnikov derivatives
- Long stroke piston firearms
- Machine guns of the Soviet Union
- Kalashnikov Concern products
- Squad automatic weapons
- Vyatskiye Polyany Machine-Building Plant products
- Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1961