RPK (machine gun)
RPK | |
---|---|
general information | |
Military designation: | 6P2 ( GRAY index ) |
Country of operation: | Soviet Union, Warsaw Pact , China , Vietnam |
Developer / Manufacturer: | Mikhail Timofejewitsch Kalashnikov , Ischmasch |
Manufacturer country: | Soviet Union |
Production time: | 1961 until today |
Weapon Category: | Machine gun |
Furnishing | |
Overall length: | 1040 mm |
Weight: (unloaded) | 5.0 kg |
Barrel length : | 591 mm |
Technical specifications | |
Caliber : | 7.62 × 39 mm |
Possible magazine fillings : | 30/40/75/100 cartridges |
Ammunition supply : | Cam or drum magazine |
Cadence : | 600 rounds / min |
Number of trains : | 4th |
Twist : | right |
Closure : | Turret lock |
Charging principle: | Gas pressure charger |
Lists on the subject |
The RPK ( Russian РПК , ручной пулемёт Калашникова , rutschnoi pulemjot Kalashnikowa , literally in German: hand machine gun Kalashnikov) is a light machine gun developed in the Soviet Union .
history
After the Second World War , the M43 medium cartridge was introduced into the Soviet armed forces . It was used in self-loading, assault and light machine guns. To make the standardization complete, not only the ammunition but also the armament should be uniform. For this purpose, the AK-47 was defined as the basis for further new developments. The MG RPD-44 used until then was technically based on different designs and was to be replaced by a new model.
Technology, compared to AK 47
For use as a light MG, the RPK was equipped with a longer and more massive barrel . On the one hand, this increased the muzzle velocity of the projectiles and, on the other hand, the wear resistance of the barrel in continuous fire. The weapon has a bipod for a stable attack . The piston is similar to that of the RPD-44 and has a handle attachment. This allows the shooter to better pull the weapon into his shoulder. The rear sight can be adjusted to correct crosswinds.
The lock is a bit more robust than on the AK-47, but all assemblies are so similar that they can be exchanged between the models. This also applies to the longer cam and drum magazines . As with the AK, the barrel cannot be changed during the battle.
In parallel with the small-caliber AK-74 , an IMG version was developed with the RPK-74 , which is based on the AK-74 and similarly modified. The RPK-74 also fires the new standard ammunition of the Soviet / Russian armed forces in caliber 5.45 × 39 mm and thus replaces the RPK.
In 2016, the further developed version RPK-16 was presented, which takes over elements of the AK-12 .
Versions and replicas
- RPKS : ( S for skladnoj , foldable): short version with folding stock
- RPKN : ( N for notschnoj , night): Version with side mounting rail for night vision devices (type NSPU / M) or other aiming aids
- RPKSN : Combination of S and N version
- Zastava M72 : Yugoslav license replica by Zastava
- Valmet M-78 : Finland
- TUL 1 : Vietnam
- ASh-78 Type 3 : Albania
literature
- Ilya Shaydurov: Russian firearms types. Technology. Data. Motorbuch, Stuttgart 2010, ISBN 978-3-613-03187-6 .
- Günter Wollert, Reiner Lidschun, Wilfried Copenhagen : Rifle weapons (1945–1985) . In: Illustrated encyclopedia of rifles from around the world . 3. Edition. tape 2 . Brandenburgisches Verlagshaus, Berlin 1993, ISBN 3-89488-059-7 , p. 415 f .
- Philip Peterson (Ed.): Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide, Gun Digest Books, 2011, ISBN 978-1-4402-1451-6
- John Walter: Rifles of the World. Krause Publications, Wisconsin, IO 2006, ISBN 978-0-89689-241-5 .
Web links
- ручной пулемёт Калашникова РПК-74М. (JPG) Retrieved on November 20, 2014 (in Russian, overview table with sectional and disassembled representation and all technical data).
Individual evidence
- ↑ RPK-16 Kalashnikov LMG Light Machine Gun 5.45x39mm. In: armyrecognition.com. January 12, 2017, accessed March 14, 2017 .
- ↑ Maxim Popenker: Kalashnikov RPK-16 light machine gun (Russia). In: Modern Firearms. Retrieved March 14, 2017 (English).