RPK (machine gun)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
RPK
RPK machine gun with 45-round magazine on white background.jpg
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

RPK with drum magazine
RPK-74

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

Commons : RPK  - album with pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. RPK-16 Kalashnikov LMG Light Machine Gun 5.45x39mm. In: armyrecognition.com. January 12, 2017, accessed March 14, 2017 .
  2. Maxim Popenker: Kalashnikov RPK-16 light machine gun (Russia). In: Modern Firearms. Retrieved March 14, 2017 (English).