RPK
| RPK | |
|---|---|
 RPK | |
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1961–present |
| Used by | USSR/Russia, Poland, China, Romania, Yugoslavia, East Germany |
| Wars | Vietnam, Afghanistan, various Middle East conflicts |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1961 |
| Produced | 1961–1978 |
| Variants | RPK, RPKS, RPKSN |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 5 kg |
| Length | 1,040 mm |
| Barrel length | 591 mm |
| Cartridge | 7.62 x 39 mm M43 |
| Caliber | 7.62 mm |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 600 round/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 745 m/s |
| Feed system | 30- or 40-round detachable box magazine; 75- or 100-round drum |
The RPK (Ruchnoy pulemyot Kalashnikova, Russian: Ручной пулемёт Калашникова) is the light machine gun that replaced the RPD in the role as squad automatic weapon for Soviet infantry.
Design differences from the AK-47
The receiver is almost identical to that of the AKM except that it is thicker and features bulges on the sides of the forend to accommodate matching bulges in the front trunnion which add strength to the design. The weapon's stock is different to allow for more comfortable and effective use during prone firing. The barrel is also longer and heavier, to provide more reliability during heavy usage and automatic fire. The weapon's rear sights are also different, allowing for windage adjustment.
History
The RPK was designed around when the new updated AKM was being made in the early 1970's. It was adopted by the Red Army in 1974 and is still used. An average of 1 person per squad (10 men) will obtain one in the Russian Army. It was also used in the Soviet war in Afghanistan from 1979-1989.
Additional information
It can use any magazine that an AK-47 can. A paratrooper variant called the RPK-S had a side-folding stock. This weapon has officially been replaced by the RPK-74 in the Russian army, but is still used by many second-line and non-infantry soldiers, in addition to other organizations around the world. It usually loads a 75-round drum magazine or a 40-round extended magazine. Using a 75-round or 100-round drum magazine, the RPK can be used as a light anti-aircraft gun. The RPK has a maximum range of 2,500 meters, and effective range of about 800 meters.
See also
