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The 5.45-mm Kalashnikov RPK-74M light machine gun (Modernized) is an improved version of the RPK-74 model, made by modifying the original model using innovations from the AK-74M assault rifle after its adoption in 1991.

The work was carried out in 1993 at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant and the Vyatka-Polyansky Machine-Building Plant, observing the principle of unifying the new light machine gun with a modernized machine gun.

Distinctive features of the RPK-74M

• The handguard and the gas tube receiver lining are made of impact-resistant glass-filled thermoset plastic AG-4V, similar to the AK-74M, and also have a new shape with a ribbed surface.
• Metal parts are treated with a coating that protects the steel from corrosion.
• The barrel life of the RPK-74M was increased taking into account the firing of the then new 7N10 cartridge with a bullet of increased penetration, while the declared barrel life is up to 50 thousand shots.
• The strength of the receiver and its cover has been increased.
• On the left wall of the RPK-74M receiver there is a side rail with a dovetail mount for installing a night or optical sight. For example, on the RPK-74M light machine gun, as well as on the AK-74M assault rifle, it is possible to install PK-A and PK-01 collimator sights, as well as COBRA and 1P78.
• The return spring guide rod stop is equipped with a recessed stop that prevents the receiver cover from falling off during impacts and shocks.
• The RPK-74M is equipped with a plastic butt that folds to the left and is fixed in the firing position with a push-button latch.

The RPK-74M, like the 7.62 mm RPK, is significantly inferior to such light machine guns as the M249 and FN Minimi in terms of firepower due to the fact that it does not have a replaceable barrel and fires from a closed bolt, and also uses limited-capacity magazines.

In addition, the M249 and Minimi light machine guns have the ability to use both a metal belt and NATO standard box magazines for assault rifles for firing, and are equipped with a quick-release barrel and a handle for carrying the machine gun or replacing the barrel.

The Russian RPK-74M light machine gun is similar to similar foreign models based on assault rifles, such as the Austrian Steyr AUG LMG, the English L86A1 and the Chinese QBB-95 (Type 95), fundamentally having the same basic advantages and disadvantages of such weapons.

According to a TASS report dated February 6, 2022, with reference to the General Director of the Concern, Alexey Krivoruchko, the Kalashnikov Concern and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation signed a contract for the supply of RPK-16 light machine guns, developed by the Concern on its own initiative to replace old ones in the armed forces and special forces units RPK-74 and RPK-74M.

The RPK-16 has the ability to change the barrel, thanks to which the weapon can be adapted to perform various tasks, such as combat in urban environments, where a short barrel providing maneuverability is required. Thus, the weapon can be used as a compact automatic carbine, or with a long barrel as a light machine gun for combined arms combat.

Kalashnikov RPK light machine gun cartridge caliber 7.62 mm. Device

RPK 7.62-mm Kalashnikov light machine gun (GRAU Index - 6P2) is a Soviet light machine gun created on the basis of the AKM assault rifle. Adopted by the Soviet army in 1961. It replaced the Degtyarev light machine gun, as more preferable from the point of view of unification with other small arms adopted for service.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the RPK 74M

• Caliber: 5.45×39
• Length of weapon with folded butt: 1065 mm
• Weapon length with stock folded: 857 mm
• Barrel length: 590 mm
• Weapon weight without ammunition: 4.76 kg
• Initial bullet speed: 960 m/s
• Rate of fire: 150 rds/min
• Rate of fire: 600-650 rds/min
• Sighting range: 1000 m
• Magazine capacity: 45 rounds

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Photo of the RPK machine gun

Iraqi soldiers train to fire PKK guns

Mongolian soldier with PKK

Kalashnikov RPK light machine gun with a drum magazine for 75 rounds

Kalashnikov RPKS light machine gun with folded butt

Kalashnikov RPK light machine gun with horn magazine for 40 rounds

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Advantages and disadvantages of the RPK-16 light machine gun

The new Kalashnikov Concern machine gun has not yet been studied well enough to say anything specific about its advantages or disadvantages. However, even if you look at the appearance of the weapon and read the technical characteristics, you can draw certain conclusions. The main advantages are as follows:

• From the appearance of the weapon, it becomes clear that its purpose is combat in urban environments. For special forces, this powerful and rapid-fire weapon will come in handy;
• Ammunition of 45x39 mm caliber is the most common in the Russian army, so the choice of RPK-16 caliber is very successful;
• The 96-round drum magazine allows for long-lasting fire;
• The low weight of the product contributes to the ease of use of the weapon;
• Low recoil contributes to accuracy, so this machine gun is very accurate.

As negative aspects of the RPK-16, one can cite the statements of skeptics who claim that the new machine gun is only a simplified model of the RPK-400. In addition, the Pecheneg machine gun, which is produced at the Degtyarev plant, is a more powerful weapon. To this it can be argued that the RPK-16 is intended for other combat missions. The main task of the Pecheneg is to control the territory, and the RPK-16 is more suitable for surprise attacks in urban areas.

The number of rounds required to kill a single target

Shooting in short bursts from a bipod

Notes:

1. When shooting at moving targets, the number of rounds increases by 1.3 times.

2. When shooting at night or at targets located on the water, the number of rounds increases by 1.5 times.

3. When firing from landing craft, the number of rounds increases by 2 times.

4. When shooting from a kneeling position and on the move from a short Stop or standing, the number of cartridges increases accordingly: at a range of 100 m - by 1.6 and 2 times, at a longer range - by 2 and 2.5 times.

Dynamic development of the Kalashnikov Concern

Unlike most domestic defense industry enterprises, the Kalashnikov Concern has been developing very dynamically in recent years. This concern tries to release some new weapon every year, both among hunting and among combat models. Some ill-wishers accuse the Kalashnikov Concern of speculating on the name of the famous Kalashnikov assault rifle. This is expressed in the fact that the names “AK” and the like are given to models that operate according to a completely different scheme.

The new Kalashnikov RPK-16 machine gun is one of the new models that is currently approved by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

At the Army-2016 exhibition, the general director of the Kalashnikov Concern loudly announced that the contract for the supply of an experimental batch of RPK-16 had already been signed, and in 2022 the serial assembly of new light machine guns for the Russian army would begin.

History of creation

After the Second World War, using the experience of using the MG34 and MG42 as a basis, the GAU in 1946 developed technical specifications for the design of a domestic single machine gun.

More than 20 samples from various developers were nominated for the competition. The leaders were G.I. Nikitin and V.A. Degtyarev.

But the untimely death of V. Degtyarev allowed G. Nikitin to send a small batch of his PNs for military trials. PN did not pass the exam. The machine gun parts wore out unacceptably quickly, and the automation failed when water got into it.

Later than everyone else, M. T. Kalashnikov began to develop new weapons with his designers V. V. Krupin, V. N. Pushchin, A. D. Kryakushin and others at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant.

Working in emergency mode, they were able, having passed evaluation tests in 1959, to win competitive tests in 1960.

It is worth noting that weapon designers were faced with a huge number of practically unsolvable problems. Starting from the use of the already outdated 7.62x54R welt cartridge at that time, and the requirements of the technical specifications in terms of the reliability of weapon automation.

Kalashnikov was helped to achieve such results both by the use of technical solutions that had proven themselves in the creation of AKs, and by the following factors:

• Increased gaps between moving parts of weapon automation;
• Application of non-loose metal tape;
• Use of an adjustable gas outlet unit;
• Maximum unification with weapons in service;
• The maximum possible use of cold stamping under these conditions and the reduction of milling and planing operations.

The PK (6P6) and PKS (6P3) machine guns were put into service on October 20 and December 28, 1961, respectively; at that time it was an easel machine gun on a tripod machine designed by Samozhenkov, with the ability to work with a bipod.

The tripod had the ability to conduct anti-aircraft fire.

To transport the PKS, a crew of two people was enough. The first number carried the body of the machine gun and additional boxes of cartridges, the second number carried the assembled machine and two 200 cartridge boxes.

The production of weapons was entrusted to the machine-building plant in Kovrov.

Modernization of the PC in 1969 led to a reduction in weight by 1.5 kg and lower production costs; some operations were replaced by stamping and casting, abandoning precision machining.

The Stepanov system machine that replaced the earlier one was also several kilograms lighter.

The repeated competition left no chance for G. Nikitin’s completely revised PN. The Kalashnikov machine gun came into service again. But with the addition of the letter M (modernized)

Elevation of the trajectory above the aiming line

Bullet weight 7.9 g

Initial speed 745 m/s

Dispersion characteristics

Steel core bullet

Shooting in short bursts from a bipod

Main table

Bullet weight 7.9 g

Initial speed 745 m/s

Departure angle zero

Bullet energy 225 kgm