Homemade tool for complex tasks
PKZ machine gun.
This is what its creator himself, Andrei Malkov (call sign “Labi”), says about his creation.
“Several conditions were set in the technical specifications. One of them is that the machine gun must be carried hidden under the arm, covered with a raincoat. In the SVO, they try to hit the fighters with the “long black oar” first, that is, machine gunners and snipers. This immediately reduces the firepower and capabilities of the unit.”
Andrey Malkov with his brainchild.
The Perm design bureau "Labi" itself (also known as CJSC NPO "LABI"), judging by the available information, does not have a license for production (research, development, testing, manufacturing, as well as artistic decoration and repair weapons, production of cartridges and their components) weapons and cartridges, provided for by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 21.07.1998, 814 No. XNUMX. Accordingly, Malkov himself does not have the right to modify the barrels of his creation, namely to shorten, remove mechanical sighting devices and install a mount for a collimator.
According to information available in open sources, the barrel was modified at the Russian University of Special Forces named after. V.V. Putin in Gudermes.
Infographics from the Izvestia publication with the characteristics of the PKZ machine gun.
The topic of bullpups based on PC/PKM/Pecheneg systems has been addressed more than once. It was always either something at the level of the creations of self-taught people, the Kulibins, or more than factory-made (for example, a bullpup from Kovrov specialists), but also produced in a fairly limited edition and for special forces.
In general, the idea of such a “modernization” of a machine gun for units in the Northern Military District zone, which most likely will have to perform not only assault missions, is actually controversial. From a single machine gun, that is, a universal machine gun, in fact, a highly specialized tool is obtained, which is either not so convenient for performing other tasks, or is simply not applicable.
Approach to a PC-bullpup projectile from residents of Saratov, Syria.
In addition, there are doubts that the machine gun will retain the same reliability that is inherent in the PK/PKM/Pecheneg family, since the barrel is greatly shortened, and the gas unit, apparently, has not been subjected to any modifications. How it will all work together, probably, only tests will show.
One small Picatinny rail in front of the receiver and the lack of mechanical sighting devices also raise questions and, again, make a highly specialized tool out of a universal machine gun. Plus, a short barrel with a powerful rifle cartridge means sheaves of sparks and flames, incomparable to PK/PKM/Pecheneg with standard barrels.
Kovrovsky bullpup of one of the special forces units. These machine guns did not become a mass phenomenon, and, probably, they could not have become. Still, this version of the Kalashnikov machine gun is tailored for quite specific tasks.
Yes, here the issue is most likely solved by “muzzle devices,” but they will hide almost the only advantage of this machine gun - compactness.
Even the light weight, which is presented as an advantage of a machine gun, can actually be a disadvantage, since during assault operations you will probably have to fire this weapon from your hands, and it is harder to control a lighter weapon with a powerful cartridge than a heavier one. That is, PKZ “operators” will most likely be subject to rather stringent requirements in terms of physical fitness and level of weapon proficiency.
Serial Kovrov version of the bullpup PC.
At the same time, the army has more compact machine guns with standard folding stocks - 6P41M (modernized PKP/Pecheneg). And there is even a more compact (shorter gas engine) 6P69 (“Pecheneg-SP”). Well, that is, as it is, 6P41M is produced, but, apparently, in homeopathic quantities, and 6P69 has been undergoing various tests for more than 10 years (!) and seems to be just planned for production, and so far it only shines in photos from a weapons blogger, made in Gudermes.
But, in general, now there are commercial kits for tuning machine guns, and the standard stock can be replaced with a folding one, simply by purchasing it from the same “Zenitka”, and the issue of camouflaging the “long black oar” is generally removed.
True, here we again return to the question, which was finally recently voiced at a high level and publicly; former Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin said at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum (SPBILF) that our fighters are forced to equip themselves at their own expense. But this is a topic for a separate and not very pleasant discussion.
Overall duel between “Pecheneg” and his Kovrov bullpup brother.
The main advantage and at the same time disadvantage of the PKZ is that it is actually not a new machine gun, but just another upgrade kit. Yes, the modernization is quite deep, with modifications being made to the standard machine gun barrel, but still. But there are no more machine guns in the army, the need for them is only growing, but the manufacturer remains the same for the whole country and all departments. That is, even if the PKZ passes the tests and finds its way to the front, machine guns will most likely have to be removed for such alterations.
The issue of an assault machine gun could be resolved by the adoption of a 5.45 caliber belt-fed system, but, as we wrote earlier, there seems to be progress in this direction, but it seems there is not, given that between the prototype and the “barrel” in the army – years or even a decade may pass.
The civilian weapon tuning market offers working options on how to make a machine gun more compact.
Be that as it may, one can only be glad that design ideas appear not only within the walls of respected and honored enterprises, and they even manage to be embodied in metal.
On the other hand, probably certain problems in the army’s small arms system became the reason for the emergence of such proactive developments. In any case, I would like to wish the author of the machine gun good luck and further successful design work.
6P69 could be the answer to the aspirations of everyone who wants a compact PC/PKM/Pecheneg here and now. But the machine gun has been tested for more than 10 years, and the troops do not have it. The photo was taken by the famous weapons blogger RAZVEDOS, and in the background we can see the beautiful nature of the Chechen Republic. The photo was taken near Gudermes at the Russian University of Special Forces named after V.V. Putin.
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