RPK-74 light machine gun and its modifications
In the early seventies in the Soviet Union, a new low-impulse intermediate cartridge 5,45x39 mm was created. It had some advantages over existing 7,62x39 mm, such as less weight, less recoil impulse, increased direct shot range, etc. It was decided to transfer the army to weapon under the new 5,45-mm cartridge. Corresponding projects started in the mid-sixties. According to the results of the competition in 1974, several models of new weapons were adopted by the Soviet Army, including the RPK-74 light machine gun.
In the late fifties and early sixties, Soviet gunsmiths worked to create a new small arms with the maximum degree of unification. The result of this approach to the creation of weapons was the adoption of the AKM machine gun and the PKK light machine gun. These samples had a number of noticeable differences, but were based on general principles, and the same parts were used in the widest possible way in their design. The priority of the unification of weapons led to the fact that the characteristics of the PKK as a whole remained at the level of the “full-fledged” RPD light machine gun, but almost did not grow. However, the military wanted to simplify production and operation through unification, which led to the adoption of the PKK machine gun with the gradual ousting of the RPD.
With all its drawbacks, the idea of unifying the machine gun and light machine gun was recognized as viable and expedient. For this reason, when developing weapons for a low-impulse cartridge, it was separately required to create two samples based on common ideas and components. About a dozen projects were submitted for the competition for the creation of a chambered cartridge 5,45х39 mm. Among other designers, M.T. Kalashnikov, who decided to continue the development of ideas that have emerged in the draft AK end of the forties.
The competition continued until the end of 1973. The competition itself and the proposed projects are of great interest, however, almost all of the samples were eventually found to be unsuitable for adoption and dropped out of the competition. According to the results of various field and troop tests, tests and comparisons, the winner of the competition was recognized as a complex of weapons developed by MT. Kalashnikov. At the very beginning of 1974, the AK-74 assault rifle and the RPK-74 light machine gun unified with it were adopted.
Kalashnikov weapons under the new cartridge was a modified version of the previous systems. However, the draft machine gun RPK-74 can not be considered a simple remake of the previous PKK. In addition to compatibility with the new patron, engineers had to solve a lot of various technological and structural issues. Thus, RPK-74 should be considered a direct development of the ideas embodied in earlier developments.
However, two machine guns developed by M.T. Kalashnikov turned out very similar. The use of existing ideas has led to the fact that, according to the general architecture, the RPK and RPK-74 light machine guns hardly differed from each other. Both samples had a similar design of different units, as well as the same layout and general principles of operation. Like other Kalashnikov designs, the RPK-74 machine gun used gas automatics with a long piston stroke.
All components and assemblies of the RPK-74 machine gun were placed inside the receiver or attached to its outer part. The design of the box and the cover has not undergone major changes in terms of design or production technology. The receiver itself was made by stamping, the necessary connections were made by welding. In the front wall of the box was provided for the installation site of the trunk and gas tube. The front and middle parts of the box were given under the moving shutter, the back - under the trigger mechanism.
Access to the receiver was carried out using a removable top cover. The stamped lid was pressed against the front of the receiver and secured with a latch at the rear. Like the box itself, the lid was borrowed from other developments of the family.
The RPK-74 light machine gun received a relatively long heavy barrel, designed to provide high firepower and the possibility of long-term intensive shooting. The barrel of the machine gun, as in the case of the PKK, had a length of 590 mm. In this case, the relative length of the trunk has increased significantly. Thus, the PKK had a barrel with a length of 77,4 caliber, and the RPK-74 had a 108,25 caliber. This feature of the design positively affected some characteristics of the weapon, primarily on the initial velocity of the bullet.
In the middle part of the barrel, in its upper part, it was provided for the gas outlet and the mounting of the gas tube with a piston. The machine gun had the same gas engine design as the AK-74. An interesting innovation of the RPK-74 project was the use of a special muzzle device. On the muzzle of the barrel there was a thread to install a slotted flame arrester or sleeve for the use of blank cartridges. The base PKK had no such device. The barrel was installed without the possibility of replacement. This simplified the design and also allowed for acceptable combat performance.
The design of the bolt group was a further development of the PKK machine gun units and was unified with the corresponding AK-74 parts. Due to the use of the new cartridge, the bolt group has undergone some changes. So, on the left side of the slide frame appeared cutout, designed to facilitate the construction. The shutter was reduced and lightened, and in its cup there was no annular recess. Also, the shape of the socket for ejection of the sleeve provided in the closure was changed.
The principle of operation of automation remained the same. Under the action of powder gases, the piston rigidly connected with the slide frame, triggered the slide group, after which the spent cartridge case was extracted. Under the action of the return spring, the bolt moved to the extreme forward position and, turning, locked the barrel. For locking used two lugs and grooves in the insert of the receiver.
The RPK-74 machine gun, like other Kalashnikov designs, received a trigger-type trigger mechanism. On the right surface of the receiver there was a flag of the fuse-translator of fire of a characteristic recognizable form. In the extreme upper position, the flag included a fuse blocking the trigger. In addition, in this position, the box physically blocked the movement of the bolt group. In the other two positions of the flag single and automatic fire was activated. The design of the trigger gun provided shooting from a closed bolt, i.e. Before pressing the trigger and / or displacing the firing pin, the cartridge should have been in the chamber.
When developing the RPK-74 machine gun, the ammunition system was rethought. The PKK machine-gun was packaged with a box-sectional two-row magazine for 40 cartridges or a drum for 75. In addition, he could use standard shops from Kalashnikov assault rifles on 30 cartridges. When creating weapons for low-pulse cartridge, it was decided to abandon the drum shop. The sector store for 45 cartridges became the main means of transporting and supplying ammunition. Also preserved the possibility of using machine gun stores smaller capacity.
The RPK-74 machine gun was equipped with a front sight mounted on a stand in the barrel muzzle and an open sight. The latter had markup for firing at a distance of up to 1000 m and allowed to introduce lateral corrections.
Early RPK-74 light machine guns were equipped with accessories made of wood. Weapons received forearm with gas cap, pistol grip and butt. Used "automatic" form forearm. The butt had a neck of reduced thickness, which allowed him to hold his hand when firing with an emphasis. Over time, Soviet enterprises have mastered the production of plastic components. As a result, machine guns began to be completed not only with a store, but also with other plastic parts. Over time, all the accessories have been replaced by plastic.
Like its predecessors, the new light machine gun received folding bipod. They were fastened in front of the trunk, immediately behind the mount flies. In the folded position, the bipods were fastened with a latch and fixed parallel to the trunk. After uncoupling, they were automatically divorced to the sides with the help of a spring.
Almost simultaneously with the basic version of the PKK-74, its folding version of the RPCS-74 appeared. Its only difference was the use of a hinge butt. If necessary, the machine gunner could fold the butt by turning to the left, due to which the total length of the weapon was reduced by 215 mm, to some extent facilitating its carrying.
The total length of the RPK-74 was 1060 mm, i.e. on 20 mm longer than the PKK. This difference in size was due to the use of a flame arrester. Machine gun weight was 4,7 kg, another 300 g accounted for an empty magazine. Foldable modification of the weapon was heavier than the base 150 g. RPK-74 with a loaded magazine weighed about 5,46 kg. Thus, due to improvements associated with the use of the new cartridge, some characteristics were improved. The base RPK with a sector magazine on 40 cartridges weighed 5,6 kg, i.e. It was heavier and had a little smaller ammo ready for use.
The refined design of gas automation with some innovations ensured the rate of fire at the level of 600 shots per minute. Practical rate of fire, in turn, depended on the trigger mode. When shooting single, this parameter did not exceed 45-50 rounds per minute; in automatic mode it reached 140-150.
A relatively long barrel provided a high initial speed of a relatively light bullet - up to 960 m / s (according to other data, no more than 900-920 m / s). Due to this, the machine gun could conduct effective fire at single ground targets at ranges of order 600 m or at group distances up to 1000 m. Firing at air targets was also allowed, but acceptable efficiency was achieved only at ranges to 500 m.
Due to the heavy barrel of the machine gun could fire relatively long bursts. Nevertheless, some features of the automation work led to the appearance of certain restrictions. So, shooting from a closed bolt with intensive shooting led to an increased risk of spontaneous shot due to the heating of the cartridge case from the chamber. Thus, the shooter should have monitored the intensity of firing and did not allow the units to overheat.
On the basis of the RPK-74 and RPX-74 machine guns, modifications were developed with the ability to install additional sighting devices of various types. An interesting fact is that the modifications with various additional characters in the designation differed only in the type of sight that came in the kit. Mounts for sights were unified and represented a bar on the left surface of the receiver.
The light machine gun, equipped with an 1PXNNXX telescopic sight, received the designation RPK-29P (RPKS-74P). Using the night sight NSPU, NSPUM or NSPU-74 added to the name of the base weapon index "H", "Н3" or "Н2", respectively. Thus, RPK-3 with the NSPU sight was called RPK-74Н, and RPKS-74 with the NPUP product was referred to as RPKS-74Н74. When installing the night sight, depending on the modification, the mass of the loaded machine gun could reach 2 kg.
Serial production of new weapons by M.T. Kalashnikova started in 1974 year. The Molot plant in Vyatskiye Polyany, which previously produced PKK machine guns, received an order for production. Machine guns of the new model were intended to replace the existing weapon. The RPK-74 machine guns became a new fire support weapon for motorized rifle troops at the squad and platoon levels. Thus, over time, new machine guns were able to almost completely oust the weapon of the previous model. However, the old PKK did not immediately go out of service. For various reasons, the Kalashnikov light machine guns of the two models were used in parallel for some time. In addition, both machine guns were actively used during the war in Afghanistan.
The war in Afghanistan was the first armed conflict, during which machine guns and machine guns of the new family were actively used. In the future, this weapon was used in the mass of other wars. In fact, the PKK-74 machine guns were used by all the armies and armed formations involved in the conflicts on the territory of the former USSR. The most recent conflicts with the use of Kalashnikov’s 74 weapons are the “War of Three Eights” and the Ukrainian crisis. At the same time, Soviet-made machine guns and machine guns were used and are being used by all parties to conflicts.
In the early nineties, the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant and the Molot enterprise modernized the AK-74 submachine gun and the RPK-74 machine gun. Through some improvements, especially technological nature, certain characteristics were enhanced. So, the trunk life was increased: when using the 7H10 cartridge, the declared resource was 20 thousand shots. The receiver and its cover were reinforced. Wooden fittings were finally replaced with parts made of glass-filled polyamide. In addition, it was decided to abandon the separate modification with a folding butt. The RPK-74 machine gun received a hinged butt mount. As well as the AK-74M, the updated machine gun received a bar for mounting the sights set in the basic configuration.
After such changes, the overall characteristics of the weapon remained at the same level, although the overall ease of use somewhat improved. In addition, there was no need to deploy the production of several separate machine gun modifications with various specific details, such as a butt hinge or a bar for sights. As a result, the manufacturer had the opportunity to produce machine guns in one configuration and complete them with additional equipment in accordance with the wishes of the customer, or not install it at all.
The latest at the moment modifications of the Kalashnikov light machine gun arr. 1974 g. Are RPK-201 and RPK-203. The 201-I model is a version of the RPK-74M for an intermediate cartridge 5,56x45 mm NATO. RPK-203, in turn, is intended for the use of ammunition 7,62x39 mm. It is noteworthy that the machine gun chambered for 43 of the year is a new development based on the RPK-74M, and not the development of the older PKK. This "origin" of weapons due to the causes of technological and industrial nature. The RPK-201 and RPK-203 machine guns are intended for foreign customers, which explains the choice of ammunition used. Many countries use standard NATO ammunition, including an intermediate cartridge 5,56х45 mm. In addition, a large number of armies using Soviet-developed cartridges, have not yet switched to newer low-pulse intermediate cartridges, using 7,62x39 mm.
At the moment, RPK-74 and RPK-74М machine guns, as well as their modifications, are the main weapon of fire support for branches and platoons of motorized rifle companies in the armed forces of Russia and some other states. It is noteworthy that the list of advantages and disadvantages of this weapon almost completely coincides with reviews of the previous national PKK light machine gun. The main advantage of all these samples is a high degree of unification with automatic machines. Also a positive feature is the presence of a heavy long barrel, which increases firepower in comparison with machine guns.
At the same time there are some characteristic flaws. Rather, a minus than a plus is the lack of the ability to replace the trunk. In combination with shooting from a closed shutter, this leads to the risk of a spontaneous shot. In addition, the combat qualities of the RPK-74 machine gun were seriously hit by the rejection of the drum shop. Sector stores on 45 cartridges significantly limit the ability of weapons for continuous firing and, as a consequence, affect firepower.
Nevertheless, manual machine guns of the RPK-74 family chambered for 5,45x39 mm remain in service and, obviously, will maintain their status as the main weapon of support for the branch, at least for the next few years. Prospects for domestic light machine guns are not yet completely clear. It is possible that in the foreseeable future RPK-74 machine guns will be replaced by new weapons of a similar class, but for now the army uses well-developed weapons.
On the materials of the sites:
http://world.guns.ru/
http://gunsru.ru/
http://ohrana.ru/
http://spec-naz.org/
http://russianguns.ru/
In the late fifties and early sixties, Soviet gunsmiths worked to create a new small arms with the maximum degree of unification. The result of this approach to the creation of weapons was the adoption of the AKM machine gun and the PKK light machine gun. These samples had a number of noticeable differences, but were based on general principles, and the same parts were used in the widest possible way in their design. The priority of the unification of weapons led to the fact that the characteristics of the PKK as a whole remained at the level of the “full-fledged” RPD light machine gun, but almost did not grow. However, the military wanted to simplify production and operation through unification, which led to the adoption of the PKK machine gun with the gradual ousting of the RPD.
With all its drawbacks, the idea of unifying the machine gun and light machine gun was recognized as viable and expedient. For this reason, when developing weapons for a low-impulse cartridge, it was separately required to create two samples based on common ideas and components. About a dozen projects were submitted for the competition for the creation of a chambered cartridge 5,45х39 mm. Among other designers, M.T. Kalashnikov, who decided to continue the development of ideas that have emerged in the draft AK end of the forties.
The competition continued until the end of 1973. The competition itself and the proposed projects are of great interest, however, almost all of the samples were eventually found to be unsuitable for adoption and dropped out of the competition. According to the results of various field and troop tests, tests and comparisons, the winner of the competition was recognized as a complex of weapons developed by MT. Kalashnikov. At the very beginning of 1974, the AK-74 assault rifle and the RPK-74 light machine gun unified with it were adopted.
Kalashnikov weapons under the new cartridge was a modified version of the previous systems. However, the draft machine gun RPK-74 can not be considered a simple remake of the previous PKK. In addition to compatibility with the new patron, engineers had to solve a lot of various technological and structural issues. Thus, RPK-74 should be considered a direct development of the ideas embodied in earlier developments.
However, two machine guns developed by M.T. Kalashnikov turned out very similar. The use of existing ideas has led to the fact that, according to the general architecture, the RPK and RPK-74 light machine guns hardly differed from each other. Both samples had a similar design of different units, as well as the same layout and general principles of operation. Like other Kalashnikov designs, the RPK-74 machine gun used gas automatics with a long piston stroke.
All components and assemblies of the RPK-74 machine gun were placed inside the receiver or attached to its outer part. The design of the box and the cover has not undergone major changes in terms of design or production technology. The receiver itself was made by stamping, the necessary connections were made by welding. In the front wall of the box was provided for the installation site of the trunk and gas tube. The front and middle parts of the box were given under the moving shutter, the back - under the trigger mechanism.
Access to the receiver was carried out using a removable top cover. The stamped lid was pressed against the front of the receiver and secured with a latch at the rear. Like the box itself, the lid was borrowed from other developments of the family.
The RPK-74 light machine gun received a relatively long heavy barrel, designed to provide high firepower and the possibility of long-term intensive shooting. The barrel of the machine gun, as in the case of the PKK, had a length of 590 mm. In this case, the relative length of the trunk has increased significantly. Thus, the PKK had a barrel with a length of 77,4 caliber, and the RPK-74 had a 108,25 caliber. This feature of the design positively affected some characteristics of the weapon, primarily on the initial velocity of the bullet.
In the middle part of the barrel, in its upper part, it was provided for the gas outlet and the mounting of the gas tube with a piston. The machine gun had the same gas engine design as the AK-74. An interesting innovation of the RPK-74 project was the use of a special muzzle device. On the muzzle of the barrel there was a thread to install a slotted flame arrester or sleeve for the use of blank cartridges. The base PKK had no such device. The barrel was installed without the possibility of replacement. This simplified the design and also allowed for acceptable combat performance.
The design of the bolt group was a further development of the PKK machine gun units and was unified with the corresponding AK-74 parts. Due to the use of the new cartridge, the bolt group has undergone some changes. So, on the left side of the slide frame appeared cutout, designed to facilitate the construction. The shutter was reduced and lightened, and in its cup there was no annular recess. Also, the shape of the socket for ejection of the sleeve provided in the closure was changed.
The principle of operation of automation remained the same. Under the action of powder gases, the piston rigidly connected with the slide frame, triggered the slide group, after which the spent cartridge case was extracted. Under the action of the return spring, the bolt moved to the extreme forward position and, turning, locked the barrel. For locking used two lugs and grooves in the insert of the receiver.
The RPK-74 machine gun, like other Kalashnikov designs, received a trigger-type trigger mechanism. On the right surface of the receiver there was a flag of the fuse-translator of fire of a characteristic recognizable form. In the extreme upper position, the flag included a fuse blocking the trigger. In addition, in this position, the box physically blocked the movement of the bolt group. In the other two positions of the flag single and automatic fire was activated. The design of the trigger gun provided shooting from a closed bolt, i.e. Before pressing the trigger and / or displacing the firing pin, the cartridge should have been in the chamber.
When developing the RPK-74 machine gun, the ammunition system was rethought. The PKK machine-gun was packaged with a box-sectional two-row magazine for 40 cartridges or a drum for 75. In addition, he could use standard shops from Kalashnikov assault rifles on 30 cartridges. When creating weapons for low-pulse cartridge, it was decided to abandon the drum shop. The sector store for 45 cartridges became the main means of transporting and supplying ammunition. Also preserved the possibility of using machine gun stores smaller capacity.
The RPK-74 machine gun was equipped with a front sight mounted on a stand in the barrel muzzle and an open sight. The latter had markup for firing at a distance of up to 1000 m and allowed to introduce lateral corrections.
Early RPK-74 light machine guns were equipped with accessories made of wood. Weapons received forearm with gas cap, pistol grip and butt. Used "automatic" form forearm. The butt had a neck of reduced thickness, which allowed him to hold his hand when firing with an emphasis. Over time, Soviet enterprises have mastered the production of plastic components. As a result, machine guns began to be completed not only with a store, but also with other plastic parts. Over time, all the accessories have been replaced by plastic.
Like its predecessors, the new light machine gun received folding bipod. They were fastened in front of the trunk, immediately behind the mount flies. In the folded position, the bipods were fastened with a latch and fixed parallel to the trunk. After uncoupling, they were automatically divorced to the sides with the help of a spring.
Almost simultaneously with the basic version of the PKK-74, its folding version of the RPCS-74 appeared. Its only difference was the use of a hinge butt. If necessary, the machine gunner could fold the butt by turning to the left, due to which the total length of the weapon was reduced by 215 mm, to some extent facilitating its carrying.
The total length of the RPK-74 was 1060 mm, i.e. on 20 mm longer than the PKK. This difference in size was due to the use of a flame arrester. Machine gun weight was 4,7 kg, another 300 g accounted for an empty magazine. Foldable modification of the weapon was heavier than the base 150 g. RPK-74 with a loaded magazine weighed about 5,46 kg. Thus, due to improvements associated with the use of the new cartridge, some characteristics were improved. The base RPK with a sector magazine on 40 cartridges weighed 5,6 kg, i.e. It was heavier and had a little smaller ammo ready for use.
The refined design of gas automation with some innovations ensured the rate of fire at the level of 600 shots per minute. Practical rate of fire, in turn, depended on the trigger mode. When shooting single, this parameter did not exceed 45-50 rounds per minute; in automatic mode it reached 140-150.
A relatively long barrel provided a high initial speed of a relatively light bullet - up to 960 m / s (according to other data, no more than 900-920 m / s). Due to this, the machine gun could conduct effective fire at single ground targets at ranges of order 600 m or at group distances up to 1000 m. Firing at air targets was also allowed, but acceptable efficiency was achieved only at ranges to 500 m.
Due to the heavy barrel of the machine gun could fire relatively long bursts. Nevertheless, some features of the automation work led to the appearance of certain restrictions. So, shooting from a closed bolt with intensive shooting led to an increased risk of spontaneous shot due to the heating of the cartridge case from the chamber. Thus, the shooter should have monitored the intensity of firing and did not allow the units to overheat.
On the basis of the RPK-74 and RPX-74 machine guns, modifications were developed with the ability to install additional sighting devices of various types. An interesting fact is that the modifications with various additional characters in the designation differed only in the type of sight that came in the kit. Mounts for sights were unified and represented a bar on the left surface of the receiver.
The light machine gun, equipped with an 1PXNNXX telescopic sight, received the designation RPK-29P (RPKS-74P). Using the night sight NSPU, NSPUM or NSPU-74 added to the name of the base weapon index "H", "Н3" or "Н2", respectively. Thus, RPK-3 with the NSPU sight was called RPK-74Н, and RPKS-74 with the NPUP product was referred to as RPKS-74Н74. When installing the night sight, depending on the modification, the mass of the loaded machine gun could reach 2 kg.
Serial production of new weapons by M.T. Kalashnikova started in 1974 year. The Molot plant in Vyatskiye Polyany, which previously produced PKK machine guns, received an order for production. Machine guns of the new model were intended to replace the existing weapon. The RPK-74 machine guns became a new fire support weapon for motorized rifle troops at the squad and platoon levels. Thus, over time, new machine guns were able to almost completely oust the weapon of the previous model. However, the old PKK did not immediately go out of service. For various reasons, the Kalashnikov light machine guns of the two models were used in parallel for some time. In addition, both machine guns were actively used during the war in Afghanistan.
The war in Afghanistan was the first armed conflict, during which machine guns and machine guns of the new family were actively used. In the future, this weapon was used in the mass of other wars. In fact, the PKK-74 machine guns were used by all the armies and armed formations involved in the conflicts on the territory of the former USSR. The most recent conflicts with the use of Kalashnikov’s 74 weapons are the “War of Three Eights” and the Ukrainian crisis. At the same time, Soviet-made machine guns and machine guns were used and are being used by all parties to conflicts.
In the early nineties, the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant and the Molot enterprise modernized the AK-74 submachine gun and the RPK-74 machine gun. Through some improvements, especially technological nature, certain characteristics were enhanced. So, the trunk life was increased: when using the 7H10 cartridge, the declared resource was 20 thousand shots. The receiver and its cover were reinforced. Wooden fittings were finally replaced with parts made of glass-filled polyamide. In addition, it was decided to abandon the separate modification with a folding butt. The RPK-74 machine gun received a hinged butt mount. As well as the AK-74M, the updated machine gun received a bar for mounting the sights set in the basic configuration.
After such changes, the overall characteristics of the weapon remained at the same level, although the overall ease of use somewhat improved. In addition, there was no need to deploy the production of several separate machine gun modifications with various specific details, such as a butt hinge or a bar for sights. As a result, the manufacturer had the opportunity to produce machine guns in one configuration and complete them with additional equipment in accordance with the wishes of the customer, or not install it at all.
The latest at the moment modifications of the Kalashnikov light machine gun arr. 1974 g. Are RPK-201 and RPK-203. The 201-I model is a version of the RPK-74M for an intermediate cartridge 5,56x45 mm NATO. RPK-203, in turn, is intended for the use of ammunition 7,62x39 mm. It is noteworthy that the machine gun chambered for 43 of the year is a new development based on the RPK-74M, and not the development of the older PKK. This "origin" of weapons due to the causes of technological and industrial nature. The RPK-201 and RPK-203 machine guns are intended for foreign customers, which explains the choice of ammunition used. Many countries use standard NATO ammunition, including an intermediate cartridge 5,56х45 mm. In addition, a large number of armies using Soviet-developed cartridges, have not yet switched to newer low-pulse intermediate cartridges, using 7,62x39 mm.
At the moment, RPK-74 and RPK-74М machine guns, as well as their modifications, are the main weapon of fire support for branches and platoons of motorized rifle companies in the armed forces of Russia and some other states. It is noteworthy that the list of advantages and disadvantages of this weapon almost completely coincides with reviews of the previous national PKK light machine gun. The main advantage of all these samples is a high degree of unification with automatic machines. Also a positive feature is the presence of a heavy long barrel, which increases firepower in comparison with machine guns.
At the same time there are some characteristic flaws. Rather, a minus than a plus is the lack of the ability to replace the trunk. In combination with shooting from a closed shutter, this leads to the risk of a spontaneous shot. In addition, the combat qualities of the RPK-74 machine gun were seriously hit by the rejection of the drum shop. Sector stores on 45 cartridges significantly limit the ability of weapons for continuous firing and, as a consequence, affect firepower.
Nevertheless, manual machine guns of the RPK-74 family chambered for 5,45x39 mm remain in service and, obviously, will maintain their status as the main weapon of support for the branch, at least for the next few years. Prospects for domestic light machine guns are not yet completely clear. It is possible that in the foreseeable future RPK-74 machine guns will be replaced by new weapons of a similar class, but for now the army uses well-developed weapons.
On the materials of the sites:
http://world.guns.ru/
http://gunsru.ru/
http://ohrana.ru/
http://spec-naz.org/
http://russianguns.ru/
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