RPK light machine-gun

The RPK is a gas operated, magazine fed, air cooled, selective fire weapon. The basic action, with a long-stroke gas piston located above the barrel and a rotating bolt, is similar to that of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. The trigger unit and safety is also the same, therefore the RPK fires from a closed bolt in both semi-automatic and automatic modes. The barrel is permanently fixed to the receiver and cannot be replaced in the field.

Specifications

Weapon type:Full-auto machine gun
Weight:4.8 kg (10.6 lb)
Calibre & cartridge:7.62×39mm
Capacity:40-round curved magazine or 75-round drum magazine
Effective range:800 m
Rate of fire:600 rounds/min
Designed:1961
Designer:Mikhail Kalashnikov
Manufacturer:Vyatskie Polyany Machine-Building Plant
Action:Gas operated, rotating bolt, closed bolt
In service:1961-present
Muzzle velocity:745 m/s