RPK-74. Kalashnikov light machine gun (RPK) - 74: characteristic. A photo

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The Cold War, which began almost immediately after the Great Patriotic War, forced the Soviet Union to continue the intensive development of innovative technologies and weapons. The well-known self-taught designer Mikhail Kalashnikov became the main support and the main inspirer of all subsequent discoveries in the field of weapons. Among the copies of the RPK-74 he created, he occupies one of the most honorable places along with the AK-74, the Saiga self-loading carbine and the RPKS.

Small arms in Russia

The first pistols and revolvers appeared in the 14th century. But small arms throughout the world received special development at the beginning of the 19th century. It was then that impact flammable capsules, a rotating drum and a rifled barrel first appeared.

It is worth noting that before the revolution in Russia, mainly foreign-made weapons were used. A variety of revolvers and pistols were especially popular. The gendarmerie, police and even the army were armed with English and American Webley and Smith-Wesson revolvers. Revolvers "Sagittarius" - the Russian analogue of the English "Velodog" - also went on free sale for the population. Domestic copies were also popular, such as "Skif", "Man","Vityaz", "Antey" and "Ermak". This small arms of Russia was practically in no way inferior to foreign counterparts.

And in 1895, thanks to the decree of Nicholas II, the French revolver was adopted for service. At the same time, a model with a double-action mechanism was purchased for the officers, while the soldiers used a single revolver.

Firearms used during World War II

Patriotic war taught the world many important lessons, including in the arms race. Many models of small arms used at that time are still used by various armies today.

So, Russian soldiers were given modernized rifles of the Mosin and Tokarev systems, which are recognized as the simplest and most reliable tools. The predecessors of the RPK 74 were used against heavy military equipment - the PTRD 41 (anti-tank rifle), the DP (light machine gun) and the Degtyarev or Shpagin submachine gun. PPS and the Tokarev pistol were also widely used.

All these weapons were distinguished by ease of use, reliability and quality of shooting. It was thanks to this that a protracted bloody war was won. The firing range of even anti-tank vehicles was more than 300 m, which made it possible to fight the enemy from afar.

Kalashnikov is the leading post-war developer of the USSR

This self-taught designer represents the phenomenon of a Russian man who, without proper education, was able to start a brilliant career as an engineer. Mikhail Timofeevich began to work in an industry completely far from the army and itsneeds. Then he was not at all interested in the small arms of Russia used by soldiers. However, after being drafted to war in 1938, he unexpectedly showed himself as an inventor. Kalashnikov continued to fight for his Motherland.

Only after being wounded, Mikhail Timofeevich was sent to study. There began the victorious march of Kalashnikov as a talented designer. Already in 1946, he created the legendary AK-47, which still commands great respect and envy all over the world.

During his long and very fruitful life, Mikhail Timofeevich created 33 models of various types of weapons, including RPK 74, AKS-74, RPKS-74, etc. In addition, he wrote more than forty scientific papers and articles, and also became an honored member of the Writers' Union for memoir books.

First prerequisites for the development of RPK-74

It all started back in 1942, when the army command faced the task of creating its own weapons complex, allowing combat at a distance of over 400 m. The first to be designed were universal cartridges according to the drawings of Elizarov and Semin. In the first samples, a lead core was used, the bullet weighed 8 g and corresponded to a caliber of 7.62 mm. It was under this size that it was planned to develop a powerful and effective weapon.

After a few months, a special commission chose a new assault rifle designed by Sudayev (predecessor of the RPK-74). This inventor created many practical and light models of weapons, thanks to which the quality of combat has improved significantly. Newthe machine received the code name AC-44. However, during field military testing, this weapon was rejected due to the significant weight of the design. At the beginning of 1946, competitive tests were continued.

History of the creation of RPK-74

Mikhail Kalashnikov also joined the fight for the championship in this kind of competition. At that time, he already had some experience in developing self-loading carbines. Hearing about the task of creating a new machine, he began to develop his own version.

After a while, Kalashnikov introduced the AK-46. It was the same as the previously created self-loading carbine, similar to the American Garand M1. However, during competitive testing, this machine lost to the developments of Bulkin and Dementiev.

After the failure, Mikhail Timofeevich, together with Zaitsev, improved the model using an example of more successful options. This is how the legendary AK-47 was designed, and then the RPK of 1961, on the basis of which the Kalashnikov RPK-74 light machine gun was developed. It was supposed to be used to fight enemy infantry.

RPK-74 device

Creating a light machine gun, Kalashnikov achieved the maximum density of weapon fire to better cover his own army units. Therefore, this requirement directly affected the design of the model itself.

In general, the RPK-74 device differs little from its predecessors. Rather, it is complemented by more modern details. The machine consists of several main parts. Among them, the trunk andbox, bolt carrier with a special gas piston, return mechanism and bolt, gas tube, handguard, magazine and ramrod, as well as a flash hider. All elements are the same as similar models.

The fixed barrel is slightly longer and heavier than the AK-74. Under it, special folding bipods are installed. The sights themselves have the ability to enter various lateral corrections. The RPK-74 submachine gun fires both from the carob and from the drum magazine. At the same time, due to the reduced flight time of the bullet, the accuracy of fire has been improved by 1.5 times compared to earlier versions.

Specifications

Progress and development of weapons required improvements in weapon performance in terms of weight, firing range and accuracy. Therefore, the designer tried to improve and optimize the developed model as much as possible.

In its arsenal, the Kalashnikov RPK-74 light machine gun uses 5.45 mm cartridges. The rate of fire is 600 rounds per minute. In this case, the average length of the queue is 5-7 volleys. Technically, a combat rate of fire of up to 150 rounds per minute is provided. Shooting deviations can be from 5 to 40 cm (depending on the distance to the target). Standard magazine capacity is 45 rounds.

The aiming range of the model is about 1000 m. Effective fire is conducted at a distance of 300 m at the head and up to 800 m at the running figure. At the same time, the maximum flight range of the fired bullet is about 3150 m.

A distinctive feature of this developmentis a relatively small weight - with an equipped magazine, the machine gun weighs 5, 46 kg, and in combat position and with a sight - 7, 66 kg.

Main modifications

In the USSR, a variety of shooting conditions have always been taken into account. Therefore, the airsoft RPK-74 allows you to work effectively both day and night with the help of a special sight. Fire can be conducted both in single and in automatic mode. This allows you to significantly expand the capabilities of the PKK.

In addition, in subsequent years, new, more efficient machines were designed based on this model:

• RPK-74N. This is a specialized sample for aimed night shooting. In its design, the possibility of installing optical pickup is realized. RPK-74P and RPK-74M were also created - modernized, with a reinforced receiver, a folding butt and an increased barrel life.
• RPKS-74. This model was produced specifically for the airborne troops. Here, the ability to fold and unfold the butt of a machine gun was implemented. RPKS-74P and RPKS-74N were produced for aimed and night shooting.
• RPK-201 and RPK-203. These options were created for various types of cartridges specifically for export.

Foreign analogues

The light machine gun, developed by the Russian designer Kalashnikov, is still in service with more than twenty countries around the world. Some states based on this machine presented their inventions. For example, in Yugoslavia they launched the production of light machine guns of the Kalashnikov system witha different magazine shape and a special portable handle (model 77B1), as well as a variant with barrel fins (72B1).

Much later in Poland, a machine gun with a special muzzle device and a folding stock based on the RPK-74 was also developed. The characteristic of this instance allows us to say that it was slightly inferior to the sample. In Czechoslovakia, this particular machine was also taken for modification.

The Valmet-78 light machine gun, produced in Finland, almost completely repeats the design of Kalashnikov's development. The difference lies in the modified form of the store and the butt, the arrangement of the bipod, forearm and handle. There is also a special flame arrester.

Dignity of the model

Sometimes a weapon, like many other things, does not need a description of all the advantages and possibilities. Time and practice put everything in its place. The RPK-74 weapon passed all possible tests and received well-deserved recognition. The armies of many countries have proven its reliability and indispensability in battle. It is also worth noting some of its distinctive features, which contributed to the growth of the popularity of this machine gun:

• Full unification with the base AK-47. The government of the USSR sought from the designers to create a unique weapon system in which all elements would be complementary and replaceable. For example, the RPK-74 used the same cartridges as the AK-47.
• Ease of maintenance, disassembly of the machine and its repair. The device of the model was elementary, which made it easy to service it in any conditions.
• Light weight. The curb weight of the machine gun isonly 5.47 kg. This greatly facilitates the movement of soldiers, and also expands the scope of this weapon.

Main shortcomings of the model

Some of the shortcomings of the PKK include the following:

• Small capacity of the horn and drum with cartridges. This does not allow for constant and continuous shooting at enemy targets, which means it reduces the effectiveness of military operations.
• The barrel of the structure is not removed, as in some similar domestic and foreign machine guns. This also affects the intensity of the fire.
• Shooting with a closed shutter RPK-74. The installation angle, as well as design features, do not allow the full potential of this weapon to be effectively used. Therefore, the speed and intensity of shooting is lost.