The most modern equivalent is the RPK-16, which is much like the AK-12. It would go on to become the RPK-74, when the AK-74 was adopted, and now the RPK-74M light machine gun. The Soviets have retained the RPK since its initial design in the 1960s. Read Next: Russia’s RPK-74 LMG: A Faithful Servant Since 1974 Time Marches On You’ll see this on a variety of machine guns to this day, including the M240B. This allows the gunner to grip it and pull it tight to the shoulder to help stabilize it when firing fully automatic and utilizing bipods. Notably, the stock is the famed club-foot design. A slower firing rate preserved ammunition and would keep the barrel from melting all over itself. It has a slightly longer receiver than an AK, and this reduced the firing rate to less than 600 rounds per minute. On the other hand, a light automatic rifle like the RPK is easier to handle. The RPK utilized a longer 23.2-inch barrel that is considerably heavier than an AKM barrel. As you’d imagine, the gun lacks a quick change barrel and isn’t designed to sustain the same fire a belt-fed would spit out. The RPK Infantry Automatic RifleĪutomatic rifles weren’t a new concept, but the RPK represented a modern option, especially for the time. The Soviets had already identified the benefits of such a design in 1961. The Marine Corps went searching for an infantry automatic rifle in the mid-2000s to replace the SAW. The RPD came well before the American SAW, and the RPK might be considered the first infantry automatic rifle. The first Marine from the left is firing an RPK light machine gun and the others are firing AKM assault rifles. Marines fire Soviet-made weapons during a familiarization class. The RPK did have drums and extended 40-round magazines but could easily use 30-round magazines if necessary. It used the same non-linked ammunition and could use any standardized AK magazines. If a Soviet soldier could use an AKM, they could use an RPK. Additionally, the RPK didn’t require any specialized training to use. Because the RPK was basically a bigger AKM, the Soviets could build it for a few fewer rules. So, in their quest to simplify and standardize their weaponry, the RPK was the solution. The Soviets wanted a simpler, lighter weapon that could simplify logistics, and standardizing on one platform offered a big logistical advantage. The RPD was also heavy at 16 pounds and some change. The RPD worked well but was somewhat complicated and expensive to produce.
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