Kalashnikov RPK-74 light machine gun, early release, with wooden fittings.
Kalashnikov RPK-74 light machine gun, late release, with plastic fittings.
Caliber 5.45×39 mm
Weight 4.7 kg
Length 1060 mm
Barrel length 590 mm
Nutrition sector magazine 45 rounds
Rate of fire 600 rounds per minute
The Kalashnikov RPK-74 light machine gun was developed as a replacement for the 7.62x39mm RPK machine gun as part of a small arms system chambered for the low-pulse 5.45x39mm cartridge, and was adopted for service in 1974 along with the AK-74 submachine gun.
RPK-74 is structurally practically no different from the previous RPK 7.62mm machine gun, and is built on the basis of the AK-74 assault rifle. The RPK-74 has an automatic system identical to the AK-74 based on a gas outlet with the barrel being locked by turning the bolt. Fire is fired from a closed bolt; the barrel is non-removable, elongated and heavier compared to the AK-74. A lightweight folding bipod is installed under the barrel. The early samples have a wooden fore-end and stock, while the latest releases have plastic ones. Sights have the ability to enter lateral corrections. Modifications designated RPK-74N have a side rail for attaching night sights. The RPK-74 is fed from box magazines that are interchangeable with the AK-74 and hold 30 or 45 rounds.
Currently, based on the RPK-74, a modified RPK-74M machine gun has been released, characterized by a strengthened design of a number of parts, the presence of a rail on the left side of the receiver for installing day or night sights, as well as a side-folding plastic butt. For export, based on the RPK-74M, a variant of the RPK-201 was also developed for the 5.56x45 NATO cartridge, using magazines from the AK-101 assault rifle of the same caliber.
Like its predecessor, the RPK-74 is significantly inferior in firepower to foreign small-caliber light machine guns (for example, the FN Minimi, which is very common in the world), since it does not have a replaceable barrel, fires from a closed bolt and has magazines of limited capacity. Its main advantages are unification with the basic machine gun, low weight and relatively low cost.
The 5.45 mm Kalashnikov light machine gun is the weapon of the rifle squad. It is designed to destroy manpower and destroy enemy fire weapons. For shooting and observation in natural night light conditions, the RPK74N and RPKS74N machine guns are equipped with a universal night rifle sight (NSPU).
For firing a machine gun, cartridges with ordinary (steel core) and tracer bullets are used.
The machine gun fires automatically or single fire. Automatic fire is the main type of fire: it is fired in short (up to 5 shots) and long (up to 15 shots) bursts and continuously. When firing, cartridges are supplied from a box magazine with a capacity of 45 rounds.
The target firing range of a machine gun is 1000 m. The most effective fire is on ground targets at a range of up to 600 m, and on airplanes, helicopters and paratroopers - at a range of up to 500 m. Concentrated fire from machine guns and machine guns on ground group targets is carried out at a range of up to 1000 m .
Direct shot range: for a machine gun on a chest figure - 460 m, on a running figure - 640 m;
The rate of fire is about 600 rounds per minute.
Combat rate of fire: when firing in bursts from a machine gun - up to 150; when firing single shots from a machine gun - up to 50 per minute.
Weight of the machine gun with a plastic magazine loaded with cartridges: RPK74 - 5.46 kg; RPK74N - 7.76 kg; RPKS74 - 5.61 kg; RPKS74N - 7.91 kg.
Receiver covers;
Shutter;
Return mechanism;
Store.
The machine gun kit includes: accessory, belt and two bags for magazines; The machine gun kit with a folding stock also includes a machine gun case with a magazine pocket, and the machine gun kit with a night sight also includes a universal night rifle sight.
The principle of operation of automation.
The automatic operation of the machine gun is based on the use of the energy of powder gases diverted from the barrel bore into the gas chamber.
1) Separate the store.
2) Remove the accessory case from the stock socket.
3) Separate the cleaning rod.
4) Separate the flame arrester from the machine gun.
5) Separate the receiver cover.
6) Separate the return mechanism.
7) Separate the bolt carrier with the bolt.
8) Separate the bolt from the bolt frame.
9) Separate the gas tube from the barrel lining.
Assembly is carried out in reverse order.
RPK74: parts and mechanisms of a light machine gun, their purpose; delays during shooting, their causes and solutions.
The machine gun consists of the following main parts and mechanisms:
Barrel with receiver, sighting device, butt and pistol grip;
Receiver covers;
Bolt frame with gas piston;
Shutter;
Return mechanism;
Gas tube with receiver lining;
trigger mechanism;
Store.
In addition, the machine gun has a flame arrester and a bipod.
Trunk serves to direct the flight of the bullet.
Receiver serves to connect the parts and mechanisms of the machine gun, to ensure that the barrel bore is closed by the bolt and the bolt is locked. The trigger mechanism is placed in the receiver. The top of the box is closed with a lid.
Receiver cover protects parts and mechanisms placed in the receiver from contamination.
Sighting device serves to aim the machine gun when firing at targets at various ranges. It consists of a sight and a front sight.
Stock and pistol grip serve for the convenience of operating a machine gun when firing.
serves to activate the bolt and trigger mechanism.
Gate serves to send the cartridge into the chamber, close the barrel bore, break the primer and remove the cartridge case (cartridge) from the chamber.
Return mechanism serves to return the bolt frame with the bolt to the forward position.
Gas tube serves to direct the movement of the gas piston.
Receiver pad serves to protect the machine gunner's hands from burns when firing.
Trigger mechanism serves to release the hammer from the combat cocking or from the self-timer cocking, striking the firing pin, ensuring automatic or single fire, stopping firing, preventing shots when the bolt is unlocked and putting the machine gun on safety.
Handguard serves for ease of operation and to protect the machine gunner’s hands from burns.
Shop serves to place cartridges and feed them into the receiver.
Machine gun flash suppressor serves to reduce the size of the flame when fired.
Bipod serves as a support when shooting.
Delays during shooting, their causes and solutions.
Parts and mechanisms of an assault rifle (machine gun), with proper handling and proper care, work reliably and without failure for a long time. However, as a result of contamination of the mechanisms, wear of parts and careless handling of the machine gun (machine gun), as well as malfunction of the cartridges, delays in firing may occur.
The delay that occurs during shooting should be tried to be eliminated by reloading, to do this, quickly pull the bolt frame back by the handle until it stops, release it and continue shooting. If the delay has not been resolved, then it is necessary to find out the cause of its occurrence and eliminate the delay as indicated below.
| Delays and their characteristics | Reasons for delays | Remedy | |
| Failure to feed cartridge The bolt is in the forward position, but the shot did not occur - there is no cartridge in the chamber | 1. The magazine is dirty or faulty 2. The magazine latch is faulty | Reload the machine gun (machine gun) and continue shooting. If the delay recurs, replace the magazine. If the magazine latch is faulty, send the machine gun (machine gun) to a repair shop | |
| Sticking a cartridge The bullet cartridge hit the breech end of the barrel, the moving parts stopped in the middle position | Magazine malfunction | While holding the bolt handle, remove the stuck cartridge and continue shooting. If the delay occurs again, replace the magazine. | |
| Misfire The bolt is in the forward position, the cartridge is in the chamber, the trigger is pulled - no shot fired | 1. Malfunction of the cartridge 2. Malfunction of the firing pin or firing mechanism; contamination or hardening of the lubricant (missing or small pinhole on the primer) / 3. Jamming of the firing pin in the bolt | Reload the machine gun (machine gun) and continue firing. When the delay is repeated, inspect and clean the firing pin and trigger mechanism; If the trigger mechanism breaks or wears out, send the machine gun (machine gun) to a repair shop Separate the firing pin from the bolt and clean the hole in the bolt under the firing pin | |
| Failure to remove the cartridge case The cartridge case is in the chamber, the next cartridge rests against it with a bullet, the moving parts have stopped in the middle position | 1. Dirty cartridge or contaminated chamber 2. Contaminated or malfunctioning ejector or its spring | Pull the bolt handle back and, holding it in the rear position, separate the magazine and remove the loaded cartridge. Using a bolt or cleaning rod, remove the cartridge case from the chamber. Continue shooting. If the delay is repeated, clean the chamber and cartridges. Inspect and clean the ejector from dirt and continue shooting. If the ejector malfunctions, send the machine gun (machine gun) to a repair shop | |
| Sticking or not reflecting the sleeve The cartridge case was not thrown out of the receiver, but remained in it in front of the bolt or was sent back into the chamber by the bolt | 1. Contamination of rubbing parts, gas paths or chamber 2. Contamination or malfunction of the ejector | Pull the bolt handle back, throw out the cartridge case and continue shooting. If the delay is repeated, clean the gas paths, rubbing parts and the chamber; Lubricate rubbing parts. If the ejector malfunctions, send the machine gun (machine gun) to a repair shop | |
| Lack of movement of the bolt frame to the forward position | Return spring failure | Replace the spring (in a combat situation, turn the front part of the spring with the tucked end back and continue shooting | |
PKM: purpose, combat properties and general structure, operating principle of automation; procedure for partial disassembly and assembly.
The 7.62-mm modernized Kalashnikov machine gun (PKM) is a powerful automatic weapon and is designed to destroy manpower and engage enemy fire weapons.
The most effective fire on ground and air targets is carried out at a distance of up to 1000 m. The supply of cartridges to the receiver during firing is made from a metal cartridge strip placed in a box with a capacity of 100, 200 or 250 cartridges. The barrel is cooled by air, allowing continuous fire of up to 100 shots; after which, if it is necessary to continue shooting, remove the heated barrel and install a spare one, and in its absence, cool the heated barrel with water or snow.
Combat properties of PKM
The machine gun consists of the following main parts and mechanisms:
1. Barrel;
4. Shutter;
7. Trigger mechanism.
Main parts and mechanisms of PCM
1 - trunk; 2 - receiver with cover, receiver base and butt; 3 - bolt frame with extractor and gas piston; 4 - shutter; 5 - return spring; 6 - guide rod; 7 - gas piston tube with bipod; 10 - box with cartridge strip; 11 - accessory; 12 - cleaning rod.
based on the use of the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel bore to the gas piston of the bolt frame.
The procedure for incomplete disassembly of a machine gun:
1) Install the machine gun on the bipod.
2) Separate the box with the tape from the machine gun and check if there is a cartridge in the chamber.
3) Take out the pencil case with the accessory.
4) Separate the ramrod links from the bipod leg.
5) Separate the guide rod with the return spring.
6) Separate the bolt carrier with the bolt.
7) Separate the bolt from the bolt frame.
8) Separate the firing pin from the bolt.
9) Separate the barrel.
PKM: machine gun parts and mechanisms, their purpose; delays during shooting, their causes and solutions.
The machine gun consists of the following main parts and mechanisms:
1. Barrel;
2. Receiver with cover, receiver base and butt;
3. Bolt frame with extractor and gas piston;
4. Shutter;
5. Recoil spring with guide rod;
6. Gas piston tubes with bipod;
7. Trigger mechanism.
The machine gun kit includes: boxes with cartridge belts, accessories, belt, case, spare parts and a spare barrel.
The barrel serves to direct the flight of the bullet.
Receiver serves to connect the parts and mechanisms of the machine gun, to direct the movement of the bolt frame with the bolt and to ensure that the barrel bore is closed by the bolt and the bolt is locked; It is closed with a lid on top.
Receiver serves to move the belt with cartridges and feed cartridges during firing from the belt into the receiving window of the receiver base. The receiver consists of a base, a receiver cover and a feeder.
Receiver base serves to direct the movement of the belt with cartridges and guide the cartridge when sending it into the chamber.
Receiver cover serves to close the receiver and receiver.
Feeder serves to feed a belt of cartridges into the machine gun receiver.
Butt serves for the convenience of operating a machine gun.
Bolt carrier with gas piston serves to actuate the bolt and feeder and to remove the cartridge from the belt. In the rear part of the bolt frame, the extractor with hooks is secured to the stand with a pin.
Gate serves to send the cartridge into the chamber, close the barrel bore, break the primer and remove the cartridge case (cartridge) from the chamber.
Recoil spring with guide rod serves to return the bolt frame with the bolt to the forward position and to provide the striker with the energy necessary to break the cartridge primer.
Gas piston tube serves to direct the movement of the bolt frame with the gas piston and to attach the bipod.
Bipod serves as a support when shooting.
Trigger serves to hold the bolt frame in combat cocking, lowering it from combat cocking and putting the machine gun on safety.
A machine gun, with proper care, proper conservation and careful handling, is a reliable and trouble-free weapon. However, as a result of careless handling of the machine gun, contamination and wear of parts, as well as malfunctioning cartridges, there may be delays in firing.
To prevent delays when firing, you must:
Maintain the machine gun in full working order at all times;
Inspect, clean and lubricate the machine gun in a timely manner and in compliance with all rules; especially carefully monitor the cleanliness and serviceability of moving parts, the barrel bore, gas paths and the tape box;
Before shooting, wipe the barrel bore, clean and lubricate the surfaces of parts that rub during shooting with a thin layer of lubricant, inspect the machine gun and cartridges; Do not use faulty or dirty cartridges for shooting;
When shooting and moving, protect the machine gun from contamination and impacts;
In combat, after prolonged shooting, at the first opportunity, clean the gas passages and lightly lubricate the bolt and bolt frame; in case of heavy contamination (sand, mud, snow), disassemble and clean the machine gun;
Do not allow the barrel to overheat, why change it during intense shooting after every 400-500 shots;
- if the machine gun was in the cold for a long time or was brought from the frost into a warm room, then before loading the machine gun it is necessary to cock the bolt frame several times and release it from the combat cock.
If there is a delay when firing, you should first reload the machine gun.
If the delay is not eliminated by reloading or, after elimination, it recurs again, then unload the machine gun, determine the cause of the delay and proceed as indicated in the table.
| Delays and their characteristics | Reasons for delays. | Remedies |
| Lack of movement of the bolt frame to the forward position. The bolt frame stopped before reaching the forward position, another cartridge was in the chamber, the extractor hooks did not capture the cartridge in the receiver | 1. Contamination of the receiver or chamber, carbon deposits in the gas chamber pipe 2. Brushed or dirty cartridge or tape | Without disassembling the machine gun, lubricate the chamber, rubbing parts, and gas chamber pipe. Clean the machine gun or replace the barrel as soon as possible. Replace cartridges or tape |
| Misfire. Bolt carrier in forward position, cartridge in chamber, no shot fired | Inspect the cartridge removed from the chamber and, if there is no deep dent on the capsule, clean the bolt, chamber and rubbing parts, and if the firing pin breaks or wears out, send the machine gun to a repair shop | |
| Failure to remove the cartridge case. The bolt frame stopped in an intermediate position, the cartridge case remained in the chamber and the next cartridge buried a bullet in it | 1. Malfunction of the ejector or its spring. 2. Contamination of the chamber or cartridge, failure of the rim of the sleeve | If the cartridge case cannot be removed from the chamber during reloading, knock it out with a cleaning rod or replace the barrel. If the rim of the cartridge case breaks, clean the chamber, lubricate the cartridges in the tape and move the regulator to a lower division. If the ejector or its spring malfunctions, send the machine gun to a repair shop |
| Transverse rupture of the sleeve. The bolt frame did not reach the forward position, since the front part of the ruptured cartridge case remained in the chamber and did not allow the chambered cartridge to enter it | 1. Large gap between the breech end of the barrel and the bolt. 2. Chuck malfunction | If, when reloading a machine gun, the ejected cartridge removes the front part of the cartridge case, continue shooting. If the front of the case remains in the chamber, remove it using a case extractor or replace the barrel. To remove the front part of the cartridge case, you need to unload the machine gun, insert the extractor into the chamber, lower the bolt frame from the combat cock and vigorously pull it back. When repeating the delay, move the barrel back, to do this, knock out the pin of the barrel lock screw, unscrew the screw one turn with a screwdriver and insert the pin |
| Incomplete retraction of the bolt frame. The bolt frame stopped in an intermediate position, the cartridge removed from the receiver remained in the extractor hooks | 1. Contamination of rubbing parts. 2. Tape jammed in the cartridge box. Belt misalignment in the receiver | Using the reloading handle, cock the bolt frame and continue firing. When repeating the delay, after unloading the machine gun, inspect the placement and correctness of the tape. If the tape is laid and equipped correctly, move the regulator to a larger division. Clean and lubricate the machine gun as soon as possible |
| Involuntary shooting. When the trigger (electric trigger button or trigger lever) is released, shooting does not stop | 1. Malfunction of the trigger mechanism. 2. Rounding of the bolt carrier cocking. 3. Contamination of the machine gun, hardening of the lubricant. | Stop shooting by pressing the tape against the receiver with your hand. Unload the machine gun, inspect the sear and combat platoon. If they are in good condition, move the regulator to a larger division and lubricate the rubbing parts. If the delay repeats, send the machine gun to a repair shop |
| Failure to capture or loss of the cartridge by the extractor hooks. The bolt carrier has stopped in the forward or intermediate position. | 1. Malfunction of the extractor hooks. 2. Settlement of the feed finger spring or upper finger spring | Remove the cartridge case from the chamber or receiver. Load the machine gun and continue shooting. When repeating the delay, inspect the extractor hooks and the springs of the feed finger and upper fingers. If they are faulty, send the machine gun to a repair shop. |
NSVS "Utes": purpose, combat properties and general structure, operating principle of automation; procedure for partial disassembly and assembly.
The 12.7-mm Utes machine gun (NSV-12.7) is a powerful automatic weapon and is designed to combat lightly armored targets and fire weapons, to destroy enemy personnel and engage air targets.
The range of actual fire from a machine gun against lightly armored targets is up to 800 m, against open manpower, fire weapons and air targets - up to 1500 m.
For firing from a machine gun, 12.7 mm cartridges with B-32, BZT-44 and MDZ bullets are used. Shooting with cartridges having different bullets is carried out at the same sight settings.
A machine gun fires in short bursts (4-6 shots), long bursts (10-15 shots) and continuously.
Rate of fire (technical rate of fire) 700-800 rounds per minute.
Combat rate of fire is 80-100 rounds per minute.
The target firing range is 2000 m, the maximum flight range of the B-32 bullet is 6000 m.
The initial bullet speed is 845 m/s.
Direct shot range: at the chest figure - 480 m, at the running figure - 760 m;
The barrel is air cooled. Continuous firing is allowed up to 100 shots, after which the heated barrel must be cooled or replaced with a spare one.
The weight of the machine gun (NSV-12.7) is 25 kg. Barrel weight - 9 kg. The mass of a cartridge box loaded with 50 rounds is 11.1 kg. The weight of the machine is 16 kg. The mass of the optical sight is 1.7 kg.
Automatic action The machine gun is based on the principle of using the energy of powder gases diverted from the barrel to the gas piston of the bolt frame.
The machine gun consists from the following main parts and mechanisms: barrel, receiver, bolt frame with bolt, return mechanism with buffer device, receiver, trigger mechanism and reloading handle.
Main parts and mechanisms of the machine gun:
1 - trunk; 2 - receiver; 3 - receiver; 5 - return mechanism with a buffer device; 6 - receiver cover; 7 - trigger mechanism; 8 - gas cylinder; 9 - reloading thrust.
The machine gun kit includes: an optical sight, metal boxes with tapes, a tripod machine, spare parts and covers.
The procedure for incomplete disassembly of a machine gun:
1) Install and secure the machine gun on the machine or place it on a table (clean mat).
2) Open the receiver cover. Push up the latch flag, open the lid and lift it up as far as it will go.
3) Raise the receiver base all the way up.
4) Separate the trigger mechanism. Press the safety box and put it in the “PR” position, lift the pin box up, pull out the pin, and move the trigger mechanism backwards from the receiver.
5) Raise the reflector housing with the reflector to a vertical position.
6) Separate the return mechanism from the buffer device.
7) Separate the bolt carrier with the bolt. Move the bolt carrier to the rear position by the bolt carrier post or using the handle and separate it back up.
8) Separate the charging handle. When the machine gun is on the machine, the handle does not separate.
9) Separate the barrel from the receiver. Move the wedge handle to the right, put the barrel handle in the carrying position, for which press the button and move the handle down slightly, then lift it up and lower the handle back and lock the clip, moving the barrel forward by the handle, and separate it from the receiver. When the machine gun is on the machine, first separate the barrel mounting clamp.
10) Separate the gas cylinder. Press the latch of the gas cylinder with a drift and, moving it forward, separate it from the receiver.
KPVT: purpose, combat properties and general structure, operating principle of automation; procedure for partial disassembly and assembly.
The 14.5 mm Vladimirov heavy machine gun (KPVT - tank) is a powerful automatic weapon, installed in the turret of armored personnel carriers (BRDM) and tanks. On tanks it is also used as an anti-aircraft machine gun. The heavy-caliber machine gun is intended to combat lightly armored targets (armored personnel carriers, anti-tank guns, armored cars, etc.), enemy fire weapons and manpower located behind light cover at ranges of up to 1000 m. Fire from a machine gun is effective in accumulating manpower and vehicles up to 2000 m, and against air targets - at altitudes up to 1500 m and at ranges up to 2000 m.
The effective firing range for ground targets with an optical sight is 2000 m.
The initial bullet speed is 945 m/s.
Direct shot range: at the chest figure - 530 m, at the running figure - 840 m;
For firing, cartridges with armor-piercing incendiary bullets (B-32 and BS-41), armor-piercing incendiary tracer (BZT and BST) and incendiary (ZP and MDZ) bullets are used. Shooting with cartridges having different bullets is carried out at the same sight settings.
The machine gun fires in short (2-5 shots) and long (up to 20 shots) bursts and continuously.
Technical rate of fire (rate of fire) - 550-600 rounds per minute. Combat rate of fire is 70-80 rounds per minute.
The cartridges are fed into the receiver from a metal strip placed in a cartridge box.
The machine gun barrel is air-cooled, allowing continuous fire of up to 150 rounds.
The weight of the machine gun is 52.2 kg. The weight of the cartridge box with a belt loaded with 50 rounds is 12.3 kg.
A heavy machine gun (KPVT) consists of the following main parts and mechanisms: barrel, receiver, bolt, recoil spring, receiver cover, receiver, trigger mechanism, butt plate, electric trigger, pneumatic reloading mechanism.
The machine gun kit includes cartridge boxes with belts, sights, accessories for cleaning, disassembly and assembly, a cold sighting tube, devices for firing blank cartridges and for loading the belt with cartridges.
Automatic machine gun action based on the principle of using recoil energy with a short barrel stroke.
Before disassembling the machine gun, check whether there is a cartridge in the grooves of the combat cylinder or in the chamber.
Incomplete disassembly of the machine gun produced in this order.
1) Separate the barrel from the receiver:
Give the machine gun the greatest elevation angle and secure the lifting mechanism;
Turn off the electric triggers and disconnect the plug connector;
Remove the cartridge box from the box holder;
Place the bolt on the sear, open the receiver cover and check whether there is a cartridge in the grooves of the combat cylinder and the chamber, as well as a cartridge case (cartridge) in the cartridge outlet; close the receiver cover;
Separate the barrel with the casing from the receiver: unfasten and fold back the marking of the front barrel mounting clamp; press the latch of the barrel casing, turn the casing by the handle to the right until it stops and, moving it forward and shaking it slightly, separate the barrel.
2) Separate the receiver with shock absorbers from the cradle:
Smoothly release the bolt from the sear, holding it by the reloading handle (reloading handle, inserting a cartridge case or training cartridge into it);
Separate the middle roller from the machine gun reloading handle, for which, by rotating the middle roller casing, remove the sector protrusion of its axis from under the protrusion of the handle cup and separate the roller;
Turn the housing cover of the PKT machine gun cartridge case inward so that when removing the receiver it does not touch the receiver of the KPVT machine gun;
Remove the receiver with shock absorbers from the cradle, lifting the handles of the shock absorber stops up, push the receiver along the cradle back until the base of the shock absorber clamp and the beard finger come out of the cradle guides; lifting the receiver up with both hands, separate it from the cradle and place it on the table (bedding), placing a lining under the base of the clamp.
3) Separate the cover from the receiver, to do this, turn the cover latch to the side, lift the rear end of the cover up and, turning the cover 60°, separate it (lift up) from the receiver.
4) Separate the tray from the receiver by lifting it up.
5) Separate the receiver base from the receiver by lifting it up with both hands.
6) Separate the butt plate from the receiver:
By pressing on the left side of the butt plate latch, pull the lower end of the latch back as far as it will go;
While holding the latch, turn the butt plate to the right until the latch disengages from the base of the trigger mechanism;
Holding the butt plate from behind with your right hand, which is under the action of the recoil spring, turn it and separate it from the receiver.
7) Remove the recoil spring from the receiver.
8) Separate the trigger mechanism from the receiver by pushing it back out of the grooves of the jumper (by knocking it out with light blows of a hammer on the sear hooks).
9) Separate the reloading handle guide plate (if equipped):
Pull the latch as far as it will go and turn the latch in any direction by 90°;
Pull the shield out of the grooves of the bar backwards.
10) Remove the bolt from the receiver:
Pull the bolt back by the comb until it stops;
Using a punch inserted into the hole in the closing bar, push the guide pin out of the bolt and remove it;
Pull the bolt back all the way and separate the accelerator in the same way as the guide pin was separated;
Holding the comb with your hand, move the bolt back, lifting the electric release lever upward in the jumper, and remove the bolt from the receiver with both hands.
11) Separate the reloading handle from the receiver by pushing it back, aligning the protrusions with the cutouts of the guide bar and separating it to the left from the receiver.
12) Separate the shock absorbers from the receiver:
Unlock and fold back the basting of the clamp;
Lift the receiver and place it with the sleeve facing up.
13) Separate the sleeve release from the receiver by recessing the counter-latch, lift the latch up and, moving the sleeve release back, separate it.
14) Disassemble the shutter:
Using a drift, push the striker's finger from right to left;
Using two fingers of your right hand, remove the firing pin from the combat cylinder; separate the combat cylinder from the bolt frame by pressing the rear end of the feeder with the thumb of your right hand, and push the combat cylinder forward with your left hand.
15) Disassemble the feed mechanism:
Separate the safety shield from the receiver cover by undoing and removing the pins, and then separating the shield; For machine guns of earlier production, remove the right upper safety shield of the receiver, using a hammer to remove the latch tooth until the receiver cover is released from the tide; remove the left upper safety shield of the receiver by pulling its latch and sliding the shield to the left;
Place the receiver cover with its upper plane on the table and separate the receiver cover from it, to do this, press the feed slide latch with your right hand, and insert a drift into one of the slide cutouts with your left hand and move the slide back until it stops against the stop; by pressing upward on the flag of the feed release lever, move the receiver cover forward and, lifting it upward, separate it;
Separate the feed slider from the receiver cover, to do this, move the limiter to the side by the head, and the slider (using a drift) to the rearmost position; move the slider to the left and separate it from the cover;
Separate the feed engine from the receiver cover: turn off the engine latch, use a drift to move the engine from the rear to the front position and, lifting it by the rear end, remove it from the receiver cover (if there is a lower safety shield, it is separated before the engine).
16) Remove the barrel from the casing:
Remove the seal from the barrel;
By turning the barrel relative to the casing to the right and pulling it towards you, remove the barrel from the casing.
17) Separate the flame arrester: remove the latch from the flame arrester socket, use a key or hand to turn the flame arrester in the direction of the arrow with the letter “P” (disassembly) by 45° and separate it from the casing (base of the muzzle); remove the liner from the flame arrester.
The procedure for assembling a machine gun after partial disassembly
The machine gun is assembled in the following sequence.
1) Attach the flash suppressor: insert the liner into the base of the muzzle, pull out the flash suppressor latch, align the longitudinal marks on the flash suppressor and the base of the muzzle, insert the flash suppressor all the way and, using a key, turn it in the direction of the arrow with the letter “C” (assembly) until it clicks into place.
2) Insert the barrel into the casing so that the sector protrusions of the barrel go beyond the protrusions of the casing coupling, and turn it counterclockwise until it stops.
3) Assemble the feed mechanism:
Insert the feed engine with its front end (with the cutouts backwards) under the bushing of the receiver cover so that the inscription on the engine is visible, corresponding to the desired direction of feed of the tape (from right to left - “Right” or from left to right - “Left” - for an anti-aircraft machine gun);
Using a drift, move the engine to the rear position until it stops against the stop, having first pressed the engine latch (if there is a lower safety shield, then insert it into place with the latch facing up);
Move the stopper behind the head and push the feed slider to the rearmost position, insert the feed slider into the grooves of the cover on the side of the feed skip lever and push it until the marks on the slider and the front end of the slider align; move the engine forward, make sure that the feed slider moves to the side; move the engine back until it is latched;
Attach the receiver cover to the receiver cover: take the receiver cover with both hands, place it on the receiver cover so that the feed fingers are at the rear walls of the windows in the receiver cover, and the feed pass lever is behind the cutout; Press the receiver cover against the receiver cover and push it back as far as it will go (the end of the feed pass lever should pop into the cutout);
Attach the safety shield to the receiver cover: place the shield on top of the cover to align the holes in the receiver cover and the shield; Insert pins into the holes on the left and secure them.
4) Assemble the shutter:
Attach the combat cylinder to the bolt frame, for which, pressing the rear end of the feeder with your thumb, insert the combat cylinder with the cutout for the feeder upward with your left hand and release the feeder;
Insert the firing pin into the channel of the combat cylinder and, aligning the holes in the firing pin and in the bolt frame, insert the firing pin into these holes from left to right (split it if there is a hole for the cotter pin).
5) Attach the sleeve outlet to the receiver and secure it with a latch.
6) Attach the shock absorbers to the receiver, making sure that the clamp base pin fits into the receiver wall and the basting knob engages the stopper.
7) Attach the charging handle to the receiver.
8) Insert the bolt into the receiver:
Direct the bolt with the combat cylinder into the receiver, push it forward and, aligning the accelerating cutouts of the bolt with the hole on the guide bar of the reloading handle, insert the accelerator;
Moving the bolt forward by the ridge, insert the guide pin into it and push the bolt to the extreme forward position.
9) Attach the shield (if any) to the guide bar of the reloading handle:
Push the shield forward so that its front end passes through the window in the reloading handle, and the plate at the rear end fits into the grooves of the guide bar;
Pull the shield latch and turn it 90° to secure the shield.
10) Insert the trigger mechanism into the receiver jumper, pointing it forward with the sear so that the longitudinal protrusions fit into the grooves of the jumper, and push it forward until it stops.
11) Insert the recoil spring into the receiver, ensuring the correct position of the front coil.
12) Attach the butt plate to the receiver:
With your left hand, grasp the receiver jumper, and with your right hand, insert the buttplate with the latch upward with the buffer spring into the recoil spring.
Compressing the recoil spring, push the buttplate forward as far as it will go, inserting its crimp protrusions between the corresponding protrusions of the receiver;
Without releasing the buttplate, turn it until the latch stops at the base of the trigger mechanism;
By pressing the butt plate latch, pull the latch and turn the butt plate; Having released the latch, tighten the butt plate until the latch clicks sharply
13) Attach the receiver base to the receiver.
14) Attach the tray to the receiver.
15) Attach the cover to the receiver:
Place the cover bushing on the receiver trunnion and turn it so that it is aligned with the receiver;
Lower the lid, making sure that the feed motor is in the rear position
16) Attach the receiver with shock absorbers to the cradle:
Place the receiver on the cradle so that the protrusions of the base of the clamp and the beard finger are against the guides of the cradle; lift the handles of the shock absorber stoppers up, move the receiver forward and release the handles of the stoppers (the stoppers must fit into the holes of the shock absorber rods);
Attach the middle roller to the reloading handle by turning the roller casing to the right (left) until the sector protrusion goes under the protrusion of the reloading handle cup; release the roller casing;
Close the receiver cover by turning the cover latch, the latch tooth should fit into the cutout on the jumper, and the latch should fit into the cutout on the cover;
Use the reloading handle to move the bolt to the rear position and place it on the sear;
Connect the plug connector for the electric triggers and turn on the electric triggers.
For a machine gun coaxial with a cannon, after placing the shock absorber rods on the stops: insert the cup of the reloading handle between the reloading levers and the hook on it; insert the pin into the holes of the slide and beard of the receiver
17) Attach the barrel to the receiver:
Direct the barrel with the casing into the receiver so that the longitudinal grooves of the barrel coupling coincide with the protrusions on the receiver, and the cracked protrusions of the casing fit between the protrusions of the receiver;
Push the casing until the clutch stops into the receiver, turn it by the handle to the left until it stops (the latch of the barrel casing should completely fit into the cutout of the coupling);
close the marking of the front barrel mounting clamp and lock it.
2A42 gun: purpose, combat properties and general design; principle of operation of automation; ammunition used.
30 mm automatic cannon 2A42 is designed to combat lightly armored targets at ranges up to 1500 m, ATGM installations, unarmored weapons and enemy personnel at ranges up to 4000 m, as well as air targets flying at low altitudes up to 2000 m with subsonic speeds and a slant range of up to 2500 m.
Firing from a cannon can be carried out with single fire and automatic fire (high and low rates). The gun has a two-belt feed. The gun is stabilized in two planes.
Initial speed: OFZ, OT shells - 960 m/s, BT shells - 970 m/s.
Direct shot range: for a target with a height of 2.5 m - 1200 m, for a target with a height of 1 m - 800 m.
Rate of fire, rpm: large - at least 550, small - 200-300.
The maximum permissible fire mode is 98 shots, of which 50 in one burst and 6 bursts of 8 shots each, after which it is necessary to cool the barrel.
Gun weight 116 kg, barrel weight 38.5 kg. Number of grooves - 16.
Elevation angle: maximum + 75º, minimum - 5º.
The gun consists of the following components:
Receiver;
Barrel assembly;
Bolt frame;
Return spring;
Butt pad;
Electric descent;
Contactor;
Buttplate axis.
The gun is an automatic weapon in which locking the bore, firing a shot, unlocking the bore, removing the spent cartridge case from the chamber and reflecting it, feeding the cartridge belt into the receiver and sending the next cartridge into the chamber are carried out automatically. To reduce the recoil force, the gun barrel is cushioned and rolls back 30-35 mm when fired.
Gun automation is based on the use of the energy of powder gases discharged through a side hole in the barrel. The recoil of the gun bolt frame with each shot occurs as a result of the action of powder gases on the front end of the piston connected to the bolt frame.
To fire a cannon, ammunition is used, which includes:
1) a cartridge with a high-explosive fragmentation incendiary (HEF) projectile;
2) a cartridge with a fragmentation tracer (FR) projectile;
3) a cartridge with a solid-body armor-piercing tracer (AP) projectile.
Cartridges with OFZ and OT shells are intended for firing at ground and air targets, and cartridges with BT shells are intended for hitting lightly armored ground targets and firing points.
2A42 gun: order of partial disassembly and assembly.
Partial disassembly is carried out during technical inspection for inspection, cleaning and lubrication of automation parts, as well as in other cases when access to the receiver is necessary.
Initial position of the product before disassembly:
1) the bolt frame is in the forward position;
2) the manual reloading handle is fixed in the forward position.
ATTENTION! Before disassembling, make sure that the plug connectors are disconnected from the product.
The procedure for partial disassembly of 2A42.
1. Press the contactor latch and slide the contactor back, if necessary using the contactor removal tool provided in the single spare parts kit, and separate the contactor.
2. Turn the electric trigger lock lever 90° and remove the electric trigger from the butt plate, while holding the feed switch flag in the middle position.
ATTENTION! It is prohibited to subject the electric trigger to mechanical influences (impacts, falls, etc.).
3. Separate the butt plate, for which:
1) turn the buttplate axis lock lever up 90°;
2) knock out the buttplate axis using a Ø 7 drift and a hammer;
3) slide the butt plate back and separate it from the product. To facilitate separation, you can use a screwdriver by inserting it between the puller on the right (left) side and the butt plate.
4. Separate the return spring from the product.
5. Separate the bolt frame, for which:
1) slide the anti-rebound rod by its bent end back until it stops (it is permissible to strike the rod lightly with a soft hammer or use a screwdriver as a lever);
2) remove the bolt frame from the receiver back.
Note. If the anti-rebound rod cannot be moved back manually, attach the butt plate to the product (without a return spring), fix it with the axis and, using manual reloading, move the bolt frame to the rearmost position, then press the trigger lever and through the window in the rear wall using the hammer handle, push the bolt carrier forward until approximately half of its stroke, then remove the axle and separate the butt plate,
6. Separate the barrel assembly by pulling the barrel.
7. Disassemble the barrel assembly, for which:
1) separate the muzzle brake by first removing the pin from it and turning the muzzle brake 45°;
2) separate the plate by inserting a large screwdriver between the holder and the bent part of the plate;
3) separate the clip together with the gas cylinder from the barrel, applying light blows to the clip with a soft hammer.
ATTENTION! It is prohibited to strike the guides of the clip;
4) separate the barrel spring and latch;
5) separate the holder from the gas cylinder.
8. Separate the pyro-cassette from the receiver, for which:
1) move the liner until it comes out of the bracket using a ø 5 mm drift or hook;
2) remove the cassette from the box by pushing it from below.
9. If the product was recharged by pyro-recharging, then disassemble the cassette, for which:
1) knock out the cassette plug with a ø 5 mm drift through the hole in the gas pipeline;
2) knock out the valves and gas pipeline from the cassette using a soft rod from the side of the plug.
Reassembly after partial disassembly
1. Assemble the cassette, for which:
1) press the gas pipeline into the cassette from the side of the groove under the contactor retainer, hitting it with a soft hammer;
2) insert two valves into the cassette;
2. Insert the cassette into the receiver, for which:
1) move the liner to the edge of the gas pipeline;
2) insert the cassette into the box so that the gas pipeline fits into the recess of the bracket, and the cassette fits into the window of the box (light tapping with the soft head of a hammer on the body of the pyro-cassette is allowed when placing it in the window);
3) secure the cassette with the insert, pushing it along the gas pipeline towards the cassette until it stops using a ø 5 mm drift or hook.
3. Assemble the barrel assembly, for which:
1) attach a gas cylinder to the barrel latch on one side, and a barrel spring on the other;
2) insert the barrel spring with the gas cylinder, the plate of which should face the notch towards the barrel and the latch into the breech hole, while the gas cylinder plate should rest against the protrusion on the barrel;
3) put the clip on the barrel and, aligning the hole of the clip with the seat of the gas cylinder, put it on the seat of the barrel and gas cylinder, hitting it with the soft striker of a hammer;
4) fix the clip with a plate, driving it into the groove on the barrel using a hammer;
5) put the brake on the barrel, turn it 45° so that the planes of the brake are parallel to the planes of the breech, aligning the hole in the brake with the hole on the barrel;
6) secure the brake with a stopper.
4. Attach the barrel assembly to the receiver, for which:
1) turn the barrel spring clockwise until it stops;
2) align the guide grooves of the breech and clip with the guides of the receiver and push the barrel assembly into the receiver until it stops.
5. Attach the bolt frame to the product, directing the bolt frame piston into the breech hole, and the guide grooves of the slide along the box guides, and move the bolt frame to the extreme forward position, after making sure that the anti-rebound rod is in the rearmost position, and the manual reload rod is in the extreme rear position. in the forward position.
6. Move the anti-rebound link to its most forward position.
7. Attach the electric trigger to the buttplate, for which:
1) holding the feed switch flag in the middle position, insert the electric trigger into the butt plate so that the sensor arms enter the windows of the butt plate;
2) fix the electric trigger by turning the lever and check the reliability of the electric trigger fixation by pulling it up.
8. Insert the return spring into the bolt frame.
9. Attach the butt plate to the product, for which:
1) move the feed lever to the forward position, and it should be locked with a latch;
2) slide the butt plate onto the box until the holes for the butt plate axis are aligned;
3) insert the butt plate axle on the left side, pressing the butt plate slightly, and fix it by turning the lever 90°.
10. Connect the contactor, for which:
1) release the contactor lock;
2) slide the contactor onto the guide grooves of the cassette until the latch fits into the recess on the cassette.
11. Check the fastening of the barrel to the receiver; the barrel should not move due to manual effort.
12. To check the correct assembly of the product, cock the bolt frame by reloading and make a test release.
2A28 gun: purpose, combat properties and general design; ammunition used.
The 2A28 gun is intended for installation in the turret of the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle and serves:
a) when firing cumulative grenades PG-9 (PG-9S, PG-9S1) - to destroy tanks, self-propelled guns of all types and other armored vehicles of the enemy,
to suppress enemy manpower and firepower located in long-term, wood-earth and light field-type shelters or in urban-type brick structures;
b) when firing OG-9 fragmentation grenades - to destroy enemy personnel, to suppress single targets (artillery pieces, launchers, machine gun nests, etc.) at a distance of up to 1000 m, for shooting at troop concentrations, military bases, airfields, railway junctions, etc. at a distance of up to 4500 m.
Caliber 73 mm. The direct shot range when firing the PG-15V at a target height of 2 m is 765 m.
The longest sighting range when firing the PG-15V is 1300 m.
The maximum range when firing 0G-15V is 4400 m.
Initial speed of the grenade, m/s: PG-9 - 400, OG-9 - 290.
The maximum speed of the PG-9 grenade is 665 m/s.
Gun weight - 115 kg.
Elevation angle: maximum + 30º, minimum - 5º.
Rate of fire: 6-8 rds/min.
The weapon consists of the following main parts:
Barrel assembly with breech, ejectors, adapter block, liner;
Carriage assembly with tracers, lever with handle and shield, sector, needle bearings, special connector;
Shutter;
Hydraulic recoiler;
Cutter with axle;
Shutter spring assembly:
Fastening parts.
The PG-15V round consists of a PG-9 anti-tank grenade and a PG-15P starting charge. PG-9 caliber grenade, cumulative action, with a jet engine. The initial speed of the grenade is provided by the starting powder charge. At the initial part of the trajectory, the jet engine is turned on, which increases the speed of the grenade from 400 to 665 m/s.
Along with the PG-15V rounds, the PG-15VS and PG-15VS1 rounds are used, which are similar in design and action to the PG-15V round.
The effect of a grenade is that it burns through the armor with a directed stream of gases and molten metal, hits the crew, destroys weapons and equipment, and ignites fuel and ammunition.
The OG-I5B shot consists of an OG-9 fragmentation grenade and an OG-15P propellant charge. The initial speed of the grenade is provided by the propellant powder charge and is equal to 290 m/s.
The action of the grenade is as follows: that when it encounters an obstacle, the fuse is triggered, its impulse causes detonation of the explosive charge placed in the housing, with the formation of fragments from the material of the housing, which affects living force.
SVD: purpose, combat properties and general structure; procedure for partial disassembly and assembly; delays during shooting, their causes and solutions.
7.62 mm Dragunov sniper rifle (SVD) is a sniper weapon and is designed to destroy various open and camouflaged single targets. The most effective fire is maintained at distances up to 800m.
Combat properties of the SVD sniper rifle.
SVD has the following main parts and mechanisms:
1. barrel with receiver, open sight and butt; 2. receiver cover with a return mechanism; 3. bolt frame; 4. shutter; 5. gas pipe with regulator; 6. gas piston; 7. pusher with spring; 8. barrel linings; 9. trigger mechanism; 10. fuse; 11. store; 12. butt cheek; 13. optical sight; 14. bayonet.
The rifle kit includes: accessories, a belt, a case for an optical sight, a bag for carrying an optical sight and magazines, a bag for carrying a winter reticle lighting device, spare batteries and an oil can.
General view and main parts of the SVD
1 - barrel with receiver, open sight and butt; 2 - receiver cover; 3 - return mechanism; 4 - bolt frame; 5 - shutter; 6 - gas pipe with regulator; 7 - gas piston; 8 - pusher with spring; 9 - barrel linings; 10 - trigger mechanism; 11 - fuse; 12 - store; 13 - butt cheek; 14 - optical sight; 15 - bayonet
The barrel and receiver form an integral unit. The barrel contains: the base of the front sight, the gas chamber, the sight block and the swivel for attaching the belt. At the base of the front sight there is a slotted flash suppressor and a stop for a bayonet-knife. The receiver serves to connect all parts and mechanisms of the rifle. The trigger mechanism is located inside. A butt with a cutout forming a handle is attached to the rear of the receiver.
The receiver cover protects it from harmful environmental influences. It is attached to the receiver using a locking mechanism. The receiver cover houses the return mechanism.
The bolt carrier operates the bolt and firing mechanism.
The bolt consists of a frame, a firing pin and an ejector.
A gas tube with a regulator is placed on the gas chamber. By turning the regulator using a sleeve or cartridge, the hole in the gas tube is closed to increase the pressure of the powder gases on the piston.
The gas piston is placed in the gas tube and transmits the gas pressure to the pusher.
The pusher acts on the bolt frame and moves it to the rear position.
The pushrod spring serves to return the pushrod and gas piston to the forward position.
The barrel linings are designed for ease of operation when shooting and to protect the sniper’s hands from burns.
The firing mechanism ensures that the hammer is released from cocking, single fire is fired, firing is stopped and the safety is engaged. It consists of: a body, a trigger with a mainspring, a self-timer and a trigger with a spring.
The safety serves to lock the sear and trigger and at the same time limit the rear movement of the bolt frame, thereby eliminating the possibility of an accidental shot. And also for securing the trigger mechanism in the receiver. The lower position of the fuse corresponds to its installation for firing, and the upper position corresponds to the fuse.
The butt cheek is used only when shooting with an optical sight and is intended for the convenience of the sniper. It is attached to the butt with a lock, which has a clip with a hook and a clasp with a loop.
The accessory is used for disassembling, assembling, cleaning and lubricating a sniper rifle and includes: a cleaning rod, a pencil case with a wiper, a brush, a screwdriver, a drift and an oiler. Accessories, except for the oil can, are carried in a bag for the optical sight.
The procedure for partially disassembling a rifle.
Unlike a machine gun sight, the rear sight of a light machine gun
equipped with a mechanism for introducing lateral corrections
The stock of the modernized machine gun is folding. For
to transfer it to the stowed position, you must press the button on
left side of the receiver. To transfer the butt to
firing position press the button from the back
sides of the receiver
The magazine can be loaded using clips. Each clip
holds 15 rounds. To fill the clip with cartridges
must be fixed (for example, with a cartridge) in the wrung-out
latch position. When equipping a magazine clip
attaches to the magazine using a special adapter.
Adapters and clips are included with the machine gun.
Each machine gun at the factory is brought to normal combat first
using a cold sighting tube, then shooting at a shooting range.
All hunting animals, without exception, undergo this procedure.
carbines produced by Molot
All modifications of the Kalashnikov light machine gun (RPK, RPKS, RPK74, RPKS74, RPK74M) for the Soviet and then the Russian Army over the past forty years have been produced by the Vyatsko-Polyansky machine-building plant "Molot". At the same time, the unique reliability and enormous resource of the RPK have always attracted attention to it in countries where NATO ammunition has traditionally been used...
By the end of the 80s, experience in operating 5.45 mm AK74 assault rifles of all modifications revealed the need to take measures aimed at improving a number of service and operational characteristics, such as: the strength of the receiver, receiver cover, metal butt, which, moreover, caused unpleasant sensations when shooting in conditions of high and low temperatures. Also, along with the adoption of a cartridge with a bullet of increased penetrating action (PP ind. 7N10), the service life of the barrel sharply decreased when firing the new ammunition.
Testing of the new assault rifle was carried out on the A-60 and A-61 prototypes and ended with the creation of the basic 5.45 mm AK74M assault rifle. By this time, the state order for the purchase of weapons had sharply decreased due to the reduction of the army. However, the safety margin built into the basic model came in handy when Izhmash created export versions of the 100 series chambered for 5.56x45 and 7.62x39.
The Vyatsko-Polyansky machine-building plant "Molot", focused on the production of RPK74 and RPKS74 light machine guns with modifications of the RPK(S)74N and associated with Izhmash not only by the purchase of a number of parts, but also by unification requirements, carried out similar events. As a result of the work, two versions of the RPK machine gun were put into production - chambered for 5.45x39 - RPK74M (ind. 6P39) and 7.62x39 - RPKM.
Despite the high degree of unification with the machine gun, the design of the machine gun has significant differences due to the specific use of a light machine gun as a light fire support weapon.
The RPK has a longer barrel compared to the assault rifle and, accordingly, a larger sighting line to ensure a greater effective firing range (for comparison: the effective firing range of the AK74M assault rifle is 450 m, the RPK74M machine gun is 600 m). A massive barrel and a reinforced receiver liner allow firing from a machine gun in a more intense mode, so from the RPK continuous firing of up to 200 shots is allowed, versus 150 shots for an assault rifle.
A permanent bipod with a constant height of the firing line is attached to the muzzle of the RPK barrel. The shape of the butt is borrowed from the RPD machine gun.
Due to the more intense firing mode compared to a machine gun (the average burst length is 5-7 shots), to reduce the unmasking muzzle flame, instead of a compensator brake, a slotted flame arrester is installed on the muzzle of the machine gun barrel.
To take into account, for example, the wind drift of a bullet or the offset of the aiming point on a frontally moving target, the RPK sighting bar has a mechanism for entering lateral corrections.
Standard high-capacity machine-gun magazines (45 rounds) are also successfully used in combination with a machine gun.
The level of development of technology for the production of machine gun parts is extremely high, which practically eliminates mechanical processing during assembly operations. The design of the currently produced Kalashnikov light machine gun ensures incredible reliability of automatic operation, allowing a resource of 25,000 rounds to be achieved at the highest possible firing mode. At the same time, there are practically no delays or breakdowns, even of small parts. The barrel of a machine gun can withstand up to 50,000 shots. In addition, optimization of the size and shape of the protrusion of the guide rod of the return mechanism eliminated the possibility of the receiver cover being separated when the weapon was dropped onto the muzzle.
In the “stowed” position, the machine gun is carried
on the shoulder with folded bipod and butt
For firing from a machine gun, 5.45-mm cartridges are used with ordinary (Ps), tracer (T), increased penetration (PP) and armor-piercing (AP) bullets, and when replacing the flash suppressor with a blank firing bushing, blanks (X).
To avoid the bullet getting stuck in the bore of a long machine gun barrel, it is strictly prohibited to fire 5.45 mm cartridges with a DC (reduced velocity) bullet, which has a distinctive black-green coloring of the ogive part of the bullet.
During the Soviet period, the RPK of various modifications was in service with dozens of countries in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The most widespread was the 7.62 mm machine gun, since the 5.45x39 caliber cartridge was produced only in the Warsaw Pact countries. At the same time, the unique reliability and enormous resource of the RPK have always attracted attention to it in countries where NATO ammunition has traditionally been used. At the end of the 90s, work began in Vyatskie Polyany to create a 5.56x45 NATO machine gun based on the modernized RPK. Today, factory tests of a new model are in full swing, with which Molot plans to take part in several tenders held by foreign armies. The machine gun is being tested with a 5.56x45 live cartridge produced by the Barnaul Machine Tool Plant and used by NATO countries.
The 7.62x39 caliber RPKM also has good export prospects, since the cartridge of this caliber is mass produced and is in service in many countries around the world.
| Performance characteristics RPK74M |
|
| Caliber, mm | 5,45 |
| Weight without magazine, kg | 4,76 |
| Weight with magazine without cartridges, belt and accessories, kg | 5,465 |
| Length, mm | |
| - in a combat position | 1065 |
| - on the move | 857 |
| Height, mm | |
| - in a combat position | 365 |
| - traveling, without magazine | 173 |
| - lines of fire | 305 |
| Width, mm | |
| - in combat position (without bipod) | 74,5 |
| - on the move | 105 |
| Bipod opening angle, degrees | 68 |
| Sighting line length, mm | 555 |
| Warranty resource, shots | 20000 |
| Rate of fire, rds/min. | 600-650 |
| Initial bullet speed, m/s | 960 |
| Magazine capacity, cartridges | 45 |
| Magazine weight, kg | 0,3 |
| Barrel length, mm | 590 |
| Accuracy at D=100 m, cm | |
| - single fire (SvhSb) | no more than 10x10 |
| - bursts of 3-5 shots. (SvhSb) | no more than 15x15 |
- Articles » Machine guns
- Mercenary 12921 0
RPK-74 and RPK-74M light machine guns
and the SA weapons in January 1974 adopted a new unified set of small arms designed for the low-pulse 5.45x39 cartridge - 4 models of 5.45 mm machine guns and 4 models of 5.45 mm light machine guns. The low-pulse 5.45 mm cartridge was developed by a group of designers led by Sabelnikov. Reducing the weight by 1.5 times and reducing the caliber, half the ratio between the masses of the powder charge and the bullet compared to 7.62x39 cartridges should have significantly increased the initial speed of the bullet, increased the flatness of the trajectory, reduced the recoil impulse, and increased the carryable ammunition without increasing the total mass of the shooter's display.
One of the main reasons for choosing the “Kalashnikov system” complex from a number of 5.45-mm complexes that were submitted for testing is the broad unification of its components and parts with the 7.62-mm complex, which was already produced. This made it possible to set up its production much faster and simplified the development of new weapons among the troops. The design of the AK-74, which was the basic one, almost completely repeated the design of the AKM, with which 52 of its parts and 9 components were unified, that is, 53 and 36%, respectively. But in addition to changing the caliber, they also introduced technological innovations - many parts (fore-end ring, gas chamber, sight block, trigger, front sight support) began to be made using lost wax models from precision castings. The barrels were made by rotary forging, and their channels were chrome-plated. The new family includes the RPK-74 (6P18) light machine gun with a permanent stock and the RPKS-74 light machine gun with a folding stock. New elements were the magazine and muzzle device. The weight of RPKS-74 exceeds the weight of RPK-74 by 150 g.
The slotted flash suppressor is mounted on the muzzle of the barrel, and can be replaced with a blank firing bushing. Since in combat conditions fire from a light machine gun is usually carried out in short bursts (the average length of a burst fired from a light machine gun is 5-7 shots), one box magazine with a capacity of 45 rounds was adopted for the RPK-74 and RPKS-74 machine guns. Although development of a magazine version with a capacity of 100 rounds was underway (later magazines of this capacity for small-caliber machine guns were created abroad).
It should be noted that at the same time, a 5.45-mm machine gun with a combined feed (magazine/belt) was being developed in Izhevsk, but not a single version was adopted. During combat practice, various options for carrying magazines for RPK and RPK-74 machine guns appeared. Magazine bags were replaced by bibs with magazine sockets (soldiers call them “combat bras”), back bags, pockets of body armor and unloading vests, and the like.
Shooting can be carried out with 5.45×39 cartridges having an ordinary “PS” bullet with a steel core (weight 3.45 grams, 7N6), armor-piercing “BP”, tracer “T”. Firing a cartridge with a bullet of reduced speed "US" is prohibited - the "subsonic" cartridge was optimized for an automatic barrel, so the bullet can get stuck in the elongated barrel of a machine gun. The mass of the cartridge with the PS bullet is 10.2 grams, that is, the weight of the carried ammunition with the same supply of cartridges is 1.5 times less than when carrying a cartridge of the 1943 model. Reducing the recoil impulse made it possible to increase the accuracy of fire by almost 1.5 times compared to the RPK.
Also, 5.45-mm light machine guns have “night” modifications RPKSN-74 and RPKN-74, which are adapted for the installation of NSPU-3 and NSPUM unilluminated night sights. A 1P29 universal shooting sight with a weight of 800 g and a magnification factor of 4x can also be installed. In the manufacture of the forend and buttstock, they gradually switched from wood to plastics.
It should be noted that in the Soviet Union, earlier than in other countries, they unified normal small-caliber small-caliber weapons at the squad-platoon level.
This was facilitated by the design flexibility and high reliability of the “Kalashnikov system”. An attempt was made to make the RPK-74 a “tank” - it is mounted in the BMD-3 body as a frontal machine gun.
The RPK-74 light machine gun, as well as its modifications, were adopted in service in Russia, a number of foreign countries and the former republics of the Soviet Union. Abroad, their own models of 5.45 mm Kalashnikov light machine guns were also created. For example, in 1989, a model with a special muzzle device and a folding stock was developed in Poland. Based on the “Kalashnikov system,” a 5.56-mm light machine gun was created in Czechoslovakia.
The procedure for unloading the RPK-74 light machine gun:
1. Turn on the fuse.
2. Disconnect the magazine by pressing the magazine release located behind the magazine socket.
3. Turn off the fuse.
4. While holding the machine gun with the barrel up, pull the bolt handle back to remove any cartridge that may be in the chamber.
5. Inspect the chamber through the receiver window and make sure there is no cartridge in it.
6. Release the bolt handle and pull the trigger.
Characteristics of the RPK-74 light machine gun:
Cartridge – 5.45×39;
The weight of the machine gun without magazine is 4.7 kg;
The weight of the machine gun with a loaded magazine of 45 rounds is 5.46 kg;
Machine gun length – 1060 mm;
Barrel length – 590 mm;
Number of grooves – 4;
Rifling pitch – 200 mm;
Muzzle energy – 1567 J;
Rate of fire – 600 rounds per minute;
Combat rate of fire - 150 rounds per minute;
The range of a direct shot at the chest figure is 460 m;
The lethal range of the bullet is 1350 m;
The maximum flight range of a bullet is 3150 m;
After the creation of the AK-74M assault rifle by the Vyatskopolyansky machine-building plant "Molot", in compliance with the principle of unification, the RPK-74 light machine gun was correspondingly modified to the level of the RPK-74M machine gun (ind. 6P39).
The machine gun has some differences: the barrel life has been increased when firing the new 7N10 cartridge, which has a bullet with increased penetration “PP” (this cartridge was released in 1993, the bullet core is made of tungsten carbide, the bullet weight is 3.56 grams, at a distance 100 m penetrates a steel plate 16 mm thick); the receiver and receiver cover are reinforced; changes have been made to the stop of the return spring guide rod (to prevent the receiver cover from falling off in the event of impacts or shocks); the forend has been slightly modified. The machine gun is equipped with a plastic butt that folds to the left. A push-button latch is used to secure it in the firing position.
changed. The machine gun is equipped with a plastic butt that folds to the left. A push-button latch is used to secure it in the firing position.
The declared life of the barrel is 50 thousand shots, and the life of the machine gun is 20-25 thousand shots. The capacity of the sector-shaped box magazine with a plastic body is 45 rounds; using a simple removable adapter, it is loaded from plate clips with a capacity of 15 rounds. The length of the aiming line is 555 millimeters. The dispersion radius of hits at a distance of 100 meters is 100 millimeters when firing single shots and 150 millimeters when firing in bursts.
Machine gun variants chambered for 5.56×45 NATO and 7.62×39 (RPKM) cartridges have also been developed, but they are more likely designed for export - these types of cartridges are widespread in the world.
Whether a light machine gun will be developed based on the AEK-971 or the new 5.45 mm AN assault rifle - only time will tell, although the advantages of the circuits of these assault rifles appear precisely during burst fire
Characteristics of the RPK-74M light machine gun:
Cartridge – 5.45×39;
The weight of the machine gun without magazine is 4.76 kg;
Weight with a loaded magazine of 45 rounds – 5.465 kg;
Machine gun length – 1065/857 mm;
Barrel length – 590 mm;
Rifling – 4 right-hand;
Rifling stroke length – 200 mm;
Initial bullet speed – 960 m/s;
Muzzle energy – 1567 J;
Rate of fire – 150 rounds per minute;
Rate of fire – 600-650 rounds per minute;
Sighting range – 1000 m;
Effective firing range – up to 600 m;
The range of a direct shot at a tall figure is 640 m;
The height of the firing line is 305 mm;
Magazine capacity – 45 rounds.
The basis for the development of this light machine gun was the Kalashnikov AK/AKS 74 assault rifle system. Like assault rifles, it is equipped with 5.45×39 cartridges of the M 74 type. The Kalashnikov RPK 74 light machine gun differs from the assault rifle in its longer and heavier barrel, large butt, and larger magazine. containers and a folding bipod located under the barrel. The small caliber machine gun is identical to the large caliber weapon, with the exception of the lock and muzzle brake.
Kalashnikov RPK 74(M) light machine gun - video
A version with a side-folding stock for airborne troops and crews of armored vehicles has also been developed: model RPKS 74 (C - folding). The Soviet army was equipped with weapons of both versions, which also had small-caliber Kalashnikov assault rifles at its disposal. It is possible to replace standardized units of machine guns and machine guns.
The Kalashnikov RPK 74 light machine gun operates on the basis of the use of the energy of powder gases, allows firing in single shots and bursts, is cooled by air, has a rigidly locked barrel and a rotating bolt. Ammunition is fed from drum or horn magazines with 75 or 40 rounds respectively. You can also use machine gun magazines of the same caliber. The stores are made of colored fiberglass.
With a full magazine of 40 rounds, the RPK 74 model weighs 5.46 kg, the RPKS model - 5.61 kg. The length with the butt folded is 845 mm, with the stock folded back - 1060 mm. Machine guns provide high accuracy, are very efficient, extremely durable, have a long service life and meet all the requirements of modern combat.
Currently, a modified RPK-74M machine gun has been produced, characterized by a strengthened design of a number of parts, the presence of a rail on the left side of the receiver for installing day or night sights, as well as a side-folding plastic butt.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the Kalashnikov RPK-74 machine gun
Photo of the RPK-74 machine gun
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