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PK machine gun
Photo: Vitaly V. Kuzmin · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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PKmachinegun

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Russia · 1961
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PKmachinegun

PK machine gun
PK machine gun Photo: Vitaly V. Kuzmin · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
85
Effective Range
75
Penetration
70
Reliability
95
Accuracy
80
Barrel Endurance
90
Mount Versatility
85
Controllability
80
Portability
70
Cost-Effectiveness
90
Origin Russia
ManufacturerDegtyarev plant, Kalashnikov Concern
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraEarly Cold War
In service1961
Operators70 countries
Data Quality88%
82
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
4/21
Early Cold War
9/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
85
Effective Range
75
Penetration
70
Reliability
95
Accuracy
80
Barrel Endurance
90
Mount Versatility
85
Controllability
80
Portability
70
Cost-Effectiveness
90
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
PK machine gun
Country
Production
1961–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · EARLY COLD WAR
4
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
95
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
82
general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
  • First Production Year1961
  • Service Entry Year1961
  • DesignerMikhail Kalashnikov
  • Weight (Empty)9 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
▣Operation5MOD.5
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
  • Muzzle Velocity825 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)1,000 m
  • Maximum Range3,800 m
  • Sighting Range1,500 m
◆Barrel & Sights4MOD.4
▲Production & Cost1MOD.1
  • Production Start1961
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1961Production started
65
years in service
70
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
PK MACHINE GUN · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE7terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
A mounting system for attaching optical sights to rifles.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) entry →