Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ 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
Prime contractor
Production
1961–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · EARLY COLD WAR
4
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
95
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ 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
- Cartridge7.62×54mmR
- Calibre7.62 mm
- Case Length54 mm
- Calibre Class7.62mm
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation5MOD.5
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesfull-auto
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemBelt
- Cyclic Rate of Fire650
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
- Muzzle Velocity825 m/s
- Effective Range (point)1,000 m
- Maximum Range3,800 m
- Sighting Range1,500 m
◆Barrel & Sights4MOD.4
- Barrel Length605 mm
- Sight Typeiron sights and Warsaw Pact rail
- Optic RailYes
- Iron SightsYes
▤Construction2MOD.2
⬢Features3MOD.3
▲Production & Cost1MOD.1
- Production Start1961
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 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
Operator Countries70country
06 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
9GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)4EARLY COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)54RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS4PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 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