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PKM

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Russia · 1969
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PKM

* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
88
Effective Range
85
Penetration
80
Reliability
95
Accuracy
82
Barrel Endurance
90
Mount Versatility
85
Controllability
87
Portability
75
Cost-Effectiveness
92
Origin Russia
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraCold War
In service1969
Operators67 countries
Data Quality87%
86
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
2/18
Cold War
5/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
88
Effective Range
85
Penetration
80
Reliability
95
Accuracy
82
Barrel Endurance
90
Mount Versatility
85
Controllability
87
Portability
75
Cost-Effectiveness
92
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
PKM
Country
Production
1969–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · COLD WAR
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
94
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
86
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 Year1969
  • Service Entry Year1969
  • 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 Start1969
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1969Production started
57
years in service
65
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 2 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
PKM 1969
// DERIVATIVES
MG 74 1974
05 / Operators
06 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Cold War
📖 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 →