Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category.
01 / Overview
RP-46
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) · EARLY COLD WAR
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General7MOD.7
- First Production Year1946
- Service Entry Year1946
- DesignerVasily Degtyaryov
- Weight (Empty)11.62 kg
- Weight (Loaded)10 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
- Notable UsersSoviet Union, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Bulgaria, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Congo-Brazzaville, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Finland, East Germany, North Korea
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
- Cartridge7.62×54mmR
- Calibre7.62 mm
- Case Length54 mm
- Calibre Class7.62mm
- Bullet Weight9.6 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation8MOD.8
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesautomatic
- Select FireNo
- Feed SystemBelt
- Magazine Capacity47
- Cyclic Rate of Fire550
- Trigger Typesingle-stage
- Safety Typemanual safety
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
- Muzzle Velocity840 m/s
- Muzzle Energy3,430
- Effective Range (point)800 m
- Sighting Range800 m
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
- Barrel Length604 mm
- Sight TypeAdjustable iron sights, front post and rear notch on a scaled tangent
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularityremovable belt-feeding system allowing DP-style magazine use
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1946
- Variants1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1946Production started
80
years in service
1
countries operating
ⓘ 36 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries37country
05 / MASS Score
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) RANKING Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
31LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)2EARLY COLD WAR · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)479RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS38PERFORMANCE/PRICE · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)
ⓘ Rankings are within theLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
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.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources