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RPD machine gun
Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Atirador · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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RPDmachinegun

Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · Russia · 1948
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RPDmachinegun

RPD machine gun
RPD machine gun Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Atirador · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
65
Effective Range
50
Accuracy
55
Reliability
85
Portability
70
Ammunition Capacity
40
Barrel Endurance
60
Controllability
75
Versatility
50
Cost-Effectiveness
90
Origin Russia
CategoryLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)
EraEarly Cold War
In service1948–1960
Operators66 countries
Data Quality88%
63
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) MASS Rating
4/7
Early Cold War
46/75
All-Time
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
65
Effective Range
50
Accuracy
55
Reliability
85
Portability
70
Ammunition Capacity
40
Barrel Endurance
60
Controllability
75
Versatility
50
Cost-Effectiveness
90
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category.
01 / Overview
RPD machine gun
Country
Production
1948–1960
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) · EARLY COLD WAR
4
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
63
light machine guns (lmg/saw) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Production Year1944
  • Service Entry Year1944
  • DesignerVasily Degtyaryov
  • Weight (Empty)7.4 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersViet Cong, People's Army of Vietnam, Soviet Union, Warsaw Pact nations, African and Asian nations
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
  • Cartridge7.62×39mm; 5.56×45mm NATO (Israeli conversion)
  • Calibre7.62 mm
  • Case Length39 mm
  • Calibre Classintermediate
  • RimfireNo
  • Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation8MOD.8
  • Action TypeGas-Operated
  • Fire Modesfully automatic
  • Select FireYes
  • Feed SystemBelt
  • Drum / Belt Capacity100
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire650
  • Trigger Typesingle-stage
  • Safety Typelever-type
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
  • Muzzle Velocity735 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)600 m
  • Effective Range (area)1,000 m
  • Sighting Range1,000 m
◆Barrel & Sights6MOD.6
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost3MOD.3
  • Production Start1944
  • Production End1960
  • Variants4
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1948Production started
  3. 1960Production ended
78
years in service
12
years in production
64
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 2 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
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.
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 Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) entry →