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
RPD machine gun
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) · EARLY COLD WAR
4
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
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
◎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
- Barrel Length520 mm
- Sight Typeopen-type
- Sight Radius596.6 mm
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitylimited
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost3MOD.3
- Production Start1944
- Production End1960
- Variants4
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1948Production started
- 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
Operator Countries66country
05 / MASS Score
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) RANKING Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
46LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)4EARLY COLD WAR · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)633RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS1PERFORMANCE/PRICE · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)
ⓘ Rankings are within theLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)category.
📖 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