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RPK
Photo: Alizald khomeini · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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RPK

Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · Russia · 1959
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RPK

RPK
RPK Photo: Alizald khomeini · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
75
Effective Range
60
Accuracy
65
Reliability
90
Portability
80
Ammunition Capacity
70
Barrel Endurance
75
Controllability
85
Versatility
80
Cost-Effectiveness
95
Origin Russia
ManufacturerVyatskiye Polyany Machine-Building Plant
CategoryLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)
EraEarly Cold War
In service1959–1978
Operators53 countries
Data Quality88%
76
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) MASS Rating
1/7
Early Cold War
5/75
All-Time
Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
75
Effective Range
60
Accuracy
65
Reliability
90
Portability
80
Ammunition Capacity
70
Barrel Endurance
75
Controllability
85
Versatility
80
Cost-Effectiveness
95
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the light machine guns (lmg/saw) category.
01 / Overview
RPK
Country
Production
1959–1978
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) · EARLY COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
90
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
76
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 Year1961
  • Service Entry Year1961
  • DesignerMikhail Kalashnikov
  • Weight (Empty)4.8 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable Userspost-Soviet states, African and Asian nations
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
▣Operation7MOD.7
  • Action TypeGas-Operated
  • Fire Modesselective fire
  • Select FireYes
  • Feed SystemDrum
  • Magazine Capacity30
  • Drum / Belt Capacity75
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire600
◇Ballistics5MOD.5
  • Muzzle Velocity745 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)0.6 m
  • Effective Range (area)1,000 m
  • Maximum Range3,150 m
  • Sighting Range1,000 m
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
  • Production Start1961
  • Production End1978
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1959Production started
  3. 1961Entered service
  4. 1978Production ended
67
years in service
19
years in production
53
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE9terms
A cylindrical ammunition container, typically mounted on a firearm, that holds cartridges in a spiral arrangement for feeding into the chamber.
A firearm stock that can be folded or collapsed to reduce overall length for storage or transport.
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.
A pistol barrel with external helical grooves allowing the attachment of a suppressor or other muzzle devices.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) entry →