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
RPK
Category
Country
Prime contractor
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)
—
ⓘ 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
- Cartridge7.62×39mm M43
- Calibre7.62 mm
- Case Length39 mm
- Calibre Classintermediate
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣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
- Barrel Length590 mm
- Sight TypeIron sights: semi-shrouded front post and rear sliding tangent with an adjustable notch
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelYes
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialsteel stamping
- Furniture Materiallaminated wood
- Folding / Collapsing StockYes
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitylimited interchangeability with AKM parts
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1961
- Production End1978
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1959Production started
- 1961Entered service
- 1978Production ended
67
years in service
19
years in production
53
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
RPK · CONFLICTS SERVED IN17% win·17% loss
Total Conflicts
6
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
1
1979–1989Soviet-Afghan WarDecisive victory→1977–1992Mozambican Civil War—→1975–2002Angolan Civil War—→1974–1991Ethiopian Civil War—→1964–1974Mozambican War of Independence—→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries53country
06 / MASS Score
LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW) RANKING Light Machine Guns (LMG/SAW) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
5LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)1EARLY COLD WAR · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)169RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS6PERFORMANCE/PRICE · LIGHT MACHINE GUNS (LMG/SAW)
ⓘ Rankings are within theLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)category.
📖 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