Kalashnikov RPK-74

Kalashnikov RPK-74 lightmachine gun, original 1974 model with wooden furniture and red plasctic magazine.
 Kalashnikov RPK-74 lightmachine gun, original 1974 model with wooden furniture and red plascticmagazine.

 

 KalashnikovRPK-74 light machine gun, recent production model, with black plasticfurniture and magazine.
 KalashnikovRPK-74 light machine gun, recent production model, with black plasticfurniture and magazine.

 

Kalashnikov RPK-74M lightmachine gun, current production model with foldable butt and side railmount for optical or night sights.
 Kalashnikov RPK-74M lightmachine gun, current production model with foldable butt and side railmount for optical or night sights.

 

Kalashnikov RPK-74M lightmachine gun, butt folded.
 Kalashnikov RPK-74M lightmachine gun, butt folded.

 

Caliber5.45×39 mm
Weight 4,7 kg empty
Length 1060 mm
Length of barrel 590 mm
Feeding box magazine 45 rounds
Rate of fire 600 rounds per minute

 

The Kalashnikov RPK-74 light machine gun has been developed during mid-seventies to complement the AK-74 assault rifle a sa standard squad automatic weapon of the Soviet (later Russian) army.It is based on the parent AK-74assault rifle in the same way as its 7,62mm predecessor RPK was based on AKM assault rifle.Design and functioning of RPK-74 is exactly the same as in RPK, with major differences being the caliber and the magazines – 5,45mm RPK-74 were issued only with box magazines of 45-round capacity, compatible with 30-round AK-74 magazines. Various large capacity magazines (drums and flat pans,holding up to 100 rounds and made of plastic) were experimentally developed for RPK-74, but never achieved production status.

Most recent versions of the RPK-74 are RPK-74M (same gun but with blackpolymer furniture, side-folding butt and side-rail on receiver for sighting equipment; some parts also were strengthened to improve durability of the gun) and the 5,56×45 RPK-201 light machine gun,developed for export purposes to complement 5,56mm AK-101 assault rifle.