For any army, unification is the goal that gunsmiths strive for. If the parts are interchangeable, and the design of different samples has similar features, then several tasks are solved at once. Firstly, the search for spare parts in case of failure is simplified. Secondly, training soldiers is faster and more efficient. Thirdly, production costs are reduced. There are other reasons to strive for standardization, they are psychological in nature, but also important. But if the weapon is unified, then this is still not enough to consider it successful. Important and fighting qualities. Modern small arms, located in the arsenals of countries - potential opponents, have always set high demands on our models. They should be no worse, and if possible better in terms of fire characteristics, easy to operate and, of course, reliable. All these requirements are generally satisfied by the Kalashnikov light machine gun, which has been in service with the Soviet and Russian army since 1961. It is also known in many other countries where it was exported.
Single sample
The idea of a unified machine gun is not new. Almost all armies during the First World War used Maxims, Hotchkisses and Colts. In the thirties, infantry and mountain units felt the need for lighter samples, which they began to call manual, as opposed to easel. Only the specialists of the German company Rheinmetall could achieve complete unification by creating their own “lawnmower” MG-34 (according to the year of development completion, 1934). The project was led by engineer Louis Stange. This machine gun turned out to be very successful, and the Red Army fighters wanted to own similar weapons. Only after the war did they begin to get something similar. The task was to combine the positive features of the two main types of machine guns (easel and manual) in one sample. It should have been characterized by high rate of fire, as an ammunition for it we use a rifle "long" cartridge (this assault rifle, for example, differs from a submachine gun), the range of aimed fire is greater than that of conventional small arms. It was such a model that was supposed to be accepted as a single one for the entire Soviet army.
DP-27 Shilina
In 1946, the creative “trio” of designers A. I. Shilin, A. A. Dubinin and P. P. Polyakov, after an in-depth modernization of the proven and reliable DP-27, introduced an almost new model, called the RP-46. Soviet designers of small arms used a tape cartridge supply system, into which a feed mechanism was inserted, which was inserted into the store’s place. DP-27 was not bad, but even then, in the first years of operation in the army, it was considered a temporary replacement for the outdated RP Degtyarev. Almost all the specialized arms enterprises of the USSR were engaged in the development of their own systems in the hope that it would become a single model.
Among the leaders were several design bureaus, including the creator of the AK-47 Kalashnikov Mikhail Timofeevich, who soon introduced the first version of the PC machine gun. It happened in 1959.
Competition and competitors
After a series of intermediate tests, two samples reached the final of the competition announced by the Ministry of Defense. One was a PC (Kalashnikov machine gun), the second was the work of leading OKB-14 engineers (of the same Tula arms factory, this is worth paying attention to, since there was also internal competition at the enterprise that contributed to the high quality of projects). This sample was very interesting, many innovative ideas of special mechanical engineering were reflected in it. The idea of feeding tape from unified boxes of two types (for 200 or 100 rounds) turned out to be very successful. The shutter locking assembly is also recognized as one of the best in terms of simplicity and elegance of the engineering solution. Unusually and originally resolved the issue of cutoff of powder gases. The supply of cartridges was carried out by special "fingers". In general, a very good machine gun. The PC, however, won the competition, and there were reasons for that.
The lack of a machine gun Nikitin and Sokolov
For all the merits that the Nikitin and Sokolov sample shone with, it still had one drawback, which was its lack of reliability. No, he did not refuse at all, but he began to shoot in solitary mode, after he, immersed in several bursts, was lowered into the water. This phenomenon was caused by thermal distortions that occurred in the feed unit. At first glance, the flaw is insignificant, but in a real battle, it could cost life’s calculations. Each time, the shooter was forced to reload, placing the PNS on the platoon 2-3 times manually. Such a delay is very dangerous. The Kalashnikov light machine gun behaved flawlessly in comparative tests, he did not refuse even after he was lowered into the icy Central Asian aryks.
What is the difference between a PC and a Kalashnikov assault rifle? Trunk
Today, the AK-47 is so famous all over the world that there is no need to dwell on the features of its design. In Soviet times, even high school students were taught to disassemble a machine gun in the lessons of initial military training. In some countries, children are able to handle these weapons at a younger age, without having yet mastered the letters.
Most of the design solutions were invented and applied by the great Russian gunsmith, inventing his famous machine gun. The Kalashnikov machine gun differs from the prototype primarily in the barrel, it is longer, made removable, and in the first versions had a longitudinally ribbed surface for better heat transfer.
Other features
For the convenience of firing, the PC machine gun is equipped with bipods. Shooting in single player mode is not provided, only bursts. The fuse of the flag type works the same as in the AK. The capacity of the box magazine, of course, has been increased to 100 (and even 200 for the easel version). Food is provided by a loose tape in pieces of 50 rounds, with the last of which it is connected. For easy carrying, an additional handle is provided. The PC machine gun is equipped with a sight similar to an automatic machine, but there is an additional bracket for installing a night sight. To facilitate the design, the butt has a through cutout. There are other minor design features, but in general, the degree of unification of this sample is very high, most of the spare parts are interchangeable, which greatly facilitates operation and repair. In machine guns of later releases, the detachable barrel is made smooth, without cooling fins, and has a large wall thickness.
Tank
Modern small arms, ideally, are not only as unified as possible, but also applicable for tasks in various conditions. The PKM machine gun model, PKM, developed in 1969, is intended to be used as an additional standard weapon for armored vehicles. Remote control is provided by electric start. In this case, the crew can, if necessary, bring it back to its original infantry state by attaching the elements included in the kit (butt, bipod, handle). This is done in battle very quickly, the assembly is simple. The difference with the prototype is a modified gas outlet unit designed to reduce the amount of burning material falling inside the armored housing. The barrel of the tank version is longer and heavier.
Additional options
From a PC machine gun, you can shoot both with standard bipod, and relying on additional devices to stabilize the line of fire. Initially, a tripod support machine was designed, designed by E. S. Samozhenkov, very convenient, but heavy. A lightweight version of the bed was proposed by L.V. Stepanov, which reduced the weight by more than three kilograms. There is also an armored personnel carrier version called the PKB.
During two decades of military operation, the military made various proposals to improve the characteristics of weapons, some of which were accepted, which was reflected in the code of weapons. So machine guns PK and RPK, which have an additional letter “N” in the title, can be equipped with a night sight (NSPU or PPN-3), the PKS is designed to fire at enemy aircraft .
Worldwide
The objective indicators of the machine gun are as follows:
The standard gauge is 7.62 mm. Weight without additional devices (the so-called "body") is 9 kilograms. The length of the machine gun is 1173 mm. The bullet accelerates in the barrel to a speed of 825 m / s. At a rate of fire of 650 rds / min, the combat rate of fire (average) is 250 rds / min. Aim fire can be conducted at a distance of up to 1 km 300 m.
The high tactical and technical characteristics of the machine gun and its amazing reliability became factors that made it popular in different parts of the world. In addition to the samples produced in the USSR and delivered under export agreements to Vietnam, Egypt, Libya (and many more), versions that were issued in other countries under license are also known. Sometimes the name changed, for example, to “Type 80” (PRC) or “M-84” (SFRY). In Bulgaria and Romania it was manufactured as a Kalashnikov machine gun.