The Cold War, which began almost immediately after the Great Patriotic War, forced the Soviet Union to continue the intensive development of innovative technologies and weapons. The famous self-taught designer Mikhail Kalashnikov became the main pillar and main inspirer of all subsequent discoveries in the field of weapons. Among the copies he created, the RPK-74 occupies one of the most honorable places along with the AK-74, the Saiga self-loading carbine and RPKS.
Small arms in Russia
The first pistols and revolvers appeared in the 14th century. But small arms around the world received particular development in the early 19th century. It was then that shock flammable capsules, a rotating drum, and a rifled barrel first appeared.
It is worth noting that before the revolution in Russia, mainly foreign-made weapons were used. A variety of revolvers and pistols were especially popular. In service in the gendarmerie, police and even the army consisted of English and American revolvers "Webley" and "Smith-Wesson". The Sagittarius revolvers, the Russian analogue of the English Velodog, also entered free sale for the population. Domestic specimens such as Skif, Muzhik, Vityaz, Antey and Ermak were also popular. These small arms of Russia were practically in no way inferior to their foreign counterparts.
And in 1895, thanks to the decree of Nicholas II, the French Nagan was adopted for service. At the same time, a model with a double-action mechanism was purchased for officers, while the soldiers used a single revolver.
Firearms used during World War II
World War II taught the world many important lessons, including in
the arms race. Many models of small arms used at that time are used by various armies now.
So, the Russian soldiers were given modernized rifles of the Mosin and Tokarev system, which are recognized as the simplest and most reliable tools. Against heavy military equipment, the RPK 74 predecessors were used - PTRD 41 (anti-tank gun), DP (light machine gun) and Degtyarev or Shpagin submachine gun. PPS and Tokarev pistol were also widely used.
All these weapons were notable for their ease of use, reliability and quality of fire. Thanks to this, a protracted bloody war was won. The firing range of even anti-tank units was more than 300 m, which made it possible to fight the enemy from afar.
Kalashnikov - leading post-war developer of the USSR
This self-taught constructor represents the phenomenon of a Russian person who, without proper education, was able to begin a brilliant career as an engineer. Mikhail Timofeevich began to work in an industry completely far from the army and its needs. Then he was not at all interested in the small arms of Russia used by the soldiers. However, after being called up for war in 1938, he unexpectedly showed himself as an inventor. Kalashnikov continued to fight for his homeland.
Only after the wound, Mikhail Timofeevich was sent to study. There, the victorious procession of Kalashnikov as a talented designer began. Already in 1946, he created the legendary AK-47, which now causes great respect and envy throughout the world.
During his long and very fruitful life, Mikhail Timofeevich created 33 models of various types of weapons, including RPK 74, AKS-74, RPKS-74, etc. In addition, he wrote more than forty scientific works and articles, and also became an honored member of the Writers' Union for memoirs.
The first prerequisites for the development of RPK-74
It all started back in 1942, when the command of the army had the task of creating its own weapons complex, allowing the battle to be fought at a distance of over 400 m. The first were designed universal cartridges according to the drawings of Elizarov and Semin. In the first samples, a lead core was used, the bullet weighed 8 g and corresponded to a caliber of 7.62 mm. It was under this size that it was planned to develop a powerful and effective weapon.
Within a few months, a special commission selected the new machine gun of the designer Sudaev (predecessor RPK-74). This inventor has created many practical and light models of weapons, thanks to which the quality of combat has been significantly improved. The new machine received the code name AC-44. However, during field military tests, these weapons were rejected due to the significant weight of the structure. At the beginning of 1946, competitive tests were continued.
History of the creation of RPK-74
Mikhail Kalashnikov also joined the struggle for primacy in this peculiar competition. At that time he already had some experience in developing self-loading carbines. Hearing about the task of creating a new machine, he began to develop his own version.
After some time, Kalashnikov introduced the AK-46. He was the same as the previously created self-loading carbine, similar to the American Garand M1. However, during competitive tests, this machine was inferior to the developments of Bulkin and Dementiev.
After the failure, Mikhail Timofeevich, together with Zaitsev, improved the model using an example of more successful options. So the legendary AK-47 was built, and then the RPK of 1961, on the basis of which the Kalashnikov RPK-74 light machine gun was developed. It was supposed to be used to fight enemy infantry.
RPK-74 device
Creating a light machine gun, Kalashnikov achieved the maximum density of gunfire to better cover his own army units. Therefore, this requirement was directly reflected in the design of the model itself.
In general, the RPK-74 device differs little from its predecessors. Rather, it is complemented by more modern details. The machine consists of several main parts. Among them are a barrel and a box, a bolt frame with a special gas piston, a return mechanism and a bolt, a gas pipe, a forearm, a magazine and a ramrod, as well as a flame arrester. All elements are the same as similar models.
The fixed barrel is slightly longer and heavier than the AK-74. Under it are installed special folding bipod. Sights themselves have the ability to enter various lateral corrections. The RPK-74 submachine gun fires from both a carob and a drum store. At the same time, due to the reduced flight time of the bullet, the accuracy of fire is improved by 1.5 times compared to earlier versions.
Specifications
The progress and development of armaments required the improvement of weapons in terms of weight, firing range and accuracy. Therefore, the designer tried to maximize and optimize the developed model.
In its arsenal, the Kalashnikov light machine gun RPK-74 uses 5.45 mm caliber cartridges. The rate of fire is 600 every minute shots. In this case, the average length of the queue is 5-7 volleys. Technically, a combat rate of up to 150 rounds per minute is provided. Deviations during shooting can be from 5 to 40 cm (depending on the distance to the target). The standard magazine capacity is 45 rounds.
The sighting range of the model is about 1000 m. Effective fire is conducted at a distance of 300 m along the head and up to 800 m along the running figure. In this case, the maximum range of the fired bullet is about 3150 m.
A distinctive feature of this development is its relatively low weight - with a magazine equipped, a machine gun weighs 5.46 kg, and in combat position and with a scope - 7.66 kg.
Major modifications
In the USSR, the most diverse shooting conditions were always taken into account. Therefore, the airsoft RPK-74 allows using a special sight to work effectively both day and night. Fire can be conducted both in single and in automatic mode. This allows you to significantly expand the capabilities of the PKK.
In addition, in subsequent years, based on this model, new, more efficient automatic machines were constructed:
- RPK-74N. This is a specialized sample for targeted night shooting. Its design implements the ability to install optical pickup. Also, RPK-74P and RPK-74M were created - modernized, with a reinforced receiver, folding stock and increased barrel life.
- RPKS-74. This model was produced specifically for the airborne landing. Here the opportunity was realized to fold and unfold the butt of a machine gun. For aiming and night shooting RPKS-74P and RPKS-74N were produced.
- RPK-201 and RPK-203. These options were created for various types of cartridges specifically for export.
Foreign analogues
The machine gun developed by the Russian designer Kalashnikov to this day is in service with more than twenty countries of the world. Some states based on this machine presented their inventions. For example, in Yugoslavia, the production of Kalashnikov system machine guns was launched with a different form of magazine and a special portable handle (model 771), as well as an option with ribbing (721).
Much later in Poland, a machine gun with a special muzzle device and a folding stock based on RPK-74 was also developed. The characteristic of this instance allows us to say that it was slightly inferior to the sample. Czechoslovakia also took this particular machine for modification.
Machine gun "Valmet-78", released in Finland, almost completely repeats the design of the development of Kalashnikov. The difference is in the modified form of the store and stock, the device of the bipod, forend and handle. There is also a special flame arrester.
Advantages of the model
Sometimes a weapon, like many other things, does not need to describe all the advantages and possibilities. Time and practice put everything in its place. RPK-74 weapons passed all possible tests and received well-deserved recognition. The armies of many countries have proved its reliability and indispensability in battle. It is also worth noting some of its distinctive features, which contributed to the growth in popularity of this machine gun:
- Complete unification with the base AK-47. The government of the USSR was pushing the designers to create a unique weapon system in which all elements would be complementary and replaced. For example, the RPK-74 used the same cartridges as the AK-47.
- Ease of maintenance, disassembly of the machine and its repair. The device model was elementary, which made it easy to maintain it in any conditions.
- Light weight. The curb weight of the machine gun is only 5.47 kg. This greatly facilitates the movement of soldiers, and also expands the scope of this weapon.
The main disadvantages of the model
Some of the shortcomings of the PKK include the following:
- Small capacity of the horn and drum with cartridges. This does not allow for constant and continuous shooting at enemy targets, and therefore reduces the effectiveness of hostilities.
- The barrel design is not removed, as in some similar domestic and foreign machine guns. It also affects the intensity of the fire.
- RPK-74 closed bolt shooting. The perspective of the installation, as well as design features, do not allow the effective use of the full potential of this weapon. Therefore, the speed and intensity of fire is lost.