RPK-74. The Kalashnikov machine gun (RPK) - 74: the characteristic. A photo

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 well-known self-taught designer Mikhail Kalashnikov became the main support and the main inspiration for all subsequent discoveries in the field of weapons. Among the copies created by him, the PKK-74 occupies one of the most honorable places along with the AK-74, the self-loading carbine "Saiga" and the RPKS.

Small arms in Russia

The first pistols and revolvers appeared in the 14th century. But special development of small arms around the world was received in the early 19th century. It was then that the first appeared shock inflaming capsules, a rotating drum and a rifled barrel.

It is worth noting that before the revolution in Russia, mainly foreign-made weapons were used. A special popularity had a variety of revolvers and pistols. Arms in the gendarmerie, police and even the army consisted of English and American revolvers "Webleigh" and "Smith Wesson." In free sale for the population, revolvers "Sagittarius" - the Russian analogue of the English "Velodog" also came. Also domestic examples were popular, such as "Scythian", "Man", "Vityaz", "Antey" and "Ermak". This small arms of Russia almost in no way inferior to foreign counterparts.

And in 1895, thanks to the decree of Nicholas II, a French revolver was adopted. At the same time, officers were bought a model with a double-action mechanism, while soldiers used a single revolver.

Firearms used during the Second World War

The Patriotic War taught the world a lot of important lessons, including in the arms race. Many models of small arms used at that time are used by various armies even now.

So, the Russian soldiers were given modernized rifles of the Mosin and Tokarev systems, which are recognized as the most simple and reliable tools. Against heavy military equipment used predecessors of the RPK 74 - PTRD 41 (anti-tank gun), DP (machine gun) and submachine gun Degtyarev or Shpagin. Also, PPP and Tokarev's pistol were widely used.

All these weapons were characterized by ease of use, reliability and quality of fire. It was thanks to this that a protracted, bloody war was won. The range of fire of even antitank copies was more than 300 m, which allowed to fight with the enemy from afar.

Kalashnikov - leading post-war developer of the USSR

This self-taught designer represents the phenomenon of a Russian man who, without proper education, was able to start a brilliant career as an engineer. Mikhail Timofeevich began to work in an industry completely remote from the army and its needs. Then he was not at all interested in Russia's small arms used by soldiers. However, after the call to war in 1938, he unexpectedly showed himself as an inventor. Kalashnikov continued to fight for his country.

Only after the injury Mikhail Timofeevich was sent to study. There, the victorious procession of Kalashnikov began as a talented designer. Already in 1946 he created the legendary AK-47, which even now causes great respect and envy in the whole world.

During his long and very fruitful life Mikhail Timofeevich created 33 models of various weapons, including RPK 74, AKS-74, RPKS-74, etc. In addition, he wrote more than forty scientific papers and articles, and also became a well-deserved member of the Writers' Union for memoir books.

The first prerequisites for the development of the RPK-74

It all started back in 1942, when the army command was faced with the task of creating its own weapons complex, allowing to fight at a distance of more than 400 m. The first were designed universal cartridges according to the drawings of Elizarov and Semin. The first samples used a lead core, weighed a bullet of 8 g and corresponded to a caliber of 7.62 mm. It was under this size that it was planned to develop powerful and effective weapons.

A few months later, a special commission selected a new automatic device designed by Sudayev (the predecessor of the RPK-74). This inventor created many practical and light weapons models, thanks to which the quality of combat was greatly improved. The new automatic device received the conventional name AS-44. However, during the field military trials this weapon was rejected because of the considerable weight of the structure. In early 1946 the competitive tests were continued.

History of the establishment of the PKK-74

Mikhail Kalashnikov joined the fight for the championship in this unique 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 a while, Kalashnikov introduced the AK-46. It was the same as the previously created self-loading carbine, similar to the American Garand M1. However, during the competitive tests this machine gave way 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. This was how the legendary AK-47 and then the PKK in 1961 was designed, based on which the Kalashnikov hand- gun was developed RPK-74. It was to be used to fight enemy infantry.

Device RPK-74

By creating a machine gun, Kalashnikov achieved the maximum density of firearms for a better cover for his own forces of the army. Therefore, this requirement directly affected the very design of the model.

In general, the device RPK-74 differs little from its predecessors. Rather, it is supplemented by more modern details. The machine consists of several main parts. Among them, a barrel and a box, a bolt frame with a special gas piston, a return mechanism and a bolt, a gas tube, a fore-end, a store and a ramrod, and a flame arrester. All elements are the same as for similar models.

The non-detachable trunk is slightly longer and heavier than the AK-74. Under it, special folding bipods are installed. The aiming devices themselves have the ability to input various lateral corrections. The RPK-74 submachine gun fires both from the horn and from the drum shop. At the same time, due to the reduced flight time of the bullet, the accuracy of shooting was improved by a factor of 1.5 compared to earlier versions.

Specifications

The progress and development of armaments required the improvement of the weapons' parameters by weight, range of fire and accuracy. Therefore, the designer tried to maximally improve and optimize the model being developed.

In its arsenal, the Kalashnikov machine gun RPK-74 uses 5.45 mm caliber cartridges. The rate of fire is 600 every minute shots. The average length of the queue is 5-7 volleys. Technically, there is a combat rate of fire up to 150 rounds per minute. Deviations at shooting can be from 5 to 40 cm (depending on the distance to the target). The capacity of the standard magazine is 45 cartridges.

The aiming range of the model is about 1000 m. Effective fire is conducted at a distance from 300 m in the head and up to 800 m in a running figure. At the same time, the maximum range of the bullet fired is about 3150 m.

A distinctive feature of this development is a relatively small weight - with a loaded magazine the machine gun weighs 5.46 kg, and in combat position and together with the sight - 7.66 kg.

Major modifications

The USSR has always taken into account the most diverse conditions of shooting. Therefore, airsoft RPK-74 allows using a special sight to work effectively both during the day and at night. Fire can be conducted both in single and in automatic mode. This makes it possible to significantly expand the capabilities of the PKK.

In addition, in the following years, based on this model, new, more efficient automata were designed:

• RPK-74N. This is a specialized sample for aiming night shooting. In its design, it is possible to install optical pickup. Also, RPK-74P and RPK-74M were designed - modernized, with reinforced receiver, folding butt and increased resource of the trunk.
• RPKS-74. This model was produced specifically for the airborne assault force. Here, the ability to fold and unfold the butt of the machine gun was realized. For aiming and night shooting, RPKS-74P and RPKS-74N were produced.
• RPK-201 and RPK-203. These options were created for different types of cartridges specifically for export.

Foreign analogues

The hand-machine gun, developed by the Russian designer Kalashnikov, is still in service with more than twenty countries. Some states on the basis of this machine presented their inventions. For example, in Yugoslavia, the production of Kalashnikov's machine guns with a different form of magazine and a special portable handle (model 77B1) was established, as well as a version with a barrel fin (72B1).

Much later, a machine gun with a special muzzle device and a folding butt on the basis of the RPK-74 was also developed in Poland. The characteristic of this specimen allows us to say that it was slightly inferior to the sample. In Czechoslovakia, this machine was also taken for modification.

The Valmet-78 hand-gun, produced in Finland, almost completely repeats the Kalashnikov design. The difference is in the changed form of the store and butt, the arrangement of bipods, fore and handle. Also there is a special flame arrester.

Advantages of the model

Sometimes weapons, like many other things, do not need to describe all the advantages and opportunities. Time and practice put everything in its place. The weapons of the PKK-74 passed all possible tests and received a well-deserved recognition. The armies of many countries have proved its reliability and indispensability in combat. It should also be noted some of its distinctive features that contributed to the popularity of this machine gun:

• Complete unification with the base AK-47. The government of the USSR sought from designers to create a unique armament system in which all elements would be complemented and replaced. For example, the RPK-74 used the same cartridges as in the AK-47.
• Easy to care, disassemble the machine and repair it. The device model was elementary, which made it easy to maintain it in any conditions.
• Light weight. The equipped 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.

Main disadvantages of the model

Some of the shortcomings of the PKK include the following:

• Small capacity of a horn and a drum with cartridges. This does not allow for constant and continuous shooting at targets of the enemy, and therefore reduces the effectiveness of combat operations.
• The trunk of the construction is not removed, as in some similar domestic and foreign machine guns. This also affects the intensity of the fire.
• Shooting with a closed shutter RPK-74. The installation view, as well as the design features, do not allow to effectively use the full potential of this weapon. Therefore, the speed and intensity of the shooting are lost.