PK machine gun
The PK (Russian: Пулемёт Калашникова, transliterated as Pulemyot Kalashnikova, or "Kalashnikov's machine gun") is a belt-fed general-purpose machine gun, chambered for the 7.62×54mmR rimmed cartridge.
| PK machine gun | |
|---|---|
PKS (PK machine gun mounted on a Samozhenkov 6T2 tripod) | |
| Type | General-purpose machine gun Squad automatic weapon Medium machine gun |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1961–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | See Conflicts |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
| Designed | 1961 |
| Manufacturer | Degtyaryov plant |
| Produced | 1961 – present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 9 kg (19.84 lb) (gun + integral bipod) |
| Length | 1,203 mm (47.4 in) |
| Barrel length | 605 mm (23.8 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×54mmR |
| Action | Gas-operated, long-stroke piston, open, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | Cyclic: 600–800 rounds/min 700–800 rounds/min (PKT/PKTM) Practical: 250 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 825 m/s (2,707 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 1,000 m (1,094 yd) (100–1,500 m sight adjustments) |
| Maximum firing range | 3,800 m (4,156 yd) |
| Feed system | Non-disintegrating metal link 50-round belts in 100 and 200 or 250-round ammunition boxes |
| Sights | Tangent iron sights (default); Optical, night-vision, thermal, and radar sights |
Designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia, the original PK machine gun was introduced in 1961 and the improved PKM variant was introduced in 1969. The PKM was designed to replace the SGM and RP-46 machine guns that were previously in Soviet service.
The weapon remains in use as a front-line infantry and vehicle-mounted weapon with Russia's armed forces and has also been exported extensively and produced in several other countries under license.
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