PKP Pecheneg machine gun
The PKP Pecheneg (Pulemyot Kalashnikova Pekhotny "Pecheneg", Russian: Печенег) is a Russian 7.62×54mmR general-purpose machine gun. It is a further development and modification of the PK machine gun (PKM). It is said to be more accurate than all its predecessors due to a heavier, removable, partially forced-air-cooled barrel with radial cooling ribs and a handle which eliminates the haze effect from hot gases and keeps the barrel cooler, making the weapon more reliable. Furthermore, the weapon is capable of having a telescopic sight or other sights mounted on it, which increases its accuracy and effective range.
| PKP Pecheneg "6P41" machine gun | |
|---|---|
PKP Pecheneg on display with a bipod | |
| Type | Medium machine gun General purpose machine gun |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2001–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Second Chechen War Russo-Georgian War Syrian Civil War Iraqi Civil War Russo-Ukrainian War War in Donbas |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
| Designed | 1995 |
| Manufacturer | TsNIITochMash, Degtyaryov Plant |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8.2 kg (18 lb) without a bipod 8.7 kg (19 lb) with a bipod 12.7 kg (28 lb) with an infantry tripod mount |
| Length | 1,200 mm (47 in) |
| Barrel length | 658 mm (25.9 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×54mmR |
| Action | Gas-operated |
| Rate of fire | Cyclic rate of fire: 600–800 rounds/min Practical rate of fire: 166 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 1,500 m (0.93 mi) |
| Maximum firing range | 6,000 m (6,600 yd) |
| Feed system | Belt feed: 100-, 200-, 250-round, non-disintegrating links |
The GRAU index of the PKP Pecheneg is "6P41" or "6P41N" (PKP Pecheneg-N) when fitted with a mounting rail for a night vision sight. It is currently in use by Russian Army Spetsnaz and other troops in significant numbers. Even though it was developed mainly for infantry use, it also has been fitted to several light vehicles.