WHAT IS AN RPK? RPK is a Russian acronym - Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikova. In Russian, that literally means The Handheld Machinegun of Kalashnikova. Now we have some gun and military surplus fans' attention! Ok, say you caught onto the Kalashnikova name and now you know where we are heading. The best way to describe this rifle is an AK-47, but tougher, more rugged, and a more modern light machine gun. You could picture it like this; an AK with a bi-pod, drum magazine, different stock, a threaded muzzle for accepting variable muzzle devices, a heavier and lined 24" barrel, and a reinforced receiver. It actually compares more closely to the AKM. It also uses the same hand controls as the smaller, older brother. The reinforced receiver and heavy, chrome-lined, affixed barrel allow for a more sustained period of automatic firing than a regular AK (WASR).

FUNCTION

The AK and the RPK function virtually the same. The RPK spits out automatic fire from a closed bolt at a rate of 600-rounds per minute. To keep that rate of fire up, a more constant supply of ammunition was needed. The solution for a larger capacity of ammunition, other than the standard 30 round AK magazine, was for the RPK to accept the longer "super banana" 40 round magazine or a 75 round drum. A clubfooted designed buttstock and portable bipod underneath the barrel assisted soldiers in keeping the large magazines out of the mud when they were in the prone position for hours. The RPK uses the same gas-operated action as the AK-47. It has an updated rotating bolt and receiver that is bent from a stamped sheet. The RPK's receiver walls measure 1.6mil thick. AK's had a 1 mil thick receiver wall. The thicker walls prevent jams, flex, and fatigue when firing at a high rate of fire for extended uses. This created the need for a sturdier barrel. The response was a fortified, chrome-lined, heavier barrel. The almost 41 inches, 10.6-pound RPK is physically larger than the AK-47, which comes in around 35 inches and about 6 and a half pounds.

JRA Yugo RPK Style Underfolder

THE WHY

Designed and created in 1960, the RPK's were issued to Soviets and their allied troops beginning in 1961. As a result, the RPK has seen a lot of conflicts and wars all over the world for many years. Just like the AK-47, this soldier-approved rifle did not disappoint on battlefields, not even in the toughest terrains or devastating environmental conditions. RPK's proved to be extremely durable in military field service. Although it was heavier to lug around, it was a communist's best buddy in the '60s and early .'70s Later on in the 1970s, the AK was designed to accept and fire a smaller cartridge. Since the AK was now capable of firing the smaller caliber 5.45x39mm cartridge, the RPK was downsized to also allow for the smaller caliber firing capability. Russian service members are issued the current RPK74 model as the standard squad automatic fire rifle.

Century Arms AES 10B RPK Style Rifle

LAST SHOT

The most current deviation of the RPK is the RPK74 model. It looks much different today than it did in the '70s and '80s. Today, with its plastic outfitting, polymer magazines, and folding buttstock, it is still popular and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Although compact when folded, around 34 inches, it still weighs a whopping 10.47 pounds, and that is without a loaded magazine. Surplus of the RPK can be bought, and are even being made to this day. The fire selector will be modified to semiautomatic. Although the RPK has evolved to keep up with the times, I wouldn't be shocked to hear that the original RPK rifles are still being used by militaries across the world. These made-to-last rifles are not likely to be tossed out due to age when they function and run as they were originally designed to over 60 years ago. We are more likely to see space lasers on a battlefield before these war machines are no longer used as service weapons. Shop All Long Guns
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