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Degtyarev RPD


Type 56, Type 62


Overview


RPD

Right side view of RPD light machine gun
Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Light machine gun
Entered service
1953
Status
In service
Development
1943 - 1944 (design project)
1948 (Soviet formal adoption)
Developer
Soviet Union
Vasily Degtyarev
Production
1944 - 1952 (low rate production)
1953 - 1960 (USSR)
Producer
Soviet Union - ZiD
China - Norinco
Egypt - Maadi
North Korea
Poland - (1956 - ?)
Number produced
Produced in large quantities
Designations
RPD / Ruchnoy Pulemet Degtyarova
Russian for "Degtyarev light machine gun"
56-P-327 (GRAU index)
Type 56 (Chinese production)
Type 62 (North Korean production)
Suez (Egyptian production)
7.62 KK 54 RPD (Finland)

Description


Introduction

The RPD is a machine gun of Soviet origin. It was developed during the later stages of World War 2 as a more portable alternative to the DP. The name RPD stands for Ruchnoy Pulemet Degtyarova, which is Russian for "Degtyarev light machine gun". The RPD became the standard issue machine gun for infantry use in the USSR and is one of the most produced machine guns in the world.

Design


The RPD is a gas operated belt fed machine gun that uses a long stroke gas piston. It feeds from a 100 round non-disintegrating belt and feeds from left to right. The forearm and buttstock are made out of wood, the rest of the weapon out of metal. The RPD features a thick barrel that cannot be quickly changed in the field. The bipod is positioned near the muzzle.

Firepower

The RPD is a belt fed machine gun that fires the 7.62x39mm Soviet round, which is also used in the Kalashnikov rifle. The 100 round belt is contained in a round box that is clipped under the weapon. The RPD is only capable of automatic fire and the cyclic rate of fire is 650 rpm. The effective range is about 300 meters against point targets and 600 meters against area targets, although targets out to 800 meters can be engaged.

Users

The RPD first and foremost user of the RPD was the USSR. The RPD was a standard issue weapon until it was replaced by the RPK and PK. The RPD was widely exported and produced under license in various nations. Even though it is often supplemented by newer designs the RPD remains in active use in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America.

Variants


RPD

Egyptian marine with RPD machine gun during a joint exercise with US forces.
Source: US DoD - © Public domain

The RPD is an early Cold War era machine gun of Soviet origin. Four models have been produced in the USSR, each featuring minor improvements over the other. The first two models differ in the design of the gas piston and windage knob. The third model adds a dust cover to the feed mechanism. This model is also produced under license in China as the Type 56.

The fourth model has a longer gas piston, a dust cover and a buffer in the buttstock. The fourth model is sometimes called the RPDM and was also produced in Poland. The improved Chinese Type 56-I is similar to the RPDM but also features a folding feed cover. All models are roughly similar in size, weight and performance.

Details


Facts RPD
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Light machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
7.62x39mm Soviet
Feed system
Belt fed, 100 round non-disintegrating belt
Barrel length
521 mm
Rifling
Right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
735 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated, long stroke gas piston, fires from open bolt
Locking
Flapper locking
Fire selector
0 - F
Rate of fire
700 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Fixed
Length
1.036 mm
Weight
7.1 kg empty
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, post front and tangent leaf rear
Sight radius
597 mm
Range adjustment
100 to 1.000 m with 100 m increments
Accessories
Bipod
Fixed foldable bipod

Related articles


Kalashnikov RPK

The RPK replaced the RPD in Soviet service. It is a box fed light machine gun based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle.

Kalashnikov PK

In some roles the RPD was replaced by the larger caliber PK belt fed machine gun.

Valmet KvKK-62

The Finnish KvKK-62 light machine gun is one of the few other belt fed light machine guns chambered in 7.62x39mm Soviet.