The RPD (Russian: ручной пулемёт Дегтярёва, romanized: Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyaryova, English: Degtyaryov hand-held machine gun) is a 7.62x39mm light machine gun developed in the Soviet Union by Vasily Degtyaryov for the 7.62×39mm M43 intermediate cartridge.

The RPK-74 (РПК-74) was introduced in 1974 together with the AK-74 assault rifle and chambered for the new 5.45×39mm intermediate cartridge. [9] It was derived from the AK-74 rifle, with modifications that mirror those made to the AKM to create the RPK.

Mar 20, 2023 · The RPD was an automatic machine gun featuring a gas-operated long-stroke piston system paired with the locking system of earlier small arms developed by Vasily Degtyaryov. Weighing just 16.31 pounds, it was considerably lighter than other machine guns from the time, such as the M60, Bren Gun and M14A1.

Jan 31, 2023 · The RPD was a belt-fed 7.62x39mm adaptation of the basic Degtyarev action that drove the WWII-vintage Soviet DP pan-fed machine gun. The RPD fed from a pair of non-disintegrating 50-round belts that linked together to provide 100 rounds of onboard firepower, all packed into a sheet steel drum.

Feb 15, 2024 · The RPD was developed as a companion light machine gun for the AK-47 to fire the same 7.62x39mm cartridge. An argument can be made that as good as this decision was logistically; tactically, it limited the Soviet squad automatic weapon in range and striking power.

It was created as part of a program designed to standardize the small arms inventory of the Red Army, where it replaced the 7.62×39mm RPD light machine gun. The RPK continues to be used by the...

Dec 19, 2019 · The RPD was a belt-fed, gas-operated weapon with a locking system similar in principle to that of its World War II predecessor.

It was intended to function as a light support weapon based on the standard infantry rifle in use with Soviet Forces. The designation RPK comes from the Russian for “ Hand Held Machinegun of Kalashnikov.” RPK-74 with distinctive 45-round magazine in place.

Nov 21, 2018 · The RPD was the culmination of Soviet light machine gun designs that began with the DP-28 of pre-World War Two days, and ending with the RPD, or Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyaryova. It was a lightweight, belt-fed from a drum, gas operated machine gun chambered in the Soviet M43 7.62x39mm cartridge.

The RPD (Russian: ручной пулемёт Дегтярёва Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyaryova, English: hand-held machine gun of Degtyaryov) is a 7.62mm light machine gun developed in the Soviet Union by Vasily Degtyaryov for the intermediate 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge.