Degtyarev RPD TTX machine gun. Photo
RPD
Degtyarev light machine gun
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The machine gun was put into service under the designation “7.62-mm Degtyarev light machine gun mod. 1944 (RPD)" and became the first model officially adopted for service chambered for the mod. 1943. Production of RPDs was established only at the very end of the war. During this time, the cartridge itself underwent some changes (7.62x39 instead of 7.62x41). The first experimental machine guns had separate cartridge boxes (round for 100 rounds and square for 200), but a box with a tape attached to the machine gun made it possible to solve the problem of increasing the combat rate of fire while maintaining maneuverability and combat readiness.
When the bolt approaches the barrel stump, the ejector hooks into the annular groove of the cartridge. With further movement of the bolt frame forward, its rack pushes the bolt lugs apart, and the barrel bore is locked. The bolt frame, continuing to move forward, hits the firing pin with the front wall of the rack. A shot occurs. After the bullet passes through the gas hole, part of the powder gases enters the gas chamber and throws the bolt frame back. The bolt remains locked until the bullet leaves the barrel, then the figured recesses of the bolt frame bring the lugs together, after which the bolt begins its rollback, removes the spent cartridge case, which hits the hard reflector and is thrown down through the windows of the bolt frame and receiver. The receiver window in the stowed position is closed with a lid - war experience forced us to pay more attention to protecting the receiver from dirt and fine particles. When moving backward, the bolt frame compresses the recoil spring and turns the large feed lever with its roller, which acts on the small lever.
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A trigger mechanism is mounted in the trigger frame, allowing only continuous fire and including a trigger, trigger lever and safety lever. The safety box is located on the right above the trigger guard; in the forward position it locks the trigger lever. The trigger frame is hinged to the receiver with front protrusions and secured with a transverse pin. The butt and pistol grip are attached to the trigger frame. The wooden butt has a metal back, inside it there is a return mechanism tube at the top, and a slot for a pencil case with accessories at the bottom. The shape of the butt allows it to be held with the left hand when firing a machine gun from a support. 
A round cartridge box with a tape is attached to the bottom of the machine gun, equipped with a hinged lid, a hook for connecting to the receiver and a folding handle for carrying separately. The box mounting bracket also serves as a guide, discharging the ejected spent cartridge case to the side. A special bag is used to carry several cartridge boxes with loaded belts. 
Sensible Rare inclusions of Lewis and Shosh light machine guns did not make a difference. But at the same time, the modern concept of warfare required the presence at the squad and platoon level of mobile automatic weapons chambered for a rifle cartridge.
After the announcement of a competition for a light machine gun, which was supposed to replace foreign models, the eminent gunsmith, Vasily Alekseevich Degtyarev, got involved in the work. In 1923, work began on the creation of a modern light machine gun, which was supposed to become the group weapon of the squad and platoon. Looking ahead a little, we will say that his work was crowned with success. DP - Degtyarev, infantry became the first light machine gun of the Red Army; tank and aviation modifications were subsequently developed on its basis.
History of creation
After an audit of the Red Army's weapons in the 1920s, commissions of auditors came to disappointing conclusions. Firearms Park small arms was worn out, in addition, it consisted of dozens of different systems for different cartridges.
If everything was quite good in the field of personal weapons, foreign models were massively removed from service, replacing Winchesters and Arisakis with domestic rifle mod. 1895, the production of which was re-established in Tula. Nagan revolvers and Maxim machine guns were also produced in commercial quantities and there have been no problems with them yet.
But with light machine guns it was very bad. Fedorov assault rifles chambered for 6.5 mm Arisaka, British and American Lewis, and Shoshi. All this was thoroughly worn out. It required repairs, replacement and unnecessarily complicated logistics.
In 1923, a competition was announced to create a new light machine gun for the Red Army.
It was attended by eminent masters Fedorov and Tokarev, as well as V.A. Degtyarev. But in 1924, Tokarev’s design was adopted. At that time, the MT-25 machine gun based on Maxim was satisfied by the leadership of the Red Army, but Degtyarev’s machine gun was returned for modification. The MT-25 began to be prepared for release; moreover, small-scale production was established.
After a long and successful refinement, Degtyarev again presented his machine gun to the commission. This time, its characteristics completely satisfied the military and Degtyarev, and the infantry was accepted for the next tests.
After the January tests in 1927, the army immediately ordered a batch of machine guns for military testing, after which the machine gun was recommended to be put into production and at the same time adopted by the Red Army under the name DP. The number 27, indicating the year it was adopted into service, entered the history of the machine gun much later.
DP was produced at the Kovrov plant until 1944, before being replaced by DPM and later by RPD. After the war, outdated but still relevant machine guns were transferred to the troops of fraternal countries; the DP-27 fought in the jungles of Korea and Vietnam. It showed itself well in combat operations in the equator zone and desert-mountainous areas.
In 1944, a new weapon was developed, it was called the RPD - light machine gun Degtyarev, chambered for the 1943 model.
In the same year, a small batch was produced for military testing. The RP-44 or RPD machine gun had a belt ammunition supply from a metal box suspended from the machine gun body with a standard belt for 100 rounds.
The same tape went to the Goryunov machine gun, model 1943. The machine gun was different from more early models the presence of a pistol grip, a three-dimensional butt for ease of holding it when shooting, the presence of a wooden fore-end with stops to hold the body of the machine gun when shooting in weight.
In the future, after the adoption of the AK-47 assault rifle, it was the RPD that was the first handbrake to form a set with them. Subsequently, the RPD was replaced by . It just so happened that the requirements of unification forced the removal of an excellent machine gun from service.
Unlike the RPK, the RPD was not an enlarged copy of an assault rifle with a bipod, but a full-fledged machine gun chambered for an assault rifle cartridge. Significant ammunition, successful ergonomics and balance of the RPD made it unfamous. He fought in Vietnam, Africa and the Middle East.
DP design
The machine gun was created by classic scheme, with ammunition supplied from a disk magazine located on top of the receiver of the machine gun, magazine capacity - 47 rounds. The operating principle of the automation is gas removal. Locking the barrel with lugs.
The stock has a neck, a slightly modified type compared to the rifle stock.
For convenience when shooting, the machine gun had a removable bipod. It is worth noting their unsuccessful design; during transportation, the bipod tended to become detached and lost. To minimize the flash of a shot, the machine gun had a conical flame arrester.
The barrel was half located in a perforated casing, which was also a continuation of the receiver. The return spring was located under the barrel, which again caused criticism, since heating the barrel during shooting also heated the spring, which negatively affected its durability.
Sights from the front sight at the end of the barrel casing in the muzzle and the rear sight with a notch up to 1500 meters.
Operating principle when firing
The weapon is cocked by the bolt handle, which is located outside on the right under the magazine. The cocked gas piston is fixed at the end of the gas exhaust tube, the recoil spring is compressed, the bolt frame “sits” on the sear and holds the bolt with its thickening. The firing pin is hooked onto the vertical post at the end of the bolt frame. The safety holds the trigger.
When you grasp the neck of the butt, the safety key is pressed and the trigger is released.
When acting on the hook, it presses the sear down, which falls out of the groove of the bolt frame. The compressed spring in the channel presses on the piston and pulls the released bolt frame forward. The bolt frame begins to move, releasing the bolt, then the firing pin catches the bolt with its thickening and pushes it forward.
The bolt, having reached the magazine receiving window, lifts up the bar, which releases the cartridge. Next, the cartridge is caught by the bolt and sent into the chamber, the bolt rests against the barrel and stops moving. Only after this the trunk is considered closed. The bolt frame continues to move forward by inertia and pushes the firing pin further inside the bolt. The striker goes deeper and pushes the lugs apart, after which he hits the primer.
After the shot, powder gases follow the ejected bullet and enter the guide gas channel. The gas pressure is applied to the piston, which compresses the spring and at the same time pushes the bolt frame back. The bolt frame pulls the firing pin out of the lugs, and then, with its thickening, retracts the bolt.
The bolt moves away from the barrel, the cartridge case falls out, and the bar holding the new cartridge is released. The bolt frame “sits” on the sear (if the trigger is released). If the hook is pressed, then the bolt frame, having returned to its initial position and not encountering an obstacle, moves back under the action of a spring.
Performance characteristics DP-27 and operating features
- Cartridge – 7.62x54 mm.
- Empty weight – 9.12 kg.
- Barrel weight – 2.0 kg.
- Empty (loaded) magazine weight – 1.6 kg (2.7 kg).
- The length of the machine gun with a flame arrester is 1272 mm.
- Barrel length – 605 mm.
- The initial bullet speed is 840 m/s.
- Magazine capacity - 47 rounds.
- Calculation – 2 people.
The DP-27 was used to support infantry with a machine gun squad as part of a platoon (according to the Red Army staff). The machine gunner's assistant carries a metal container with 3 magazines.
The machine gun itself had sufficient reliability and wear resistance, but despite this, a number of complaints were caused by almost “childhood” diseases of the machine gun:
- removable bipod;
- thin-walled trunk;
- small capacity and large magazine dimensions;
- inconvenient control of fire transfer;
- placement of the return spring under the barrel.
Almost all of these shortcomings were corrected in 1944, when the machine gun was modernized, during which it received a pistol grip and an integral bipod, and the spring was moved to the rear of the receiver. The machine gun is known as the DPM.
First combat use happened in the CER (Soviet-Chinese conflict in 1929 on Far East).
During the Soviet-Finnish War, captured weapons replaced the Finns' native machine guns.
The industry stopped the production of machine guns (Lahti-Saloranta) and put on an assembly line the production of spare parts for captured Soviet ones.
The machine gun was also mounted on motorcycles. Thus, it was possible to fire at low-flying targets, but for this it was necessary to stop the motorcycle, the shooter to come out of the cradle (stroller) and sit next to it for a steeper firing angle.
DP-27 was produced by various friendly countries under license (Iran, China, etc.).
Participated in almost all hot spots on globe. Operating weapons were found in the Civil War in Syria (started in 2011) and in the military conflict in eastern Ukraine (since 2014).
Modifications based on DP-27
YES - Degtyarev, aviation. From December 1927 to February 28, development was carried out on an aircraft turret machine gun based on the infantry one. The barrel shroud was missing. The single-row magazine was replaced with a three-row one with a capacity of 63 rounds. The stock was removed and replaced with a folding shoulder rest and a pistol grip.
To collect shell casings, shell catchers were hung under the machine gun. The machine gun was installed in the turrets and swivels of bombers and attack aircraft.
DT - Degtyarev, tank. Developed by 1929, a more compact machine gun for installation in armored vehicles, as well as an aviation version, the machine gun underwent some changes during appearance.
I received an enlarged magazine for 63 rounds, the stock and casing were removed from it. Instead, they added a shoulder rest and a pistol grip. Bipods were absent in both aircraft and tank versions.
DPM is a disc-fed machine gun, but with a pistol grip, a reshaped butt, the spring has been moved to the rear of the receiver, and the bipod has become non-removable.
RPD – new model light machine gun chambered for 7.62 mm intermediate cartridge.
The Degtyarev light infantry machine gun has gone through all the wars that the USSR has waged since its creation.
Used in a number of conflicts and beyond. Almost everywhere where intervention was noted Soviet soldiers, sang his song “tar” everywhere.
The machine gun was produced by China and the DPRK, and was in service in all states friendly to the USSR (including African ones). It is used in many conflicts to this day. You can often find tuned examples of it.
The Degtyarev light machine gun (RPD) was developed in 1944 and became one of the first models adopted for service in the USSR for the then new 7.62x39 mm cartridge. From the early 1950s until the mid-1960s, the RPD served as the main fire support weapon at the infantry squad level, complementing the AK assault rifles and SKS carbines that were in service. Since the mid-1960s, the RPD has been gradually replaced by the RPK light machine gun, which was good from the point of view of unifying the small arms system in Soviet Army, but somewhat reduced the fire capabilities of the infantry. However, RPDs are still stored in Army Reserve warehouses. In addition, the RPD was widely supplied to countries, regimes and movements “friendly” to the USSR, and was also produced in other countries, including China, under the designation Type 56.
The RPD is an automatic weapon with an automatic gas engine and belt feed. The gas engine has a long stroke piston located under the barrel and a gas regulator. The barrel locking system is a development of Degtyarev's earlier developments and uses two combat cylinders, movably mounted on the sides of the bolt. When the bolt comes to the forward position, the protrusion of the bolt frame pushes the combat cylinders to the sides, bringing their stops into the cutouts in the walls of the receiver. After the shot, the bolt frame, on its way back, with the help of special shaped bevels, presses the larvae to the bolt, disengaging it from the receiver and then opening it. The fire is fired from an open bolt, the fire mode is automatic only. The barrel of the RPD is not replaceable. 
The cartridges are fed from a solid metal strip for 100 cartridges, made up of two pieces of 50 cartridges each. Standardly, the tape is located in a round metal box suspended under the receiver. The boxes were carried by the machine gun crew in special pouches, but each box also has its own folding handle for carrying. A folding, non-removable bipod is located under the muzzle of the barrel. The machine gun was equipped with a carrying belt and allowed firing “from the hip”, while the machine gun was located on the belt, and the shooter held the weapon in the line of fire with his left hand, placing left palm on top of the forend, for which the forend was attached special form. The sights are open, adjustable for range and elevation, the effective firing range is up to 800 meters.
Overall, the RPD was reliable, convenient and sufficiently powerful weapon fire support, anticipating the later fashion for belt-fed light machine guns (type M249/Minimi, Daewoo K-3, Vector Mini-SS, etc.)
In 1943, the Red Army's arsenal was replenished with the first domestic 7.62x39 mm intermediate cartridge. Soon after this, the development of new types designed to use similar ammunition began. The result of several programs to create new small arms was the emergence of a number of samples of various classes: self-loading carbine SKS, RPD light machine gun and other weapons. Thus, the “Degtyarev Light Machine Gun” became the first domestic model of its class to use the new intermediate cartridge.
Even at the design stage of a new cartridge designed by N.M. Elizarova and B.V. Semin found that weapons chambered for such ammunition would have noticeable advantages over existing systems, although in some cases lags in characteristics were expected. The cartridge was lighter, which affected the volume of carryable ammunition, but had a shorter firing range. Tests of the 7.62x39 mm cartridge showed its sufficient effectiveness when firing at distances up to 800 m. Analysis of battles, in turn, showed that such a firing range is quite sufficient for new weapons that will be used in future conflicts.
At the beginning of 1944, a competition began to create a light machine gun chambered for an intermediate cartridge. The military wanted to get relatively light weapons with maximum possible firepower. Besides, new sample should not have the disadvantages inherent in existing DP/DPM machine guns. Several leading gunsmith designers were involved in the development of competitive projects. S.G. presented his versions of the light machine gun. Simonov, F.V. Tokarev, A.I. Sudaev and other honored masters of their craft. In addition, V.A. took part in the competition. Degtyarev, several of whose machine guns have been in service with the Red Army since the late twenties.
Using his experience in creating light machine guns, Degtyarev proposed several options for new weapons. Having similar gas automatics, the proposed projects differed in the design of the shutter and the ammunition supply system. Initially, Degtyarev proposed using a disk magazine similar to that used on the DP machine gun, and also considered the possibility of creating a detachable box magazine. However, an analysis of various proposals showed that the best option will use tape power.
According to the results of tests carried out in mid-1944, the leader of the competition was the Degtyarev machine gun under symbol RP-44. This weapon was even produced in a small batch and sent to the troops for testing at the front. Military tests ended with the development of proposals for fine-tuning and new requirements for weapons. The developer was required to correct the identified deficiencies and complete the development of the machine gun.
Based on the results of tests by the troops, some changes were made to the design of the RP-44 machine gun. In this form, the weapon was again sent for testing and received a recommendation for adoption. A new model entered mass production under the name “Degtyarev light machine gun mod. 1944" or RPD. The designation RPD-44 is also sometimes found. Thanks to its adoption and the start of production, the RPD machine gun became one of the first production types of weapons designed to use the 7.62x39 mm cartridge.
RPD machine gun disassembled. Photo Opoccuu.com
The RPD machine gun was built on the basis of gas automatics with a long piston stroke. The general automation scheme was partially borrowed from later modifications of the DP machine gun. In particular, to improve some characteristics, a gas regulator was introduced into the automation, which made it possible to change the amount of powder gases supplied to the piston. The design of the regulator included three so-called grooves for gas removal, numbered from “1” to “3”. IN normal conditions the regulator should have been set to position “2”, which ensured normal operation of the automation. Groove No. 3 had a larger cross-section and was intended for firing when the weapon was dirty. Groove No. 1, in turn, had a minimum diameter and made it possible to reduce the rate of fire.
Despite similar solutions and some borrowings, the RPD machine gun was seriously different from the DP and DPM. Thus, the receiver of the new weapon was developed from scratch. It consisted of a main lower part and a hinged upper cover. In addition, the rear part of the receiver was made in the form of a so-called. trigger frame, on which parts of the trigger mechanism, fire control handle and butt were attached. Inside the receiver there was a bolt group. In the front wall of the box, fastenings were provided for installing the barrel and gas piston tube.
A curious feature of the RPD machine gun was its non-replaceable barrel. Operating experience with existing light machine guns showed that firing in short bursts allows the machine gunner to shoot all the ammunition he carries without overheating the barrel. Thus, the detachable barrel did not provide any noticeable advantages, but made the weapon more complicated and heavier. The need to carry a spare barrel also did not add convenience in battle.
The barrel locking system using diverging lugs was similar to a similar unit on the DP machine gun, but had some differences. The bolt frame connected to the gas piston was in contact with a massive metal bolt. The latter had a central channel square section for the striker and two deep grooves on the side surfaces. The latter contained combat stops mounted on axles. The return spring was located in the rear of the receiver and inside the metal part of the butt.
Machine gun with open receiver cover. Photo En.wikipedia.org
When the bolt frame moved forward under the action of a spring, the bolt had to send the cartridge into the chamber. After stopping the bolt in the extreme forward position, the frame continued to move the firing pin. Moving forward, he pushed the lugs apart and they entered the grooves of the receiver, blocking the movement of the bolt. Further movement of the striker led to a shot. The pressure of the powder gases leaving the barrel through the gas outlet moved the piston and bolt frame. This caused the firing pin to move back and allow the stops to move out of place. Using shaped cutouts on the receiver, the stops returned to the neutral position and allowed the bolt to move back.
The moving bolt captured the spent cartridge case, pulled it out of the chamber and brought it to the ejection window. The cartridge case was ejected through the windows in the receiver and bolt frame, downwards. When moving forward, the bolt frame, using a system of two levers, set the feeder in motion, which shifted the belt with the cartridge by one link, thereby bringing new ammunition onto the feed line.
The receiver of the RPD machine gun had a slot in the lower part of the right side, designed to remove the bolt handle. The handle was rigidly connected to the bolt frame and moved during shooting.
The trigger mechanism of the RPD machine gun had a simple design and allowed firing only in bursts. When the trigger was pressed, the trigger lever and sear moved, after which the bolt frame was unblocked, followed by a shot. The fire was fired from an open bolt. The design of the trigger included a non-automatic fuse. On the right surface of the receiver, above the trigger, there was a safety box. When the flag was in the forward position, the safety lock blocked the trigger lever; in the rear position, it allowed firing.
For comfortable use, the Degtyarev machine gun was equipped with a wooden butt, pistol grip and forend. The butt was mounted on a metal base at the rear of the trigger frame. Also on the frame were mounts for a pistol grip fire control. The forend consisted of two wooden parts and metal spacers. It was fixed in front of the receiver. Unusual shape a forend with two notches on top and bottom was associated with recommended shooting methods. When firing from the shoulder, the machine gunner had to support the weapon by the forend from below. Shooting “from the hip” was carried out using a belt. In this case, the belt redistributed the load on the shoulder, which made it possible to hold the fire control handle with one hand, and with the other to compensate for the recoil, holding the machine gun by the fore-end from above.
The RPD machine gun was supposed to use cartridge belts, placed in metal boxes for convenience. In early versions of the project it was proposed to use belts for 100 and 200 rounds, equipped with round and square boxes, respectively. Later it was decided to abandon the 200-cartridge belt and the rather heavy square box. Serial machine guns RPDs were equipped with collapsible cylindrical boxes for tapes. Ammunition was supplied using a non-loose metal belt for 100 rounds, assembled from two parts.
At the top of the box there was a hinged lid and fastenings for installation on a machine gun. When preparing the weapon for firing, the box should have been mounted on a mount under the receiver. The top cover of the box was placed to the left of the machine gun. Then the receiver cover was opened, the tape was refilled and the cover was returned to its place. After this, it was possible to cock the weapon using the side handle. The cartridge belt entered the receiver through a special window in its left surface. The spent section of the tape was output through a similar window on the other side of the machine gun. To avoid contamination of the mechanisms, both windows were equipped with spring-loaded covers.
Blank tape with box and pouch. Photo World.guns.ru
Metal boxes for tapes had a handle for carrying, but it was recommended to transport them in special fabric pouches. If necessary, the box was removed from the pouch and installed on the machine gun. The use of special pouches to a certain extent simplified the operation of weapons, especially in combat conditions.
The sights of the RPD machine gun were similar to those used on weapons of that time. In the front part of the receiver cover, directly above the tape receiving unit, there was an open sight, designed for firing at a range of up to 1000 m. There was a front sight with protection on the muzzle of the barrel.
To improve shooting accuracy, the machine gun was equipped with a bipod. The fastenings for these parts were located immediately behind the front sight assembly. The design of the bipod made it possible to fold them and fix them in this position. When folded, they were secured under the barrel. When the latch was removed, the bipod was moved apart and held in this position by a spring.
“Degtyarev light machine gun mod. 1944" had a total length of 1037 mm with a barrel length of 520 mm. The weight of the weapon without ammunition was 7.4 kg. The machine gun and ammunition of 300 rounds (three belts in boxes) weighed 11.4 kg. For comparison, the DP/DPM light machine gun with one disc magazine for 47 rounds weighed 11.3 kg. Such weight savings were achieved primarily through the use of lighter ammunition and a different design of ammunition systems. Thus, a box with a belt for 100 cartridges of 7.62x39 mm weighed 400 g less than a magazine with 47 cartridges of 7.62x54 mm R.
The normal rate of fire (regulator position “2”) was 650 rounds per minute. When the regulator was set to one, the rate of fire decreased noticeably. The practical rate of fire reached 100-150 rounds per minute. By eliminating magazine feed and using a belt, it was possible to ensure a fairly high rate of fire in combat conditions, since the machine gunner could fire up to 100 shots in a row without the need to replace the belt.
Reducing the weight of the weapon with ammunition compared to existing machine guns made it possible to increase the shooter's mobility on the battlefield. In addition, the suggestion about using fasteners for a box with cartridge strip was useful. In 1946, the RP-46 belt-fed light machine gun, which did not have such parts, was adopted for service. Because of this, machine gunners often had to unload their weapons before changing positions. A tape box installed under the receiver eliminated such problems.
The sights of the RPD machine gun were designed for firing at a range of up to 1000 m. It was recommended to shoot at air targets from a distance of no more than 500 m. The lethal effect of the bullets was maintained at long distances, but in this case problems arose serious problems with target detection and aiming. At ranges up to 1000 m, the machine gun had a fairly high firing efficiency. The requirements for normal combat when firing in bursts from a distance of 100 m looked like this: at least 75% of the bullets had to land in a circle with a diameter of 20 cm, and the average point of impact should not deviate from the aiming point by more than 5 cm.
In practice, this meant that on average no more than two shots were required to hit a “chest figure” target at a distance of 100 m. To hit a similar target at the maximum aiming distance, it took about 27 shots. Thus, the RPD machine gun could effectively hit various targets at ranges of up to 800 m or more, as required by the original technical specifications.
By the end of the forties, the Soviet defense industry had mastered full-scale mass production of new machine guns, which made it possible to provide the troops with the required number of weapons. RPD machine guns were adopted as a means of strengthening infantry squads and platoons. Since 1946, this weapon was used in parallel with RP-46 machine guns, intended for use at the company level. Thus, due to two new models of small arms, it was possible not only to update the material part of the infantry, but also to significantly increase it firepower.
RPD machine gun, which was in service with Finland. Photo En.wikipedia.org
Over time, a modernized version of the machine gun called RPDM appeared. Upgraded machine gun almost no different from the base one. When updating the weapon, the shape of the gas piston and its support was changed. In addition, the bolt handle was not connected to the bolt frame, which is why it remained motionless when firing. Due to the absence of major changes in automation, the characteristics of the RPDM remained at the level of the basic RPD.
“Degtyarev light machine guns mod. 1944" were actively used until the early sixties. With the advent of the newer and more advanced RPK light machine gun designed by M.T. Kalashnikov began sending these weapons to warehouses. New machine gun had some advantages, primarily related to unification and other aspects of production.
Having provided its army with new weapons, the Soviet defense industry began producing RPD machine guns for export. Besides, foreign countries machine guns were supplied, removed from service or from storage. RPD and RPDM machine guns were supplied to more than three dozen countries Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. In the mid-fifties, as a form of friendly assistance, the USSR transferred to China a license for the production of Degtyarev machine guns and all the necessary documentation. The Chinese-made machine guns were designated "Type 56" and "Type 56-I". Over time, China also began to sell weapons of its production to third countries.
On at the moment there are more than 40 states around the world that have used or are using RPD machine guns and their foreign-made modifications. The widespread distribution of such weapons has affected their use in various armed conflicts.
A number of experimental RP-44 and serial RPDs managed to fight on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. However, the first conflict with the massive use of these machine guns was the Korean War. In the future, “Degtyarev light machine guns mod. 1944" were actively used in almost all wars in Asia and Africa. The start of deliveries of Chinese Type 56 machine guns led to an increase in countries using Soviet-designed weapons, and also contributed to its use in more conflicts.
In many countries, RPD machine guns have long been removed from service. However, some armies still use these weapons. Other states, including Russia, have long replaced the RPD with more modern systems, but keep them in warehouses. Thus, we can assume that RPD machine guns are still modern weapons, meeting the requirements of the military of some countries.
Self-loading version of the RPD v2.0 machine gun from the American company DS Arms
Over time, Degtyarev machine guns became widespread not only in armies, but also in the civilian sphere. In some countries, where legislation allows this, RPD machine guns in modified and original versions are sold to amateur shooters. For example, on the US market there are several variants of RPD machine guns with a converted trigger, allowing only single shots, and a set of new components. In accordance with the latest trends, the weapon receives a new “body kit” in the form of parts with numerous Picatinny rails, modern sighting devices, telescopic butts, etc. Due to the lack of mass production of machine guns, weapons produced several decades ago are being reworked.
Perhaps the service life of the RPD machine gun is different countries peace is the main thing positive feedback. This weapon was the first domestic serial light machine gun chambered for an intermediate cartridge, but it was able to clearly refute the well-known proverb about pancakes and show its capabilities. Over time, the Degtyarev light machine gun gave way to newer weapons, although it is still used in some armies. It is likely that the operation of these weapons will continue over the next few decades, providing the required firepower to rifle units.
Based on materials from sites:
http://world.guns.ru/
http://opoccuu.com/
http://kollektsiya.ru/
http://legendary-arms.ru/
http://dsarms.com/
9 (with box and loaded tape)
0.8 (box with tape without cartridges)
shots/min:
range, m:
7.62 mm Degtyarev light machine gun (RPD, GAU Index - 56-R-327) - Soviet light machine gun, developed in 1944 and chambered for 7.62x39 mm cartridge.
Story
The RPD became one of the first weapons chambered for the 1943 cartridge to be put into service. From the early 1950s to the mid-1960s, it was the main squad-level support weapon, and then gradually began to be replaced by the PKK, which was more preferable from a unification point of view. However, the RPD is still in the warehouses of the army reserves. Like many other types of Soviet weapons, the RPD was widely exported to countries friendly to the USSR, and was also produced abroad, for example, in China under the designation Type 56.
Characteristics
The range of a direct shot at the chest figure is 365 m. Fire at air targets is carried out at a distance of up to 500 m. The bullet retains its lethal effect at a distance of up to 1.5 km.
Combat rate of fire - up to 150 rounds per minute. Intensive burst fire without barrel cooling is possible up to 300 rounds.
Requirements for normal single combat for RPD:
- all four holes fit into a circle with a diameter of 15 cm;
Requirements for normal burst combat for RPD:
- at least six holes out of eight fit into a circle with a diameter of 20 cm;
- the average point of impact deviates from the control point by no more than 5 cm in any direction.
The battle is checked by shooting at a black rectangle 35 cm high and 25 cm wide, mounted on a white shield 1 m high and 0.5 m wide. Firing range - 100 m, position - lying on a flat platform, cartridges - with an ordinary bullet, sight - 3, rear sight - 0.
Bullet dispersion when firing from a RPD reduced to normal combat:
| Firing range, m | Median deviations in height, cm | Median deviations in width, cm | Heart-shaped stripes in height, cm | Heart-shaped stripes width, cm | Bullet energy, J |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 1618 |
| 200 | 10 | 9 | 30 | 30 | 1226 |
| 300 | 15 | 14 | 46 | 45 | 932 |
| 400 | 20 | 19 | 63 | 61 | 716 |
| 500 | 26 | 25 | 81 | 78 | 559 |
| 600 | 32 | 31 | 100 | 96 | 441 |
| 700 | 39 | 37 | 120 | 114 | 353 |
| 800 | 46 | 43 | 142 | 133 | 304 |
| 900 | 54 | 49 | 167 | 152 | 265 |
| 1000 | 63 | 55 | 195 | 172 | 235 |
Where the median deviation is half the width of the central dispersion band, containing 50% of all hits, and the core band is the dispersion band, containing 70% of the hits.
Device
The RPD consists of the following main parts and mechanisms:
- barrel with receiver, sighting device and bipod (not detachable),
- bolt carrier with gas piston,
- charging handle,
- gate,
- return mechanism,
- trigger frame with stock and trigger mechanism,
- box with ribbon.
The RPD kit includes: accessories (cleaning rod, front sight and regulator keys, wiping, cleaning, drift and wrench, extractor, muzzle pad, oiler), belt, cover and bags for boxes with tapes.
Sighting device
The RPD sighting device consists of a front sight and a sight, which in turn consists of a sight block with a leaf spring, an aiming bar, a rear sight, a rear sight screw with a handwheel, a clamp with two latches and springs, and a rear sight fuse. On the upper and lower sides of the sighting bar there are scales with divisions from 1 to 10 (firing range in hundreds of meters). The sight divisions are separated by short marks of fifty meters. Lateral corrections are made entirely by a handwheel that moves left and right and has a mark for installation on the divisions marked on the rear wall of the sighting bar (seven divisions to the right and left of zero). Each division corresponds to two thousandths of the range.
On early production machine guns, the sight scale is marked only on the upper side of the sighting bar and has a division value of 100 m.
Ammo
The RPD is fired using 1943 model cartridges (7.62×39 mm) with the following types of bullets:
- ordinary with steel core designed to defeat enemy personnel located openly or behind obstacles pierced by a bullet. The shell is steel clad with tombac, the core is steel, and there is a lead jacket between the shell and the core. Has no distinctive coloring.
- tracer designed for target designation and fire adjustment at distances of up to 800 m, as well as defeating enemy personnel. The core consists of an alloy of lead and antimony, behind which there is a cup with a pressed tracer compound. The color of the bullet is green.
- armor-piercing incendiary designed to ignite flammable liquids and destroy manpower located behind lightly armored shelters at ranges up to 300 m. The shell is with a tombak tip, the core is steel with a lead jacket. Behind the core in a lead pan there is an incendiary composition. The color of the head part is black with a red belt.
- incendiary designed to ignite flammable liquids in iron tanks up to 3 mm thick, flammable materials at ranges up to 700 m and target designation at distances up to 700 m. The incendiary barrier is located between the shell (with a tombak tip) and the steel core, the jacket is steel. Behind the core and jacket there is a cup with a tracer compound. The color of the head part is red.
Automation operating principle
The operation of the RPD automation is based on the use of the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel bore. When fired, part of the powder gases that push the bullet is directed through a hole in the barrel wall into the gas chamber, presses on the front wall of the gas piston, throwing the piston with the bolt frame and bolt to the rear position. The bolt opens the barrel, the bolt frame compresses the recoil spring. The cartridge case is removed from the chamber and thrown out. The feed mechanism advances the tape and feeds a new cartridge, which is installed opposite the longitudinal window of the receiver.
If the trigger remains pressed, the bolt carrier does not stop in the rear position, but moves forward under the action of the return mechanism. The bolt pushes a new cartridge out of the belt, sends it into the chamber and closes the barrel. The bolt is locked with lugs that fit into the lugs of the receiver, after which the bolt frame strut hits the firing pin. The firing pin breaks the cartridge primer. A shot is fired, and the automatic operation is repeated.
Assembly/disassembly of RPD
Partial disassembly of the RPD is carried out for cleaning, lubrication and inspection in the following order:
- installing the machine gun on the bipod, opening the receiver cover, moving the bolt frame to the rear position, checking that there is no cartridge in the chamber, releasing the bolt frame from the combat cock;
- cleaning rod compartment;
- removing a pencil case with accessories;
- removing the return mechanism;
- release frame compartment;
- charging handle separation;
- bolt carrier compartment;
- separation of the bolt from the bolt frame.
Assembly after partial disassembly is carried out in the following order:
- connecting the bolt to the bolt frame;
- connecting the bolt frame to the receiver;
- attaching the charging handle;
- connecting the trigger frame;
- insertion of the return mechanism into the butt;
- closing the receiver cover;
- connecting a cleaning rod;
- accessory assembly;
- checking for correct assembly.
Complete disassembly of the RPD is carried out for cleaning in case of heavy contamination, after the machine gun has been exposed to rain or snow, when switching to a new lubricant or repair in the following order:
- incomplete disassembly;
- shutter disassembly;
- regulator compartment;
- disassembling the tape feed mechanism.
Reassembly after complete disassembly is carried out in the reverse order.
It is recommended to use gun lubricant and alkaline composition (to remove powder deposits) in summer (at temperatures above 5 °C), and in winter (from +5 °C to - 50 °C) to use liquid gun lubricant (for lubrication and removal of deposits) , carefully removing (by washing all metal parts in kerosene or liquid gun lubricant, thoroughly wiping with a rag or tow, then rinsing again and wiping with a clean rag) before doing this the summer lubricant. For long-term storage in a warehouse, the machine gun is generously lubricated with a mixture of 50% gun grease and 50% gun lubricant by dipping the cleaned metal parts twice into baths of hot lubricant.
Notes
Literature and sources
- Peter J. Kokalis. RPD: despite his venerable age, he is still fighting // “Soldier of Fortune”, No. 5, 1996. pp. 48-53
Links
- description of the RPD on the website liveguns.ru
- description of the RPD on the website rifle-guns.ru
| Infantry weapons of the USSR and Russia after World War II | |
|---|---|
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