How a RPD Machine Gun Works

Wikipedia: 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. It was created as a replacement for the DP machine gun chambered for the 7.62×54mmR round. It is a precursor of most squad automatic weapons.[1] It was succeeded in Soviet service by the RPK.

Type

Light machine gun
Squad automatic weapon

Place of origin Soviet Union
Service history
In service 1944–1961 (Soviet Union)
1944–present (other states)
Used by See Users
Wars See Wars
Production history
Designer Vasily Degtyaryov
Designed 1943–44
Produced 1944–1960
Variants RPDM, Type 56, Type 56-1, Type 62
Specifications
Mass 7.4 kg (16.31 lb) when empty
Length 1,037 mm (40.8 in)
Barrel length 520 mm (20.5 in)
Cartridge 7.62×39mm
5.56×45mm NATO (Israeli conversion)
Action Gas operated long stroke piston, flapper locking and fires from the open bolt
Rate of fire 650 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 735 m/s (2,411 ft/s)
Effective firing range 100–1,000 m sight adjustments
Feed system Non-disintegrating 100-round segmented belt stored in a drum container
Sights Open-type sights with rear sliding notch and semi-hooded front post, 596.6 mm (23.5 in) sight radius