The History of PKM, the Most Common Machine Gun In the World

[Talyn]

Part 1

Everyone knows AK-47. It is everywhere: movies, books, crime statistics. Interestingly enough, those who spend some time in the warzone often have stronger feelings towards another Kalashnikov creation - the PK/PKM belt-fed machine gun.

The History of PKM, the Most Common Machine Gun In the World (Part 1)

Everyone knows AK-47.It is everywhere: movies, books, crime statistics.Interestingly enough, those who spend some time in the warzone often have stronger feelings towards another Kalashnikov creation - the PK/PKM belt-fed machine gun.Some say that PK is the best weapon Kalashnikov ever created.

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[Belt Fed]

I want.

 

[KillerFord1977]

I want.

Its wood and steel, so you shouldn't be afraid like you are of those evil black rifles.

You should get one

 

[Belt Fed]

I would still be scared, just not as much. Those evil black rifles are wicked.

 

[Talyn]

Part 2

After a month of hard work, the first prototype of PK was ready. By that time, the rival machine gun designed by Nikitin and Sokolov completed technical trials and had a few non-critical issues that design engineers had to fix.

Kalashnikov’s machinegun wasn’t even officially tested by the factory, so he didn’t really have any chance to win in this trial, since the competitor, Nikitin GPMG, was so ahead of him.

The History of PKM, the Most Common Machine Gun in the World (Part 2)

In Part 1 of this article, I wrote about the beginning of the Kalashnikov machine gun story.In this chapter, I will get into details of how Kalashnikov managed to go through with his design against all odds.After a month of hard work, the first prototype of PK was ready.By that time, the rival...

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[Talyn]

Part 3

The first phase of testing​

The prototypes of PK went through initial tests with flying colors. The machine gun fired 30,000 rounds without any breakages and completed all the routine tests.

There was, however, a test that is usually called “depression and elevation”. During this test, the gun is fired with a barrel pointing up (elevation) or down (depression).

In the Soviet doctrine, the GPMG was meant to be used for air defense

The History of PKM, the Most Common Machine Gun In the World. Part 3

In Part 1 of this article, I wrote about the beginning of the Kalashnikov machinegun story, Part 2 was dedicated to the bureaucratic hoops he initially had to jump through.In this chapter, I will talk about the technical triаls and competition between Kalashnikov and his rivals, Nikitin and...

www.thefirearmblog.com

 

[Talyn]

Part 4

In Part 1 of this article, it was the beginning of the Kalashnikov machinegun story, Part 2 was dedicated to the bureaucratic hoops he initially had to jump through, Part 3 described the technical triаls and competition between the Kalashnikov and his rivals, Nikitin and Sokolov. In this chapter, the story of troop trials that determined the destiny of Kalashnikov GPMG.

The History of PKM, the Most Common Machine Gun In the World. Part 4

In Part 1 of this article, I wrote about the beginning of the Kalashnikov machinegun story, Part 2 was dedicated to the bureaucratic hoops he initially had to jump through, Part 3 described the technical triаls and competition between the Kalashnikov and his rivals, Nikitin and Sokolov.In this...

www.thefirearmblog.com

 

[Talyn]

Part 5

The History of PKM, the Most Common Machine Gun In the World. Part 5

In Part 1 of this article, I wrote about the beginning of the Kalashnikov machinegun story, Part 2 was dedicated to the bureaucratic hoops he initially had to jump through, Part 3 described the technical triаls and competition between the Kalashnikov and his rivals, Nikitin and Sokolov.Part 4...

www.thefirearmblog.com