PKP Pecheneg machine gun

PKP Pecheneg "6P41" machine gun
PKP Pecheneg on display with a bipod
TypeMedium machine gun
General purpose machine gun
Place of originRussia
Service history
In service2001–present[1]
Used bySee Users
WarsSecond Chechen War
Russo-Georgian War
Syrian Civil War[2]
War in Iraq (2013-17)[2]
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
DesignerMikhail Kalashnikov
Designed1995
ManufacturerTsNIITochMash, Degtyaryov Plant
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass8.2 kg (18 lb) without a bipod[3]
8.7 kg (19 lb) with a bipod
12.7 kg (28 lb) with an infantry tripod mount[4]
Length1,200 mm (47 in)
Barrel length658 mm (25.9 in)[4]
Cartridge7.62×54mmR[4]
ActionGas-operated[4]
Rate of fireCyclic rate of fire:
600–800 rounds/min
Practical rate of fire:
166 rounds/min[5]
Muzzle velocity900 m/s (2,953 ft/s)[6]
Effective firing range1,500 m (0.93 mi)[7]
Maximum firing range6,000 m (6,600 yd)
Feed systemBelt feed: 100-, 200-, 250-round, non-disintegrating links[6]

The PKP Pecheneg (Pulemyot Kalashnikova Pekhotny "Pecheneg", Russian: Печенег)[8][9] is a Russian 7.62×54mmR general-purpose machine gun.[4] It is a further development and modification of the PK machine gun (PKM).[10] It is said to be more accurate than all its predecessors due to a heavier, removable, partially forced-air-cooled barrel with radial cooling ribs and a handle which eliminates the haze effect from hot gases and keeps the barrel cooler, making the weapon more reliable.[11] Furthermore, the weapon is capable of having a telescopic sight or other sights mounted on it, which increases its accuracy and effective range.

The GRAU index of the PKP Pecheneg is "6P41" or "6P41N" (PKP Pecheneg-N) when fitted with a mounting rail for a night vision sight. It is currently in use by Russian Army Spetsnaz and other troops in significant numbers. Even though it was developed mainly for infantry use, it also has been fitted to several light vehicles.[10]

  1. ^ "Эхо Москвы :: Новости / Россия приступила к серийному производству нового пулемета 'Печенег'". Эхо Москвы. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  2. ^ a b "British Accuracy International AW sniper rifle in Syria – Armament Research Services". armamentresearch.com. 28 September 2015. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Open Joint Stock Company "V.A.Degtyarev Plant" / 7.62mm 6P41 Pecheneg machine gun". www.zid.ru. Archived from the original on 11 January 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e Popenker, Max R."PKP Pecheneg machine gun Archived 22 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Open Joint Stock Company "V.A.Degtyarev Plant" / 7.62mm 6P41 Pecheneg machine gun". Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  6. ^ a b "7.62mm Pecheneg Machine Gun ", warfare.ru, Retrieved 2010-04-05
  7. ^ "7.62-mm "Petcheneg" Machine Gun Archived 17 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine", TsNIITochMash, Retrieved 2010-04-05
  8. ^ Lawrence, Erik (13 March 2015). Practical Guide to the Operational Use of the PK/PKM Machine Gun. Erik Lawrence Publications. ISBN 9781941998212. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ Bonds, Ray; Miller, David (13 February 2003). Illustrated Directory of Special Forces. Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760314197. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ a b "Pecheneg | Weaponsystems.net". weaponsystems.net. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  11. ^ "Modern Firearms". 27 October 2010. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2014.