RP-46

History of the RP-46

While the 1928 Degtyarov DP light machine gun served the Red Army fairly well during WWII, the design was improved in a 1943 revision, saying as "DPM". A year after the war, the DP series was expanded to "RP-46" general purpose machine guns. The main difference between the postwar design and its wartime design was its intended role - as a "company" machine gun designed to provide repeatable volumetric support fire at range. As such, this required the gun to be equipped with a heavy barrel for continuous fire and a modified feed mechanism to accept spool ammunition.

As the name suggests, the RP-46 was adopted by the Red Army in 1946.

The basic design of the DP/DPM series is more or less retained in the RP-46, especially the crude pistol grip and the simplified butt for the barrel to which the DPM itself is attached. The barrel is also encased in a perforated heat shield to ensure proper heat dissipation for new reels.

The recoil barrel protrudes from the rear of the receiver, which is common in DPMs. Several notable additions to the RP-46 design include a conical flash suppressor on the muzzle, the ability to quickly change the barrel (also required for continuous shooting roles), and an easy-to-carry handle.

The latter two additions allow the fire brigade to quickly move to a new location to support infantry operations if necessary. While the 50-round belt feed mechanism is new to the RP-46, it retains the ability to fire the DP and DPM's 47-round magazines for obvious logistical reasons. The sights are set in the front and rear for a certain degree of precision shooting. Uses a 24" barrel assembly for a total length of 50". At nearly 29 pounds, the overall weight is heavier than its predecessor form and reduces field portability.

The rate of fire is specified at 650 rounds per minute, and the muzzle velocity is 2,755 feet per second. The RP-46 still uses the tried and true Russian 7.62x54R cartridge in its pneumatic operation.

Specification

BASICS

Year of Service

1946

Origins

Soviet Union

Categories

General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)

Manufacturer

State Factory - USSR/China

Operator

Albania; Algeria; Angola; Benin; Central African Republic; China; Comoros; Congo-Brazzaville; Cuba; Equatorial Guinea; Ethiopia; Laos; Libya; Nigeria ; North Korea; North Vietnam; Seychelles; Somalia; Soviet Union; Sudan; Tanzania; Go; Vietnam

Roles

Fire Support

Ability to suppress enemy elements at a distance using direct or indirect fire.

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

1,270 mm

50. 00 in

Barrel length

605mm

23. 82 inches

Cured weight

28.66 lbs

13.00 kg

Attractions

Tangent leaves behind; front post

Action

Gas Power

Gas Power

proposes a pneumatic system that typically consists of a cylinder and a rear drive piston that directs power to the bolt assembly.

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

7. 62x54R Russian

Circle/Feed

50-loop belt; 47-round drum

POWER

Maximum efficiency. Arrived

2,624 feet

(800m | 875m)

Rate of fire

650

Number of revolutions

Mile speed

2,755 ft/s

(840m/s)

Variant

RP-46 - Base series name Type 58 - Local production version of the RP-46 series.