for any army unification is the aim sought by gunsmiths.If the parts are interchangeable, and design different samples have similar features, then immediately solve several problems.Firstly, the search for parts in case of failure simplified.Secondly, training soldiers is faster and more efficient.Thirdly, manufacturing costs are reduced.There are other reasons to strive for standardization, they are psychological in nature, but are also important.But if the weapon is unified, that this is not enough to consider it a success.Important and fighting qualities.Modern Firearms, located in the arsenals of countries - potential enemies, always set high standards for our samples.They should be no worse, and possibly better in terms of fire performance, easy to use and, of course, reliable.All these requirements are generally satisfied Kalashnikov machine gun, consisting armed with Soviet and Russian army since 1961.He is known in many other countries, which are exported.
Single sample
idea of a unified machine gun is not new.Almost all of the Army during World War I enjoyed "Maxima", "Hotchkiss" and "Colts."In the thirties of the mountain infantry and felt the need for more light patterns that became known as hand, as opposed to easel.Full unification could achieve if only specialists German company "Rheinmetall", creating a "lawn mower» MG-34 (at the end of the year, the development of 1934-th).He led the project engineer Louis Stange.Machine gun that has been very successful, and the soldiers of the Red Army wanted to own the same weapons.Only after the war, they began to receive something like that.The problem was that the positive features of the two main types of machine guns (easel and manual) were combined in a single sample.He was supposed to be different high rate, as ammunition for the rifle he applies "long" chuck (this machine, for example, is different from the sub-machine gun), a range aimed fire more than a conventional small arms.It was supposed to take a sample as a single for the whole of the Soviet army.
DP-27 Shilin
In 1946, the creative "trio" of designers AI Shilin AA Dubinin and PP Polyakov, conducted in-depth modernization of the trusted and reliable DP-27, presented a new model almostcalled RP-46.Soviet designers have used small arms ammunition belt feeding system, which was integrated into the feed mechanism is inserted in place of the store.DP-27 was good, but then, in the first years of operation in the army, was considered a temporary replacement of obsolete RPD Degtyarev.Almost all special weapons the Soviet Union engaged in the development of the enterprise's own systems in the hope that it will become a single sample.
Among the leaders were somewhat KB, among whom was the creator of the AK-47 Kalashnikov Mikhail Kalashnikov, who presented shortly the first version of the machine gun PCs.This happened in 1959.
competition and competitors
After a series of intermediate tests to the final of the competition, announced by the Ministry of Defense, came two samples.One was a PC (the machine gun of Kalashnikov), the second - the work of leading engineers of OKB-14 (the same Tula arms factory, it is necessary to pay attention, as the company has existed and internal competition, contribute to the high quality of projects).This pattern was very interesting, it reflects many of the advanced ideas of special mechanical engineering.Very successful was the idea of feeding the tape from the two types of standardized boxes (200 or 100 rounds).Node locking bolt also recognized as one of the best in the simplicity and elegance of engineering solutions.Unusual and original way resolved the question cutoff of powder gases.Submission of ammunition carried out by special "fingers."In general, a very good gun.PC, however, won the competition, and there were reasons.
Lack gun Nikitin and Sokolova
With all the virtues that shone pattern Nikitin and Sokolova, he still had one drawback is the lack of reliability.No, he did not refuse at all, but it started to shoot in single player mode, after it overheated a few bursts, was lowered into the water.This phenomenon was caused by thermal distortions arise in the supply unit.At first glance, a slight flaw, but in a real battle could cost calculations life.Each time the arrow was forced to make reloading, putting PNS cocked manually 2-3.This delay is very dangerous.Kalashnikov machine gun on the comparative tests behaved impeccably, he did not refuse, even after it was lowered into the icy Central Asian canals.
What is the difference between your PC from a Kalashnikov.Trunk
Today AK-47 is so well known around the world that there is no need to dwell on the features of its design.In Soviet times, disassemble the machine even taught school-high school students on the lessons of basic military training.In some countries, children are able to deal with these weapons, and at a younger age, are not yet mastered reading and writing.
most constructive solutions invented and applied the great Russian gunsmith, inventing his famous machine.Kalashnikov machine gun differs from the prototype first barrel, it is longer, is removable, and in the first modification has longitudinally ribbed surface for better heat transfer.
Other features
For the convenience of a PC equipped with a fire gun bipod.Shooting in single-player mode is not provided, only queue.Fuse lever type works the same as in AC.Capacity box magazine naturally increased to 100 (or even 200 easel embodiment).Powered nerassypnoy tape pieces for 50 rounds using extreme from which it takes the connection.For convenience, an additional carrying handle.PC equipped with a machine gun sight, a similar device on the state machine, but there is an extra bracket for mounting the reticle night.To facilitate the design of the butt has a through recess.There are other minor design features, but overall degree of unification of the sample is very large, most of the parts are interchangeable, which greatly facilitates maintenance and repairs.The machine guns later releases removable trunk is smooth without cooling fins, and has a large wall thickness.
Tank
Modern Firearms, ideally, not only the most unified, but also applicable to perform the tasks under different conditions.Model guns PC - "PTP", developed in 1969, is intended for use as an additional organic weapons armored vehicles.Remote control is provided by electric trigger.This crew can, if necessary, bring it to its original state of infantry, complete attaching the supplied items (stock, bipod, handle).This is done in a battle very quickly, easy assembly.The difference with the prior art is to change the venting unit, designed to reduce the amount coming into burning hulls.The barrel of a tank version of a longer and heavier.
Options
PC machine guns can shoot with both staff bipod, and relying on additional devices stabilize the line of fire.Initially, support was provided for the machine-tripod designed ES Samozhenkovym, very comfortable, but hard.Lite version of the frame L. Stepanov suggested that reduced the weight of more than three kilograms.There is also the option bronetransporterny called PKB.
For two decades the military operation of the military have made various proposals to improve the characteristics of weapons, some of which were accepted, which is reflected in the code of arms.So guns PC and the PKK with an additional letter in the name of "H", can be equipped with night sight (NSPU or DPU-3), PKC for firing at enemy aircraft.
Worldwide
objective indicators such guns:
Caliber standard is 7.62 mm.Weight without additional devices (so-called "body") - 9 kg.The length of the gun - 1173 mm.A bullet in the barrel accelerates to a speed of 825 m / s.When rate of fire of 650 rds. / Min Combat rate (average) is 250 rds. / Min.Aimed fire can be kept at a distance of up to 1 km 300 m.
high performance characteristics of the machine gun and its amazing reliability are factors contributing to its popularity in different parts of the world.In addition to the samples produced in the USSR, and comes under export contracts in Vietnam, Egypt, Libya (and many more where), known version, issued in other countries under license.Sometimes it changes its name, such as "Type 80" (China) or "M-84" (Yugoslavia).In Bulgaria and Romania, it was manufactured as a machine gun Kalashnikov.
