PM md. 64



Overview


PM md. 64

A PM md. 64 light machine gun with fixed wooden stock and straight handguard.
Source: Unknown user @ www.imageshack.us - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Romania
Type
Light machine gun
Entered service
1964
Status
In service
Development
Early 1960's
Developer
Romania - Cugir arsenal
Production
1964 - present
Producer
Romania - Cugir arsenal

Description


Introduction

The PM md. 64 is an early Cold War era light machine gun of Romanian origin. It is nearly identical to the Soviet RPK and is derived from the PM md. 63 assault rifle, which in turn is based on the Soviet AKM.

Description

The PM md. 64 is a gas operated, air cooled select fire light machine gun based on the Kalashnikov pattern. It fires the same medium power 7.62x39mm round. The main differences from the PM md. 63 assault rifle are the longer barrel, fixed folding bipod and larger wooden stock. Unlike the assault rifle there is no wooden vertical grip. The PM md. 91 is a variant with a folding metal stock.

Firepower

The PM md. 64 fires the 7.62x39mm round from a curved 30 or 40 round magazine. Alternatively 75 round drum magazines are used. It is a select fire weapon that is capable of semi-automatic fire and automatic fire at 600 rounds per minute. The effective range is about 500 meters.

Users

The PM md. 64 was adopted by Romania and exported to various nations. Unlike the Romanian AIM and AIMS assault rifles with their distinguishing wooden vertical front grip, the PM md. 64 is difficult to identify since it looks practically identical to the Soviet RPK. The PM md. 64 remains in service with several nations today.

Variants


PM md. 91

A PM md. 91 light machine gun with folding stock and straight handguard.
Source: Unknown user @ www.photobucket.com - © copyright lies with original owner

Variants of the PM md. 64

PM md. 64
Romanian equivalent to the RPK which is based on the PM md. 63 rifle. It has a longer barrel, bipod and straight handguard.
PM md. 91
Romanian equivalent to the RPKS by adding a metal wire folding stock to the PM md. 64.

Details


Facts PM md. 64
General
Origin
Romania
Type
Light machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
7.62x39mm Soviet
Feed system
30 or 40 round detachable box
75 round drum magazine
Barrel length
590 mm
Rifling
4 grooves, 240 mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
730 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated, long stroke gas piston
Locking
Rotating bolt
Fire selector
0 - 1 - F
Rate of fire
600 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Fixed
Length
1.035 mm
Weight
4.65 kg empty
Sights
Mechanical
Hooded post front and U-notch rear
Sight radius
560 mm
Accessories
Bipod
Fixed folding bipod

Related articles


PM md. 63

The PM md. 64 light machine gun is based on the PM md. 63 assault rifle.