RP-46


China: Type 58


Overview


RP-46

Right side view of RP-46 machine gun.
Source: US DoD - © Public domain

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Machine gun
Entered service
1946
Status
Obsolete
Development
1944
Developer
Soviet Union
W. Shilin, P. Poliakov & A. Dibanin
Production
1946 - 1950's (Soviet production)
Producer
Soviet Union
China
North Korea
Designations
RP-46 / Rotnyi Pulemet 1946
Russian for "company level machine gun model 1946
53-P-326 (GRAU index)
Type 58 (Chinese production)
Type 64 (Nortk Korean production)
Notable users
Soviet Union
China
North Korea
Vietnam

Description


Introduction

The RP-46 is a machine gun of Soviet origin. It was designed to provide more firepower than the DP machine gun. The development was completed during World War 2 and production began in 1946. RP-46 stands for "Rotnyi Pulemet 1946", which is Russian for "company level machine gun model 1946".

Design

The RP-46 is a further development of the DPM. It features a belt feed system, thicker barrel and sturdier bipod. The belt feed system can be removed to allow DP drum magazines to be used. The barrel can be changed, but it is not a true quick change barrel system. The RP-46 can only be used from its bipod and cannot be mounted on a vehicle or tripod.

Firepower

The RP-46 fires the 7.62x54mm round from a 250 round continuous pocket belt. By removing the belt feed attachment it is possible to use the 47 round DP drum magazines. The cyclic rate of fire is 600 rpm. The heavy weight of the weapon reduces the felt recoil. The maximum effective range is 800 m against area targets.

Users

The RP-46 was widely used by Soviet forces but was rapidly replaced by the lighter and more reliable PK. The RP-46 was also widely exported to Soviet allies and produced under license in China and North Korea. Nowadays it is obsolete but remains in service with third world nations.

Variants


RP-46

Forward view of RP-46 machine gun with DP-27 pan magazine shown alongside.
Source: www.oruzhie.info - © Copyright lies with original owner

The RP-46 is a machine gun of Soviet origin. It is a development of the DPM. The main differences are the belt feed mechanism on top and the heavier barrel.

RP-46
Soviet production model.
Type 58
Chinese production model, direct copy.
Type 64
North Korean production model, direct copy.

Details


Facts RP-46
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
7.62x54mm Soviet
Feed system
Belt-fed, 250 round belts
47 round pan magazines can be used by removing belt feed system
Barrel length
607 mm
Rifling
4 grooves, 254 mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
840 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated
Locking
Flapper locking
Fire selector
0 - F
Rate of fire
600 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Fixed
Length
1.283 mm
Weight
13.1 kg empty
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, cylindrical post front and tangent leaf rear
Sight radius
635 mm
Range adjustment
100 to 1.500 m
Optics
Optional PPN-1 night sight (2.54 kg)
Accessories
Bipod
Fixed folding bipod
Quick change barrel
No

Media


Related articles


Degtyarev RPD

The intermediate caliber RPD was intended for use on the squad level and the RP-46 was to be used at the company level.

Kalashnikov PK

In Soviet service the RP-46 was replaced by the PK universal machine gun.

MG34

The MG34 machine gun is often cited as the reason to start development of the RP-46. During World War 2 the Soviet forces lacked a portable belt-fed machine gun that could accompany troops on the offense. The lighter DP lacked sustained firepower, while the SG-43 was too heavy to move forward quickly.