PKM - machine gun, known throughout the world

After the end of the Second World War, the armament of the armies of most countries was formed on the basis of models developed in the war years. The creation of such weapons took place in a difficult situation, in conditions of shortage of material resources and in extremely short terms. Naturally, the priority task of the designers of that time was to ensure high manufacturability of production and cheap production costs. In peacetime, the requirements for the combat characteristics of design samples increased. The arms race further contributed to the progress of military thought. Against this background, a Kalashnikov (PKM) machine gun was created.

Project development

Work on the design was held in the period from 1958 to 1961. The goal was to participate in the contest samples of machine guns for the Soviet Army. At that time, there was a need to replace the RP-46 and DPM Degtyarev's design, as well as SGM Goryunova, with a single option. At the final stage, samples of Nikitin / Sokolov and Kalashnikov were presented. All models were designed for the cartridge 7.62 x 54. The second option was adopted as a single machine gun in 1961. After carrying out a number of improvements in 1969, it began to be designated as PCM. The machine gun received a more versatile and light machine of Stepanov instead of the former construction of the SAM.

Features of the structure

The quick-detachable barrel is fixed in the receiver with the help of a contactor. On it for better cooling are longitudinal ribs. The end of the barrel is equipped with a conical flame arrestor. Under the trunk is a gas chamber. The withdrawal of the powder gases passes through the hole in the side of the channel wall of the PCM trunk. The machine gun has a shutter frame connected in a hinged manner to the piston rod. Inside the frame there is a return spring. A retractor is installed in the rear part of the frame. On the right side is the recharge handle. The chamber is locked by turning the shutter.

Doing shooting

The trigger is located in the receiver and is set to conduct non-stop fire from the PCM. The machine gun is equipped with a flag guard, which locks the release lever holding the shutter frame. The shutter frame hits the drummer located in the barrel channel. Guidance is carried out using a sectoral sight, which is equipped with an adjustment mechanism. It is also possible to mount a night sight on the PKM machine gun. The photo shows a similar modification of the device.

Charging mechanism

For PCM there are special boxes for 250 or 100 cartridges. When placing a machine gun on a bipod, they are attached to it from below. The tape feeder is operated by a feeder that covers the shutter frame on both sides. It is activated when the gate frame moves. In this case, the tape moves to one link. The cartridge is grasped by hooks and sent to the line of dispatch. After the shot with the help of the shutter mechanism, the shot cartridge is removed from the barrel and thrown out.

Production in Russia and in the world

PKM is a machine gun known all over the world. At the moment, the Kovrov Mechanical Plant is focused on its production. Rights to manufacture in due time were acquired by a number of foreign enterprises. These are factories of countries such as China, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Poland and Romania. Such international popularity of PKM, it seems, is due to its successful design, as well as to its flawless technical characteristics.