RPD | |
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![]() A right-side view of the RPD | |
Type | |
Place of origin | Soviet Union |
Service history | |
In service | 1944–1961 (Soviet Union) 1944–present (other states) |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | See Wars |
Production history | |
Designer | Vasily Degtyaryov |
Designed | 1943–44 |
Produced | 1944–1960 |
Variants | RPDM, Type 56, Type 56-1, Type 62 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 7.4 kg (16.31 lb) when empty |
Length | 1,037 mm (40.8 in) |
Barrel length | 520 mm (20.5 in) |
Cartridge | 7.62×39mm 5.56×45mm NATO (Israeli conversion) |
Action | Gas operated long stroke piston, flapper locking and fires from the open bolt |
Rate of fire | 650 rounds/min |
Muzzle velocity | 735 m/s (2,411 ft/s) |
Effective firing range | 100–1,000 m sight adjustments |
Feed system | Non-disintegrating 100-round segmented belt stored in a drum container. Custom 125 round belt (MACVSOG version) |
Sights | Open-type sights with rear sliding notch and semi-hooded front post, 596.6 mm (23.5 in) sight radius |
The RPD (Russian: ручной пулемёт Дегтярёва, romanized: Ruchnoy Pulemyot Degtyaryova, English: Degtyaryov hand-held machine gun) is a 7.62x39mm light machine gun developed in the Soviet Union by Vasily Degtyaryov for the 7.62×39mm M43 intermediate cartridge. It was created as a replacement for the DP machine gun chambered for the 7.62×54mmR round. It is a precursor of most squad automatic weapons.[1] It was succeeded in Soviet service by the RPK.