12-28-2013, 11:29 PM
In the Soviet System, the introduction of the RPK and PK in the 1960's basically ended the RPD's long-term life as a squad support weapon. It was the primary squad support belt-fed for the NVA as the Chinese Type 56 LMG copy, and their employment of squad-level machineguns is probably one of the most effective approaches in the past 60 years. They were very disciplined with the use of RPD fire, only using them when they had the advantage, particularly with ambushes, raids, and deliberate attacks.
As an Infantry leader, I wouldn't see much need for a PKM if I had 6.5x39 RPD's, especially due to maneuverability, carrying capacity, and terminal effects. The biggest issue with the RPD as a belt-fed weapon is the fact that it doesn't have quick barrel change capability, so the design was limited mostly by that aspect.
It makes an excellent belt-fed weapon for dismounts, especially for raids and ambushes, but its role in the defense and in a training environment really suffer from the lack of a barrel-change feature, which is pretty standard for LMG's.
I also wonder if the SVD would have been designed at all, or if an accurized Kalashnikov would have become the DM rifle. The biggest headache for them with the SVD was the magazine, since they had to make it work with a rimmed cartridge. Its operating system is very much SVT-38/40, so nothing really new in terms of engineering, other than a 10rd detachable box mag meant to feed rimmed cartridges, and the laminate wood furniture process developed in the AKM program.
As an Infantry leader, I wouldn't see much need for a PKM if I had 6.5x39 RPD's, especially due to maneuverability, carrying capacity, and terminal effects. The biggest issue with the RPD as a belt-fed weapon is the fact that it doesn't have quick barrel change capability, so the design was limited mostly by that aspect.
It makes an excellent belt-fed weapon for dismounts, especially for raids and ambushes, but its role in the defense and in a training environment really suffer from the lack of a barrel-change feature, which is pretty standard for LMG's.
I also wonder if the SVD would have been designed at all, or if an accurized Kalashnikov would have become the DM rifle. The biggest headache for them with the SVD was the magazine, since they had to make it work with a rimmed cartridge. Its operating system is very much SVT-38/40, so nothing really new in terms of engineering, other than a 10rd detachable box mag meant to feed rimmed cartridges, and the laminate wood furniture process developed in the AKM program.