RP-46

General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) [ 1946 ]

The RP-46 Light Machine Gun was a further modification of the DP LMG of World War 2 fame.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/07/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Left side view of the RP-46 company-level machine gun

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

While the Degtyarov DP Light Machine gun of 1928 served the Red Army quite well during World War2, the design was bettered in the 1943 revision known as the "DPM". A year following the close of the war, the DP family was furthered to become the "RP-46" general purpose machine gun. The key difference between the post-war design and its wartime counterparts was in the designated role - as a "company-level" machine gun intended to provide voluminous support fire of a repeating nature at range. This, therefore, necessitated that the weapon be fitted with a heavy barrel for the sustained fire role and the feed mechanism revised to accept belt ammunition. As its designation suggests, the RP-46 was adopted for Red Army service in 1946.

The basic design found in the DP/DPM family was more or less retained in the RP-46, particularly the crude pistol grip and simplified shoulder stock of the DPM itself. The gas-cylinder was mounted under the barrel as always and a bipod was set at the midway point of the barrel. The barrel was further shrouded by a perforated heat shield for proper heat dissipation required of the new role. The return spring cylinder protruded from the rear of the receiver in the common way as seen in the DPM. Some of the few notable additions to the RP-46 design included a conical flash hider over the muzzle, a quick-change barrel feature (also required of the sustained fire role) and a simple carrying handle. The latter two additions allowed a fire team to relocate to a new position at speed in support of infantry operations as needed. While the 50-round belt-feed mechanism was new to the RP-46, it still retained the capability to fire the 47-round "pan" magazines of the DP and DPM for obvious logistical reasons. Sights were set to the rear and front for some level of accurized fire. Total length reached 50 inches with a 24 inch barrel assembly. Overall weight was nearly 29lbs which made it heavier than her preceding forms and lessened portability in-the-field. Rate-of-fire was listed at 650 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 2,755 feet per second. The RP-46 still utilized the tried and true 7.62x54R Russian cartridge in its gas-operated action.©MilitaryFactory.com

The reach of the RP-46 was rather substantial and served communist allies and Soviet supporting nations well in her decades of service. Operators of the RP-46 included Albania, Algeria, Angola, Benin, the Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Congo-Brazzaville, Cuba, Equatorial-Guinea, Ethiopia, Laos, Libya, Nigeria, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo and North Vietnam. The type made an appearance with the latter in the Vietnam War under ownership of the Vietcong. Production of the RP-46 was such that many can still be found in frontline roles of lesser-developed militaries even today. Consistent with other Soviet-designed weaponry, China eventually undertook local production of the RP-46 as the "Type 58".©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Service Year

1946

Origin

Soviet Union

Classification

General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)

State Factories - Soviet Union / China

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

Albania; Algeria; Angola; Benin; Central African Republic; China; Comoros; Congo-Brazzaville; Cuba; Equatorial Guinea; Ethiopia; Laos; Libya; Nigeria; North Korea; North Vietnam; Seychelles; Somalia; Soviet Union; Sudan; Tanzania; Togo; Vietnam

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Fire Support
Capable of suppressing enemy elements at range through direct or in-direct fire.

Overall Length

1,270 mm
50.00 in

Barrel Length

605 mm
23.82 in

Empty Wgt

28.66 lb
13.00 kg

Sights

Tangent Leaf Rear; Front Post

Action

Gas-Operated

Gas-Operated
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

7.62x54R Russian

Rounds / Feed

50-round belt; 47-round drum

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Max Eff.Range

2,624 ft
(800 m | 875 yd)

Rate-of-Fire

650
rds/min

Muzzle Velocity

2,755 ft/sec
(840 m/sec)

RP-46 - Base Series Designation

Type 58 - Chinese local-production version of the RP-46 series.

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.

Images Gallery

1 / 1

Left side view of the RP-46 company-level machine gun

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)