RPK-74
- Category
- Machine Gun
- Barrel
- 590 mm
- Weight, empty
- 4.70 kg
- Introduced
- 1974
About
What it is, and why it matters
The RPK-74 is a select-fire machine gun chambered in 5.45x39mm, produced by Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash) since 1974. This Russian-manufactured firearm reflects the engineering traditions and quality standards of its country of origin, designed to meet the demands of both civilian and professional users in a competitive global marketplace. Featuring a 45-round magazine capacity, this machine gun offers generous firepower for duty use and home defense. The 23.2-inch barrel maximizes accuracy potential and ballistic performance, making this an excellent choice for target shooting, competition, or field use. At 4700g (165.8 oz), this is a substantial firearm whose weight contributes to reduced felt recoil and enhanced stability during precision shooting. The steel frame provides a solid, premium feel with the durability to withstand decades of regular use and thousands of rounds. This firearm represents its manufacturer's commitment to delivering a well-engineered, reliable product that serves the needs of discerning shooters seeking quality, accuracy, and dependable performance from a proven platform.
The RPK-74 shares approximately 70% parts commonality with the AK-74, a logistics dream that allows squad machine gunners and riflemen to share magazines, parts, and training. Unlike Western squad automatic weapons, the RPK-74's fixed barrel trades sustained-fire endurance for simplicity and reliability in harsh conditions.
The RPK-74 was introduced simultaneously with the AK-74 in 1974 as part of the Soviet military's transition to the 5.45x39mm cartridge. Shares approximately 70% parts commonality with the AK-74. Early models featured wooden furniture; later production transitioned to black polymer. The RPK-74M modernized variant (1991) added a polymer side-folding stock, improved side rail for optics, and strengthened internal components. The RPK-201 export variant is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO to pair with AK-101 rifles. Compatible with standard AK-74 30-round magazines, dedicated 45-round magazines, and experimental 100-round drums that were developed but not adopted. While being superseded by the RPK-16 in some Russian units, the RPK-74M remains the primary squad automatic weapon across most Russian and former Soviet forces.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- Kalashnikov Concern
- Category
- Machine Gun
- Country
- Soviet Union
- Status
- In production
- Produced
- 1974
- Variant of
- Light machine gun
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 590 mm
- Overall length
- 1060 mm
- Height
- 200 mm
- Weight, empty
- 4.70 kg
- Weight, loaded
- 5.46 kg
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Gas operated long stroke
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer fired
- Trigger
- Single stage
- Capacity
- 45
- Magazine
- Detachable box
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Steel
- Barrel
- Steel
- Stock
- Wood
- Finish
- Blued
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 960 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 1581 J
- Effective range
- 600 m
- Maximum range
- 1000 m
- Rate of fire
- 600 rpm
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
Chrome lined barrel
Chrome lined chamber
Rotating bolt
Select fire
Heavier barrel
Bipod
Reinforced receiver
Extended barrel- Sustained fire capable
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 261 machine guns | 4.70 kg | 10.50 kg | Lighter than about 90% |
| Overall lengthAmong 260 machine guns | 1060 mm | 1156 mm | Shorter than about 70% |
| Barrel lengthAmong 257 machine guns | 590 mm | 605 mm | Shorter than about 60% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 222 machine guns | 45 | 50 | Near the median |
Its place in the rankings
Answers
Questions about the RPK-74
How much does the RPK-74 weigh?
The RPK-74 weighs 4.70 kg (10.36 lb) empty and 5.46 kg (12.04 lb) loaded. It is the 7th lightest of 261 machine guns in the catalogue.
What caliber is the RPK-74?
The RPK-74 is chambered in 5.45x39mm.
How many rounds does the RPK-74 hold?
The RPK-74 holds 45 rounds, fed from a detachable box magazine.
How long is the RPK-74?
The RPK-74 is 1060 mm (41.7 in) long overall, with a 590 mm (23.2 in) barrel.
Who makes the RPK-74?
The RPK-74 is made by Kalashnikov Concern (Russia). It was designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov.
When was the RPK-74 introduced?
The RPK-74 was introduced in 1974.
How does the RPK-74 operate?
The RPK-74 uses a gas operated long stroke action, and its firing mechanism is hammer fired.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
In service
- Soviet Armed Forces
- 1974
- Russian Armed Forces
- 1991
- Ukrainian Armed Forces
- 1991
- Belarusian Armed Forces
- 1991
- Bulgarian Armed Forces
- 1980
- North Korean People's Army
- 1985
Provenance
Confidence in this record
86%
Stockists
Where to buy
Offers link straight to the shop. GunSpec never takes the order.
No shop has listed this firearm yet
Stock and prices come from the shops themselves. If you sell this firearm, you can list it and it appears here.
List a firearmMCP
Ask an assistant about it
The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/rpk-74' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "rpk-74", "name": "RPK-74", "manufacturer": { "id": "kalashnikov-concern", "name": "Kalashnikov Concern", "countryCode": "RU", "foundedYear": 1807, "website": "https://kalashnikovgroup.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": null, "status": "active", "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": true, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:38", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:43:38", "version": "3593fe6aaed7a4f74f79c1f4f9b92bb1f45e039a826875e780967c2ed2b49d04" }, "category": { "id": "machine-gun", "name": "Machine Gun", "description": "Fully automatic firearms for sustained fire" }, "country_of_origin": "SU", "year_introduced": 1974, "barrel_length_mm": 590, "weight_empty_g": 4700, "action_type": "gas_operated_long_stroke"}