Why The RPK74 LMG Succeeded In Russia But Failed To Impress Others (5.45x39 Rifle Update)
Ғылым және технология
In 2022, we've already revisited the AKM, the original AK47 Type III, the RPK, and even the AK74/AKS74...so, might as well look back at Russia's 5.45x39mm LMG, the RPK-74. Here we cover the entire family from the 1970s through today.
Featured in this video is my semi-auto rifle built by Vector Arms using an American made civilian receiver and original Bulgarian/Soviet RPK74 parts kit, complete with 'plum' furniture.
Also for the RPK74M section, my good ol' FM-RPK74-33 returns to the channel, because why not? It was manufactured as a semi-auto rifle in Russia by Molot and imported here by FIME Group (a sister company of Arsenal Inc.)
Plus a couple other rifles make guest appearances too, again why not? We're just all here to have fun and talk some guns right?
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Visit mishacooba.blogspot.com to read more articles.
This video is produced and published to KZread for historical and educational purposes and to document and make record of the content herein publicly available for said purposes. The Mishaco channel is run by experienced and trained industry professionals and all activity portrayed and content herein is presented with all considerations to safety and in accordance with local, state, and the Federal law of the United States.
Пікірлер: 115
Back in 1975ish, this, the Galil-ARM and Stoner-63 were probably the only light-calibre LMGs in the world. Would have been handy, right off the bat.
I'm impressed by every rpk and ak kalashnikov style firearms Russia has produced especially in 545x39 I still havnt added an rpk to my collection it's definitely on the list just waiting for a good option to pop up
@m.7n6
Жыл бұрын
I'm not really a rpk guy I think they're cool, but I feel I'm unimpressed for the caliber rpk is in, and rpk 74 is in, I feel it doesn't do the LMG justice, I feel 7.62x54r would be more suitable, and if they come up with better caliber other than 5.45 for the LMG I think I'd be impressed by it. Tbh rpk, or rpk74 is like making a full length AKM, or ak74 a 9mm and not in a sub gun variation it's like fuck the vitayaz design make AKM 9mm, Vitayaz is too short.
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
I've always wanted Cugir, Romania to export the AES-2B...their RPK variant in 5.45x39 w/ 40 rd steel box mags.
@timothycain4512
Жыл бұрын
@@misha5670 that would be awesome but least u got a nice rpk collection
@timothycain4512
Жыл бұрын
@@misha5670 I was hoping Romanian would fill the void with the 545 ammo
@stoegerstewie8351
11 ай бұрын
Atlantic firearms has em now
Thanks Mishaco really appreciate what you do!
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching, cheers
Love my long barrel vepr 223 that I did an RPK clone on. I run the PO4x17 optic on it and it’s perfection
@ryanrivera1224
Жыл бұрын
Love my Vepr 20” 30-06 I did conversion on. Even got 30rd steel mags 😊 thing is a beast
@Gorkabandit
Жыл бұрын
@@ryanrivera1224 post a video on it
@BNatoAk
Жыл бұрын
Saw your 556 ak vid , cool shit my friend!
@Gorkabandit
Жыл бұрын
@@BNatoAk thank you my brother in Christ
It's such a beautiful gun
I have a 16" Vepr 74 with the factory stock and pistol grip. I wish I could find a RPK barrel for it and then install a folder.
Great video. Thank you for making it.
I recently purchased one of the vector arms builds. It's at the gunsmith having the selector markings and Molot shield added. Can't wait to get it back!
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Sadly, i doubt we will see true RPK74 receivers made in America again. NDS was great back in the day for making very specific receivers for individual build projects. They even cared enough to make an M72 specific receiver separate from the standard M70. The difference? no hole for the takedown latch pin. That's attention to detail right there.
"I like pancakes" - Misha *cuts to misha shooting*
Such a treat for the drive home.
Awesome🤘🤘
Videos are awesome full of knowledge I just don't have that much time to sit in one sitting
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Sorry, Klayco47 made me promise to not stop doing long-form videos. What choice do I have? lol
yay, another classic christmas video
That thing is a beauty.. both of them wow
I'm lusting over these haha, I'm looking for some info on the correct dates that the RPKS74 with the solid side folding plum stock (No optics rail slot) were manufactured. This info would be invaluable to know if you could shed some light. Appreciate you sharing these two rifles with us.
I have one of the prototype plum RPK-74 magazines in my collection. It has Molot Style ink stamps, and the only mold marking is a very faint 1.
I have a vector rpk-74 with plum, absolutely love it
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
I bought a pair for a buddy and myself direct from Vector ages ago. I used to work very closely with Vector right up until their sudden closure. Maybe one day I can tell the tale of what happened behind the scenes.
So pretty, honestly aks are just beautiful
You're the best
Always regret not being able to get one of these
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
I was able to get one thanks to...of all people...IO/Royal Tiger. Thanks to their relatively cheap VEPR 1V and how those shotup in value later, i traded mine off and that nearly covered this FM-RPK74 entirely.
@Jose-xm3tq
Жыл бұрын
@@misha5670 I have 2 of those. Wouldn't mine trading one for a Fime rpk74
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
@@Jose-xm3tq I sold the VEPR 1V for decent money, but where i really cameout on top was with the 45 rd Molot .223 mags I had for it. I think each one brought $250-$300 at auction, though I did save one and include it with the rifle for its new owner. I'm not a monster afterall lol. So after moving the rifle and around 8 mags, I covered the FM-RPK74.
@Jose-xm3tq
Жыл бұрын
@@misha5670 I remember I.O. Having em for sub $80.00 Lucky I got 6 of em My personal favorite Magazine
That plum set is just begging for a plum rpk mag.
14:11-it is important to clarify that the ammunition load of the RPK74 machine gun is 450 rounds. 360 rounds fit in 8 magazines.
Keep the kalashnikov content coming Misha its so awesome watching all the 74s and kings and ak12s and rpk74s in Ukraine and Russia right now thousands of bakelites and plum mags getting used over there it's good to see how durable they are in action I've seen alot of yugo underfolders and even some beryls on the battlefield being used to
Guess I'm staying up late tonight thanks.
Got invested in the 5.45x39 cartridge before the 7n6 ban. Until the Ukraine invasion, commercial offerings were plentiful and cheap enough to get even more heavily invested in AK74 pattern weapons. Two VEPR's, a Saiga, an Arsenal and a Galil ACE in that caliber. Fortunately 😂 I am not likely to outlive my 5.45x39 ammo stash.
Misha!!!!
@midnightclub7629
Жыл бұрын
the sun rises...
What made 5.45 more reliable than 7.62? That's interesting, I'd never heard that before.
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Cartridge dimensions. Less of a taper and just overall better geometry with 5.45 when it comes to feeding. Notice how a '74 mag has less of a curve compared with 7.62x39.
with the war going on I am really curious what kinds of weapons and parts kits are going to get onto the commercial market as time goes on.
The 556 Bulgarian thumbs up!
Let me sit down with my coffee ☕
so far Malaysian use of RPK74s are still largely a rumor, wasn't really seeing any proof of them in Malaysian services other than some written paragraphs in wiki. While the other hand, there's already evidence of the other kalash, the AK102 being used by the Malaysian navy special forces, PASKAL. Unlike the 102, things about rpk74 in Malaysia could only approached with a grain of salt imo.
@residentevil4freek
Жыл бұрын
Malaysia uses all kinds of oddball stuff. Didn't they even purchase a few H&K XM8's?
@kalashloy4179
Жыл бұрын
@@residentevil4freek yep, also fielded by PASKAL.
So now that Victor Orban is out of supermax and back on the world arms stage somebody needs to contract him to import more 5.45x39 into the United States....
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Thing is...from where? I bet you anything that Russia is buying up any stocks from anywhere they can find these days.
@eloiseharbeson2483
Жыл бұрын
@@misha5670 True. My contact in Russia tells me that Barnaul has not made commercial ammo of any caliber since the invasion. Too bad. They made the best 5.45x39 on the market.
@CptCudlScoops
Жыл бұрын
@@misha5670have you heard any updates on PSA making 5.45x39? I Haven’t heard any recent updates.
@blackhatch46
Жыл бұрын
@@eloiseharbeson2483 They make the best of all the soviet calibers.
@Dylan.More-Veiny
Жыл бұрын
@@eloiseharbeson2483 your contact in Russia. The Russian girl you chat with online and give her all your money doesn’t count
This is my napping asmr.
Some months ago had a chance to pick up a new VEPR RPK-47 for $4K from PSA. Dragged my feet and then it was gone. Huge regret.
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Yeah $4k was a darn good deal. Even when they first cameout, they were rarely lower than that, and these days often double that price...its very sad. Nice guns but not worth $8k IMO.
@Blackstone175
Жыл бұрын
How much are they going for? There is a lgs has one for 4.9k, didn't think much of it. Are they rising in value?
@EdwardSnortin
Жыл бұрын
@@Blackstone175 $7000 - $8000
Just in time for Christmas
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
I got my first AES10 right before Christmas. Even shot it for the first time in the snow that year.
Misha, what's up with that reptile looking spray paint on your RPK,s.?
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Cocaine's a hell of a drug....'nough said about that night.
@foxf6
Жыл бұрын
did someone say spray paint?
Misha said a soldier has to be mindful of the barrel overheating when firing full auto. Besides letting the barrel rest were there any other tricks to prevent overheating? Did they ever use water? No RPKs had quick change barrels right?
@softailrider4976
Жыл бұрын
No bullshit when I say this, you’d piss on them
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
@@softailrider4976 Literally what i clicked on here to say myself too. Yep, piss was definitely used.
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
During the Winter War between Finland and Russia, the Finns stuck KP31 barrels in the snow to cool them off. Probably hell on the metal but great for cooling. I came across this info in a few books while doing my thesis back in university.
Perfect from lraq
I've got one of those molot bakelite mags for my fm 16 inch barrel 74. Anything 5.45 is becoming unobtainium anymore. 😞
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Yes, yes sadly it is and you are right.
@eloiseharbeson2483
Жыл бұрын
AK74 specific components have always been at a premium. Magazines particularly although AC-Unity is now making nice ones at a reasonable price.
Were there 5.46x39 drum mags for the RPK 74?
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
No
I would prefer any AKM, AK-12, AK15, or AK-19, AK-100 series rifle, because it's practical in the 7.62x39, 5.45x39, 5.56 caliber, where the rpk i feel like I'm unimpressed for it being the caliber that is used in AKM, ak74, ak-100 series, AK-12, or ak-15, or ak-203, where I feel the rpk or rpk74 should have been chambered in 7.62x54r. the rpk Is like making full length AKM and chambering it in 9mm, when 9mm is a handgun, or sub gun round and not rifle round, or standard AKM length or AK-103, or ak74 length round. It's the opposite in my opinion, I would be impressed if it was chambered in 7.62x54r, and .308/7.62x51 nato tbh. Regular AKM, AK-74, or ak-100 series of rifles in my opinion should be chambered in 7.62x39, 5.45x39, or 5.56/.223...
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
I think what you describe is basically the PKM
Anybody know if the Zastava RPK in .308 imported by Mitchell Arms was a clone of or based on a Yugoslavian military weapon?
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Yugoslavia didn't field 7.62NATO/.308. Instead they used 8mm Mauser until switching over to 7.62x54R in the 21st century (weird choice I know). The .308 guns were intended for export.
Someone say RPK?
@jamesn8750
Жыл бұрын
Its why im here
Why didn't they just put an AK-74 muzzle brake on it?
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Because the AK74 brake fits 24mm threads and the RPK74 like the RPK before it was threaded 14mm.
I have a Molot Vepr 12. Great shotgun but i hate the tube stock. I want to replace it with a standard rear trunnion. Is there anybody out there who can do this?
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Don't do it. If you really hate it, look for someone to trade you a fixed stock (std trunnion) V12 for your folder. They should be happy to do that deal as the folders are worth considerably more $$$ these days.
@mrsgtshepardxd6193
Жыл бұрын
@@misha5670 Sry, I should have clarified mines a non folding fixed tube. I know they imported them early on with standard rear stocks but I didnt have the option at the time. FYI that plum rpk makes me tingle.
😀😎👍🏼
IDK why the ak74 has a 90 degree gas block and the rpk74 looks like it has a 40 degree gas block like the old akm/rpk47 , maybe they are 90 degrees but they kept making the same castings as the old rpk?
@pguth98
Жыл бұрын
The original AKM gas blocks were machined, then they later went to cast. Early AK-74s used a cast 45 degree gas block, then later switched to the cast 90 degree blocks. All these changes were maid to ease production, but Molot, making relatively few RPKs when compared to the factories that made AKs, didn't need to switch over.
@darktrojan00
Жыл бұрын
@@pguth98 So they stayed with an actual 40 degree gas block or it was just externally the same but drilled at 90 degrees?
@pguth98
Жыл бұрын
@@darktrojan00 Same gas block.
Can you recommend a reasonably priced , by today's prices , to purchase ? I will leave it in stock condition
@capt.trumptracker3641
Жыл бұрын
I meant an AK .
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
@@capt.trumptracker3641 Just the usuals today: Zastava M70, FB Beryl, WBP Fox/Jack, Arsenal SAM7R, or the most classic of 'em all....WASR10. Yeah those are still out there too.
I almost bought one last year, but just couldn't justify the money lol fml
5.45x39 is a very effective, lethal and efficient round. Out of all of the military intermediate rounds it's the one I would pick over anythign else. I hear it's getting a lot of service in Ukraine these days.
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
I hear Russians are needing considerably more of it these days too.
@Punisher9419
Жыл бұрын
@@misha5670 Yea it's weird. Must be that Special Military Opperation or something, must be training pretty hard.
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
@@Punisher9419 In Russia training does you.
It’s pretty interesting that despite all of the media I’ve seen coming out of the war in Ukraine, I’ve seen only one or two RPK-74s used by the Russians. Wonder why that is?
Made another SAM5 video since your footage got corrupted
The things my American ass would do for a true Russian RPK-74. They had 2 Vepr examples at my local GS for $5500 each last year. I should’ve bought one of them :(
@thetest8777
Жыл бұрын
Hope Psa or kusa makes the rpk I think they will
Ahh yes. Only $9,000
Хай 🙋 Миша 🧸 🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🌃🌆
@EdwardSnortin
Жыл бұрын
педик
@user-db3zz4xt6f
Жыл бұрын
@@EdwardSnortin Цирик
Malaysia did not buy any RPK-74s. It has zero stocks of 5.45 anything.
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Sorry, in a nearly 50 minutes video, I am definitely going to get some things wrong and mis-remember others. Please keep in mind yourself that i don't script these and go off of my memory, cheers.
I'm thinking about saving up the $7000 for a Molot RPK-74
@misha5670
Жыл бұрын
Gotta be honest with you, I wouldn't. That's already double what they were going for originally. If you get one, do it because you just want it. Don't buy as an 'investment'.