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TITLE: Operator’s Manual 7.62 x 54R-mm, PK, General-Purpose Machine Gun
This is not an official US Army or Marine Corps publication. Information contained within was developed solely through evaluation, analysis, and information gathered from translated manuals. This manual is designed to provide instructor guidance for presenting instruction, as required on the PK-Series Machine Gun.
Date: 2005
108 pages copied to CD in PDF.PURPOSE - This publication provides an introduction to the 7.62 x 54R mm, PK, General Purpose Machine Gun.
SCOPE - This manual contains instructions for the operation and maintenance of the PK machine gun.
APPLICABILITY - This publication applies to all military personnel who require operator and maintenance information pertaining to the PK machine gun.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section I. General
Section II. Technical Data
Section III. Operation
Section IV. Disassembly
Section V. Assembly
Section VI. Accessories
Section VII. Maintenance
Section VIII. Ammunition
INTRODUCTION
The Soviet/Russian 7.62 x 54R-mm, PK family of General-Purpose Machine Gun is composed of open-bolt-fired, gas-operated, rotary-locked-bolt (Kalashnikov), belt-fed, fully automatic weapons. The ammunition is fed by non-disintegrating metallic belts; current belts are composed of joined 25-round sections, but earlier feed belts were made of one 250-round length. Belt boxes for 100- and 250-round belts are available. Both boxes can be attached to the underside of the PK receiver. The receiver is constructed of riveted stampings. It carries the very simple trigger, which is automatic only, and the belt-feed mechanism.
The term “general purpose” refers to a machine gun that, with minor changes, can be used in a variety of tactical roles. The basic PK or PKM on its bipod fills the light machinegun role. The PKS or PKMS is a PK or PKM mounted on a light tripod fulfills the heavy machine gun role. The PKT is a PK modified for use as an armored vehicle coaxial machinegun. The PKB is a PKT fitted with sights and spade grips for use as a pintle-mount machinegun on combat vehicles.
Accessories include spare parts, a combination tool and an oil-solvent container. The largest accessory is the general-purpose tripod, which can be quickly adapted for anti-aircraft fire. The version issued with the PK machinegun is the Samozhenkov tripod which weighs 7.7 kg. When the PKM was introduced in 1969, it was issued with a newer and lighter tripod, known as the Stepanov tripod. The Stepanov tripod is made almost entirely from steel stampings and weighs only 4.5 kg. Each tripod leg can be folded for transport or adjusted for proper height on uneven terrain. It is possible to secure a magazine box to it in such a manner that the gun can be moved with the ammunition box still in place and with the gun loaded. Sandbags are required to secure the Samozhenkov and Stepanov tripods during firing due to their low weight.
Similar to the AK series of assault rifles, the PK series of machineguns is also widely exported and widely produced by many countries. Most are virtually exact copies; however, some have indigenous modifications. Listed below are many of the producers of PK’s.
• Bulgaria (Arsenal): MG (PK), MG-M1 (PKM) and MG-M1S (PKMS), and MG-T (PKT).
• China (Norinco): Type 80 (PK) and Type 59 (PKT).
• Kazakhstan (Kaspex): PKD (converted PKT). Converted mainly by adding a tubular butt-stock assembly and a bipod. The main PKT features, such as the heavier barrel, were retained. The butt-stock has a shock-absorbing butt-plate.
• North Korea: Type 68 (PK) and Type 73 (PKM). The Type 68 is a PK with the long PKT barrel (w/front sight) an oddly shaped buttstock, and a ladder-type rear sight.
• Poland: PKMP (PKM), PKMSP (PKMS), PKMSNP (PKMS w/GARBO ×4 magnification night sight capable of engaging targets at up to 400 m at night), PKMNP (PKM w/GARBO ×4 magnification night sight capable of engaging targets at up to 400 meters at night), PKT (PKT), and the GROM or “Thunder” (pintle-mounted PKT with a manual trigger intended for naval and static applications). All the models produced have their iron sights illuminated by tritium light sources.
• Romania (RomArm): PKT (PKM) and PKMS (PKMS). There is also a PKA (unknown which version–likely PKT) for aircraft installations.
• Yugoslavia (Zastava): M84 (PKM) and M86 (PKT). The M86 may be found in three different versions. 1) The coaxial gun for the M84 battle tank,which has a fixed heavy barrel and a remote-control solenoid firing mechanism. 2) The externally mounted commander’s gun, the M86A, also has a solenoid firing mechanism and a rapid-change barrel. 3) If required, the M86A can be used dismounted. When dismounted, the firing solenoid is replaced by a manual trigger group and pistol grip, combined with a rudimentary butt.
Development work has been conducted by several countries to produce corresponding versions of the PK machineguns capable of firing 7.62x51-mm NATO ammunition has been completed. This was done primarily to exploit the export market and to meet NATO compatibility of new NATO members. Known caliber conversions are:
• Bulgaria (Arsenal): MG-M1 (PKM) and MG-M1S (PKMS).
• Poland: UKM-2000 series, UKM-2000P (PKM), UKM-2000D (PKMS), and UKM-2000C (PKT).