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Is an RPK worthless?

mydadsson1
The 7.62x39 is a two hundred yarder max with a 20 - 23" barrel ? Why not have a Dragunov. I still would'nt turn down a free one[;)]
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4 comments

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  • mark christian
    Not worthless in my opinion.
    [img][/img]AK-47s9.jpg
    [img][/img]100_0340.jpg
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  • 1KYDSTR
    Ditto that. An RPK in it's original form or as a well built semi auto, code compliant rifle is indeed a workhorse. A Dragunov, while not a long range sniper rifle, is in full rifle caliber and a semi-auto only, so comparisons along those lines are pretty spurious. The RPK in it's original form was /is a fine SAW and has been made by about 12 countries...that says definitively it is anything BUT useless!
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  • beantownshootah
    The question isn't "why not have a Dragunov". Sure, if *you* want one, you can just go ahead and buy one (or a PSL as a substitute). But presumably, if you're a Russian soldier you don't get to choose what gun you're issued!

    I think the better question is "what's the difference between a Dragunov and an RPK, and why would someone want to pick one over the other".

    Quick answer is that despite the somewhat similar appearance, the RPK and Dragunov are two different guns intended for different purposes.

    Dragunov was purpose-designed as a sniper or designated marksman rifle, and therefore its supposed to be scoped and reach out to 300+ yards. Along those lines it has significantly more power and more accuracy than the 7.62x39 guns, with a trade-off of lower capacity and rate of fire.

    Contrary to how it appears, RPK was not really intended to be an "AK sniper". Yes, the longer heavier barrel does somewhat increase the effective range over an ordinary AK, but the purpose of the RPK is to be a suppressive weapon with a high rate of fire for close use. In other words, its a light machine gun.

    That's why it has a bipod, and takes 40 and 75 round drum mags standard. It supposed to be fired prone.

    Bottom line, if you want to hit a small number of targets far away (and especially if you want to hit them hard), you want a Dragunov.

    But if your position is being overrun by infantry, then you'd want the RPK! RPK also has the side advantage of being able to share mags and ammo with the Kalashniknovs of your fellow Russian infantry soldiers.

    Simple, no? [;)]
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  • mydadsson1
    Question asked- answers thankfully received. The Yugo afore-pictured, speaks volumes and looks great.
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