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MG 42 vs RPK
Side-by-side technical comparison
MG 42
Other WeaponsDiscontinued
RPK
Submachine GunsIn production
Overview
Spec
MG 42
RPK
Production
1942–1945
1961–Present
Units produced
400,000+
~10,000,000+ units (including all variants and licensed copies)
Specifications
Spec
MG 42
RPK
Overall length
48.0 in (1,220 mm)
940 mm (37.0 in) with stock extended; 860 mm (33.9 in) with stock folded (RPK-74M)
Barrel length
21.0 in (533 mm)
415 mm (16.3 in) standard; 460 mm (18.1 in) RPK-74 variant
Weight
25.6 lb (11.6 kg)
4.8 kg (10.6 lb) empty (RPK); 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) empty (RPK-74)
Magazine capacity
Belt-fed (50 or 250 rounds)
30‑round AK‑type box magazine standard; 40‑round box (RPK‑74); 75‑round drum (optional); 100‑round drum (rare)
Action type
Recoil-operated, roller-locked
Long‑stroke gas piston, rotating bolt, closed‑bolt operation; reinforced bolt carrier group for sustained fire
Trigger type
Full-auto only
Single‑stage military trigger with selector for safe, semi‑automatic, and fully automatic fire
Sights
Adjustable rear, blade front
Adjustable rear leaf sight (100‑1000 m); hooded front post; optional night sight dovetail