Overview

The PK (from Russian "Пулемёт Калашникова", Kalashnikov machine gun) is a belt-fed, gas-operated general-purpose machine gun developed in the Soviet Union in the 1960s by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It was created to replace older World War II–era designs and to provide a versatile support weapon for squad, platoon and vehicle roles. For general background and specifications see further reading.

Design and characteristics

The PK family is chambered for the rimmed 7.62×54mmR cartridge and uses a gas-operated long-stroke piston with a rotating bolt — principles that resemble Kalashnikov rifle mechanisms but are adapted for sustained fire. Key characteristics include:

  • Belt feed using non-disintegrating metal belts or linked belts designed for the cartridge.
  • Rate of fire and cooling arrangements suitable for sustained fire, with quick-change or purpose-designed barrels on some variants.
  • Compatibility with tripods or vehicle mounts, and with infantry mounting using a bipod for mobile use.

Technical details and manufacturing changes over time can be explored in specialist sources: technical overview.

Variants and development

The original PK was followed by several important variants. The lighter, more widely produced PKM (modernized PK) was introduced as an improved production model in the late 1960s and emphasized reduced weight and simplified manufacture. Specialized forms include the coaxial PKT for armored vehicles and the later PKP Pecheneg, which incorporates a heavy, fixed-profile barrel for improved accuracy in prolonged bursts. A short list of common variants:

  • PK — original infantry version.
  • PKM — lighter, simplified production model adopted widely after the 1960s.
  • PKT — vehicle/coaxial variant without stock or sights.
  • PKP Pecheneg — fixed-barrel, heavier-barrel variant optimized for sustained fire.

More on variant histories and comparisons: variant comparison.

Service history and use

The PK family became the standard Soviet and later Russian general-purpose machine gun and has seen service in many countries and conflicts since its introduction. It replaced earlier designs such as the Degtyaryov and the SG-43 in most roles and has been manufactured in very large numbers — including hundreds of thousands and, by some counts, over a million examples — partly because of its widespread export, licensed production, and prolonged service life.

Its robustness, relative simplicity, and common ammunition made the PK a mainstay of infantry and vehicle armament across many armies and irregular forces. For notes on operational employment and global distribution see service notes.

Notable distinctions

Although occasionally described informally as an "upside-down AKM," the PK is a purpose-built machine gun rather than an infantry rifle converted to full-power sustained fire. It shares broad design philosophies — such as the long-stroke gas piston and rotating bolt — with Kalashnikov rifles, but its receiver layout, belt-feed system, barrel and cooling arrangements, and intended tactical roles distinguish it clearly from the AK family.