RPK, RPKS, RPK74, & RPK74M: Complete Story 1961-2018 (Retrospective

Today we revisit and really dig into the history of Russia's Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikova or Kalashnikov Handheld Machinegun. This is our humble attempt to tell the complete RPK story from its creation by Izhevsk, to production at Vjatskiye Poljany (aka Molot), and through its continued evolution into the 21st century.
Featured rifles include:
1. RPK (1961 kit assembled on an NDS receiver by Legion-USA)
2. RPKS (1971 kit assembled on an NDS receiver by Legion-USA)
3. RPK74 (1988 kit assembled on an NDS receiver by Vector Arms)
4. RPK74M (2016 VEPR FM-RPK74 rifle imported by FIME Group)
Also we look at several magazine variations and military cases.
Interested in becoming a Patreon contributor? Check out our Patreon page at:
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Visit www.ozarkbearar... to read more articles.
This video is produced and published to KZbin 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.

[@jg0943]

You know is going to be a great day when you wake up to story time with Misha! Merry Christmas

[@s.d.bobplissken5674]

Only recently got my hands on a PSA RPK. And after hearing Klayco47 mention you a time or two came to see what you were about. Appreciate the show & tell and information on them.

[@BeefSupreme115]

The most charismatic monotone presenter ive heard, good stuff for real

[@JenniferinIllinois]

Misha, kitty, Chicken in a Bizket and some RPKs. :)

[@simonerubino52]

That's fun I've been subscribed for about a year and you're still coming up with videos on unicorn from years ago

[@markbrown4597]

I saw a 41 minute misha video and i got really happy,thank you man keep it up.

[@robertralls8309]

Very interesting, I always learn something new from your videos.Can't think of a better way to spend 40 or so minutes. Merry Christmas to you guys!!!

[@misha5670]

Thank you very much & Merry Christmas to you as well.

[@raudelcontreras2102]

WOW, Thats a GREAT HISTORY Lesson on the RPK ... Greatly Appreciated..

[@Ranger1911]

I Always wanted a rpk

[@Jose-xm3tq]

Ck Legion usa Alex aint there anymore but its a great place to Shop!!!

[@misha5670]

Still not too late you know

[@chrismemphis8062]

Amazing collection.

[@misha5670]

Thanks much for watching

[@dangerousfreedom4965]

The PKM is amazing!

[@sampsin1]

Awesome collection! Congrats

[@misha5670]

Thanks much for watching

[@Statusinator]

Been looking forward to this

[@misha5670]

Recorded it back in August after the VEPR FM-RPK came in. Figured might as well line all the Russian RPKs up and do a definitive video while it was possible. We'll probably do a variants compilation later with the M72B1 and milled Bulgarian 'LMG' and others eventually.

[@dnbuk3111]

Thanks 🙏🏻 Good video

[@eobardthawne3333]

In airsoft it has the lmg regulation with DMR handling characteristics

[@colddeadhand7414]

The flash hider on the newest RPK 74 looks a lot like the flash hider on the Romanian PM-90. Awesome break down! This is why I love this channel, lots of information and an opportunity to look at some gun porn.

[@bombero3368]

Very informative! Always like the history of how things came to be. Just wondering...why was the Mitchell Arms Zastava Yugo labeled as "RPK-47"? Particularly when it wasn't a RPK. Thanks

[@misha5670]

Because what's in a name? Not everyone attaches as much importance to details like that as we do. The M72 was an LMG to be sure, but it was basically just an M70B1 with a longer and heavier barrel. That plus a bipod and windage adjustable sight; both of which Zastava did copy from the Russian RPK yes but the barrel profile was totally different.

[@sunnycat69]

I wonder why they decided not to chop the barrel on the paratrooper RP.kS

[@XER239]

What accuracy issues do you believe is impacted by the barrel mounted bipod and opinion on barrel deforming from heat and weight while using bipod?

[@Donny.C.wlWilliams]

Rpk side folder 📂 awesome

[@francisp.4992]

I noticed that legion USA is out of both their akm and rpk rifles. Do you have any idea how legion USA was able to get these in the country as kits. I remember you briefly saying in a video that the molot sanctions blocked kits from coming in. Is their any other way you can think of to bring kits into the country. How is rguns able to get russian akm and ak74s into the country and are they blocked by sanctions too.

[@mattmorrison9379]

I'm curious about this as well in regards to the kits and importation

[@bosssuperace5230]

Good info! Look forward to more videos! Did the polish. Make the rpk or did they buy a batch, and put their name on it?

[@misha5670]

Poland never even adopted the RPK. It stuck with the RPD for much longer than Russia instead.

[@rforbus01]

Thank you for a detailed presentation . Regarding the RPK74M; do you have a time estimate of when barrel components were fixed by "dimpling" versus the original dowel pins that were used?

[@oncrx]

If you ever feel the urge to sell the FM RPK74, hit me up, it's my grail gun. I believe I have seen 2 go on gunbroker both in the $5k range. You are lucky man, glad you have one!! Hope others appear in KVARs warehouse...

[@1789000]

i have a bulgarian all matching virgin parts build - on a nodak spud standard 74 receiver if you're interested- its only had 60 rounds through it for function test (non corrosive)after build was complete- got the rpk 74 barrel assembly through kvar years ago - it doesnt have the bipod - so it basically looks like a 20 inch barrelled 74...

[@misha5670]

Sorry, I can't sell it. Kind of part of the terms I have with FIME when I got it originally...and also because I wouldn't want to in the first place hehe.

[@oncrx]

@@1789000 Sounds cool but have my heart set on the FM RPKs (Russian Molot, true modern RPK) - was waiting on them for a year when they were rumored but did not get here until after the sanctions. Such a travesty for many of us.

[@oncrx]

@@misha5670 I cannot blame you, I would not either. Its cool you have it so you can share it with more people. I would just fondle it quietly at night....

[@1789000]

yeah, i'm starting to seriously doubt we'll ever see russian guns come back...

[@dixy2k]

Good info.

[@girthbrooks39]

Rpk (I think?) chambered for7.62x39 w/ wire folding stock for para soldiers, from which nation did that iteration originate? Quite a long time ago I had the good fortune of being able to fire the aforementioned LMG which was purported to be an RPK varient intended for use by paratroopers. At that time I was a very young man with relatively little interest in the details and intricacies when compared to the excitement and enthusiasm I had for the use of a fully automatic machine gun. RPK or an aesthetically similar LMG, and from which country did the wire folder in 7.62x39 come from? Wether RPK or a cosmetically similar weapon it was an absolute joy to operate and I reluctantly set it down and returned to my own weapon only when I could no longer feed the machine.

[@danielchavis8017]

Hey Misha...what is an unfired “Russian Molot Vepr Fime AK74 AK-74 FM-AK74-21 RPK74 5.45x39 Tula Izhe so” with the black synthetic furniture worth?

[@Jose-xm3tq]

I remember buying one of Legions rpk builds and about a week later they came out with the folders... I never picked up the phone so quick just to yell at somebody. Alex sure did get an Earfull..... Dam I want that Wooden Folder

[@misha5670]

To be fair, the only built a total of 8 or so of the RPKS folders, and it took them a better part of a year to complete those. It was a pretty difficult process. BTW: of those, i got 3of them, so if you needed one, should have called me lol. I miss Alex over there.

[@Jose-xm3tq]

@@misha5670 Well, if you ever sell it.. I may put a Bid or two. Great Information in your video as always. Thank you

[@misha5670]

Never say never, actually I wasn't planning on keeping one in the first place but when they came in, just so cool and well built. I couldn't help but hang onto one. I told myself I could always sell it down the road. I don't think that RPKS has ever been fired? I know the RPK has though and Jay and I might have had the RPKS out once too? Seems like I remember that vaguely. Oh well, don't think it matters a whole lot, cheers.

[@TY-pf6vb]

Yeahh more Aks!!

[@SeiyaK0u]

Can a rpk bipod be installed to polish akgn and if not are there any other options?

[@stefanox6678]

The RPK it's only fully automatic or even single shot?

[@stanleyhowe4320]

Chicken & biskets are so good haha my girlfriend showed me them a few weeks ago haha

[@iluvmym4]

That 5.45 plum furniture interchangeable with the 7.62x39?

[@SlytigerSurvival]

Bad ass video. The RPK was one of the best LMg’s ever made

[@misha5670]

Thanks much for watching, cheers.

[@oncrx]

Agreed

[@bosssuperace5230]

I’ve seen a polish 64 on you tube, is that a correct identification?

[@19stump65]

@fowlerprecisionarms hope you like it bud. Maybe you already know of Misha

[@mikeeeeee555]

What about yugo m64?

[@philhutchings5774]

Do you own all of these firearms Misha? what sort of career do you have in public life which allows you to own all of these great firearms? I would love an RPK but sadly I live in Canada.

[@sunnycat69]

Own a gun shop :)

[@Galona223]

The first RPK looks like it would be a real pussy cat to shoot! lol

[@rodom303]

What RPK would you recommend for a beginner in terms of country of origin?

[@BigBrainNicky]

I got an RPK at a gunshow built from Romanian and Polish parts. Make sure you get an RPK receiver.

[@Pk-io6xe]

Romanian or yugo are going to be the only ones readily available and somewhat affordable

[@toki89666]

An RPK 201 in 5.56 would be very cool. Why the hell haven't I bought a 5.56 AK yet? I really want one dammit.

[@Leman.Russ.6thLegion]

WBP WOLF RPK SHOULD COME TO MY HOUSE AND LIVE WITH ME. SOON......

[@amaruametl3486]

👍🏽👍🏽

[@cirilososa1957]

Puede tener otro diseño pero el cal. Es el mismo del ak47 ruso

[@Punisher9419]

Now you just need an RPK-16.

[@mattmorrison9379]

Was thinking the same thing ..the vepr fm is close to a rpk 16 imo

[@kaleb9572]

The rpk is just a mounted ak-47 but better

[@BryanTyrone-l5c]

Martin Jose Young Daniel Williams Steven

[@Iranjahan-g7f]

☑️