PKT Coaxial Machine Gun
V.A. Degtyarev Plant · Machine Gun · In Service · 1968
Also known as: PK Tankovy, PKTM, 6P7
Overview
The PKT (ПК Танковый, 'PK Tank') is the coaxial/vehicle variant of the Kalashnikov PK general-purpose machine gun, introduced in 1968 to replace the SGMT Goryunov on Soviet armoured vehicles. Chambered in 7.62x54mmR and fed from non-disintegrating metal-link belts, it removes the stock, pistol grip and sights of the infantry PK and adds a longer, heavier barrel (raising muzzle velocity by about 30 m/s), a gas regulator, and an electric solenoid trigger for remote firing from inside the turret. It is fitted as the coaxial machine gun on a wide range of Soviet/Russian tanks and armoured fighting vehicles.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 10500 g (370.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1098 mm (43.23") |
| Barrel Length | 722 mm (28.43") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Solenoid Fired |
| Magazine Capacity | 250 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 855 m/s (2805 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3508 J (2587 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 2000 m (2187 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3800 m (4156 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 800 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.62x54mmR · primary — also known as 7.62x54R, 7.62 Russian, Three Line Rifle
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Non Disintegrating Metal Link Belt
- Safety mechanisms: Solenoid Interlock
- Features: Coaxial Vehicle Mount, Solenoid Electric Trigger, Heavy Profile Barrel, Adjustable Gas Regulator, Stockless Design
Variants
- PKTM (modernized) — Modernized
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Armed Forces · adopted 1968 · as PKT
- Russian Armed Forces · as PKT / PKTM
Conflicts
- Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989)
- Russo-Ukrainian War (2014-present)
Production
Production years: 1968-present
Produced in large numbers as standard coaxial armament; widely licence-produced and copied abroad
Origin
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Designer: Mikhail Kalashnikov
Notes
Total weight around 10.5 kg; the barrel assembly alone is approximately 3.23 kg. Belt boxes of 100, 200 and 250 rounds are used. The modernized PKTM is the current-production version.
Background
Strip the stock, grip, and iron sights off a standard PK, bolt on a fatter barrel and an electric trigger, and you have the PKT - a machine gun designed never to be touched by hand, fired instead by a button inside the tank as the gunner watches through the main sight.