BREAKING: Pecheneg PKP BULLPUP Machine Gun
This post was written, and photos provided, by our good friend Lionel.
The PECHENEG (PKP) is 7.62x54mm general purpose machine gun (GPMG) that entered service in 2001. It is a favorite weapon of the Russian armed forces and the Russian Ministry of Interior. These users recently requested a more compact version for use in urban combat or when traveling in tight spaces (armored vehicles, helicopters, etc.). Russian weapon designers have come up with a solution to this problem by turning it into a bullpup! This configuration change has reduced the weapon length by 280mm (11″) as well as reducing weight.
There are two versions of this bullpup, but only one was able to be photographed. The stock has been replaced with a butt plate and the trigger/grip moved forward. To accommodate the trigger being moved forward, the ammunition box now has to sit at a 135° angle.
The charging handle has been modified for easier access and the carrying handle has been replaced with a Picatinny rail mount. The lower heat/handguard is now skeletonized to save weight, through which runs the gas tube. Underneath the gas tube is a 6 o’clock picatinny rail for mounting accessories such as a grip or laser sight.
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When you do a barrel change, your optic and bipod go with it. No bueno.
So they basically lightened and shortened a full-size SAW into something sized like an assault rifle. Since they usually do not change anything in terms of firing mechanism and the round stayed the same, lighter weight translates into stronger recoil. Would require a well-trained shooter to control the weapon. Being designed originally to be fired from bipod and while in a field doesn't really translate well into a hand-held weapon.