This RPK is built on a new US made Recreator Blanks receiver using an original 1976 Molot RPK parts kit, and is chambered in 7.62x39mm. The kit is a virgin, unissued kit and all of its numbers match, including the furniture; (the stock is unmarked. The folding bipod is present. The receiver carries reproduction Russian style markings applied by the receiver maker rather than original Soviet markings. The barrel is a new US made hammer forged, chrome lined barrel, and a US made Tapco G3 trigger group is installed. The original fire control group from the kit is included with the rifle. The rifle has had five rounds fired through it for test firing only, and it comes with an original Molot 40 round RPK magazine.
Because the receiver is new US manufacture and the barrel is a new US made replacement, this is a US built rifle assembled from an original Soviet parts kit rather than an original Russian RPK. The Russian style markings on the receiver are reproductions of the originals applied to a US made receiver, and the matching numbers refer to the parts of the original kit rather than to the receiver.
The RPK was produced at the Vyatskiye Polyany Machine-Building(molot)Plant from 1961 to 1978, so a 1976 dated kit falls within that production span. It is chambered for the 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge and is the squad automatic development of the AK, distinguished by a receiver stamped from 1.5mm sheet steel against the 1mm sheet used on the AKM, and by a thicker, longer, chrome lined barrel that allows the weapon to be fired for longer without permanent loss of accuracy from barrel heating. The type uses a thick laminated wood foregrip and a fixed laminated club foot buttstock, with a folding bipod mounted near the muzzle. RPKs feed from 30 and 40 round box magazines and from a 75 round drum.
Specifications
Model: RPK, built on new US receiver
Country of origin: Receiver and barrel United States, parts kit Soviet Union
Action: Semi-automatic, gas operated
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Kit: Original 1976 Molot RPK parts kit, virgin and unissued
Receiver: Recreator Blanks, new US manufacture, with reproduction Russian style markings
Barrel: New US manufacture, hammer forged, chrome lined
Trigger: US made Tapco G3 installed
Bipod: Present, folding
Matching: All kit numbers matching, including furniture
Stock: Unmarked
Round count: Five rounds, test fire only
Included: Original Molot 40 round RPK magazine, original fire control group from the kit
