Operation: Automatic fire, only
Length: 50 in. (1270 mm)
Weight unloaded: 28 lb 12 oz (13 kg)
Barrel: 23.8 in. 4 grooves, right hand twist
Magazine: 50 round Belt, or 47 round detachable
pan
Cyclic Rate: 650 rpm
Muzzle velocity: 2755 fps, 2495 ft-lb
Ammunition: 148 gr bullet, 48 gr charge, Russian
Light Ball M'08
Effective Range: Probably about 1000 meters
The RP-46 was designed as a
light, mobile machine gun, capable of high
firepower, to be used on the company level. The
RP-46 is similar to the DPM
in many respects, differing mostly in having a
heavier barrel, a distinctive carrying handle,
and a belt feed module. To minimise changes and
to permit use of old DP/DPM flat pan magazines,
the belt feed was designed as an add-on module.
The feed was operated through the large bracket
on the right side, which was connected to the
charging handle. Since the charging handle was
rigidly mounted on the bolt carrier, it
reciprocated during the fire, and carried the
belt feed bracket along with it.
The RP-46 used a
non-disintegrating metallic belt, designed for
Gorjunov SG-43/SGM medium machine gun. Belts were
available in the 200 or 250 rounds variety and
were carried in metallic boxes. Since there was
no way to link the belt box to the RP-46, it was
usually necessary to unload the RP-46 prior to
moving it, obviously a serious tactical
disadvantage.