View Full Version : Shooting the PKM GPMG
MilitaryArms
05-24-11, 00:31
I had a chance to shoot a post sample PKM this weekend and thought I would share the video with the crew here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_F-q7MNYBE
Questions and comments are always welcome.
Another great video with professional information and quality video. Thanks.
Yet another example of why we need the 86 ban repealed.
MilitaryArms
05-24-11, 09:51
I agree, the 1986 ban makes no sense. If for no other reason, the tax revenue our government desperately needs. It would also put people to work. They had no reason to ban MG's in '86... they weren't used in crimes and MG owners were the most law abiding gun owners in the country.
Unfortunately the media has conditioned the masses to believe MG's are evil and need to be banned.
Great video and fun to watch. Did he say that a police department was looking at that particular MG and was the department wanting to purchase an MG? I have never heard of of a police department having crew serve weapons.
I got some trigger time on LAV's posty PKM, a pristine Hungarian kit on a Vltor receiver.
Definitely one of the world's premier belt fed LMG's.
As far as LEA's having belt feds, actually, many do.
MilitaryArms
05-24-11, 10:23
Great video and fun to watch. Did he say that a police department was looking at that particular MG and was the department wanting to purchase an MG? I have never heard of of a police department having crew serve weapons.
Since the PKM is a post sample, David needed to gain sign-off from his local PD for a demonstration. The demo can be for anything really such as to satisfy the PD's curiosity about GPMG's in general, for training or familiarization, etc. But as mentioned, some do actually have GPMG's.
Interesting, I remember a few years ago the DSA web-site had PKMs advertised for law enforcement agencies. They weren't available for long I just didn't imagine that to many departments would spring for them. Always good to be prepared though.
As far as LEA's having belt feds, actually, many do.
I think Sheriff Joe, out here, has a Ma Deuce.
I think Sheriff Joe, out here, has a Ma Deuce.
He does.
I know that at least one of the local county PD's in my area bought some HK 21E's a while back.
Nice job on the video. You do an excellent job and have a good presence unlike many of us doing videos. You need to come down some time to Texas and do video with my Swedish BAR and Stoner 63A system, been planning on doing one for a while just have not gotten around to it.
I like the PKM as well except for, as you found out, the ejection is very violent and injuries the shooter if they are not careful.
One item you might think about next time you do a video if an open bolt LMG, the charging handle should be push back forward before firing the gun. Otherwise energy is removed from the system and can lead to malfunctions. Of course the PKM has a recoil spring that will drive a nail. Also it induces more wear on the charging handle slot and the tab on the bolt carrier that interfaces with the charging handle.
I got some trigger time on LAV's posty PKM, a pristine Hungarian kit on a Vltor receiver.
Definitely one of the world's premier belt fed LMG's.
As far as LEA's having belt feds, actually, many do.
Templar, tell LAV he needs to get a real full auto BAR. Them dumming in the full auto fire from a closed bolt semi looked awful on his show :).
I have to admit that the PKM is a decent MG, but I didn't enjoy working on them. I didn't find them as easy to replace parts when something got jacked.
Especially the charging handle. A few of our knuckleheads tried to jump start them when they hand some FTE's and broke a few.
But, they will take a beating and are considerably lighter than the M240
mcmillanman5
05-25-11, 01:03
Nice video!
A couple of questions... Any idea what gas setting the weapon was on? The rof seemed fast to me. Also does it matter if links are fed open side up/down?
PKM's have 3 settings. It will fire regardless of whether the brass is down or up. Another downside I find is linking the ammo and the hanging belt that you have while shooting or moving.
Here is one I modified a few years back to accept a thermal scope.
8534
Nice video!
A couple of questions... Any idea what gas setting the weapon was on? The rof seemed fast to me. Also does it matter if links are fed open side up/down?
A few things I would have done differently.
1. I would have showed how to remove the barrel, firing pin, bolt, etc...
2. I would have demonstrated that the belt can be fed either brass up or down.
3. I would have explained the various gas settings and what they are used for as well as the "ideal" setting.
4. I would have talked about how the cleaning rods are stowed within the legs of the bipod.
I had a chance to shoot a post sample PKM this weekend and thought I would share the video with the crew here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_F-q7MNYBE
Questions and comments are always welcome.
Nice job on the video. You do an excellent job and have a good presence unlike many of us doing videos. You need to come down some time to Texas and do video with my Swedish BAR and Stoner 63A system, been planning on doing one for a while just have not gotten around to it.
I would love to see a video like this on the Stoner 63A.
MilitaryArms
05-25-11, 12:39
I would love to see a video like this on the Stoner 63A.
I'm trying to locate one, and I'm heading to a large/private MG shoot this weekend... but unfortunately the one MG that likely won't be there is the 63A.
Heck, 'smithing ain't that tough on the PKM. All you need is some brazing rod and some black paint...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/120mm/Herat21Nov09076.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/120mm/Herat21Nov09077.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/120mm/Herat21Nov09078.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/120mm/Herat21Nov09079.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/TimPKM2-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000453C.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000454B.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000457B.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000465B.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000460B.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000489B.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000469B.jpg
I believe it was a PKM I saw one Saturday out at Rio Salado. It didn't want to run with the belt box, but when they later just used the belt it ran like a top. With the box he would get one or two rounds out and then something happened. Not absolutely sure it was a failure to feed or what, but he raised the cover and moved the belt around, and again same thing after one or two rounds.
Heavy Metal
05-25-11, 20:41
Heck, 'smithing ain't that tough on the PKM. All you need is some brazing rod and some black paint...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/120mm/Herat21Nov09076.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/120mm/Herat21Nov09077.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/120mm/Herat21Nov09078.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/120mm/Herat21Nov09079.jpg
Somewhere, a bicycle is missing......
Heavy Metal
05-25-11, 20:42
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/TimPKM2-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000453C.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000454B.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000457B.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000465B.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000460B.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000489B.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Vickers%20Advanced%20Carbine%20and%20Pistol%2011-13%20July%2008/PKM/P1000469B.jpg
I remember that day. Loading those belts by hand killed my pair of Hatch Operator gloves.
kaltesherz
05-26-11, 18:41
One item you might think about next time you do a video if an open bolt LMG, the charging handle should be push back forward before firing the gun. Otherwise energy is removed from the system and can lead to malfunctions. Of course the PKM has a recoil spring that will drive a nail. Also it induces more wear on the charging handle slot and the tab on the bolt carrier that interfaces with the charging handle.
Glad I'm not the only one that caught that, it made me cringe. Too much time on 240/249 I guess...
Awesome clip, you really do seem comfortable in front of the camera and make great videos. I don't know how many painful youtube vids I've sat through just to learn something new. Who would have thought you could make a video that was both pleasant to watch and informative?
Keep it up!
MilitaryArms
05-26-11, 19:12
Glad I'm not the only one that caught that, it made me cringe. Too much time on 240/249 I guess...
Awesome clip, you really do seem comfortable in front of the camera and make great videos. I don't know how many painful youtube vids I've sat through just to learn something new. Who would have thought you could make a video that was both pleasant to watch and informative?
Keep it up!
I asked David if the charging handle was reciprocating and he said "yes" (like the old first gen RPD's). So I didn't even think about pushing it forward until after we shot most of the scenes. By the time I realized it was non-reciprocating it started to rain and we had to get out of there.
But now I know. :) I also didn't know that the PKM could feed with the belt facing either direction. I asked David why it had starter tabs on both ends and he said he didn't know. I later figured out the thing would run both ways, freaking incredible.
When I shoot the PKM I tend to get a good cheek weld and then my left hand comes back and grasps the buttstock. I find it much more controllable and less chance of getting nailed by the casings.
The sheet metal stamping tripod is very neat, it is origami in metal at its best. Very light too.
All bipod supported LMGs I support the rear of the butt stock when shooting prone or off a bench. The PKM is near impossible to Rambo it w/o getting a few bleeding half moon cuts in your arm.
The Stoner has a bit of the same issue in that it ejects left. If you are not careful it will drop a hot 5.56 brass right on your forearm and leave you with a nice casing shaped burn.
Here is my nephew shooting the Stoner, he does a good job except he managed to slip off his safety glass while I was not looking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1HFBKcCWuk
Here is some thermal fun to show how fast they heat up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSoUKqgi8ok
I had a chance to shoot a post sample PKM this weekend and thought I would share the video with the crew here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_F-q7MNYBE
Questions and comments are always welcome.
Good video. If you do another video of the PKM, would it be possible to show people how to adjust the headspace on the PKM?
kaltesherz
12-31-12, 00:51
Good video. If you do another video of the PKM, would it be possible to show people how to adjust the headspace on the PKM?
1.5 year old thread dude, but I thought PKM's had fixed headspacing. Hell, pretty much every crew serve does outside of the Ma Duce.
You can adjust the headspace but it is tricky and you need to know how.
1.5 year old thread dude, but I thought PKM's had fixed headspacing. Hell, pretty much every crew serve does outside of the Ma Duce.
kaltesherz
12-31-12, 02:11
You can adjust the headspace but it is tricky and you need to know how.
Oh snap! I stand corrected!
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