Arsenal LMG

     Notes: This weapon is basically the Bulgarian version of the RPK/RPK-74.  It is virtually identical to RPK-74, except for some minor differences in construction, dimensions, and weight.  The 5.45mm version of the LMG is fed by standard RPK-74 magazines, or by a Bulgarian-made 45-round curved box magazine.  The 5.56mm version is fed by the same magazines as the AR assault rifle series (which is a problem, since they are really too small for what is supposed to be a sustained-fire support weapon).  The 7.62mm version uses the same magazines as the RPK.  The LMG-F has a folding stock, but is otherwise identical to the LMG.  An option is a mount for optics, but this is not a standard feature.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The 5.45mm version of the LMG is extremely rare, while the 5.56mm version does not exist.

     Merc 2000 Notes: The 5.45mm version is under limited production for use in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.  The 5.56mm version is not nearly as common, but is seeing some very limited production for export.

Arsenal SA RPL-3R

     Notes:  This is a civilized RPK-74, modified from the RPK to be very difficult to convert to automatic fire.  It is built on an RPK-74 receiver, of stamped steel and a heavy 23.35-inch RPK-74 barrel with a removable birdcage-type flash suppressor and threading.  Furniture may consist of a beech stock, fore-end, and pistol grip, or polymer handguards, stock, and pistol grip.  This gives the polymer SA RPL-3R much less weight; it is on par with many assault rifles.  The SA RPL-3R comes with a side rail for optics.at the end of the barrel, just before the gas block, is a folding bipod. The SA RPL-3R comes from the manufacturer with one 45-round magazine, though the weapon can use any sort of RPK-74/AK-74-compatible magazines.

     It should be noted that while most publications and articles call this weapon the “SA RPL-3R,” Arsenal’s website has it listed as the “SA RPK-3R.”  Arsenal says this weapon is out of production, but it still appears in 2017 catalogs and weapons magazines.