Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
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300px-Kord machine gun Interpolitex-2011 01

Kord machine gun displayed at the Interpolitex-2011.

The Kord-12.7mm heavy machine gun is a Russian design that entered service in 1998, replacing the older NSV machine gun. Externally the weapon resembles the NSV, however the internal mechanism has been extensively reworked, changing from a horizontally pivoting breech block to a rotating bolt design. Additionally the gas system has been changed adn the muzzle baffle redesigned. These changes give the weapon reduced recoil compared to the NSV, allowing greater accuracy during sustained fire.

Development[]

The catalyst for the development of the weapon was a complete lack of any heavy machine guns in construction at that time in the Russian Federation. Prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the weapon that had functioned as the heavy machine gun was the NSV, or "Utes" or "Utjos" (meaning cliff in Russian) machine gun. The main production center for the NSV was located in what is now Kazakhstan.

The Russian Degtyaryov bureau was given the job of producing an updated version of the weapon chambered in the 12.7x108mm cartridge, which could be used for support, mounted on vehicles or in an anti-aircraft capability.

The weapon employs new construction, and consequently is significantly lighter than its predecessor. The firing mechanism is very rugged, yet is capable of a greater rate of fire and significantly less recoil. Because a new barrel made of a high-tech alloy minimizes distortion and drop, accuracy has increased tremendously over previous Soviet machine guns. Unlike its predecessor and the vast majority of other heavy machine guns, it may be fired from a bipod-a rather unique feature for 12.7/.50 caliber heavy machine guns. Its relatively light weight and lesser recoil allow stronger soldiers to move the gun around without assistance and even fire it from the hip for demonstration purposes (although without reasonable possibilities for aimed fire).

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