History

PKP "Pecheneg" (Russian: Печенег) is a Russian machine gun chambered for the 7.62 x 54 mm round. It is a modernised PK machine gun. The Pecheneg is said to be more accurate than all its predecessors due to a heavier, non-removable forced air cooling barrel with radial cooling ribs and a handle which eliminates the haze effect from hot gases and keeps the barrel cooler, making the weapon more reliable.Furthermore, the weapon is capable of mounting a telescopic sight or other sights which additionally increase accuracy. The military designation of the Pecheneg is 6P41 or 6P41N when fitted with a night vision sight. The Pecheneg is currently in use by Russian Army Spetsnaz and other troops in small numbers.
 
The Pecheneg is named for the Pecheneg people, a warlike tribe of Turkic origin who lived in what later became steppes of Southern Russia and Ukraine. The Pecheneg is a standard 7.62x54R PKM machine gun without the rapid barrel-change option, and intended for use from an integral bipod as a squad support weapon. It can provide more sustained firepower than the standard-issue RPK-74, and the 7.62x54R cartridge offers a longer effective range and better penetration of light structures and improvised covers in urban and forest environments.

The Pecheneg LMG can be considered as a modification of the PKM machine gun, but it is built for only one tactical role; that is, as a true squad-level light machine gun for mobile infantry and Spetsnaz troops. Its key difference from the parent design is the barrel, which is not intended to be replaced in the field (although it can be removed for inspection and maintenance). The barrel is somewhat heavier than that of the PKM, and has radial cooling ribs. This is enclosed in a steel jacket, which runs up to the muzzle to provide forced air cooling a-la Lewis machine gun of the World War I era. Cooling air enters the jacket through oval windows at the rear of the jacket, and exits at the muzzle. Early versions of the Pecheneg had standard PKM-type flash hider, which resulted in a significant muzzle blast once the gun is warmed up; current production guns have a special flash hider that eliminates this issue. At the rear of the jacket there is a carrying handle permanently attached to it. This handle has a characteristic elongated profile, as it is also intended to protect the line of sight from mirages generated by the hot barrel. The manufacturer says that the Pecheneg can fire 600 rounds in continuous sustained fire without any danger to the barrel.
 
Another change from the parent design is the location of the integral, non-removable folding bipod which is placed near the muzzle. This feature is said[by whom?] to improve stability and long-range accuracy when firing from the bipod; but it also limits the arc of fire available without moving the position of bipod or shooter. Another consequence of such placement is that the Pecheneg is less comfortable to fire from the shoulder or the hip, as it does not have a handguard and the bipod is located too far forward to be used to hold the gun. However, the Pecheneg has sling swivels and can be fired from the hip using a sling and carrying handle to hold the gun. In all other respects (action, feed, sights, stock) the Pecheneg is similar to modern PKM machine guns. It also retains the standard PKM mounting interface and therefore can be used from the same tripod, but it is always issued as a light machine gun (without tripod mount).

Singleplayer/Spec-Ops

The PKP Pecheneg is found wielded by Russian soldiers and Africa Militia members. It is Price's starting weapon, along with an RDS on Dust to Dust.

Multiplayer

It is unlocked at level 18 in Multiplayer. The weapon has high recoil and damage, typical for an LMG. Its iron sights are rather small, making the optical attachments favorable. Still, it is manageable to fire fully automatically at close range targets, but burst firing is essential for long ranges.

Attachments

Attachments	Challenges	Icon
Reflex Sight	Get 60 kills while looking through a Red Dot Sight attached to a LMG.
Silencer	Get 15 kills with a Silencer attached to a LMG.
Grip	Get 60 kills with a Grip attached to a LMG.
ACOG Scope	Get 20 kills while looking through a ACOG Scope attached to a LMG.
Rapid Fire	Get 40 kills with Rapid Fire attached to a LMG.
Holographic Sight	Get 40 kills while looking through a Holographic Sightattached to a LMG.
Extended Mags	Get 40 kills with Extended Mags attached to a LMG.
Thermal	Get 40 kills while looking through a Thermal attached to a LMG.

Proficiencies

Proficiency	Description	Icon
Kick	Kick Reduces recoil by 20%, allowing for steadier full-auto and faster recovery from shots.
Impact	Impact grants maximized penetration for any weapon. This is especially powerful on Assault Rifles and SMGs, as LMGs already have strong penetration, and Sniper Rifles are difficult to use for intentional walling shots.
Attachment	Allows the use of 2 Attachments. It is a solid all-around Proficiency, useful in many situations. This Proficiency is also notably useful for stealth builds, as it allows you to use a Silencer alongside any other Attachment. The Attachment Proficiency is also helpful if you are still getting comfortable with iron sights, as it allows you to take and optical Attachment and a second utility Attachment.
Focus	Reduces visual recoil by 50% when you are hit. Focus is very effective for SMGs and Shotguns. It is also helpful for ARs, as it can keep your shots on target when you enter a heads-up one-on-one firefight.
Speed	Improves movement speed by 10%, or one step up on the mobility scale. Speed is an important upgrade for LMGs and Riots Shields. It is less critical for Sniper Rifles, excepting the Barret and AS50, which are heavier and slower than other Sniper Rifles.
Stability	Reduces idle sway by 25%. Consider this to be an 'automatic' Breath for long-range combat. It is most useful on LMGs, as they need the enhanced accuracy for long-range shots, though ARs also benefit from it.

Challenges