Military Model Scene

Title: Russian Machine Guns Since 1945
Author: Leroy Thompson
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-6759-9

Number 89 in the Weapon series from Osprey. An 80-page soft-cover book.
For anyone interested in the history of weapons, this is a great topic. After WW2 the Russians developed a variety of machine guns in this we get their individual stories. The book is split across an introduction and then split across 3 main sections, leading to a final conclusion which sums up the story to date. Those 3 main sections cover Development; Use; and Impact. There are sub-sections within each part.
To give an idea of the weapons covered, there are the RPD, the PKM, the RPK, the DShK and the even larger 14.5mm KPV as well as some other less well known guns. The ammunition is a key feature for them all, and there are plenty of examples of license built copies by plenty of other nations, particularly China and the former members of the Warsaw Pact. Millions of these weapons have been built, and used in all parts of the world. These include Algeria, Vietnam, Afghanistan, the Iran-Iraq war, the Chechen wars and more. Well illustrated throughout, with archive photos and some excellent cut-away artwork.
The author has used many of these guns so is well placed to comment on them. Indeed, many US soldiers have become familiar with them as they have trained other soldiers in many parts of the world. These guns are described by some users as 'sturdy' or 'durable', what I would describe as rugged perhaps. I can't claim to have fired any, but I do own some deactivated examples myself and feel those descriptions are accurate. Another helpful reference on the subject.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin