Kord machine gun
The Kord-12.7 mm 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 and the muzzle baffle redesigned.
Kord machine gun

Vitaly V. Kuzmin · Vitalykuzmin.net · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Field
- heavy machine gun.
- Period
- 1997.
- Region
- Russia.
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
The Kord-12.7 mm 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 and the muzzle baffle redesigned.
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original value insufficient · checked 25 September 2026
- Identity
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Authority files
wikidata · Q1574014 · wikipedia · Kord machine gun
In this article
Development
Development
These changes give the weapon reduced recoil compared with the NSV, allowing greater accuracy during sustained fire.
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 "Utyos" ("утёс", meaning one lonely cliff in Russian, this name was its designation during development) machine gun. The main production centre for the NSV was located in what is now Kazakhstan. The Russian Degtyarev bureau was given the job of producing an updated version of the weapon chambered in the 12.7×108mm cartridge, which could be used for support, mounted on vehicles or in an anti-aircraft capacity. All variants of the weapon are also available chambered in the.50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO) cartridge for export sales. The weapon employs new construction, and consequently is significantly lighter than its predecessor. The firing mechanism is very rugged, and 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, it may be fired from a bipod; a rather unusual feature for 12.7 mm/.50 caliber heavy machine guns. Its relatively light weight and lesser recoil allows stronger soldiers to move the gun around without assistance.
Variants
Variants
6P49: Baseline variant for vehicle mounting. 6P50: Basic infantry version. 6P50-1 (6P57): 6T19 Bipod-mounted infantry version. Bipod provides ±15° range of traverse. 6P50-2 (6P58): Infantry variant. 6P50-3 (6P59): Mounted on boats, sea-going ships, and stationary objects on a 6U16 multipurpose mount. Casing ejection is to the right side. 6P51: Co-axial version with left-hand feed system and forward casing ejection.
Remote weapon stations
Remote weapon stations
6C21 is a Russian remote weapon station using Kord machine gun or PKMT machine gun.
Combat history
Combat history
The Kord first saw use with Russian forces in 2001 during the Second Chechen War, serving as a "light heavy machine gun" for clearing rooftops; and in 2008 during the Russo-Georgian War. During the Syrian Civil War, the Kord was mounted on remote-controlled modules on Tigr infantry mobility vehicles for counter-insurgency operations. Syrian opposition fighters obtained Kord machine guns after capturing Assad regime MT-LBs or Tigr-M vehicles. Faced with personnel shortages during Russo-Ukrainian War, the Russian Army created assault companies equipped with a handful of armoured vehicles, automatic grenade launchers, Kord machine guns, anti-tank missiles, with snipers, mortars and artillery support to conserve manpower while maximizing firepower, a tactic that was employed by the Wagner Group.
Current
Current
Namibia Russia Ukraine − Limited use of captured guns
Former
Former
Syrian opposition − Made use captured weapons during the Syrian Civil War
Evaluation-only
Evaluation-only
Finland − for purposes of NSV replacement testing.
Chronology
Dated record
Chronology
The full dated record · 2 entries
1997
Kord machine gun first recorded.
1997
Kord machine gun is recorded from 1997.
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Kord machine gun”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q1574014: Kord machine gun
Unverified · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Fofanov, Vasiliy. KORD 12.7MM HMG. fofanov.armor.kiev.ua. 2000–2007.
- 2.V.A.Degtyarev Plant. 12.7 mm Kord tank mounted machine-gun (index 6P49 (6P51)). zid.ru.
- 3.Jane's Infantry Weapons 2005-2006.
- 4.Modern Firearms - NSV-12.7 machine gun
- 5.Russian Udarnaya Sila TV show, excerpt showing Russian officer firing Kord from the hip while moving https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwu3ivAJ68U
- 6.JSC CRI "Burevestnik"/ 6S21 WEAPON STATION.
- 7.'Novorossia' Exposes Russia: Russian Pecheneg Machine Gun, Kord Machine Gun, and Command Vehicle. Inform Napalm. February 2019.
- 8.Namibia receives Russian small arms. defenceweb.co.za. 1 June 2016.
- 9.Танкисты ЮВО отрабатывают элементы танкового биатлона на полигоне в Краснодарском крае. structure.mil.ru. 11 January 2016.
- 10.Finnish Army HQ Materiel Department decision MI37585/27.12.2012 ( )
Bibliography printed in the source article · 1
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Partially resolvedauthority record
Unverified
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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