While I understand it is a less important question than making new factions and their equpment, still, I want to discuss this topic. For now, for whatever reason RPD LMG is massively outranged by its replacement, RPK (145 m vs 116), SKS rifles and even standard AKs (which both sit at 130 m).

In case of RPK I can understand that it is a longer barrel weapon (590 mm vs 520 mm), SKS share the same barrel lenght, and AK is noticeably shorter (415 mm).

An argument can be made than either SKS should share its range with RPD with AK being on the lower side if we go by their muzzle energy, or RPD should outrange SKS and AK if we go with effective range (it is an LMG after all), with RPK still having its reach for both Progression™ feeling and having the longest barrel.

I might add another things I consider odd in the small arms balance later (if I got the time), I guess this topic might be used by others for this purpose as well.