Civilian Belt Fed?! | First look at RPD Lima Six & Red Right Hand | Worth it??

Published on May 3, 2026
Duration: 66:33

This video provides a first impression and comparison of the Red Right Hand RPD with the Lima Six belt-fed system and the Fightlite piston-operated system. It details their operational differences, including gas systems (DI vs. piston), recoil management, and handling characteristics. The presenters discuss the importance of gas system tuning, ammunition selection, and the logistical considerations of operating belt-fed firearms, highlighting the RPD's potential for accuracy and the Fightlite's lighter weight and modularity. The video also touches on price points and the practical application of these systems.

Quick Summary

The RPD Lima Six and Fightlite belt-fed systems differ significantly in their operating mechanisms: the RPD uses a direct impingement (DI) system with adjustable gas, while the Fightlite is piston-operated. The RPD's heavier weight and integrated heat sinks aid in recoil management and heat dissipation, whereas the Fightlite is lighter but may require more shooter control and is more susceptible to overheating. Both systems are semi-automatic, but belt-feds demand substantial ammunition for effective training and tuning.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Setup
  2. 01:36Hatch Cast Episode Intro
  3. 01:42Introducing the RPD Lima Six & Fightlite
  4. 02:09System Differences: DI vs. Piston
  5. 02:31Location: Boon Valley Industries
  6. 02:45Fightlite Details & Griffin Armament Suppressor
  7. 02:56First Impressions & Testing Plan
  8. 03:11Loading the Firearms
  9. 03:33Ammunition: 55-grain .223
  10. 03:50Recoil & Handling Comparison
  11. 04:30Weight & Recoil Mitigation Factors
  12. 04:54Piston vs. DI AR Comparison
  13. 05:15Recoil Impulse: Gas to Piston
  14. 05:24Testing in Dusty Conditions
  15. 05:47Gas System Differences
  16. 05:57Adjustable Gas Block & Negating Gas
  17. 06:12Testing with 62-grain M855 Green Tip
  18. 06:29On-the-Fly Gas Adjustment
  19. 06:53Potential Failure Points: Triggers & Links
  20. 07:20Group Effort & Testing
  21. 07:43Spraying & Recoil Issues
  22. 07:52Troubleshooting Gas Settings & Ammo
  23. 08:16Pattern Analysis & Recoil Feel
  24. 08:45User Understanding & System Learning
  25. 09:04Ammo Consumption for Tuning
  26. 09:25Dialing In a Rifle
  27. 09:35Grease & Lubrication
  28. 09:41Next Steps: Linking Rounds & Grouping
  29. 09:50Ammo & Grouping Test Setup
  30. 10:27Fightlite Starter Mechanism
  31. 10:49Green Tip Performance & Gas Adjustment
  32. 11:03System Adjustability & Break-in Process
  33. 11:16Fightlite Performance Review
  34. 11:21Down Range Check
  35. 11:33Apparel Discussion
  36. 11:49Grouping Test: Left Target
  37. 12:13Marking & Analyzing Shots
  38. 12:36Grouping Test: Right Target
  39. 12:43Shooter Perspective & System Characteristics
  40. 13:05Pattern Analysis: Up and to the Right
  41. 13:25Accuracy Potential & Range
  42. 13:31Final Belt Test Control
  43. 13:49Equal Belts & Paper Test
  44. 14:07Love or Hate?
  45. 14:14Semi-Automatic Fire String
  46. 14:28Accuracy Observation
  47. 14:47Casing to Cheek Experience
  48. 14:54Accepting Responsibility
  49. 15:01Aaron's Shooting Performance
  50. 15:21James's Shooting Performance
  51. 15:43Analysis of James's Shots
  52. 15:50System Reliability & Carbon Buildup
  53. 16:02Weight & Recoil System Comparison
  54. 16:16Support by Fire Position Considerations
  55. 16:26Future Accuracy Test Plans
  56. 16:45Accuracy by Volume
  57. 16:54Lima Six Barrel & Accuracy
  58. 17:11Initial Impressions: RPD
  59. 17:17Price Point Discussion
  60. 17:30Fightlite Upper Price & Features
  61. 17:37RPD Price Comparison
  62. 17:49Bang vs. Buck Analysis
  63. 17:54Barrel Changes on Saw Guns
  64. 18:14240 vs. 5.56 Saw
  65. 18:20Neatness vs. Practicality
  66. 18:27Continued Learning & Reliability
  67. 18:32Heat in the Chamber & Cook-offs
  68. 18:39Fightlite Heat Sinks?
  69. 18:45Lima Six Upper & DIY Builds
  70. 19:05Red Right Hand Specialty: Heat Sinks
  71. 19:17Cook-off Reports: Fightlite vs. RPD
  72. 19:23Fightlite Barrel Changes vs. RPD Heat Sinks
  73. 19:36Cooling Heat Sinks with Water
  74. 19:44Fightlite Weight & Portability
  75. 19:48Mag vs. Belt Option
  76. 19:56Focus on Belt Running
  77. 20:17Reliability Front
  78. 20:23Lubrication Needs for Light Ammo
  79. 20:35Power from Rounds & Cycling
  80. 20:41Gas Settings & Memorization
  81. 20:55Dope Stick: Grain Weight vs. Gas Block
  82. 21:01Fightlite Gas Adjustment Positions
  83. 21:17Rifle Speed Gas Block Settings
  84. 21:22Long-Term DI Durability Concerns
  85. 21:35High Round Count Testing
  86. 21:41Suppressed vs. Unsuppressed Testing
  87. 21:45Dallas: Lima Six Builder Interview
  88. 22:08Belt-Feds: Consistency & Gimmicks
  89. 22:29Lima Six Break-in Period
  90. 23:08Troubleshooting: Failure to Battery
  91. 23:19Ammo Consumption for Belt-Feds
  92. 23:25Dallas's Troubleshooting Experience
  93. 23:33Lima Six Break-in Details
  94. 23:41Fine-Tuning Gas & Suppressors
  95. 23:47Carbine vs. Belt-Fed Troubleshooting
  96. 24:00Feeding & Training Logistics
  97. 24:26Ammo Consumption Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the RPD Lima Six and the Fightlite belt-fed systems?

The RPD Lima Six uses a direct impingement (DI) system with an adjustable gas block, while the Fightlite is piston-operated. The RPD is heavier and features heat sinks for barrel cooling, whereas the Fightlite is lighter but may be more prone to overheating. Both are semi-automatic.

How does weight affect recoil management in these belt-fed firearms?

The RPD, being heavier due to its construction and accessories like heat sinks, offers better recoil mitigation by settling down faster. The lighter Fightlite requires more active control from the shooter to manage its recoil impulse.

What are the key considerations for operating belt-fed firearms like the RPD Lima Six?

Belt-fed firearms require significant ammunition for training and tuning. Proper lubrication is crucial, especially with lighter rounds. Users must also consider the logistical challenges of feeding these weapons and the potential for higher maintenance and troubleshooting needs compared to standard carbines.

How does the heat management differ between the RPD Lima Six and the Fightlite?

The RPD Lima Six, particularly when equipped with heat sinks from Red Right Hand, offers superior heat dissipation. This feature reportedly allows for a higher round count before cook-offs occur, a significant advantage over the Fightlite, which lacks these heat sinks.

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