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DShK


ДШК


Overview


DShKM

DShKM heavy machine gun on a tripod mount.
Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Heavy machine gun
Entered service
1939 for DShK-38
1946 for DShKM
Status
In service
Development
1935 - 1938
Developer
Soviet Union
Vasily Degtyaryov and Georgi Shpagin
Production
1938 - 1975 (Soviet production)
1950's - present (license production)
Producer
Soviet Union - Kovrov mechanical plant (KMZ)
Czechoslovakia
Romania - Cugir mechanical plant
Yugoslavia
Iran - DIO
Number produced
1 million (esitmate)
About 9.000 produced during WW2
Designations
DShK / Degtyarov Shpagin Krupnokalibernyi
Russian for "Degeyarov Shpagin large caliber"
56-P-542 (GRAU index for DShK-38)
56-P-542M (GRAU index for DShKM)
TK vz 53 (Czechoslovak service)
MGD-12.7 (Iranian production)

Description


Introduction

The DShK is a World War 2 era heavy machine gun of Russian origin. DShK stands for "Degtyarov Shpagin Krupnokalibernyi", denoting its designers and large caliber. Together with the American M2HB it is one of the most produced heavy machine guns in the world. It is used on tripod mounts and many Soviet fighting vehicles.

Design

The DShK is a belt fed, gas operated, air cooled heavy machine gun. The weapon cycles trough the use of a gas piston below the barrel. The original DShK uses a rotary feed system. This was replaced on the modernized and more common DShKM with a shuttle feed system similar to the one on the RP-46.

Firepower

The DShK fires the 12.7x108mm round at a cyclic rate of fire of about 600 rounds per minute. It is usually fed by 50 round belts. For a heavy machine gun accuracy it is not that accurate. Still, the maximum effective range is well beyond 1 km.

Users

Even though the design is dated, the DShK remains in use with many armed forces and irregular forces around the world. After World War 2 it remained in use with the Soviet forces, only to be partially replaced by the NSV from the 1970's onwards. It is still in production in various nations.

Variants


DShK

The original version of the DShK which was used throughout World War 2 is officially called the DShK-38. It uses a rotary feed system. Easily identified by the taller receiver and muzzle device. After World War 2 it was replaced by the modernized DShKM.

DShKM

The DShKM is also known as the DShK-38/46. It is the modernized version of the original DShK. The main improvement being the use of a shuttle feed system. Also the muzzle brake is revised and barrel change is made easier. The DShKM is the version that remains in use today.

Type 54

Chinese production variant of the DShKM. Most visible difference is the use of a smooth barrel instead of the ribbed cooling fins found on the DShKM.

Details


Facts DShK DShKM
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Heavy machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
12.7x108mm Soviet
Feed system
Belt fed, 50 round belts
Barrel length
1.070 mm
Rifling
8 grooves, right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
840 - 860 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated, open bolt
Locking
Hinged flaps in bolt
Fire selector
0 - F
Rate of fire
600 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
None, spade grips
Length
1.625 mm
Weight
34 kg
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, hooded post front and ladder sight rear
Optional anti-aircraft spider web sight
Sight radius
1.111 mm
Optics
None

Media


Related articles


Browning M2HB

The 12.7mm M2HB is the US equivalent of the DShKM. Introduced prior to World War 2 it soldiers on to present day.