7.62-mm self-loading rifle Degtyarev mod. 1930

The history of the creation of the SVDK sniper rifle

For a long time, the development of large-caliber sniper rifles was not given enough attention. Based on the accumulated military experience, it was concluded that the troops need to have sniper rifles designed to destroy enemy personnel protected by body armor. For development, it was decided to take the SVD sniper rifle and the Tiger-9 carbine as a basis.

At first it was planned to simply adapt the sniper rifle to a nine-millimeter cartridge. However, this turned out to be impossible. The use of a more powerful cartridge caused design changes in the most important components of the weapon. It was necessary to create a new bolt group. It was planned that the weapons being created would occupy an intermediate place between types of weapons. Using 7.62 and 12.7 mm cartridges.

The increase in the strength of the weapon components led to the weight of the rifle by 2 kg. However, the dimensions have changed slightly.

The development of this weapon took place within the framework of the Burglar R&D project. The results were presented in 2006. After state tests were carried out, the Dragunov Large-caliber Sniper Rifle (SVDK) was chosen and its mass production was established.

It should be noted that Russian weapons terminology refers to large-caliber small arms with a cartridge caliber over 9 mm.

The design of the SVD rifle was used during development. Although it was used for smaller caliber cartridges, the SVD and SVDK designs had similar elements. The main differences are a thicker barrel and a more massive carbine. Comparing these rifles, shooters note the higher stability of the SVDK. On the other hand, when using it, fatigue increased due to a significant increase in weight.

Modern SVD replicas

On sale is a Dragunov air rifle manufactured by MWM Gillmann GmbH. Bullets with a caliber of 4.5 mm are installed in simulators of a real cartridge, which are located in the magazine. The gas reservoir is installed in the rifle bolt.

Thanks to this arrangement, it was possible to provide visualization of firing similar to a real weapon - with reloading and ejection of the “case” outward.

Today, work is underway to create modern sniper rifles (for example, OTs-129), but the prospects for their adoption are not clear. Therefore, for the near future, the main weapon of snipers in the Russian Army will remain the good old Russian SVD rifle.

Performance characteristics of a sniper rifle

At a distance of 100 m, a bullet is capable of penetrating a centimeter-long armor plate with an 80% probability. Without an optical sight and bipod, the weapon weighs 6.5 kg. The length of the weapon is 1250 mm, and the barrel is 620 mm.

The rifle is self-loading. The bolt is retracted using exhaust powder gases. The maximum available sighting range is 600 m. The bullet flight range reaches 1200 m. A 10-round box-type magazine is used. The bullet's flight speed is 770 m/sec. The rate of fire is 20 rounds per minute.

The rifle is designed to destroy the enemy using body armor of classes NIB IV-V, as well as those who are behind unarmored barriers or in light shelters.

The folding stock allows you to reduce the size of the weapon, which makes the rifle more convenient for transportation. It is convenient to carry it in armored vehicles or to take the weapon with you during an airdrop.

The absence of a bayonet does not allow the rifle to be used for hand-to-hand combat. However, even if such a possibility were provided, it is unlikely that it would be in demand.

About accuracy and firing range

What is the standard SVD range? If a soldier is well trained, he can fire at a distance of up to 500 meters. The accuracy indicators do not exceed 1.04 arc minutes. The following types of targets (subject to the use of high-quality cartridges) can be hit at the following distances: head target - 300 meters, chest figure - up to half a kilometer, waist figure - up to 600 meters. A sniper can “picture” a running person at a distance of up to 800 meters. The rifle is equipped with a well-proven SVD PSO-1 sight, which theoretically allows firing at 1300 m. But in practice, at this distance it is only possible to hit group targets or use the rifle for harassing fire.

It is important to understand this: Dragunov rifles (SVD) do not belong to sniper weapons in the modern sense of the word. A person armed with it supports a standard motorized rifle company at a distance of 600 meters

The shooter suppresses firing points, “removes” grenade launchers and flamethrowers, preventing them from approaching infantry fighting vehicles and tanks within aimed shot range. Therefore, it is stupid to compare SVD and Barrett. The same American troops actively use weapons similar to it (in some places you can even find old M14s), and no complaints are made against it.

SVDK structure

A folding stock is used. It can be removed by moving to the right. The Hyperon (1P70) is used as an optical sight. This rifle represents a further development of the SVD. It used a bolt group, receiver, and gas tube designed for a more powerful cartridge.

The rear part of the barrel is covered with a special perforated casing. It is designed to reduce mechanical stress on the barrel. Under the barrel there is a tire in the form of a half-pipe, to which a bipod is attached. The flame arrester design is similar to that used in the SVD. The bipod is integral, but can be folded if necessary.

Here you can use a sniper scope or an open adjustable sighting device. Hyperon has 3-10x magnification available. It is allowed to use the 1PN112 sight instead of the standard one. "Hyperon" has range adjustment. This scope has a relatively high cost. Its use significantly makes the weapon heavier.

The rifle has a pistol grip. The folding stock has a rubber butt pad designed to reduce recoil when fired. There is no possibility of installing a bayonet on the barrel. On the left side there is a rail for installing sighting optics.

The automation works as follows. Part of the exhaust powder gases is removed from the barrel. They exert pressure on the piston rod. He transfers force to the bolt, pushing it.

The recoil of the bolt causes the spring to compress. At the same time, the cartridge case is extracted and the trigger is cocked. The action of the spring forces the bolt to return to its original place in the firing position. During the movement, a new cartridge is snatched from the chamber.

After it is chambered, fixation occurs by turning the bolt cylinder. The rifle has a safety lever that locks the bolt and the firing pin entrance.

In the weapons system of any army, small arms have been and continue to be the most widespread of all types of weapons. Much attention was and is being given to the issue of improving small arms in our country, especially in Soviet times. In October 1917, during the storming of the autocracy, revolutionary workers, soldiers and sailors used weapons proven by the Russian-Japanese and First World Wars - a three-line rifle, a heavy machine gun " Maxim" and a revolver "Revolver". Subsequently, it became the weapon of cavalry and infantry regiments of the Red Army. V. I. Lenin personally paid attention to the technical equipment of troops, the development and production of new effective models of small arms. During the years of the Civil War, in the most difficult conditions of hunger and devastation, lack of machine tools and qualified labor, the production of a weapon unprecedented in the world was launched - an assault rifle created by V. G. Fedorov in 1916. In 1920-1925, 3,200 machine guns were produced. In the Soviet Union, entire teams were involved in the design of small arms. A cadre of technical youth was grouped around highly experienced gunsmiths. Among them are future designers G. S. Shpagin, P. M. Goryunov, S. G. Simonov and many others.

One of the first examples of new small arms developed in the USSR and adopted by the Red Army was the remarkable V. A. Degtyarev light machine gun of the 1927 model. During the first five-year plans, it became the base model for the development of aircraft turret and tank machine guns. In the same years, the Mosin three-line model of 1891 underwent modernization. As a result, production technology was improved, and the combat and operational qualities of the weapon increased. The Communist Party and the command of the Red Army paid special attention to the design of automatic weapons. Already in 1926-1930. Three competitions for the best automatic rifle were held. The first successes in this work were achieved by S. G. Simonov. His automatic rifle is a sample. 1936 was launched into mass production. In 1938 and 1940, it was replaced by two models of F.V. Tokarev’s self-loading rifle, the combat capabilities of which were tested by the Soviet-Finnish 1939-1940 and the Great Patriotic Wars of 1941-1945. In the 1930s, a powerful automatic individual weapon for short-range combat—a submachine gun—was created for the Red Army. Weapons designed by V. A; Degtyarev (PPD model 1940) and G.S. Shpagin (PPSh model 1941), entered service. During the period of the struggle against fascist aggression, the PPSh gained universal recognition, becoming the most widely used small arms. Each of our rifle divisions in 1941 was armed with rifles, submachine guns and machine guns, the every minute volley of which was equal to half a million bullets.

Domestic small arms withstood a severe test during the Great Patriotic War. In battles, the Model 1891/30 rifle, TT pistol, light and heavy machine guns, PPSh submachine gun, DShK heavy machine gun and many other systems showed their best performance. The high combat qualities of Soviet weapons were recognized by all our opponents. For example, the fascist leadership even demanded that its gunsmiths exceed the rate of fire of the Soviet ShKAS aircraft machine gun of the 1932 model. However, 1800 rounds per minute remained an unattainable goal for German designers. During the war, our troops received improved models of a submachine gun, heavy machine gun and carbine. To fight tanks, Soviet soldiers used powerful anti-tank rifles. The most productive year for new designs was 1943 - the year of a radical turning point in the Great Patriotic War. Our army is final. secured the strategic initiative in its hands. For broad offensive operations, light, maneuverable and at the same time effective small arms were required. Such weapons were the submachine gun of A. I. Sudaev, model 1943, and the heavy machine gun 'P. M. Goryunov model 1943. The designers managed to significantly reduce the production time of new types of small arms. For example, for PPS it was three times less than for PCA. Throughout the Great Patriotic War, there was competition in the design and production of weapons and military equipment between the USSR and Nazi Germany. Soviet military-technical thought and socialist economics prevailed in it. At the final stage of the war, light machine guns (RPD) and heavy-caliber machine guns (KPV) were created, and improvements were made to already produced weapons. “Soviet weapons, created by Soviet designers, manufactured by Soviet workers, in Soviet factories, from Soviet material,” said participant in the Battle of Stalingrad, Hero of the Soviet Union Ya. F. Pavlov, “the best in the world. It is infinitely dear to the heart of every soldier of our army...” In the post-war period, the talent of the outstanding Soviet gunsmith M. T. Kalashnikov was revealed. For over 30 years, our troops have had an assault rifle of its design in service. It has high combat capabilities. It is simple and trouble-free to use. According to American experts, the Kalashnikov assault rifle is superior in all respects to the widely advertised but capricious M-16 rifle. In the 1960s, small arms were unified on the basis of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. Light and single machine guns entered service, the main components and operating principle of which do not differ from the machine gun. Due to the development of ammunition, the reduction. neck caliber with a low recoil impulse, M. T. Kalashnikov designed the AK-74 assault rifle, which fires new 5.45 mm cartridges. Just like its predecessors, the AK-74 has excellent tactical and technical characteristics. In addition to machine guns, after the war, for a long time, the Simonov system self-loading carbine of the 1945 model was in service. In 1963, snipers received a self-loading rifle SVD, equipped with an optical sight for hitting small, distant targets. The TT was replaced by N. F. Makarov and I. Ya. Stechkin pistols, which had increased shooting accuracy and a practical rate of fire. The merits of Soviet gunsmiths were highly appreciated by the Soviet government. V. A. Degtyarev, S. G. Simonov, F. V. Tokarev, G. S. Shpagin, B. G. Shpitalny, N. F. Makarov, M. T. Kalashnikov (twice) became Heroes of Socialist Labor. Orders were awarded to M.; E. Berezin, S. V. Vladimirov, E. F. Dragunov, A. I. Sudaev, I. A. Komaritsky, I. Ya, Stechkin and many others. S. Plotnikov

14.5 MM ANTI-TANK RIFLE OF THE DEGTYAREV SYSTEM. 1941 (PTRD)

Anti-tank rifle No. AS-635, now on display in the Central Museum of the USSR Armed Forces, has a plate with the inscription: “Beat enemy tanks like Hero of the Soviet Union Grigory Kagamlyk.” On February 9, 1943, the commander of the PTR squad of the 47th Red Banner Rifle Regiment of the 15th Sivash Rifle Division, G.S. Kagamlyk, in a battle with 5 fascist tanks, knocked out 2 of them with well-aimed shots from this gun. The PTRD, created in August 1941, was single-shot. The recoil energy of the barrel during its short stroke was used to open the bolt and extract the spent cartridge case. The gun was loaded manually. A 63-gram bullet flew out of the barrel at a speed of 1012 m/sec. and at a distance of 300 m it penetrated 40 mm armor. The first battle test of a gun against a tank took place on November 16, 1941, in the sector of the 1075th Infantry Regiment of the 316th Panfilov Division. Weight in combat position - 17.3 kg, combat rate of fire - 8-10 rounds per minute, target firing range - up to 600 m.

14.5 MM ANTI-TANK RIFLE OF THE SIMONOV SYSTEM MODEL 1941 (PTRS)

Just like V. A. Degtyarev’s gun, it had high armor penetration. All operations for loading a gun are fully automated, using the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel. During the Great Patriotic War, it happened that PTRS were used to fire not only at tanks and armored personnel carriers. From them they hit the embrasures of pillboxes and bunkers, guns and aircraft, and the partisans even hit enemy trains with equipment and manpower. Weight in combat position - 20.9 kg, combat rate of fire - 15 rounds/min, magazine capacity - 5 rounds, target firing range - 1500 m.

7.62 MM DEGTYAREV SYSTEM LIGHT MACHINE GUN MODEL 1927 (DP)

The weapons collection of the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the USSR contains a DP light machine gun of senior sergeant N. M. Dyakonov. In July 1944, a sergeant at the head of a group of soldiers of the 415th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Brest Infantry Division was one of the first to cross the Bug and for two days with machine gun fire repelled the desperate attacks of the Nazis who were trying to liquidate the bridgehead captured by our soldiers. For the courage and bravery shown in this battle, N. M. Dyakonov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The weapon was created in 1926 by the talented Soviet designer V. A. Degtyarev. A year later, the machine gun was put into service. The DP automation operated by using the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel and was highly reliable. In battle, the light machine gun was served by a crew of two people and was the main automatic weapon of the rifle platoon. In terms of its combat capabilities, it was superior to many foreign models. In 1944, the weapon was modernized. The service life of individual components and parts has increased. Installing a pistol grip made it easier to aim the machine gun. At the final stage of the Great Patriotic War, the new weapon was successfully tested in combat. Weight in combat position - 11.2 kg, combat rate of fire - 80 rounds/min., magazine capacity - 47 rounds, effective firing range - 1500 m.

7.62 MM SUBMACHINE GUN OF THE DEGTYAREV SYSTEM MODEL 1940 (PPD-40)

It was an improved version of V. A. Degtyarev’s submachine guns of the 1934 and 1934/38 models. A special fire translator mounted in the trigger mechanism provided firing in two modes - bursts and single shots. Weight in combat position - 5.4 kg, combat rate of fire: single fire - 30-40 rds/min, bursts - 100 rds/min, magazine capacity - 71 rounds, sighting range - 500 m.

7.62 MM SHPAGIN SYSTEM SUBMAINE GUN MODEL 1941 (PPSh-41)

This is the most widespread example of automatic infantry weapons of the Great Patriotic War. It had a simple design and high reliability. Junior Sergeant P. A. Malko stepped into the immortality of the Guard with the PPSh. Having walked the battle path from the Dnieper to Berlin as part of a motorized rifle battalion of the 19th Guards Tank Brigade, he destroyed over 300 Nazis with fire from a submachine gun. Now the hero’s weapon is exhibited in the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the USSR. Weight of PPSh in combat position: with disk magazine - 5.3 kg, with sector magazine - 4.1 kg, combat rate of fire: single fire - 30-40 rounds/min., bursts - 100 rounds/min., magazine capacity : disc - 71 rounds, sector - 35 rounds, sighting range - 500 m (since 1942 - 200 m).

7.62 MM SUDAEV SYSTEM SUBMAINE GUN MODEL 1943 (PPS-43)

“The teaching staff passed the competitive tests,” wrote the test commission’s report, “and has no other equivalent competitors.” In terms of combat accuracy it was superior to PPD and PPSh. Weight in combat position - 3.67 kg, combat rate of fire - 100 rounds/min., magazine capacity - 35 rounds, target firing range - 200 m.

7.62 MM NAGAN SYSTEM REVOLVER MODEL 1895

"Nagan" is one of the most famous and honored examples of domestic small arms. An important feature of the revolver was the sliding of the drum, /: cartridges, onto the breech of the barrel before firing, which eliminated the breakthrough of powder gases between the barrel and the drum and created an ideal alignment of the drum chamber with the barrel, which served as the basis for a well-aimed shot. The mechanism of most revolvers eliminated pre-cocking of the hammer before each shot: it was enough to pull the trigger. In 1930-1931, a new front sight with an improved configuration was installed on the revolver. Personal weapons of the legendary commanders of the Civil War V.I. Chapaev, S.M. Budyonny, M.V. Frunze, S., K. Timoshenko - “Nagants” are now kept in the Leningrad Museum of Artillery, Engineering Troops and Signal Corps and in the Central Museum of the Armed Forces USSR forces in Moscow. Weight in combat position - 834 g, combat rate of fire - up to 21 rounds/min., drum capacity - 7 rounds, sighting range - 25 m.

7.62 MM SELF-LOADING PISTOL OF THE TOKAREV SYSTEM MODEL 1930 (TT)

During the Great Patriotic War, the TT was the main personal weapon of commanders. The bullet fired from the pistol had a great lethal effect and penetration. Mass production of the TT, which began in 1933, lasted 20 years. The TT was the personal weapon of the Hero of the Soviet Union A.K. Horovets, the only pilot in the world who hit 9 enemy bombers in one battle on July 6, 1943. The pistol was found at the site of his death near the Zorinskie Dvory farm, Ivnyansky district, Belgorod region, and today has become an exhibit of the Central Museum of the USSR Armed Forces. Weight in combat position - 910 g, combat rate of fire - up to 34 rounds/min., magazine capacity - 8 rounds, sighting range - 25 m.

9MM SELF-LOADING PISTOL OF THE MAKAROV SYSTEM MODEL 1951 (PM)

It is in service with officers of the Soviet Armed Forces as a weapon of self-defense. Compared to its predecessor, the TT pistol, it has greater combat capabilities. With the same lethal effect, the bullet has a higher rate of fire due to the use of a self-cocking trigger mechanism, which has reduced the preparation time for firing. PM has good accuracy. Its automation works reliably in any weather conditions. Weight in combat position - 810 g, combat rate of fire - 30 rounds/min, magazine capacity - 8 rounds, sighting range - 25 m.

9 MM AUTOMATIC PISTOL STECHKIN SYSTEM MODEL 1951 (APS)

A special feature of this pistol is its ability to fire bursts. Like the PM, it is equipped with a self-cocking trigger, which allows you to open fire immediately after removing the weapon from the holster. When shooting in automatic mode, a holster made of wood or plastic is attached to the handle and serves as a stock. APS is much more effective and reliable than, for example, the German Mauser M-712 model 1932, a pistol of a similar class. Weight in combat position - 1220 g (with attached holster-butt - 1780 g), combat rate of fire: single fire - up to 40 rounds/min., bursts - up to 90 rounds/min., magazine capacity - 20 rounds, sighting range shooting - from 25 to 200 m.

7.62 MM AUTOMATIC RIFLE OF THE SIMONOV SYSTEM MODEL 1936 (ABC)

The first Soviet mass-produced automatic rifle was an improved model of the experimental rifle of 1931. During automatic shooting, a bladed bayonet was used as an additional support, which was rotated 90° relative to the axis of the barrel. To reduce recoil, a muzzle brake was screwed onto the barrel. 1 Weight in combat position - 4.82 kg, combat rate of fire: single fire - 25 rounds/min, bursts - 40 rounds/min, magazine capacity - 15 rounds, target firing range - 1500 m.

7.62 MM SELF-LOADING RIFLE OF THE TOKAREV SYSTEM MODEL 1940 (SVT)

In 1938, the next competitive tests of self-loading rifles took place in the USSR, in which the weapon of F.V. Tokarev won. Subsequently, based on the results of the operation of the SVT in the army, some improvements were made to its design, which improved its combat qualities. Since July 1940, widespread production of the SVT-40 began, which continued until 1945. In 1940-1942, a sniper version of the rifle with a PU optical sight was produced. Weight in combat position - 4.51 kg, combat rate of fire - 25 rounds/min., magazine capacity - 10 rounds, target firing range - 1500 m.

7.62 MM SELF-LOADING SNIPER RIFLE OF THE DRAGUNOV SYSTEM MODEL 1963 (SVD)

Developed in 1958-1962. To engage targets, the rifle is equipped with a PSO-1 optical sight. Shooting is carried out with improved accuracy cartridges created by V. M. Dvoryaninov, V. M. Sabelnikov and P. F. Sazonov. If necessary, a bayonet from an AKM assault rifle is attached to the SVD. Weight in combat position is 4.7 kg, combat rate of fire is 30 rounds/min, magazine capacity is 10 rounds, target firing range is 1300 m.

7.62 MM MAGAZINE RIFLE MODEL 1891/30

Created as a result of the modernization of the famous three-line rifle of S.I. Mosin of the 1891 model. In 1924-1927, gunsmiths E.K. Kabakov, I.A. Komaritsky, A.I. Osintsev, P.K. Panshin, I.A. Fedortsev and others made significant changes to the design of the three-line, expressed in the installation of a new sector sight, spring stock rings, a needle bayonet with a stronger spring latch, a cylindrical front sight protected from damage by a special muzzle, a simplified chamber configuration. On April 28, 1930, by order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR, the modernized rifle was adopted by the Red Army. Since 1931, the troops received a sniper rifle of the 1891/30 model with an optical sight. During the Great Patriotic War, rifles of the 1891/30 model were widely used in battles. Today in the halls of the Central Museum of the USSR Armed Forces in Moscow you can see the rifle of the junior sergeant of the 79th separate communications regiment of Hero of the Soviet Union A. A. Kolchin. Weight in combat position - 4.6 kg, combat rate of fire - 10-12 rounds/min., magazine capacity - 5 rounds, target firing range - 2000 m.

7.62MM MAGAZINE CARBINE MODEL 1944

The creation of the carbine was caused by the difficulties associated with the use of rifles of the 1891/30 model in some types of combat, especially in trenches, buildings, and in the forest. For hand-to-hand combat, the carbine is equipped with a needle bayonet designed by N. S. Semin, which folds along the barrel while on the move. Since February 1944, the carbine was delivered to the front. Weight in combat position - 4.08 kg, combat rate of fire - 10-12 rounds/min, magazine capacity - 5 rounds, target firing range - 1000 m.

7.62 MM MACHINE GUN OF THE GORYUNOV SYSTEM MODEL 1943 (SG-43)

In May 1943, the SG-43 replaced the Maxim system machine gun of the 1910 model. It was distinguished by the reliability of its automatic operation and was reliable in the most extreme combat conditions. Unlike its predecessor, it was loaded with cartridges made from a metal strip, which no longer caused the delays encountered previously due to cartridge misalignments. P. M. Goryunov made the barrel of his machine gun quick-change. In a matter of seconds, an overheated barrel that had lost its accuracy could be replaced with a spare one. Compared to the previous one, the SG-43 was 40% lighter and more convenient to use. The machine gun was mounted on two types of wheeled machines, one of which made it possible to use it for anti-aircraft shooting. Such a machine gun is kept in the collection of the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the USSR. During the Great Patriotic War, the machine gunner of the 5th Guards Mechanized Brigade, Hero of the Soviet Union Guard Private V.S. Nikolaev fought with this weapon, who exterminated over 30 Nazis in the battles for Right Bank Ukraine. In 1945 and 1949, the weapon was modernized. The degree of barrel cooling has increased due to the ribbing of its surface. The barrel mounting unit and the design of the trigger mechanism have been improved. A light tripod machine of the V. A. Malinovsky and A. M. Sidorenko system entered service, which increased the maneuverability of the machine gun and made it easier to camouflage. Modernized machine guns of the Goryunov system were installed on tanks and armored personnel carriers. Weight in combat position - 40.4 kg, combat rate of fire - 300 rounds/min, belt capacity - 250 rounds, target firing range - 2300 m.

7.62 MM MACHINE GUN OF THE KALASHNIKOV SYSTEM MODEL 1961, MODERNIZED, ON A MACHINE DESIGNED BY STEPANOV (PKSM)

The machine gun is mounted on a lightweight (4.5 kg) tripod machine designed by engineer L.V. Stepanov, which allows firing at ground and air targets. In the stowed position, the machine folds compactly and, together with two cartridge boxes, is carried behind the back by one machine gunner. In terms of its combat capabilities, the PKSM has no equal in the armies of capitalist countries. Weight in combat position (with a belt for 250 rounds) - 21.4 kg, combat rate of fire - 250 rounds/min., belt capacity - 100, 200, 250 rounds, sighting range - 1500 m.

7.62 MM SINGLE MACHINE GUN OF THE KALASHNIKOV SYSTEM MODEL 1961, MODERNIZED (PKM)

Created in the 1950s, the machine gun entered service in 1961. It could be used as a hand, easel, armored personnel carrier and tank machine gun. Structurally similar to the AK assault rifle and the RPK machine gun. The changes affected only certain parts of the weapon. The completed design of the machine gun made it possible to achieve trouble-free operation of the automation and almost completely eliminate possible delays when firing. In 1969, the machine gun was modernized and became abbreviated as PKM. Weight in combat position (with a belt for 100 rounds) - 12.9 kg, combat rate of fire - 250 rounds/min., belt capacity - 100, 200, 250 rounds, sighting range - 1500 m.

7.62 MM MACHINE GUN MAXIM SYSTEM MODEL 1910

Legendary weapons of the civil and Great Patriotic wars. After the Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the design of the machine gun was improved and lightened by Tula gunsmiths P. P. Tretyakov and I. A. Pastukhov. Having made more than 200 changes to the weapon, they made it reliable and trouble-free. Mounted on a 1908 model wheeled machine gun, the machine gun could be successfully used in defense and attack. During the Civil War, it was used on cavalry carts. In the pre-war years, the machine gun and machine gun were improved. The weapon has acquired the ability to fight air targets. From the first to the last day of the Great Patriotic War, the machine gun was in service. In the fall of 1941, it was subjected to modernization, dictated by wartime requirements. The barrel cooling casing could now be filled not only with water, but also with snow and ice. The cost of producing a machine gun has been significantly reduced. This once formidable weapon can today only be found in museum halls. For example, in the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the USSR, weapons can be seen with the inscription on the armored shield: “Machine gun named after Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Zhezheri.” In battles with the Nazis in February - March 1944, the machine gun crew of the 289th Guards Rifle Regiment under the command of Guard Sergeant A.E. Zhezheri destroyed 343 invaders. By order of the USSR Minister of Defense A.E. Zhezher, he was forever included in the lists of the 1st company of one of the guards motorized rifle regiments. The weight of the machine gun in firing position is 62.66 kg, the combat rate of fire is 250-300 rounds/min, the belt capacity is 250 rounds, the effective firing range is 2700 m.

7.62 MM MANUAL, MACHINE GUN KALASHNIKOV SYSTEM MODEL 1961 (RPK)

It is the most powerful automatic weapon of a motorized rifle squad. Structurally similar to the M. T. Kalashnikov assault rifle of the 1947 model. It differs from it in a longer barrel, bipod, sight with a movable rear sight to take into account the influence of external conditions on shooting accuracy, the shape of the butt and the presence of sector and drum magazines of greater capacity. MAassa in combat position: with a drum magazine - 6.8 kg, with a sector magazine - 5.6 kg, combat rate of fire: single fire - 50 rounds/min., bursts - 150 rounds/min., magazine capacity: sector - 40 rounds, drum - 75 rounds, sighting range - 1000 m.

7.62 MM DEGTYAREV SYSTEM LIGHT MACHINE GUN MODEL 1944 (RPD)

This machine gun was the first Soviet serial machine gun chambered for a new cartridge adopted in 1943, which occupied an intermediate position in power between a pistol and a rifle. A bullet fired from an RPD had high accuracy and destructive power at a distance of up to 800 m. The use of belt feed ensured an increase in the practical rate of fire of the machine gun. Considering the difficulties in using weapons with a hanging belt, the designer enclosed it in a special cartridge box attached to the machine gun from below. The RPD was in service until the early 60s. Weight in combat position - 9.8 kg, combat rate of fire - 150 rounds/min, belt capacity - 100 rounds, target firing range - 1000 m.

7.62 MM TANK MACHINE GUN OF THE DEGTYAREV SYSTEM MODEL 1929 (DT)

During the Great Patriotic War, there was no such tank, such an armored vehicle, where a diesel engine was not mounted. This model of automatic weapon was designed by V. A. Degtyarev in 1928, taking into account the conditions for the future operation of a machine gun in the limited space of the fighting compartment of a tank or armored car. Therefore, the designer provided for mounting the machine gun in a special ball mount, which ensures quick aiming at the target and fixation in any position, the use of a retractable metal stock, which, if necessary, could be completely moved forward, and a capacious disk magazine with a three-row arrangement of cartridges. To aim the machine gun at the target, the shooter used a diopter sight, adjustable in the horizontal and vertical planes, and a front sight mounted in the window of the ball mount. A massive ball socket in the tank’s armor and a ball socket with a machine gun reliably protected the machine gunner from enemy bullets and shell fragments. The supply of cartridges for diesel fuel carried in the tanks was very impressive. For example, on the T-34-76 it was 58 magazines (3654 rounds). An important feature of the machine gun was the unification of its main components and parts, the reliability of which was tested on the DP light machine gun. The production of structurally related weapons was more easily mastered and expanded by industry, which was undoubtedly a positive quality of the entire Degtyarev family. Weight in combat position - 10.5 kg, combat rate of fire - 80-125 rounds per minute, magazine capacity - 63 rounds, effective firing range - 1000 m.

12.7 MM LARGE-CALIBER MACHINE GUN OF THE DEGTYAREV-SHPAGINA SYSTEM MODEL 1938 (DSHK)

Being a powerful infantry fire weapon, the DShK was intended to destroy airborne and lightly armored targets, machine gun nests and enemy anti-tank artillery. The DShK was the direct successor to the heavy machine gun of the Degtyarev system, created and tested in 1930-1931. Firing at fast-moving air and ground targets required the weapon to have a high rate of fire, the achievement of which the designers associated with the use of belt feed. I successfully solved this problem. G.S. Shpagin, who equipped the weapon with a drum-type receiver in 1938. “Degtyarev - Shpagin, large-caliber” - under this name, on February 26, 1939, the new machine gun entered service. At a distance of 500 m, even 15 mm armor could not withstand its armor-piercing bullet. The universal machine tool of I. N. Kolesnikov, as needed, provided the DShK with use as an anti-aircraft and heavy machine gun. Transferring from one position to another took a matter of minutes. In the Navy, the DShK was used on pedestal installations with all-round firing. In 1945, the first batch of modernized DShKs with a new power mechanism developed by A.K. Norov was released. Under the DShKM brand of the 1938/46 model, it was used by the troops for a long time. Weight in combat position - 155 kg, combat rate of fire - 80-125 rounds/min, belt capacity - 50 rounds, target firing range - 3500 m.

7.62 MM AUTOMATIC KALASHNIKOV SYSTEM MODEL 1947 (AK)

The world's first assault rifle was developed in Russia in 1916 by gunsmith V. G. Fedorov. After the Great Patriotic War, designer M. T. Kalashnikov created an outstanding example of automatic weapons of this type. The AK was designed for the reduced-power cartridges of N. M. Elizarov and B. V. Semin of the 1943 model, the lethal force of which was maintained at a distance of up to 1500 m. It successfully combined the properties of an automatic rifle and a submachine gun. Compared to the PPSh, the machine gun had twice the range of effective fire. AK troops began to enter service in 1949. Weight in combat position - 4.3 kg, combat rate of fire: single fire - 40 rounds per minute, bursts - 100 rounds per minute, magazine capacity - 30 rounds, aiming firing range - 800 m.

7.62 MM AUTOMATIC KALASHNIKOV SYSTEM MODEL 1959, MODERNIZED, FOLDING (AKMS)

In comparison with the AK, changes were made to the design of the machine gun that improved its combat and operational qualities. The designer managed to increase the stability of the weapon when firing in bursts. The weight of the machine guns was reduced and the production technology was simplified. A modernized bayonet could be used to make passages in wire fences. They could even cut through electrified barbed wire. To reduce their size, weapons used in airborne, tank and other special forces were equipped with metal folding stocks. The designer donated one of these machine guns to the Central Museum of the USSR Armed Forces for the 30th anniversary of the Victory. Weight in combat position - 3.8 kg, combat rate of fire: single fire - 40 rounds/min, bursts - 100 rounds/min, magazine capacity - 30 rounds, sighting range - 1000 m.

7.62 MM AIRCRAFT MACHINE GUN OF THE DEGTYAREV SYSTEM MODEL 1928 (YES)

This machine gun is structurally similar to the infantry machine gun of V. A. Degtyarev. Instead of a stock, the weapon had two pistol grips for holding and aiming. The barrel casing, which protected the shooter from burns in a light machine gun, lost all meaning in the air and was dismantled. These changes reduced the weight and dimensions of the aircraft machine gun. To aim at fast-moving air targets, an angular ring sight1 with a weather vane front sight was mounted on the DA. To prevent spent cartridges from falling chaotically onto the floor of the cabins and from falling into vital components of the aircraft and turret, a special canvas cartridge catcher was attached to the machine gun. Two years after the release of the single-barreled DA, its twin “double” appeared, called DA-2. As turret defensive weapons, the DA and DA-2 machine guns were installed on the multi-engine giants of the first five-year plans - the TB-1 (6 machine guns) and TB-3 (8 machine guns) bombers. During the Great Patriotic War, this weapon found some use both on aircraft and in the ground air defense system. Weight in firing position—10.1 kg, rate of fire—600 rounds/min., magazine capacity—63 rounds, muzzle velocity—840 m/sec.

SOVIET SMALL ARMS

16 postcards. Price 54 kopecks.

Publishing house "Fine Arts". Moscow. 1985

Artist V. M. Ivanov. The author of the text is S. E. Plotnikov. Reviewer I. F. Savchenko Head. Edited by M. P. Dmitriev. Editor A. P. Stanolevich. Literary. editor E. V. Sitnina. Technical editor M. V. Ovchinnikova

Ed. 4-602. Circulation 240,000. Paper 62X86/32. m 5105030000-260, th.

A10017. 01/23/85. Zach. 3315. 2124211. Offset. p 024(01)-85

© Fine Arts Publishing House. 1985

Leningrad offset printing factory No. 1 Soyuzpoligraprom under the USSR State Committee for Publishing, Printing and Book Trade.
197101, Leningrad, st. Mira, 3. Friends! These postcards were scanned and processed by our staff. We allow you to use them for any purpose, without any restrictions. But if you thank the authors with a small donation, the amount of which remains up to you, we will be very grateful. All contributions are used for the further development of our USSR Museum. Thank you! Yumani account (YandexMoney) for voluntary donations: 4100 1409 0827 465. There is also a simplified form at the top of the page in the “Museum Help” tab.

Ammunition for a sniper rifle

A cartridge with a caliber of 9.3 mm and a length of 64 mm was developed. The basis for the development was a cartridge for a hunting rifle from Brenneke. The European prototype was developed in 1910. Its author was the German master Wilhelm Brenneke. This ammunition was intended for the Mauser repeating rifle.

At the time of its creation, it was considered one of the most powerful European nine-millimeter caliber cartridges. The main area of ​​its use was hunting large animals.

The bullet has a mass of 16.6 g. When leaving the barrel, the initial speed is 750 m/sec. The mechanical energy of the bullet at this moment is 5 kJ. The brass sleeve was developed by TsNIITOCHMASH in 1986. At first it did not find application, but it was remembered during the development of the SVDK. The cartridge is called 7N33.

Disassembling the rifle

Disassembly may be incomplete or complete. In the first case, we are talking about lubricating and cleaning weapons. It is also used for visual inspection of weapons to ensure that they are in good working order. If it is very dirty, it will require complete disassembly for cleaning and lubrication.

When performing the procedure, you must sit on a clean table. If disassembly is carried out in the field, it must be done on a sufficiently large piece of clean material. It must be remembered that disassembling too often is unacceptable. Since it increases wear on the weapon and can lead to damage.

When performing the procedure, during disassembly you need to place the parts in the order in which they are removed from the mechanism. It is important to handle them with the utmost care. Do not perform actions using significant force, as this can lead to damage. You cannot stack parts on top of each other. It is important to ensure that they do not hit hard objects.

When performing partial disassembly, you must perform the following steps:

1. First you need to separate the store.
2. It is important to ensure that there is no round in the chamber. Otherwise, accidental operation may occur, which will lead to tragic consequences. For inspection, the fuse is lowered down, the charging handle is pulled all the way back and the chamber is inspected. Then they release it so that it falls into place.
3. It is necessary to separate the optical sight. To do this, lift the clamping screw flag. Then it is turned towards the eyecup until it stops. After this, the sight is moved back.
4. Disconnect the butt.
5. The receiver cover together with the return mechanism is separated from the mechanism. To do this you need to do the following. The lid lock is turned back until it snaps onto the latch. After this, the rear part of the receiver cover is lifted up.
6. Now you need to separate the bolt frame and bolt. To do this, it is pulled back to the limit and raised.
7. The bolt is completely separated from the bolt frame.
8. Now you need to remove the trigger mechanism. To do this, you first need to place the fuse in a vertical position. After this, it is separated from the receiver. Now you need to grab the trigger guard and pull it down. After this, the trigger can be easily separated from the box.
9. Now you need to separate the barrel linings. You need to grab the contact of the upper thrust end and press it against the gas tube. Then you need to turn it all the way. After this, the ring is moved forward. It is separated from the barrel by pressing the barrel lining back and then moving it to the side.
10. It is necessary to disconnect the gas piston and the pusher with the spring. In order to do this, the pusher is pulled back. Then the front end is removed from the piston seat. By moving forward it can be separated and disconnected from the gas tube.

Assembly is performed in reverse order. The parts are taken in the reverse order to the one in which they were laid out. Assembly is carried out in the following sequence:

1. The spring is put on the rear end of the pusher. The front end is inserted into the gas tube. Press the spring and insert the pusher into the channel of the aiming block. It is pulled back as far as possible, and the gas piston is inserted into the pipe, then pressed with the front end of the pusher.
2. Attach the barrel linings. The rear end is inserted into the lower thrust ring. By pressing down, the lining is attached to the barrel. After this, slide the upper thrust ring.
3. Put the trigger mechanism in place. It is inserted into the receiver and pressed. The fuse axis is inserted into the hole in the receiver. The fuse must be installed in a vertical position. Then it must be pressed and turned down until it stops.
4. The bolt is attached to the bolt frame. It is placed in a socket on the bolt frame, then turned and moved forward.
5. You need to perform the action while holding the shutter in the forward position. It is inserted in accordance with the protrusions of the bolt frame.
6. Replace the bolt box cover along with the return mechanism. The latter is inserted into the channel of the bolt frame. You need to compress the return spring, then insert the tabs at the front into the corresponding slots on the lower thrust end. You need to press on the lid, ensuring it fits snugly. The lid lock is turned forward until it stops.
7. Attach the butt.
8. Install the optical sight in place. To do this, combine the grooves on the sight and those on the bracket. The sight is advanced all the way. After this, the clamping screw is tightened, rotating towards the lens. As a result, its bend should fall into the corresponding groove.
9. They put the store in place. To do this, place it in the groove and turn it slightly towards itself until it clicks into place.

Complete disassembly is required in rarer cases than the incomplete disassembly described here.