The DShK machine gun was originally designed in 1930 and went into limited production for the army in 1933. This model was too bulky for naval use and had to be redesigned. The new model was accepted into service in 1938 and still remains the primary heavy MG of the Russian Army to this day, although it is being steadily replaced by the NSV-12,7 which uses the same ammunition. The DShK is as famous in Russia as the 0.50" (12.7 mm) caliber M2 BMG is in the USA.
First installed on ships just prior to World War II and it gradually replaced the ineffective 7.62 mm Maxim machine gun during the war. The DShK, despite its small caliber, became the primary Soviet AA gun of World War II. As of June 1941 there were 787 DShK machine guns in service in the Soviet Navy. During the war a total of 4,018 guns were delivered to the Navy and 1,146 more were delivered for defense of the naval bases.
This gun is air-cooled and uses 50-round belts in box type magazines. The ammunition was based on that used for the Vickers 0.5" (12.7 mm) machine gun which was supplied via Lend-Lease during World War II. These guns were used in single and twin open mounts as well as in an enclosed twin turret mounting. There was also an experimental quad mount and a disappearing twin mount for submarines.
| Designation | 12.7 mm/79 (0.5") DShK machine gun |
|---|---|
| Ship Class Used On | Most Soviet ships starting 1941 and beyond |
| Date Of Design | 1930 |
| Date In Service | 1939 |
| Gun Weight | 73.85 lbs. (33.5 kg) |
| Gun Length oa | N/A |
| Barrel Length | 63.86 in (1.622 m) |
| Rifling Length | 42.13 in (1.070 m) |
| Grooves | 8 |
| Lands | N/A |
| Twist | N/A |
| Chamber Volume | N/A |
| Rate Of Fire | Cyclic: 600 rounds per minute Effective: 125 rounds per minute |
| Type | Fixed |
|---|---|
| Weight of Complete Round | 0.273 - 0.295 lbs. (124-134 g) |
| Projectile Types and Weights | AP incendiary model 1932 (B-32): 1.84 oz (52 gm) AP model 1930 (B-30): 1.84 oz (52 gm) |
| Bursting Charge | None - Solid Bullet |
| Projectile Length | N/A |
| Propellant Charge | 0.036 lbs. (16.5 g) |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,723 - 2,788 fps (830 - 850 mps) |
| Working Pressure | 20.3 tons/in2 (3,200 kg/cm2) |
| Approximate Barrel Life | N/A |
| Ammunition stowage per gun | N/A |
| Targets | Distance |
|---|---|
| Maximum Effective Range | 3,830 yards (3,500 m) |
| Maximum Range | 5,900 yards (5,400 m) |
| Maximum AA Ceiling | 8,200 feet (2,500m) |
| Designation | Single Mount: DShK Twin Open Mount: DShKM-2 Quad Mount: DShKM-4 Single Open Turret: MTU-2 Twin Open Turret: MSTU Twin Armored Turret: DShKM-2B |
|---|---|
| Weight | DShK: 429.9 lbs. (195 kg) DShKM-2: 595.3 lbs. (270 kg) DShKM-2B: 2,764.6 lbs. (1,254 kg) MTU-2: 352.7 lbs. (160 kg) MSTU: 661.4 lbs (300 kg) |
| Elevation | DShK: -34 / +85 degrees DShKM-2: -10 / +85 degrees DShKM-2B: -5 / +85 degrees MTU-2: -10 / +85 degrees MSTU: -10 / +85 degrees |
| Elevation Rate | DShK: Manual Operation Only DShKM-2: 60 degrees per second DShKM-2B: 25 degrees per second MTU-2: N/A MSTU: 54.5 degrees per second |
| Train | 360 degrees |
| Train Rate | DShK: Manual Operation Only DShKM-2: 16 degrees per second DShKM-2B: 15 degrees per second MTU-2: 16 degrees per second MSTU: 16.5 degrees per second |
| Gun recoil | N/A |
Data from:
- "Sovetskie Boevye Korabli 1941-45: IV Vooruzhnie" (Soviet Warships 1941-45: Volume IV Armaments) by A.V. Platonov
Other:
Special help from Vladimir Yakubov