5 WW2 Russian Machine Guns

Introduction to WW2 Russian Machine Guns

The Soviet Union played a crucial role in World War 2, and their military arsenal was a significant factor in their success. Among the various weapons used by the Soviet military, machine guns were a staple, providing suppressive fire and helping to turn the tide of battles. In this article, we will explore five notable WW2 Russian machine guns that made a significant impact during the war.

Degtyaryov Machine Gun (DP-28)

The Degtyaryov Machine Gun, also known as the DP-28, was a light machine gun used by the Soviet Union during WW2. Designed by Vasily Degtyaryov, it was first introduced in 1928 and saw extensive use throughout the war. The DP-28 was known for its reliability and ease of use, making it a favorite among Soviet soldiers. It fired the 7.62x54mmR cartridge and had a rate of fire of around 500-600 rounds per minute.

SG-43 Goryunov

The SG-43 Goryunov was a medium machine gun used by the Soviet Union during WW2. Designed by Pyotr Goryunov, it was introduced in 1943 and quickly became a staple of Soviet infantry units. The SG-43 was known for its high rate of fire and accuracy, making it an effective tool for providing suppressive fire. It fired the 7.62x54mmR cartridge and had a rate of fire of around 500-600 rounds per minute.

DShK

The DShK was a heavy machine gun used by the Soviet Union during WW2. Designed by Vasily Degtyaryov and Georgi Shpagin, it was introduced in 1938 and saw extensive use throughout the war. The DShK was known for its high rate of fire and large caliber, making it an effective tool for anti-aircraft and anti-vehicle use. It fired the 12.7x108mm cartridge and had a rate of fire of around 500-600 rounds per minute.

RPD

The RPD was a light machine gun used by the Soviet Union during WW2. Designed by Alexei Sudayev, it was introduced in 1944 and saw limited use during the war. The RPD was known for its reliability and ease of use, making it a favorite among Soviet soldiers. It fired the 7.62x39mm cartridge and had a rate of fire of around 600-800 rounds per minute.

PK Machine Gun

The PK Machine Gun was a general-purpose machine gun used by the Soviet Union during WW2. Designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, it was introduced in 1961, but its development began during the war. The PK was known for its reliability and accuracy, making it an effective tool for providing suppressive fire. It fired the 7.62x54mmR cartridge and had a rate of fire of around 600-800 rounds per minute.

🔍 Note: The PK Machine Gun was not widely used during WW2, but its development began during the war, and it is often included in lists of WW2 Russian machine guns.

Here is a table comparing the specifications of these machine guns:

Machine Gun	Caliber	Rate of Fire	Weight
DP-28	7.62x54mmR	500-600 rounds per minute	9.5 kg
SG-43 Goryunov	7.62x54mmR	500-600 rounds per minute	18.5 kg
DShK	12.7x108mm	500-600 rounds per minute	73.8 kg
RPD	7.62x39mm	600-800 rounds per minute	7.4 kg
PK Machine Gun	7.62x54mmR	600-800 rounds per minute	9.3 kg

In summary, these five WW2 Russian machine guns played significant roles in the Soviet military’s success during the war. Each machine gun had its unique characteristics, but they all shared a common trait - reliability. Whether it was the DP-28’s ease of use or the DShK’s high rate of fire, these machine guns helped to turn the tide of battles and ultimately contributed to the Allied victory.