45 mm anti-tank gun M1942 (M-42)

Infobox Weapon
name=45-mm anti-tank gun model 1942 года (М-42)


caption=M-42 in Museum on Sapun Mountain, Sevastopol.
origin=USSR
type=anti-tank gun
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=yes
is_vehicle=
is_UK=
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer=No. 172 Plant
design_date=
manufacturer=
production_date=1942-1945
number=10,843
variants=
weight=combat: 625 kg (1,378 lbs)
travel: 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs)
length=
part_length=
width=
height=
crew=
cartridge=
caliber=45 mm (1.77 in)
action=
rate=15-20 rounds per minute
velocity=870 m/s (2,854 ft/s)
range=
max_range=4.55 km (2.84 mi)
feed=
sights=
breech=
recoil=
carriage=split trail
elevation=-8° to 25°
traverse=60°
blade_type=
hilt_type=
sheath_type=
head_type=
haft_type=
diameter=
filling=
filling_weight=
detonation=
yield=
armour=
primary_armament=
secondary_armament=
engine=
engine_power=
pw_ratio=
suspension=
vehicle_range=
speed=

M-42 was a 45-mm Soviet light semi-automatic anti-tank gun. Full official name is 45-mm anti-tank gun model 1942 (M-42) (Russian: 45-мм противотанковая пушка образца 1942 года (М-42)). These guns were used from 1942 until the end of Great Patriotic War.

History

The M-42 was developed by the No. 172 Plant in Motovilikha as an upgrade of the 45-mm anti-tank gun M1937. The gun received longer barrel, shells with more powerful cartridge and thicker shield (7 mm instead of 4.5 mm). Some minor changes were also introduced in order to speed up production.

These guns were used from 1942 until the end of Great Patriotic War. In 1943, due to its insufficient anti-armor capabilities against new German tanks such as Tiger, Panther and Panzer IV Ausf H, the M-42 was partially replaced in mass production by more powerful 57-mm ZiS-2 anti-tank gun. However the M-42 remained in production as it was quite effective against lighter vehicles and could pierce the side armour of Panther and Panzer IV Ausf H. Fragmentation shell and canister shot gave the gun some anti-personnel capability.

Mass production of M-42 ceased in mid-1945. The total number of guns produced is 10,843.

Ammunition

*Ammunition types:
**Armor piercing.
**Fragmentation.
**Canister.
**Smoke.
*Projectile weight:
**

**APCR: 0.85 kg (1.87 lbs)
**Fragmentation: 2.14 kg (4.71 lbs)
*Armor penetration, AP shell, 90 degrees:
**at 500 m: 61 mm
**at 1000 m: 51 mm

References

* Shunkov V. N. - "The Weapons of the Red Army", Mn. Harvest, 1999 (Шунков В. Н. - "Оружие Красной Армии." — Мн.: Харвест, 1999.) ISBN 985-433-469-4

External links

* [http://www.rustrana.ru/article.php?nid=17578 45 mm anti-tank gun model 1942 ar rustrana.ru] ru icon