DP MACHINE GUN

DP MACHINE GUN
Image: DP Machine Gun (Russian Army Photo)
YearMarch 1928
Weapon TypeLight Machine Gun
Origin & DesignerRussia/Degtyaryov
Numbers Produced400.000
Crew2 (Gunner & Loader)
Calibre76.2mm (7.62x54R)
Elevation[@elevation]
Traverse[@gun_traverse]
Cartridge Weight[@cartridge_weight]
Round Weight147gr (9.5g)
Barrel Length604mm
Overall Length1.270mm
Grenade Types[@grenade_types]
MountBi-Pod
Combat Weight9.12 kg
OperationGas Operated/Fully Automatic
Cooling SystemAir
SightsFront Blade & Rear Tangent
Feed47 Round Pan Magazine
Practical Rate of Fire[@practical_rate_of_fire]
Maximum Rate of Fire550 r.p.m.
Blank Cartridge[@blank_cartridge]
Muzzle Velocity840 m/s
Fuel Capacity[@fuel_capacity]
Minimum Range[@minimum_range]
Effective Range800m
Maximum Range2000m
Armour Penetration[@armour_penetration]
Bayonet[@bayonet]
Traction[@traction]
VariantsDPM
NotesThe DP (Pulemyot Degtyaryova Pekhotny) was the standard light machine gun of the Russian infantry. It was issued to infantry platoons as a squad weapon and provided the rifle sections with their own fire support. It could only be issued with a pan magazine and this held 47 rounds. It had a few faults and these ranged from a flimsy bi-pod to problems with the recoil spring and these were addressed with a modified version named the DPM, this version fixed the issued found on the DP and had a pistol grip added, production switched to this version and it steadily replaced the DP. Both models were built in large numbers and remained in service even after world war two.