PTRD

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PTRD

A PTRD.
Type Anti-tank rifle
Place of origin Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union
Service history
In service 1941—?
Used by Soviet Union, North Korea, China
Wars World war II, Korean War, Chinese Civil War
Production history
Designer Vasily Degtyaryov
Designed 1941
Manufacturer Degtyaryov plant
Produced 1941-1945
Specifications
Weight 17.3 kg
Length 2,020 mm
Barrel length 1,350 mm
Crew 2

Cartridge 14.5x114mm
Action Single-fire
Rate of fire 6-8 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 1,012 m/s
Effective range 400 m
Maximum range 800 m
Feed system Single shot, no magazine
Sights Front post, rear notch

The PTRD-41 (Shortened from Russian, ProtivoTankovoye Ruzhyo Degtyaryova) was an anti-tank rifle produced and used from early 1941 by the Soviet Red Army during World War II. It was a single-shot weapon that fired 14.5x114mm tungsten core rounds. Although unable to penetrate the frontal armor of German tanks, it was effective against the thinner sides of early-war German tanks and self-propelled guns. The 14.5 mm armor-piercing bullet had a muzzle velocity of 1012 m/s. It could penetrate an armor plate up to 35 to 40mm thick at a distance of 100 meters. In 1941, most German tanks had side armor thinner than 40mm.

It and the similar PTRS-41 were the only individual anti-tank weapon available until the arrival of Lend-Lease bazookas from the USA later in the war[citation needed]. PTRD users would attempt to hit weak spots such as tank tracks and view ports to damage tanks that had armor too thick to be vulnerable. The PTRD was still effective against lesser armored vehicles like light tanks, transports and unarmored vehicles such as trucks. A major weakness of the PTRD was that it was a single shot weapon that gave off an immense muzzle flash, thus giving away the units firing position. On the other hand, anti-tank rifle teams were very easily concealed. The PTRD was eventually replaced by the RPG series of anti-tank rocket launchers.

Beside World War II the PTRD was also used extensively by North Korean and Chinese armed forces in the Korean War.

After World War II, the PTRD was modified with a .50 barrel and a scope to become one of the world's first .50 caliber sniper rifles.

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