Degtyarev DP LMG (DP28)

History of Degtyarev DP LMG (DP28)

The DP Light Machine Gun (DP LMG), sometimes referred to as the DP-27 or DP-28, also known as the "Record Player" due to its unique "translation" or "film reel" magazine, is the standard The light machine gun was a machine weapon system issued to Soviet infantry squads in the decade before World War II. At the time of its launch, the DP was one of Russia's most original weapon designs, more or less entirely indigenous. Consistent with traditional Russian thinking, the weapon is considered an easy-to-manufacture product that can be produced in the thousands and has proven to be a very reliable weapon system regardless of the environmental pressures it faces.

This is the legacy of the DP, the type continued to be used by the Soviet Army in the 1950s. The DP was designed by Vasily Degtyaryov as early as 1927, after which the weapon system entered formal testing and was accepted by the Red Army in 1928.

From there, the DP was deployed in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the Winter War against Finland (1939-1940), the Second World War (1939-1945), the Korean War (1950-1953), the Chinese Civil War (1946) -1950), Vietnam War (19551975), Cambodian Civil War (19701975) and Cambodian Vietnam War (19751989). Their range has ensured the presence of this weapon type on modern battlefields in countries such as Afghanistan and Somalia.

From the outside, the DP has a distinctly Russian design, its main feature being the use of its magazine in the front of the receiver. The receiver itself has rounded edges with plate edges and a metal front end with elongated rectangular vents for cooling barrels. The bipod is mounted on the front of the barrel housing, the barrel protrudes some distance from the gun body. The muzzle is covered by a conical flash suppressor.

The trigger assembly is secured under the rear of the receiver and is protected by an elongated trigger ring. No pistol grip, but an ergonomic shoulder rest. The shoulder strap can be hinged on the left side of the weapon, the stock and the ventilated forearm barrel jacket. The sight is located on the rear top of the receiver (tangential blade) and at the end of the barrel sheath (front post with ears).

The weapon system weighs approximately 20.11 pounds.

The DP is used to fire the Russian 7.62x54mmR cartridge from a 47-round magazine. Other versions eventually came online, featuring belt feeds and a 30-round overhead box magazine. The weapon is a pneumatic system that achieves a rate of fire of 500-600 rounds per minute.

The muzzle velocity was reported to be 2,755 feet per second. Effective range is 800 meters. The barrel is 23.80 inches long and features a right-handed 4-slot design. The DP uses a simple locking mechanism that makes for a strong and durable machine gun.

Internal working parts are well protected from dirt and dust on most battlefields. A butt tube is mounted below the barrel assembly and contains the actuating spring. By Soviet standards, the building was fairly solid.

Democrats are not without weaknesses, however. It is designed to shoot only in fully automatic mode. Placing the operating spring under the barrel means it is susceptible to the heat from sustained fire and can warp. As a cooling function for the receiver, the bolt will remain open between pulling the trigger, allowing debris to get into the mix. The use of the long-sided 7.62mm Russian cartridge also resulted in more jamming than expected.

The 47-round magazine also limits suppressive firepower to a level that is at least inferior to traditional belt-fed systems. Loading and reloading magazines is a chore. The bipod is also fragile and can easily break in the heat of battle.

In any case, this type was one of the best of its kind before, during and after the war, and was used in various other forms around the world by countries allied or friendly with the Soviet Union. Its ease of manufacture ensures that it becomes a worldwide staple.

The DP LMG has been further developed into versions other than the original. The PPD-36 is a magazine-fed model with a 30-round magazine. The DPM became a "modern" form, appearing between 1943 and 1944 and proved to be a mainstay of the Red Army in 1945, notable for its improved bipod and pistol grip extending from the rear of the recoil spring tube Bundle. Compensation recipient.

DPM is a Type 53 locally produced in China. The DA is the airborne variant, while the DT and DTM variants are the (modern) vehicle mounted variant. The DTM-4 is equipped with four machine guns for anti-aircraft operations. The RP-46 is a belt-type model released in 1946.

China produces these locally under the "Type 58" designation.

About 795,000 DP-LMGs were produced. This type served not only the Red Army, but also the armies of Cambodia, China, North Korea, North Vietnam and Vietnam. The Finns used the DP LMG (nicknamed "Emma") as an example of capture in the WWII Winter War with the Red Army.

It must be mentioned that almost all of the aforementioned operators used the RP-46 belt-fed variant.

In the Soviet Army, the DP LMG was officially replaced in front-line service in the late 1960s by the more modern series of PK machine guns.

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