Degtyarev DPM LMG

Degtyarev DPM LMG History

While the Degtyarev DP series light machine gun proved to be an extremely viable suppressive weapon in standard Soviet infantry units during WWII, it took root in 1928 and had some inherent flaws during this time design was in peace period carried out. When the Germans invaded the Soviet Union through Operation Barbarossa, it showed the limitations of the DP through its strict use.

In any case, the Red Army staggered in defeat after defeat, and every viable important automatic weapon was placed in the hands of the Red Army soldiers.

The original DP model had two distinct weaknesses in its design. One of them lies in the rather fragile structure of the bipod, which can easily break in the heat of battle. The loss of the bipod limits proper operation and stability while firing until it can be repaired or replaced. Another disadvantage is the internal recoil spring used with the pneumatic action, which has a tendency to warp due to the heat generated by the barrel due to heavy repetitive firing. As a result, work began on an improved version of the gun, which was first used in the 1943-1944 campaign and eventually became the Red Army's main light machine gun in 1945, the last year of the war.

The new "modern" form is known by the name "DPM" to denote its modernized modifications, with changes including a more powerful bipod assembly as well as a repositioned recoil spring. The recoil spring is now attached to the rear of the bolt, which requires the recoil spring tube to extend to the rear of the receiver. This in turn prevented the use of the original rifle-style grip seen in the DP.

In its place, a more traditional (albeit a bit rough) freestanding pistol grip has been added, which definitely gives a better, more natural feel. Added simpler shoulder rests. In addition to these changes, new safety devices were introduced, and the old grip safety device was eliminated.

Once in service, the DPM performed well and was put to the test in the bloody Soviet offensive that eventually drove the Germans back to Berlin. Long-range tank and artillery fighting on a wide-ranging battlefield has now given way to bloody house-to-house fighting that has spilled over into the streets of the German capital.

All other services of DPM remain faithful to the original DP model. This guy still fires the same 7.62x54mmR cartridge from a gas operating system (the cylinder is mounted under the barrel). The weapon is fed from a 47-round "pan" magazine mounted on top of the front of the receiver - reloading is still cumbersome and time-consuming.

The cyclic rate of fire is 520 to 580 rounds per minute, with a reported muzzle velocity of 2,770. Overall, Red Army machine gunners found these changes ideal for modernizing toward more accurate and easier-to-operate automatic weapons systems.

The DPM remained in service with the Soviet Army until it was itself replaced by the newer, more modern PK series of light machine guns in the 1960s.

The Chinese military industry adopted locally produced DPMs as "Type 53s", and these were used as front-line weapons for longer than their Soviet counterparts.

The DPM machine gun was also modified as a tank machine gun in the DTM series. The weapon is fed from a 60-round magazine and generally retains the uniform look of the DP/DPM series. The DTM replaced the outgoing DT tank machine gun in a similar fashion.

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