By the late 1930’s, most militaries with anti-tank rifles in their inventory had discarded them as obsolete and ineffective. After all, most new tank designs included armor far too thick to be penetrated by a shoulder fired arm, they reasoned, so the weapon of choice for defense against tanks was to be field artillery. Notable exceptions were the 20mm class of cannons such as the Solothurn and the Lahti, and the 14.5mm Soviet rifles that are the subject of this article.

In November 1938, the Soviet Union was barely 20 years old. They were still having difficulties meeting the armament needs of a peacetime army that had far more manpower than arms. And there were strong indications war was coming. Recognizing these contradictory facts, the Artillery Committee of the RKKA Artillery Directorate issued a report that foresaw the probability their under-equipped army would eventually be forced to fight against tanks with only infantry. Further, they decided that the anti-tank rifle was the solution, and that it would be useful as an anti-material weapon as well.

Earlier that year, a suitable 14.5mm cartridge had been designed, featuring a 64 gram (986 grain) boat-tailed armor piercing incendiary bullet with hardened steel core. Muzzle velocity was 1000 meters per second (3280 fps). The design was finalized in 1940 and adopted as the “14.5mm cartridge with B-32 bullet”.

ore was now made of tungsten carbide. While the B-32 was designed to penetrate 20mm of light armor at ranges up to 500 meters at impact angles as great as 60 degrees (or 30 degrees off of perpendicular), the BS-41 could defeat armor as thick as 35-40mm at ranges less than 300 meters. Thus, until the later models of the German Pzkw IV were fielded, the Soviet 14.5mm anti-tank rifles were capable of defeating all known enemy armor within certain parameters.

The Rukavishnikov anti-tank rifle of 1939 was selected to fire the new 14.5mm cartridge though it was never made in quantity. This was due to several factors. First, the Soviets overestimated the thickness and quality of German armor. Second was their reluctance to divert resources away from the urgent production of other needed war materials such as the PPD submachine gun. Lastly it had been demonstrated that the Rukavishnikov design was too complicated to manufacture under wartime conditions given the state of the Soviet Union’s industrial base.

It did not take long for this decision to backfire for in July 1941 Stalin took a personal interest in the situation regarding Soviet infantry versus German tanks. When it was clear that the Rukavishnikov rifle was not fully developed and could not be placed into mass production soon enough, it was ordered that two of the Soviet Union’s most respected arms designers were to produce new designs as fast as possible. Using two different paths to completion, Vasiliy Degtyarev and Sergey Simonov reportedly fired the first shots from their respective designs in less than a month.

The PTRD-41

The PTRD 1941 (14.5mm protivotankovoe ruzhe sistemy Degtyareva, obr. 1941 g.) is a single shot rifle that looks minimalist in the extreme. Except for the pistol grip and the cheek and butt pads, it is made entirely of steel.

The shooter’s face and the sights are offset to the left. The reason for this is to keep the face clear of the recoiling parts, especially the bolt. For while the PTRD is single-shot, it operates somewhat on the long recoil system. Upon firing, the barrel and breech bolt recoil to the rear, during which the bolt handle rides up the inclined plane of a plate welded to the right side of the stock tube, unlocking the bolt. At that point, the bolt is retained in the rearward position and the barrel moves forward back into battery, extracting and ejecting the fired case leaving the rifle ready for the next round to be loaded and the bolt closed manually. This serves to both increase the rate of fire and ease the problem of difficult extraction common in rifles of this power. A skilled team of gunner and loader can achieve 8-10 rounds per minute with this action.

The PTRD weighs 17.3 kg (38lb 2oz) and is equipped with a carrying handle and a bipod. The breech is locked by a large but otherwise conventional twin-lugged bolt turned through 90 degrees. The barrel is 1227mm (48.3 in) in length and has eight grooves with right hand twist. The overall length is 2000mm (78.7 in). The tubular buttstock is spring loaded to assist the muzzle brake in absorbing the fierce recoil upon firing. The safety is applied by pulling the hook shaped protrusion from the rear of the bolt and turning it 90 degrees, similar in practice to the safety on the Moisin-Nagant rifle.

One of the greatest advantages to the PTRD’s success was the simple manufacturing technology required to mass-produce it. Almost the entire gun could be turned out on lathes, with over 17,000 being produced before the end of 1941 alone.

The PTRS-41

Simonov used his auto-loading rifle design of 1938 as the basis for the PTRS 1941 (14.5mm protivotankovoe ruzhe sistemy Simonova, obr. 1941 g.), though the family resemblance is even stronger with the later SKS-45 including the fixed box magazine. A departure of interest is that the PTRS is loaded by inserting a five round clip of ammo much like an oversized M1 Garand.

Locking of the breech is by a tilting bolt that is similar to the previously mentioned SKS or the FN FAL. The semi-automatic mechanism is conventional with a gas piston operating on a bolt carrier. The safety is on the right side of the receiver. Like the PTRD, the PTRS is equipped with a bipod and carrying handle. It can also be taken down to allow transport by two men.

The barrel is 1220mm (48.0 in.) long and overall length is 2134mm (86.61 in.). It is also heavier than the PTRD at 20.86kg (46lb 3oz). Its performance is the same as that of the PTRD, though the Soviets were hoping for an advantage over the single shot due to its self-loading capability. Instead, the PTRS was not quite as robust as the simpler gun, and the increased weight and length also hampered it in combat.

In Use

Tanks in WWII were not as tightly packaged as today, and while the 14.5mm cartridge was generally capable of piercing the armor of many of the tanks it faced, often the bullet just sailed right on through, missing anything that would disable the tank, like main gun ammunition or one of the crew members. It was not unusual to find a German tank after a battle with as many as a dozen or more holes in the armor as Soviet infantry anti-tank rifle teams did their jobs. By mid-1943, though, both rifles were already proving less effective against the latest German tanks and were soon relegated to anti-material duty. Sometimes brave souls would try to use one in an anti-aircraft role.

Other Notes

Production of both rifles ended in 1945. They were often deployed in platoon and even company strength. The PTRS was sometimes encountered mounted on lend-lease Universal (Bren) Carriers. A common complaint with both rifles was that the muzzle brake caused excessive blast to be directed against the shooter.

The Germans thought highly enough of both designs that when captured with ammunition in sufficient quantities, they re-issued the guns to their own troops. The PTRD was known as the 14.5mm PaB 783 (r), and the PTRS was the 14.5mm PaB 784 (r).

After the War

Some sources indicate the PTRS was used in small quantities in Korea. The PTRD were fitted with telescopic sights and used as long range sniper rifles during the Korean War. Effective range when used in this role was about 1500 meters, and there was still substantial power in the projectile at that range. The PTRD was also reported to be in frontline service in Albania as recently as the 1980’s.

The 14.5mm cartridge itself gained a new lease on life in 1949 with the Soviet adoption of the Vladimirov KPV heavy machine gun, usually seen on Tanks, APVs and in twin and quad mounts.

Today

At the April 2002 Knob Creek shoot, there was only one 14.5mm rifle for sale; the PTRS pictured from Ohio Ordnance, though it was expected that the PTRD would have been more prevalent. Clips for loading the PTRS were unavailable. In original configuration, either rifle is classed as a Destructive Device due to the over 1/2 inch bore size. Over the years, many of these, especially the PTRD, were converted to .50 BMG. Reloaded 14.5mm “practice” ammo with a turned brass bullet is available from Big Sky Surplus. They also have dies for resizing as well as other components and information for these monsters.

Designed during a dark moment for the Soviet Union during WWII and likely the largest “small arms” round ever to be fielded, the 14.5mm cartridge along with the PTRD and PTRS anti-tank rifles, performed as planned and gave the under-equipped Soviet infantryman a fighting chance against German armor. Though the rifles were mostly obsolete by the end of the war, the cartridge itself soldiers on to this day.

Dan’s note: The KP/KT 14.5mm ammunition in use today in many countries is significantly “Hotter” than these old warhorses were designed for. We strongly suggest that latter date 14.5mm ammunition shooters pay very close attention to signs of possible headspace opening up- look for evidence of strain on the fired cases. If you start experiencing case separations, it is time to take a closer look. Safety first, of course.

By Robert Bruce

“Though the .50 caliber figures little in the hilltop fighting, it has paid its way in Korea, particularly in defense against infiltration of ground rearward of the infantry main line. Close defense of the artillery gun positions could hardly hold together without this weapon.” Operations Research Office Report R-13, Oct 1951

First introduced into the US military inventory in the 1920’s, John M. Browning’s .50 caliber M2 Heavy Barrel machine gun is still the best in its class. Indeed, “Ma Deuce,” as she has been affectionately called by GI’s for more than seventy years, is still on active duty today. During the Korean War, the powerful M2 HB proved versatile and lethal not only as a single weapon, but particularly so in multiple mounts.

Bigger is Better

While the .30 caliber Brownings were relatively light, portable and effective in combat when properly maintained and utilized in tactically sound roles, their range and hitting power were often inadequate. Faced with well dug in enemy defenses at ranges in excess of 800 to 1000 yards, the rifle cartridges fired by these smaller machine guns fell short in reach and penetration. Fortunately, an excellent solution to the problem was readily available.

The .50 caliber M2 HB can be considered a beefed up version of the Browning M1917 and 1919 guns, sharing many of their mechanical characteristics and combat proven as a star performer in WWII. Although setting of its headspace and timing could be a bit tricky to the uninitiated, the big beautiful Browning earned a reputation for reliability and lethality in ground, air and seaborne operations under the worst conditions.

Plenty of M2s were on hand with Army and Marine units at the outbreak of the Korean War. Of course, each infantry battalion had tripod mounted “Fifties”in headquarters and heavy weapons sections, and this was also the case in artillery, engineer and other combat or combat support formations. These heavy machine guns were a mainstay of perimeter defense as well as giving significant protection against low flying enemy aircraft.

“With the .50 which I was operating, and with an LMG (light machine gun) which PFC Lloyd A. Perry was firing from right next to me, we put up the covering fire which enabled the (artillery) battery to hit the road. As the position was laid out, the guns had to come from my left and turn around the .50 to get on the road…they were a pretty well exposed target. But the .50 and the LMG, together spraying the area ahead of us, kept the enemy fire pretty well dampered.” Sgt. William F. Aragon, 8th Field Artillery Battalion, quoted in ORO-R-13.

Ammunition Options

The exceptional performance of the M2 HB’s ammunition, impressively measuring some 5.45 inches long and weighing a hefty 1800 grains or more, deserves comment. Even ordinary ball cartridges, also designated M2, have a muzzle velocity of about 2930 feet per second and range in excess of 7000 meters. Penetration of the 709 grain gilding metal covered lead-antimony slug at all ranges is also a dramatic leap beyond that of .30 caliber bullets. At 600 meters, for example, the M2 ball would chew through a foot of dry sand and more than two feet of clay, ruining the day for North Korean and ChiCom soldiers even when they are hunkered down in bunkers.

Other types of ammunition are available for special situations such as dealing with lightly armored vehicles. The M2AP cartridge, with its manganese-molybdenum steel penetrator, will punch through a half inch of face hardened steel plate at 600 meters. Then, combined with an incendiary element to light up what’s behind that armor, the M8 API round can be particularly nasty at any range. Tracer fillers to assist fire control are also available in various combinations. The most common at the time was the Tracer, M1, which lights up at about 250 yards and continues to burn out to some 1700 yards.

.50 Caliber Sniping

Although Korea’s abundance of seemingly endless parallel ridgelines was a limiting factor in “by the book” tactical employment of many infantry and support weapons, this terrain feature also prompted a revival in the science and art of long range marksmanship. It is readily understandable why, when the enemy is dug into or advancing along a hillside right across from your position with only air in between, GIs would experience the natural desire to “reach out and touch him.” This was done at moderate ranges with accurized and scoped versions of the ’03 and M1 rifles, but something more was needed when the distance got well 600 or 800 yards.

The 84 pound M2 HB machinegun on its sturdy 44 pound tripod with precision traversing and elevating mechanism is a very stable shooting platform – sort of a self-contained bench rest setup. In addition, its massive “bull barrel” is inherently accurate and 45 inch length helps develop maximum velocity for the bullet. Luckily, performance of the M2 .50 caliber ball cartridge was pretty good despite being mass produced in the tens of millions. Army specs called for “…average of the mean radii of all targets at time of acceptance at 600 yards is not greater than 9 inches.”

Then, since the gun fires from a locked breech and can be operated in single shot mode, it compares favorably with bolt action rifles. “Ma Deuce’s” conversion from workhorse machine gun to sniper weapon is completed with addition of a telescopic sight, and she found gainful employment in numerous observation posts all along the battlefront.

Quad Fifties

M2HBs were also found on tank turrets, truck ring mounts and on other vehicles; notably the halftrack-mounted “Quad Fifty.” Fielded in WWII for both antiaircraft and ground support roles, the Multiple Gun Motor Carriage M16 had four heavy Brownings in a power operated M45 Maxson Mount piggyback on an M3 halftrack.

“…it is an adjunct of infantry fighting that the AA (anti-aircraft) gun has had its most decisive impact upon Eighth Army operations. This is particularly true of the quad-50 (M16). Which has a greater tactical flexibility in ground fighting and a visibly greater demoralizing effect upon the enemy infantry line than the Bofors twin-40. It would be difficult to exaggerate the effectiveness of the quad-50 when used in this role.” ORO-R-13

The M16 system was a good combination of mobility and firepower, able to travel quickly to places it was needed and immediately relocate within an operational area in response to the direction and intensity of enemy actions. The total rate of fire for all four M2s in this system is an awesome 2000 rounds per minute with an effective range approaching 2000 yards. Enemy MIG fighter jets knew better than to make close strafing attacks where Quad Fifties were on the job.

This combo served particularly well in supporting infantry attacks by saturating enemy defensive positions with a hail of steel, severely limiting their ability to resist. In defense of American positions against Communist assaults, a Quad Fifty could drive to the best location needed to repel the spearhead of an enemy assault. Armored sides on the halftrack and a protective shield on the gunner’s station were impervious to rifle caliber small arms fire.

Primary References

FM23-65 and TM 9-1005-213-10 Brig. Gen. S.L.A. Marshall, “Commentary on Infantry Operations and Weapons Usage in Korea; Winter of 1950-51,” Johns Hopkins University, Operations Research Office Report ORO-R-13, Oct 27, 1951
Terry Gander, “The Browning M2 Heavy Machine Gun,” PRC Publishing, Ltd., 1999