Degtyaryov DP-27
Kovrov Mechanical Plant · Machine Gun · Discontinued · 1928
Also known as: DP-28, Degtyaryova Pekhotny, DP, Pulemyot Degtyaryova Pekhotny
Overview
The Degtyaryov DP-27 (also known as the DP-28) is a gas-operated, air-cooled light machine gun designed by Vasily Degtyaryov and adopted by the Soviet Union in 1928. Chambered in 7.62x54mmR, it feeds from a distinctive flat 47-round 'pan' magazine mounted on top of the receiver and fires from an open bolt at a cyclic rate of around 550 rounds per minute. Robust, simple to manufacture, and tolerant of harsh conditions, it became the standard squad light machine gun of the Red Army through the Second World War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 9120 g (321.7 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 11500 g (405.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1270 mm (50.00") |
| Barrel Length | 604 mm (23.78") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 47 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Pan |
| Muzzle Velocity | 840 m/s (2756 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3387 J (2498 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2500 m (2734 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 550 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x54mmR · primary — also known as 7.62x54R, 7.62 Russian, 7.62mm Mosin
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Pan Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Grip Safety
- Features: Pan Magazine, Bipod, Quick Change Barrel, Finned Barrel, Flash Hider
Variants
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Armed Forces · adopted 1928 · as DP
- People's Liberation Army
- Korean People's Army
- Finnish Defence Forces · as 7.62 pk/ven
Conflicts
- Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
- Winter War (1939-1940)
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Production
Estimated total produced: 795,000 · Production years: 1928-1953
Approximately 795,000 units produced at the Kovrov Mechanical Plant and other Soviet arsenals; widely exported and copied (e.g. Chinese Type 53).
Origin
Country of origin: Russia
Designer: Vasily Degtyaryov
Discontinued: 1953
Notes
The flat pan magazine reduced jamming with the rimmed 7.62x54mmR cartridge but was prone to damage and slow to reload. Early models suffered from the recoil spring overheating under the barrel; the modernized DPM (1944) relocated the spring to the rear and added a pistol grip.
Background
Designed by Vasily Degtyaryov, the DP-27 earned the nickname 'record player' from soldiers for the flat, rotating pan magazine that sat atop the gun like a phonograph disc.