SG-43 Goryunov
Kovrov Machine Gun Factory · Machine Gun · Discontinued · 1943
Also known as: Goryunov, SG-43, Stankovyi Goryunova obr. 1943
Overview
The SG-43 Goryunov is a Soviet 7.62x54mmR belt-fed, gas-operated medium machine gun introduced in 1943 to replace the heavy, water-cooled PM M1910 Maxim. Designed by Pyotr Maximovich Goryunov, it is air-cooled with a quick-change barrel and was typically mounted on a wheeled Sokolov-style carriage or tripod. Reliable and simple to manufacture, it served the Red Army through the latter half of World War II and, in its modernized SGM form, became a mainstay of Warsaw Pact and allied armies through the Cold War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 13800 g (486.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1150 mm (45.28") |
| Barrel Length | 720 mm (28.35") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 250 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 800 m/s (2625 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3072 J (2266 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1100 m (1203 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 5000 m (5468 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 650 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x54mmR · primary — also known as 7.62x54R, 7.62 Russian, 7.62mm Mosin
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Belt
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Air Cooled, Quick Change Barrel, Belt Fed, Wheeled Mount, Open Bolt
Variants
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Armed Forces · adopted 1943 · as SG-43
- People's Liberation Army · as Type 53/Type 57
- Korean People's Army
Conflicts
- World War II (1943-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989)
Production
Production years: 1943-1961
Produced in the Soviet Union and license-built abroad (China, Poland, Hungary); succeeded in Soviet service by the PK general-purpose machine gun.
Origin
Country of origin: Russia
Designer: Pyotr Maximovich Goryunov
Discontinued: 1961
Notes
The quoted 13.8 kg is the weight of the gun body alone; mounted on its wheeled carriage the complete system weighed about 41 kg. Widely exported and license-produced, including the Chinese Type 53/Type 57.
Background
Pyotr Goryunov developed the design with his nephew Mikhail and engineer Vasily Voronkov; after Goryunov's early death in 1943, Stalin reportedly ordered that his name be retained in the weapon's designation as a tribute.