45 mm anti-tank gun M1942 (M-42)

History

The M-42 was developed by the No. 172 Plant in Motovilikha as an upgrade of the 45 mm anti-tank gun M1937 (53-K). The gun received a longer barrel (20 calibers more than the previous one, so it was a 45 mm/L66), shells with more powerful cartridges, and a thicker shield (7 mm instead of 4.5 mm), but of hinged construction as a need for reduced profile, requiring crews to kneel while serving the weapon. Some minor changes were also introduced in order to speed up production.

These guns were used from 1942 until the end of World War II. In 1943, due to its insufficient anti-armor capabilities against new German tanks such as the Tiger, Panther and Panzer IV Ausf H, the M-42 was partially replaced in mass production by the more powerful 57 mm ZiS-2 anti-tank gun. The M-42 remained in production however, as it was quite effective against lighter vehicles and could pierce the side armour of the Panther and Panzer IV Ausf H. Fragmentation shells and canister shot gave the gun some anti-personnel capability.

Mass production of the M-42 ceased in mid-1945. The total number of guns produced is 10,843.

Reintroduction into service

On the 24th of January 2025 a video appeared of an M-42 gun being destroyed by a Ukrainian drone operator in the occupied Russian territory in the province of Kursk. This indicates that some of these guns have reentered service with the Russian armed forces.

Ammunition

• Ammunition types:
  • Armor-piercing
  • Fragmentation
  • Canister
  • Smoke
• Projectile weight:
  • AP: 1.43 kg (3.15 lbs)
  • APCR: 0.85 kg (1.87 lbs)
  • Fragmentation: 2.14 kg (4.71 lbs)

Performance

Notes

References

• Shunkov V. N. - The Weapons of the Red Army, Mn. Harvest, 1999 (Шунков В. Н. - Оружие Красной Армии. — Мн.: Харвест, 1999.)
• {{cite book

References

1. Foss, Christopher. (1977). "Jane's pocket book of towed artillery". Collier.
2. "UA 63rd Mechanized Brigade's UAV pilots continue to repel Russian assaults in the Lyman direction, using heavy bomber drones and FPV to hit two Ural trucks, two UAZs, two artillery pieces, loaf, buggy, and ~12 occupants. Published January 23, 2025".
3. (2001). "World War II Ballistics: Armor and Gunnery". Overmatch Press.