PTRS-41

Description

The Soviets used two types of anti-material/anti-tank rifles during World War Two, the bolt action PTRD-41, designed by Vasily A. Degtyaryov and this, the semi-automatic PTRS-41, designed by Sergei G. Simonov.

Both weapons were designed around the new 14.5×114mm cartridge, which was similar to that used in the British Boys anti-tank rifle 0.55 in (14 mm). A calibre which was deemed sufficient enough to penetrate the expected tank amour of the late 1930’s period.

Both weapons would have their advantages and disadvantages, the bolt action PTRD was incredibly reliable, however due to its violent recoil it was unpleasant to fire and being bolt action (with no magazine), it suffered from a slow rate of fire. The PTRS however was certainly the better of the two designs, as its semi-automatic action, combined with the 5 round internal magazine, enabled a much higher rate of fire and the large muzzle break significantly lessened the recoil force on the firers body. As with all large calibre gas operated weapons, as the gas ports soon become clogged with carbon, which inevitably will cause feed stoppages until cleaned. The PTRS certainly suffered from this issued and for this reason, many two-man anti-tank crews often opted (although rarely given a choice) for the more reliable/less maintenance PTRD.

With the rapid advancement of German tank design, increases in the depth of frontal armour made the use of weapons such as these near obsolete, however a well trained crew could still score significant hits on tanks such as the Tiger, by aiming for the glass periscopes and effectively blinding the crew inside, or by firing from an elevated position and hitting the thinly armoured turret roof or engine decks. They were of course still incredibly effective ‘head on’ against a multitude of lightly armoured and ‘soft skinned’ vehicles.

After the war PTRS saw extensive use with Chinese forces in the Korean War, also later in the Balkan/Yugoslav wars and more recently they have been seen in the hands of Soviet backed militia fighting in the Ukraine.