Artillery / Towed guns / ZiS-3
ZiS-3
General Facts
- TYPE
Towed anti-tank gun - ORIGIN
USSR
- NICKNAMES
76.2mm divisional gun model 1942 (official designation)
M1942 (NATO reporting name)
76 K42 (Finnish designation) - DESIGNED
Late 1940 - early 1941 - DESIGNER
V.G. Grabin - PRODUCTION
Late 1941 - 1946 - PRODUCERS
USSR - Artillery Factory No. 92
- QUANTITY
Over 103.000 produced, production complete. - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Effective against WW2-era tanks
Good range
High rate of fire
Low production costs
Good mobility
Not effective against post war tanks
Limited firepower in artillery role
Introduction
The ZiS-3 is a World War 2 era anti-tank gun of Soviet origin. The ZiS-3 was developed during the early stages of World War 2 to replace the heavier and more expensive F-22 in service. The ZiS-3 was the main Soviet anti-tank gun during World War 2 and large numbers remained in use after the war.
Layout
The ZiS-3 has a rather simple design that combined the 76.2mm gun of the F-22USV with the ZiS-2 spilt trail two wheel carriage. The 76.2mm ordnance uses a sliding breech block and was improved by fitting a multi-slotted muzzle brake. This increased its performance while reducing stress on the carriage. A gun shield provides the seven men crew some protection from small arms fire and shell splinters.
Firepower
The ZiS-3 is armed with a long barrel 76.2mm gun with multi-slotted muzzle brake. Compared to the older 76.2mm F-22 the ZiS-3 has a better range, accuracy and penetration. The ZiS-3 was able to knock out all but the heaviest Nazi German tanks but was of little use against post war tanks. The maximum range is 2 km for armor piercing shells and 13.3 km for indirect fire with high explosive shells. A rate of fire of 25 rpm can be achieved.
Mobility
The use of the older ZiS-2 carriage made the ZiS-3 rather mobile considering its power. It was normally towed by a 4x4 truck which also transported the ammunition and crew. The ZiS-3 can be manhandled over short distances.
Users
The ZiS-3 was widely used by the USSR during World War 2 and is one of the most produced anti-tank guns in the world. In post war Soviet service it was quickly supplemented by the more powerful D-44 and BS-3, promptly making a lot of units available for export. Most nations with ties to the USSR received the ZiS-3 although most were phased out by the 1970's. A limited number remains in service, mostly as a fire support weapon.
ZiS-3
The ZiS-3 is a 76.2mm towed anti-tank gun based on the older ZiS-2 chassis. It can be identified from the ZiS-2 by its shorter and thicker barrel that is fitted with a multi-slotted muzzle brake. No variants of the ZiS-3 were ever produced.
- Specifications:
- ZiS-3
Type | Towed anti-tank gun |
---|---|
Crew | 7 |
Ordnance | 76.2mm L/51.6 cannon, 4.115 m barrel |
Elevation | -5 to +37° |
Traverse | 54° total |
Rate of fire | Up to 25 rpm |
---|---|
Range | 2 km (AP rounds), 13.3 km (HE rounds) |
Carriage | 2 wheel split trail carriage |
Weight | 1.200 kg (firing position), 1.850 kg (travelling) |
Length | 6.1 m |
Width | 1.65 m |
---|---|
Height | 1.38 m |
Towing vehicle | 4x4 light truck |
Speed | ? |
Remarks | Gun shield |