Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the heavy machine guns (hmg) category.
01 / Overview
DShK
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1938–1980
Quantity
1,000,000
Unit Price (current)
$3.2K↗ 40% inflation · 2012→2025
Original Price
$2.3K (2012)
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG) · INTERWAR PERIOD
3
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
94
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$3.2K
Original: $2.3K (2012)
Inflation: +%40
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the heavy machine guns (hmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Production Year1938
- Service Entry Year1938
- DesignerVasily Degtyaryov; Georgi Shpagin
- Weight (Empty)34 kg
- Weight (Loaded)157 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
- Cartridge12.7×108mm
- Calibre12.7 mm
- Case Length108 mm
- Calibre Class12.7mm
- Bullet Weight51 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation6MOD.6
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesautomatic
- Select FireNo
- Feed SystemBelt
- Cyclic Rate of Fire600
- Trigger Typebutterfly
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
- Muzzle Velocity850 m/s
- Effective Range (point)2,000 m
- Maximum Range2,500 m
- Penetration20 mm
◆Barrel & Sights4MOD.4
- Barrel Length1,070 mm
- Sight TypeIron/optical
- Optic RailYes
- Iron SightsYes
▤Construction2MOD.2
⬢Features3MOD.3
▲Production & Cost5MOD.5
- Total Production1,000,000
- Production Start1938
- Production End1980
- Unit Cost2,250 USD
- Variants38
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1927First deployment: Chinese Civil War
- 1938Production started
- 1980Production ended
88
years in service
42
years in production
1,000,000
units produced
76
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
DSHK · CONFLICTS SERVED IN12% win·12% loss
Total Conflicts
26
Victories
3
Ongoing
0
Losses
3
2014–2017Iraqi Civil War of 2014–2017—→2011–War in the Sahel—→2011–2024Syrian Civil WarDecisive victory→2011–Operation Linda Nchi—→2003–2011Iraq WarDecisive victory→2001–2014Operation Enduring Freedom—→1999Kargil WarDecisive victory→1993–1995United Nations Operation in Somalia II—→1990–Tuareg rebellion (1990-1995)—→1989–1992Afghan Civil War—→1989–1996KDPI insurgency—→1979Sino-Vietnamese War—→1979–1979 Kurdish rebellion in Iran—→1977–1978Ogaden War—→1975–1991Western Sahara War—→1975–2002Angolan Civil War—→1975–1990Lebanese Civil War—→1974–1991Ethiopian Civil War—→1967–1975Cambodian Civil War—→1965–1983communist insurgency in Thailand—→1961–1962Operation Trikora—→1959–1975Laotian Civil WarDecisive victory→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→1950–1953Korean War—→1946–1954First Indochina War—→1939–1940Winter WarDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries76country
06 / MASS Score
HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG) RANKING Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) · Interwar Period
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
22HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG)3INTERWAR PERIOD · HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG)479RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS1PRICE · HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG)801PRICE · ALL WEAPONS2PERFORMANCE/PRICE · HEAVY MACHINE GUNS (HMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
A mounting system for attaching optical sights to rifles.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources