SG-43 Goryunov

{{Redirect|SGMT|the basketball team|Sarangani Gripper Motorcycle Tire}} {{More footnotes needed|date=April 2009}} {{Infobox weapon |is_ranged=yes |name=SG-43 |image=Филиал ЦВММ «Дорога жизни», СГ-43.jpg |image_size=300 |caption=A static SG-43 inside the Road of Life museum in Ladoga lake station. |origin=Soviet Union |type=Medium machine gun |designer=P.M. Goryunov |design_date=1940–1943<ref>Советская военная энциклопедия. / ред. Н.В. Огарков. том 2. М., Воениздат, 1976. стр.617</ref> |service=1943–1968 (Soviet Union) 2025-? (Russia) |wars=World War II Korean War Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Cambodian Civil War Hungarian Revolution of 1956 Portuguese Colonial War Rhodesian Bush War South African Border War North Yemen Civil War Six-Day War Yom Kippur War Lebanese Civil War Angolan Civil War Mozambican Civil War Uganda-Tanzania War Wars in Afghanistan Somali Civil War Gulf War Burundian Civil War Congo-Brazzaville Civil War Iraq War Kivu conflict Northern Mali Conflict Syrian Civil War Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen |cartridge=7.62×54mmR |action=Gas-operated |rate=500–700 rounds/min |velocity=800 m/s (2,624 ft/s) |range=1100 m (1200 yd) |max_range=1,500 meters<ref name="korwar">{{cite book |last=Edwards |first=Paul M. |title=The Korean War |publisher=Greenwood Press |year=2006 |location=Westport, CT |page=77 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xA34hGXAjlIC&pg=PA77 |isbn=0-313-33248-7}}</ref> |weight={{convert|13.8|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} gun body {{convert|41|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} on wheeled mount |length={{convert|1150|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} |part_length={{convert|720|mm|abbr=on|1}} |feed=200 or 250 round belts |sights=Iron sights |variants=SG-43, SGM, SGMT, SGMB |number= }} The '''SG-43 Goryunov''' (Russian: Станковый пулемёт системы Горюнова, ''Stankovyy pulyemyot sistyemy Goryunova'', meaning "Mounted machinegun, Goryunov design") was a Soviet medium machine gun that was introduced during the Second World War. It was chambered for the 7.62×54mmR cartridge, and was introduced in 1943 as a replacement for the older M1910 Maxim machine guns.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Willbanks |first1=James H. |title=Machine Guns: An Illustrated History of Their Impact |date=23 November 2004 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=978-1-85109-485-1 |page=120 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z6fOEAAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref> It was mounted on wheeled mounts, tripods and armored vehicles.{{sfn|Hogg|1988|page=315}}

==Design== The SG-43 used a tilting bolt, moving sideways and locking into the side of the receiver. The feed is not straightforward, as the gun fires the 7.62×54mmR round, and this has to be withdrawn rearwards from the belt before ramming into the breech. The reciprocating motion is achieved by using two claws to pull the round from the belt, and then an arm pushes the round into the cartridge guide ready for the bolt to carry it to the breech. Despite this complication, the SG-43 was remarkably reliable and feed jams were apparently few.

The barrel is air-cooled and massively dense, contributing to a fairly high overall weight. The bore is chromium-plated and able to withstand continuous fire for long periods. The barrel can also be easily changed by releasing a simple lock, and the carrying handle allows a hot barrel to be lifted clear without difficulty. The World War II version of the gun had a smooth outline to the barrel, and the cocking handle was under the receiver, with no dust covers to the feed and ejection ports.

==History== The machine gun was developed as GVG (after last names of three designers) from February 1940 to November 1942, originally to be fired from either a magazine or belt-fed, however in spring 1942 the magazine feeding was dropped. After field trials on the frontline it was adopted as the M1943 Goryunov machine gun in May 1943.

In 1944-1945 the machine gun was improved by Alexander Zaytsev and Mikhail Kalashnikov, with the new version receiving '''SGM''' ("M" for modernized) designation. Reloading handle was moved, dust covers and a new barrel lock were fitted, and a splined barrel was fitted to improve cooling.{{sfn|Smith|1969|p=607}} A coaxially-mounted stockless electric solenoid-fired variant was developed under the designation '''SGMT''' (the "T" standing for ''Tankovy'', or "Tank"). The '''SG-43M''' and '''SGMB''' are versions modified with dust covers and used mostly on armoured personnel carriers.{{sfn|Smith|1969|p=608}}

The SG-43/SGM was widely exported and also licensed for construction in several countries. It was manufactured in the People's Republic of China as the Type 53 (SG-43) and Type 57 (SGM) heavy machine guns.{{sfn|Smith|1969|p=297}} It was also produced in Czechoslovakia (as Vz 43) and Poland (as Wz 43).<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131003045755/http://www.virginia1774.org/DIA-ST-HB-07-03-74.pdf Small Arms Identification and Operation Guide--Eurasian Communist Countries]}}, Defense Intelligence Agency/United States Army Materiel Command ST-HB-07-03-74, p. 324</ref>

In addition to World War II, SG-43 saw service in the Korean War with the Communist North Korean and Chinese forces.<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1ZNxDwAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PA535|title=The Encyclopedia of the Korean War: A Political, Social, and Military History|edition=2nd|editor-first1=Spencer C.|editor-last1=Tucker|editor-first2=Paul G. Jr.|editor-last2=Pierpaoli|page=535|volume=1. A-L|chapter=Machine guns|isbn=978-1-85109-849-1|publisher=ABC-CLIO|url=https://www.abc-clio.com/ABC-CLIOCorporate/product.aspx?pc=A1645C|first=Jeff|last=Kinard|date=9 April 2010|archive-date=16 November 2018|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116043249/https://www.abc-clio.com/ABC-CLIOCorporate/product.aspx?pc=A1645C|url-status=dead}}</ref> In Soviet service, the Goryunov, together with the RP-46, was replaced in the 1960s by the PK machine gun due to the switch in Soviet tactical doctrine to the general-purpose machine gun concept, rendering the gun effectively obsolete.{{sfn|Smith|1969|p=608}}

===KGK general purpose machine gun=== thumb|left|A KGK on a tripod at the Museum of Military History in Budapest The KGK (''Korszerűsített Gorjunov-Kucher'') general purpose machine gun was based on the Goryunov machine gun modified by a FEG team headed by József Kucher<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hungariae.com/Goryunov.htm | title=Goryunov SGM KGK Machine Guns made by Hungary }}</ref> (partner of Pál Király best known for his Kucher Model K1 SMG) and produced in Hungary during the 1960s and 1970s. The team added a butt-stock, a pistol grip, a conventional trigger and a bipod from the RPD machine gun, moved the charging handle from the bottom to the side, and redesigned the barrel lock mechanism so that the barrel could be quickly changed in the field.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kommandoblog.com/2017/10/27/kgkt-build-introduction | title=KGKT Build: Introduction - the SG-43's Hungarian cousin | date=27 October 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=2558 | title=KGK General Purpose Machine Gun }}</ref> Otherwise, the machine gun is identical to an SGM, and most parts are interchangeable.

It was used by the Hungarian army on a limited scale, including in the KGKT version as the turret machine gun on D-944 PSZH scout car, and was later replaced by a domestically produced copy of the Kalashnikov PKM machine gun.

==Users==

* {{flag|Afghanistan}}: SGM used by DRA and the Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War<ref>Wright, Lawrence, ''The Looming Tower'', Vintage Books (2006), {{ISBN|978-1-4000-3084-2}}, p. 134</ref><ref name="Afghan">{{cite book|title=The War in Afghanistan 1979-1989: The Soviet Empire at High Tide|url=https://archive.org/details/warafghanistan00isby|url-access=limited|first=David C.|last=Isby|publisher= Concord Publications |date=1990|page=[https://archive.org/details/warafghanistan00isby/page/n4 13]|isbn=978-9623610094}}</ref> and by Afghan National Army{{sfn|Neville|2018|page=26}} * {{flag|Burundi}}: Burundian rebels<ref name ='SAS 2007 6'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2007.html|chapter-url= http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2007/en/full/Small-Arms-Survey-2007-Chapter-06-EN.pdf|chapter=Armed Violence in Burundi: Conflict and Post-Conflict Bujumbura|title=The Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2007|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|page=204|isbn=978-0-521-88039-8}}</ref> * {{CPV}}: SGM{{sfn|Hogg|1988|page=767}} * {{flag|Central African Republic}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_africa/https-sites-google-com-site-worldinventory-wiw_af_centralafricanrepublic|title = Google Sites}}</ref> thumb|right|Type 53 MMG * {{CHA}}: SGM{{sfn|Hogg|1988|page=767}} * {{flag|China}}: Type 53 and Type 57{{sfn|Smith|1969|p=297}} * {{flag|Cuba}}: SG-43{{sfn|Smith|1969|p=300}} *{{flag|Republic of Congo}}: Chinese-made SGM used by Cocoye militia during Congo Civil War<ref name ='SAS 2003'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2003.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112154702/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2003.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 12, 2010|chapter-url= http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2003/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2003-Chapter-08-EN.pdf|chapter=Making the Difference?: Weapon Collection and Small Arms Availability in the Republic of Congo|title=Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2003|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|pages=274|isbn=0199251754}}</ref> *{{flag|Democratic Republic of Congo}}: Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo used SGMs<ref name = 'FDLR'/> :*{{flagicon image|Flagge FDLR.svg}} Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, sometimes known as ''MILOU'', for mitrailleuse lourde (heavy machine gun)<ref name = 'FDLR'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Highlights-EN.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701142546/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Highlights-EN.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 1, 2015|chapter-url= http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Chapter-07-EN.pdf|chapter=Waning Cohesion: The Rise and Fall of the FDLR–FOCA|title=Small Arms Survey 2015: weapons and the world|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2015|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|ref={{harvid|Small Arms Survey 2015}}|page=202}}</ref> * {{flag|Czechoslovakia|1945}}: produced under license as ''Kulomet vz. 43'' from 1953.<ref name="Czech">{{cite web|title=Gorjunov SG 43|language=cs|url=http://www.vhu.cz/exhibit/gorjunov-sg-43/|website=vhu.cz|publisher={{ill|Vojenský historický ústav Praha|cs}}}}</ref> * {{flag|Egypt}}: built under license<ref>{{cite book |last=Laffin |first=John |title=Arab armies of the Middle East wars, 1948-73 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=1982 |page=15 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ysulBklR7usC&pg=PA15 |edition=Illustrated |isbn=0-85045-451-4}}</ref> Used SG-43 and SGM.{{sfn|Smith|1969|p=613}} * {{flag|Finland}}: used during World War II in limited numbers <ref>{{cite book |last=Jowett |first=Philip |title=Finland at War 1939-45 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2006 |page=50 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p58vtOKyVy8C&pg=PA50 |edition=Illustrated |isbn=1-84176-969-X}}</ref> * {{flag|Georgia}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/114010|title=Საექსპორტო და საიმპორტო კონტროლს დაქვემდებარებული სამხედრო დანიშნულების პროდუქციის ნუსხის შესახებ}}</ref> * {{GIN}}: SGM{{sfn|Hogg|1988|page=769}} * {{GNB}}: SGM{{sfn|Hogg|1988|page=769}} *{{flag|East Germany}}: SG-43 and SGM{{sfn|Smith|1969|p=381}} * {{flagicon|Hungary|1949}} Hungary:<ref>{{cite book|title=The Hungarian Revolution 1956|url=https://archive.org/details/hungarianrevolut1956schm|url-access=limited|series=Elite 148|publisher=Osprey Publishing|first1= Erwin |last1=Schmidl|first2= László |last2=Ritter|date=10 Nov 2006|isbn=9781846030796|page=[https://archive.org/details/hungarianrevolut1956schm/page/n23 45]}}</ref> SG-43 and KGK variant<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lugosi |first1=József |editor1-first=József |editor1-last=Lugosi |editor2-first=György |editor2-last=Markó |title=Hazánk dicsőségére: 160 éves a Magyar Honvédség |year=2008 |publisher=Zrínyi Kiadó|location=Budapest |isbn=978-963-327-461-3 |page=383 |chapter=Gyalogsági fegyverek 1868–2008}}</ref> * {{flag|Indonesia}}:{{sfn|Smith|1969|p=461}} used by Mobile Indonesian Police Brigade (BRIMOB){{citation needed|date=August 2018}} * {{flag|Iraq}}: SGM variant<ref name ="gulf">{{cite book|title=Armies of the Gulf War|url=https://archive.org/details/armiesgulfwar00rott|url-access=limited|series= Elite 45 |first= Gordon L.|last= Rottman|date=1993|isbn= 9781855322776|publisher=Osprey Publishing|page=[https://archive.org/details/armiesgulfwar00rott/page/n48 49]}}</ref><ref name ='SAS 2012 10'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2012.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830000609/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2012.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 30, 2012|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2012/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2012-Chapter-10-EN.pdf|chapter=Surveying the Battlefield: Illicit Arms In Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia|title=Small Arms Survey 2012: Moving Targets|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2012|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|page=321|isbn= 978-0-521-19714-4|ref={{harvid|Small Arms Survey 2012}}}}</ref> * {{flag|Libya|1977}}: SGM variant<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_africa/wiw_af_libya|title=World Infantry Weapons: Libya|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005200329/https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_africa/wiw_af_libya|archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref> * {{flag|Mali}}: SG-43, SGM, Type 53<ref>{{cite news|title=Armée malienne : le difficile inventaire |date=18 June 2013|url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/170176/politique/arm-e-malienne-le-difficile-inventaire/|first=Laurent|last=Touchard|work=Jeune Afrique|language=fr}}</ref> and Type 57 variants<ref>{{cite news|title=Enduring engagement yes, episodic engagement no: lessons for SOF from Mali|hdl=10945/38996|last=Powelson|first=Simon J.|publisher=Naval postgraduate school|place=Monterey, California|date=December 2013|page=24|url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a620360.pdf|archive-date=2020-03-27|access-date=2022-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327112245/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a620360.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{MOZ}}: SGM{{sfn|Hogg|1988|page=771}} * {{flag|North Korea}}: used during the Korean War.<ref name="korwar" /> * {{flag|North Vietnam}}: SG-43, Type 53, SGM and Type 57 variants used during the Vietnam War by the NVA<ref name ="NVA">{{cite book|title=North Vietnamese Army Soldier 1958–75|series=Warrior 135|first=Gordon L. |last=Rottman|date= 10 Feb 2009|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=9781846033711|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iC21CwAAQBAJ|page=31}}</ref> and the Vietcong<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nam-valka.cz/zbrane/sg-43.html|title = Gorjunov SG-43, SGM / NAM 64-75}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Palestine}} Palestine Liberation Organisation<ref>{{cite book|title=Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces|series=New Vanguard 257|first= Leigh|last= Neville|date=19 Apr 2018 |isbn=9781472822512|publisher=Osprey Publishing|page=4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mGlPDwAAQBAJ}}</ref> * {{flag|Poland}}: SG-43{{sfn|Smith|1969|p=526}} * {{flagicon|Romania|1952}} Romania: SG-43 and SGM{{sfn|Smith|1969|p=533}} * {{STP}}: SGM{{sfn|Hogg|1988|page=772}} * {{flag|Somalia}}{{sfn|Small Arms Survey 2012|p=338}} * {{flag|Soviet Union}}: SG-43 and SGM were still in service in the late 1960s{{sfn|Smith|1969|p=606}} * {{flag|Syria}}<ref name="Kippur">{{cite book|title=Inside Israel's Northern Command: The Yom Kippur War on the Syrian Border|editor-first1= Dani|editor-last1= Asher|series=Foreign Military Studies|date= 2014|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|jstor=j.ctt19jcgzg |pages=130, 462|isbn= 9780813167664|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cGJzCwAAQBAJ}}</ref> * {{flag|Tanzania}}{{sfn|Hogg|1988|page=773}} * {{flag|Yemen}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gazit |first1=Shlomo |title=The Middle East Military Balance 1993-1994 |date=10 September 2019 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-30346-9 |page=472 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3SCwDwAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref> * {{ZAM}}: SGM{{sfn|Hogg|1988|page=774}} * {{flag|Zimbabwe}}<ref>{{Citation |title=Headquarters 1 Brigade (Brady Barracks) |year=2010 |type=Gate Exhibit |publisher=Zimbabwe National Army |location=Bulawayo, Zimbabwe}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Sources== * {{cite book|last=Smith|first=Joseph E.|title=Small Arms of the World|url=https://archive.org/details/smallarmsofworld00smit|url-access=registration|edition =11|location=Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|publisher= The Stackpole Company|year=1969|isbn=9780811715669}} * {{cite book |editor-last=Hogg |editor-first=Ian V. |title=Jane's Infantry Weapons, 1988-89 |date=1 January 1988 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=978-0-7106-0857-4 |language=English}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060212210549/http://world.guns.ru/machine/mg35-e.htm Goryunov SG-43 and SGM] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060217024612/http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/mghvrus2.htm 7.62mm Goryunov Heavy Machine Gun] * [http://www.thetankmaster.com/english/afv/goryunov-heavy-machine-gun-sg43.asp 7.62mm Goryunov Heavy Machine Gun, SG43 – Walk around photos]

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Category:7.62×54mmR machine guns Category:Medium machine guns Category:World War II machine guns Category:World War II infantry weapons of the Soviet Union Category:Machine guns of the Soviet Union Category:Cold War firearms of the Soviet Union Category:Machine guns of the Cold War Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1943 Category:Weapons of Hungary