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Soviet 100mm vs. Soviet 122mm


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I've read that the Soviet 100mm gun used in the SU-100 was an excellent gun and had very good armor piercing capabilities. Why did the Russians go with the slower 122mm? Was it a "Bigger is Better" mentality? Anyone done any reading on this or know anything about this?

Thanks in advance.

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They were debating about this at the time. The reasons for staying with 122mm:

</font>

  • Same ammo load carried (28x122mm or 29x100mm)</font>
  • Firing rate unchanged (100mm weighs less but is longer)</font>
  • More explosive power. (Better effect against infantry)</font>
  • They weren't sure that the 100mm was actually better at penetrating</font>
  • Both guns defeated Panthers frontally at 1500m or better.</font>

To read actual memos on this, have a look at battlefield.ru. They have a section on the subject.

/SirReal

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If I may offer an unsubstantiated opinion...

:eek:

I think the 100mm may have been the better AT weapon, but the 122mm carried a larger HE charge. Since by the late war, the Sovs were more interested in a weapon that was optimized for dealing with infantry and guns, especially when dug in, it is natural that they would favor the larger gun. So yes, in this case bigger is better.

Also, ISTR there was some problem about the production and availability of the 100mm or its ammunition, but I'll leave that to the armor grogs.

Michael

[ July 29, 2003, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: Michael Emrys ]

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