PTRS-41

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	Weapon: PTRS-41 Type: Anti-Tank Weapon Country of Origin: USSR Year Adopted: 1941 Caliber: 14.5x114mm Action: Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Overall Length (mm): 2020.0 Overall Length (in): 79.53 Weight (kg): 20.30 Weight (pounds): 44.75 Effective Range (m): 1500 m Effective Range (yards): 1640.42

The PTRS-41 (Protivotankovoye Ruzhyo Simonova) was a semi-automatic anti-tank rifle developed by Sergei Simonov for the Soviet Union during World War II. Chambered for the powerful 14.5x114mm cartridge, it was designed to penetrate early German armored vehicles and fortified positions. Unlike its counterpart, the bolt-action PTRD-41, the PTRS-41 utilized a gas-operated, semi-automatic mechanism, allowing for faster follow-up shots. The weapon was fed from a fixed five-round magazine loaded via an en bloc clip, making it one of the few semi-automatic anti-tank rifles of the war. However, its long, bulky design and significant recoil made it difficult for infantry to maneuver effectively in combat.

The PTRS-41 was produced in relatively large numbers following its adoption in 1941, though exact production figures are uncertain. Due to the rapid advancement of tank armor, the rifle's effectiveness against German medium and heavy tanks diminished by the later years of the war. However, it remained useful against lighter vehicles, enemy emplacements, and even low-flying aircraft. Soviet forces used the PTRS-41 extensively on the Eastern Front, particularly during the early years of the conflict when German tanks had thinner armor. Despite its effectiveness in some roles, its weight (approximately 20 kg) and complex maintenance requirements limited its widespread use compared to the simpler PTRD-41.

While the PTRS-41 became largely obsolete as an anti-tank weapon, it saw continued use in later conflicts, including the Korean War and various Cold War-era engagements. In some cases, the rifle was repurposed as an improvised anti-materiel weapon, targeting light vehicles and enemy fortifications. Today, surviving examples are highly sought after by collectors and military historians due to their historical significance and innovative design. The PTRS-41 remains a notable example of Soviet ingenuity in producing effective, rapid-fire anti-armor weapons during World War II.