37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) vs ZU-23-2

FORCETALLY

Loading the evidence…

Preparing your view.

AAnti-aircraft guns

37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)

Anti-aircraft gun Autocannon

Credit

One half 3544 · Public domain · Resized · Public domain · Source ↗ · Modified

BAnti-aircraft guns

ZU-23-2

Towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin autocannon

Credit

One half 3544 · Public domain · Resized · Public domain · Source ↗ · Modified

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)larger figure on 2 of 2

Mass+121%
Calibre+61%

ZU-23-2larger figure on 0 of 2

None

Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.

Measured figures

Head to head

38 of 141 rows sourced on both sides

—

4.57m

Length

All recorded figures & sources

4.57 m

Length

Single source

4.57 m (10 ft)^[source]

—

2.88m

Width

All recorded figures & sources

Configuration

Details

37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) and ZU-23-2 configuration
Specification	37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)	ZU-23-2
Type	Anti-aircraft gun Autocannon^[source]	Towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin autocannon^[source]
Place of origin	Soviet Union^[source]	Soviet Union^[source]
In service	1939–present^[source]	1960–present^[source]
Used by	See Users

Wars	List of conflicts World War II First Indochina War Korean War Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Cambodian Civil War Cambodian–Vietnamese War Sino-Vietnamese War Portuguese Colonial War Somali Civil War South African Border War Lebanese Civil War Syrian Civil War Yemeni Civil War (2015–present) Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen Tigray War^[source]	Angolan Civil War South African Border War Ethiopian Civil War Lebanese Civil War Soviet–Afghan War Western Sahara War Somali Civil War Iran–Iraq War United States invasion of Grenada Second Sudanese Civil War Siachen conflict Operation Praying Mantis Gulf War Georgian Civil War First Chechen War Second Chechen War War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000) 2006 Lebanon War Russo-Georgian War First Libyan Civil War Sudanese conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile Syrian Civil War Northern Mali conflict Russo-Ukrainian War War in Donbas Second Libyan Civil War Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) Tigray War Russo-Ukrainian war War in Amhara Sudanese civil war (2023–present) 2025 India–Pakistan conflict Iran–Israel war 2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan war^[source]

Manufacturer	Podolsk Mechanical Plant^[source]	—

Produced	1939–1945 (USSR)^[source]	1960–present [1]^[source]

No. built	20,000 (USSR)^[source]	—

Shell	37×252mmSR^[source]	23x152B^[source]

Shell weight	730 g (1.61 lb) Frag-T 770 g (1.70 lb) AP-T^[source]	—

Recoil	Hydro-spring^[source]	—

Carriage	Four-wheeled with twin outriggers^[source]	—

Elevation	−5° to 85°^[source]	−10° to +90°^[source]

Traverse	360°^[source]	360°^[source]

Former operator · Afghanistan	Afghanistan^[source]	—

Former operator · Albania	Albania^[source]	—

Former operator · Bulgaria	Bulgaria^[source]	—

Former operator · East Germany	East Germany^[source]	—

Former operator · Finland	Finland^[source]	—

Former operator · Georgia	Georgia^[source]	—

Former operator · Indonesia	Indonesia^[source]	—

Former operator · Iraq	Iraq^[source]	—

Former operator · Islamic State	Islamic State^[source]	—

Former operator · Morocco	Morocco^[source]	—

Former operator · Mali	Mali^[source]	—

Former operator · Mongolia	Mongolia^[source]	—

Former operator · Nicaragua	Nicaragua^[source]	—

Former operator · North Yemen	North Yemen^[source]	—

Former operator · Poland	Poland^[source]	—

Former operator · Romania	Romania^[source]	—

Former operator · Soviet Union	Soviet Union^[source]	—

Former operator · Somalia	Somalia^[source]	—

Former operator · Yugoslavia	Yugoslavia^[source]	—

Former operator · Zaire	Zaire^[source]	—

Role	Soviet 37 mm calibre anti-aircraft gun^[source]	—

Source measurement	The 37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) ( Russian : 37-мм автоматическая зенитная пушка образца 1939 года (61-К) ) is a Soviet 37 mm calibre anti-aircraft gun developed during the late 1930s and used during World War II . The land-based version was replaced in Soviet service by the AZP S-60 during the 1950s. Guns of this type were successfully used throughout the Eastern Front against dive bombers and other low- and medium-altitude targets. It also had some usefulness against lightly armoured ground targets.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Soviet Navy purchased a number of Bofors 25 mm Model 1933 guns in 1935, trials of the weapon were successful, and it was decided to develop a 45 mm version of the weapon designated the 49-K. The development under the guidance of leading Soviet designers M. N. Loginov , I. A. Lyamin and L. V. Lyuliev was successful, but the army thought that the 45 mm calibre was a little too large for an automatic field weapon. In January 1938 the Artillery Factory Number 8 in Sverdlovsk was ordered to develop a 37 mm weapon based on the same design. The task was fulfilled by the chief designer of the factory, Mikhail Loginov , and his assistant Lev Loktev . Firing trials of the new 61-K were conducted in October 1938.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Armour penetration of the armour-piercing (AP) rounds is reported as 37 millimetres of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) at 60°at 500 metres range and 28 millimetres of RHA at 90° at 1,500 metres range.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Development / Land version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage After this an 85- calibre 100 mm (3.9 in) anti-aircraft mounts long version, the 45 mm/85, was developed and accepted into service in 1954, it was deployed in twin and quad turrets on a number of classes of vessels, including the Neustrashimy , Kildin and Kotlin-class destroyers . However, it was later replaced with the ZIF-31 twin 57 mm mounting.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Development / Naval version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The 37 mm twin mounting was exported to China where it was manufactured and used extensively, as the "Type 65". A turret-based version was produced from the late 1980s called the "Type 76" or H/PJA 76.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Development / Naval version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The ZSU-37 was developed late in the Second World War, it was a single 37 mm gun mounted in a large open turret on the chassis of the SU-76 self-propelled gun.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Development / ZSU-37; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Recoil length: 150 to 175 mm^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Norinco (Chinese) Type 55 – towed single-barreled 37 mm, copy of the M1939 (61-K) Type 63/65 – self-propelled twin 37 mm gun based on the T-34-85 chassis. Type 65 – towed twin-barreled 37 mm, copy of the M1939 (61-K) Type 74 – towed twin-barreled 37 mm, upgrade of the towed Type 65, with a greater rate of fire. Type 74SD – Type 74 with servo system removed for operation with Type 800 laser course director system. Type 79-III – upgraded version of the Type 74 with electro-optical director, and powered traverse and elevation. Type 76 – Naval version of the twin 37 mm. P793 – Advanced twin-barrel version, with electro-optical predicting sight and higher rate of fire and lengthened barrels giving a higher muzzle velocity (1,000 m/s). Operated by a crew of 5 or 6.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	—

Source measurement

The 37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) ( Russian : 37-мм автоматическая зенитная пушка образца 1939 года (61-К) ) is a Soviet 37 mm calibre anti-aircraft gun developed during the late 1930s and used during World War II . The land-based version was replaced in Soviet service by the AZP S-60 during the 1950s. Guns of this type were successfully used throughout the Eastern Front against dive bombers and other low- and medium-altitude targets. It also had some usefulness against lightly armoured ground targets.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Soviet Navy purchased a number of Bofors 25 mm Model 1933 guns in 1935, trials of the weapon were successful, and it was decided to develop a 45 mm version of the weapon designated the 49-K. The development under the guidance of leading Soviet designers M. N. Loginov , I. A. Lyamin and L. V. Lyuliev was successful, but the army thought that the 45 mm calibre was a little too large for an automatic field weapon. In January 1938 the Artillery Factory Number 8 in Sverdlovsk was ordered to develop a 37 mm weapon based on the same design. The task was fulfilled by the chief designer of the factory, Mikhail Loginov , and his assistant Lev Loktev . Firing trials of the new 61-K were conducted in October 1938.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Armour penetration of the armour-piercing (AP) rounds is reported as 37 millimetres of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) at 60°at 500 metres range and 28 millimetres of RHA at 90° at 1,500 metres range.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Development / Land version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

After this an 85- calibre 100 mm (3.9 in) anti-aircraft mounts long version, the 45 mm/85, was developed and accepted into service in 1954, it was deployed in twin and quad turrets on a number of classes of vessels, including the Neustrashimy , Kildin and Kotlin-class destroyers . However, it was later replaced with the ZIF-31 twin 57 mm mounting.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Development / Naval version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The 37 mm twin mounting was exported to China where it was manufactured and used extensively, as the "Type 65". A turret-based version was produced from the late 1980s called the "Type 76" or H/PJA 76.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Development / Naval version; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The ZSU-37 was developed late in the Second World War, it was a single 37 mm gun mounted in a large open turret on the chassis of the SU-76 self-propelled gun.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Development / ZSU-37; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Recoil length: 150 to 175 mm^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Norinco (Chinese) Type 55 – towed single-barreled 37 mm, copy of the M1939 (61-K) Type 63/65 – self-propelled twin 37 mm gun based on the T-34-85 chassis. Type 65 – towed twin-barreled 37 mm, copy of the M1939 (61-K) Type 74 – towed twin-barreled 37 mm, upgrade of the towed Type 65, with a greater rate of fire. Type 74SD – Type 74 with servo system removed for operation with Type 800 laser course director system. Type 79-III – upgraded version of the Type 74 with electro-optical director, and powered traverse and elevation. Type 76 – Naval version of the twin 37 mm. P793 – Advanced twin-barrel version, with electro-optical predicting sight and higher rate of fire and lengthened barrels giving a higher muzzle velocity (1,000 m/s). Operated by a crew of 5 or 6.^[source]37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

—

Origin reported by inventory	Soviet Union China^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 9, row 2, cell 4; revision 1373498165; retrieved 2026-10-02 Soviet Union^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 15, row 24, cell 3; revision 1375897637; retrieved 2026-10-02 Soviet Union^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 4, row 5, cell 2; revision 1365890955; retrieved 2026-10-02 China^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 3, row 4, cell 3; revision 1376512630; retrieved 2026-10-01 Soviet Union^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 4, row 4, cell 2; revision 1364971517; retrieved 2026-10-01	—

Origin reported by inventory

Soviet Union China^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 9, row 2, cell 4; revision 1373498165; retrieved 2026-10-02

Soviet Union^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 15, row 24, cell 3; revision 1375897637; retrieved 2026-10-02

Soviet Union^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 4, row 5, cell 2; revision 1365890955; retrieved 2026-10-02

China^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 3, row 4, cell 3; revision 1376512630; retrieved 2026-10-01

Soviet Union^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 4, row 4, cell 2; revision 1364971517; retrieved 2026-10-01

—

Designer	—	KBP Instrument Design Bureau^[source]

Designed	—	Late 1950s^[source]

Variants	—	See Variants and upgrades^[source]

Barrels	—	2^[source]

Action	—	Gas operated^[source]

Feed system	—	2x 50 round belt^[source]

Reported operators	Reported operator · Angola Reported operator · Algeria Reported operator · Bosnia and Herzegovina Reported operator · Bangladesh Reported operator · Bolivia Reported operator · Burundi Reported operator · Cambodia Reported operator · Cameroon Reported operator · China Reported operator · Republic of the Congo Reported operator · Democratic Republic of the Congo Reported operator · Cuba Reported operator · Egypt Reported operator · Ethiopia Reported operator · Gabon Reported operator · Guinea Reported operator · Guinea-Bissau Reported operator · Iran Reported operator · Israel Reported operator · North Korea Reported operator · Laos Reported operator · Madagascar Reported operator · Mauritania Reported operator · Mozambique Reported operator · Myanmar Reported operator · Nepal Reported operator · Pakistan Reported operator · Seychelles Reported operator · South Sudan Reported operator · Sudan Reported operator · Sri Lanka Reported operator · Syria Reported operator · Tanzania Reported operator · Thailand Reported operator · Togo Reported operator · Tunisia Reported operator · Uganda Reported operator · Vietnam Reported operator · Zambia Reported operator · Zimbabwe	Reported operator · Angola Reported operator · Algeria Reported operator · Burundi Reported operator · Cambodia Reported operator · China Reported operator · Cuba Reported operator · Egypt Reported operator · Ethiopia Reported operator · Gabon Reported operator · Guinea-Bissau Reported operator · Iran Reported operator · Israel Reported operator · North Korea Reported operator · Laos Reported operator · Mauritania Reported operator · Mozambique Reported operator · Myanmar Reported operator · South Sudan Reported operator · Sudan Reported operator · Sri Lanka Reported operator · Syria Reported operator · Tanzania Reported operator · Uganda Reported operator · Afghanistan Reported operator · Albania Reported operator · Armenia Reported operator · Azerbaijan Reported operator · Belarus Reported operator · Bosnia-Herzegovina Reported operator · Bulgaria Reported operator · Cape Verde Reported operator · Chad Reported operator · Djibouti Reported operator · Ecuador Reported operator · Eritrea Reported operator · Estonia Reported operator · Finland Reported operator · Greece Reported operator · Georgia Reported operator · South Ossetia Reported operator · Ghana Reported operator · India Reported operator · Indonesia Reported operator · Iraq Reported operator · Kurdistan Region Reported operator · Ivory Coast Reported operator · Latvia Reported operator · Lebanon Reported operator · Libya Reported operator · Morocco Reported operator · Moldova Reported operator · Transnistria Reported operator · Mali Reported operator · Mongolia Reported operator · Namibia Reported operator · Nicaragua Reported operator · Nigeria Reported operator · Oman Reported operator · Peru Reported operator · Poland Reported operator · Russia Reported operator · Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Reported operator · Somalia Reported operator · Puntland Reported operator · Somaliland Reported operator · South Africa Reported operator · Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North Reported operator · Turkmenistan Reported operator · Ukraine Reported operator · United States Reported operator · Venezuela