All the Guns on an M4 Sherman Tank (with Nicholas Moran, the Chieftain)

Published on December 7, 2019
Duration: 54:17

This video provides an in-depth look at the armament of the M4 Sherman tank, featuring insights from Nicholas Moran. It details the function and placement of the bow machine gun, coaxial machine gun, and the commander's .50 caliber M2 Browning. The 76mm M1 gun's capabilities and ammunition types are discussed, along with the small arms issued to the crew, such as the M3 Grease Gun and M1911A1 pistol.

Quick Summary

The M4 Sherman tank was armed with multiple machine guns, including a bow-mounted M1919A4 .30 cal, a coaxial M1919A4, and often a commander's .50 caliber M2 Browning. Its main armament was typically a 75mm or an upgraded 76mm M1 gun, with crews carrying M3 Grease Guns and M1911A1 pistols for personal defense.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: M4 Sherman Tank Overview
  2. 04:41The Bow Machine Gun: M1919A4 Explained
  3. 10:11Coaxial Machine Gun: Primary Infantry Support
  4. 16:43External Machine Guns: .30 Cal and .50 Cal M2 Browning
  5. 22:09The 76mm M1 Main Gun: Performance and History
  6. 28:39Turret Interior: Loading and Sighting Systems
  7. 34:40Crew Small Arms: M3 Grease Gun & M1911A1 Pistol

Frequently Asked Questions

What machine guns were typically found on an M4 Sherman tank?

The M4 Sherman commonly featured a bow-mounted M1919A4 .30 caliber machine gun, a coaxial M1919A4 next to the main gun, and often a .50 caliber M2 Browning heavy machine gun for the commander, primarily for anti-aircraft use.

What was the main gun of the M4 Sherman tank?

The M4 Sherman was equipped with either a 75mm gun or an upgraded 76mm M1 gun. The 76mm version offered better armor penetration due to higher velocity ammunition like HVAP.

What personal firearms did M4 Sherman tank crews carry?

Tank crews were issued personal defense weapons for emergencies. These typically included the M3 'Grease Gun' submachine gun in .45 ACP and an M1911A1 pistol, also in .45 ACP.

How did the 76mm M1 gun differ from the earlier 75mm gun on the M4 Sherman?

While sharing the same bore diameter, the 76mm M1 gun used a larger cartridge case, resulting in higher muzzle velocity and improved armor penetration capabilities compared to the 75mm gun.

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