Difference between revisions of "M3 (75 mm)"

Revision as of 19:16, 18 January 2022

This page is about the tank cannon M3 (75 mm). For other uses, see M3 (Disambiguation).

Description

The 75 mm M3 gun is an American tank cannon used in World War II. It is most well known for being the main cannon armament of the M4 Sherman medium tank prior to its transition to the 76 mm M1 gun.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

Vehicles equipped with this weapon
Medium tanks
M4	M4 · Calliope · ▄Sherman I Composito
M4A1	M4A1 · Sherman II · ␗M4A1 (75) W · ▄M4A1
M4A2	M4A2 · ▀M4 748 (a)
M4A4	␗M4A4 · ␗M4A4 (1st PTG) · ▄Sherman V · ▄M4A4
Heavy tanks	M4A3E2 · Cobra King · ▄M4A3E2 · T14
Tank destroyers	M8A1 GMC

General info

The 75 mm M3 gun in tanks such as the M4 Sherman boast a good mix between muzzle velocity and armour-piercing power around Rank II matches. A good amount of explosive filler in the M61 shell ammunition also allow penetrations to devastate the interiors of enemy tanks, to the point that a good placement of the ammunition can reliably destroy enemy targets in one shot.

A variety of shells allow the 75 mm M3 to stay competitive even in instances where the AP and APCBC round will have trouble, such as the T45 APCR ammunition and the M89 smoke shell.

Available ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
Ammunition	Type of warhead	10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
M72 shot	AP	91	88	78	67	57	49
M48 shell	HE	10	10	10	10	10	10
M61 shot	APCBC	104	101	90	78	68	59
T45 shot	APCR	139	135	121	105	91	79

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	0%	50%	100%
M72 shot	AP	619	6.3	N/A	N/A	N/A	47°	60°	65°
M48 shell	HE	463	6.3	0	0.1	666	79°	80°	81°
M61 shot	APCBC	618	6.79	1.2	14	63.7	48°	63°	71°
T45 shot	APCR	868	3.81	N/A	N/A	N/A	66°	70°	72°

Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Screen radius (m)	Screen deploy time (s)	Screen hold time (s)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
M89	259	3	13	5	20	50

Comparison with analogues

Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.

Usage in battles

The 75 mm M3 provides a good mix between armour-piercing power and rate of fire for players, and so it is best if the 75 mm M3 has a crew with maximum loading skill to maintain a high rate of fire against the enemies. The explosive filler of the M61 shell is also sufficient to incapacitate enemy tanks quickly with a shell penetration, especially if the gun is fired at the enemy's side armour, so it is best to employ the vehicle mounting the 75 mm M3 in a manner where the player can attack the enemy's sides, making use of the rate of fire to methodically pick the enemies off one-by-one.

Even in events when the 75 mm M3 AP and APCBC rounds are not sufficient against an enemy at close encounters, such as when using the M4A3E2 and fighting Panther tanks, the 75 mm M3 in higher ranking vehicles could have the T45 APCR rounds available for use. These APCR rounds if used properly can provide the necessary firepower advantage to use the 75 mm M3 gun to attack through the enemy's armour.

The 75 mm M3 gun also comes with a HE shell, which can be useful against thin-skinned enemy vehicles such as certain tank destroyers and SPAAGs. The gun, in select vehicles, can also come with a M89 smoke shell to allow a player to make a smoke screen if no such devices are installed in the tank itself.

The 75 mm M3's flaws come at longer ranges. A noticeable shell drop can be spotted when fighting at long distances, which would require careful aiming of the range to not shoot too high or low on the target. It certainly is possible to fight enemies at a long range with the 75 mm M3, but the gun handling would be disadvantageous when compared to a tank with a higher-velocity cannon. Knowing the range an enemy is at can negate this disadvantage slightly, but a larger lead would be necessary if the enemy is moving at the farther range, let alone if the enemy employs evasive maneuvres.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Good penetrating M61 round in lower ranks, especially when its explosive filler can lead to potential one-shots
Access to smoke rounds
Higher ranked vehicles with this gun have access to high-penetrating APCR rounds

Cons:

Noticeable shell drop when fighting at long-ranges

History

Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

External links

[The Sherman Tank Site] 75MM M3 Gun Information Page

USA tank cannons
20 mm	M139
25 mm	LW25 · M242
37 mm	M3 · M5 · M6
57 mm	M1
75 mm	M2 · M2 Howitzer · M3 · M6 · M1897A4 · XM274
76 mm	M1 · M7 · M32 · T185E1
90 mm	M3 · M3A1 · M36 · M41 · M54 · T15E1 · T15E2 · T54 · T208E9
105 mm	M4 · M68 · M68A1 · M68A1E8 · T5E1 · T5E2 · T140E2 · T140E3 · XM35
106 mm	M40A1C
120 mm	M58 · M256 · T53
152 mm	M81 · M162 · XM150E5
155 mm	M185 · T7
165 mm	M135
	Foreign:
20 mm	Rh202 ^(Germany)
57 mm	6pdr OQF Mk.III ^(Britain) · ZIS-2 ^(USSR)
105 mm	Sharir ^(Israel)
120 mm	IMI MG251 ^(Israel)

Germany tank cannons
20 mm	KwK30 · KwK38 · Rh202
28/20 mm	s.Pz.B.41
30 mm	MK 30-2/ABM
37 mm	KwK34(t) · KwK36 · KwK38(t) · PaK L/45
47 mm	Pak.(t)(Sf.)
50 mm	KwK39 · KwK L/42 · PaK38
57 mm	Bofors L/70 Mk.1
75 mm	K51 L/24 · KwK37 · KwK40 L43 · KwK40 L48 · KwK42 · KwK44 · KwK44 L/36.5 · PaK39 L48 · PaK40/3 L46 · PaK42 · StuK37 · StuK40 L43 · StuK40 L48
76 mm	PaK36 (r)
88 mm	Flak.37 · Flak 41 · KwK36 · KwK43 · PaK43
90 mm	BK90
105 mm	CN105-57 · Cockerill HP · FMK.4 Modelo 1L · K.18 · KwK L/68 · L7A3 · PzK M57 · StuH42
120 mm	Rh120 L/44 · Rh120 L/55 · Rh120 L/55 A1
128 mm	K.40 · KwK44 · PaK44
150 mm	s.I.G.33 · Stu.H 43 L/12
380 mm	RW61
	Foreign:
30 mm	Bushmaster 2 Mk.44 ^(USA) · HSS 831L ^(Britain)
57 mm	6pdr OQF Mk.V ^(Britain)
73 mm	2A28 ^(USSR)
75 mm	M3 ^(USA)
76 mm	F-32 ^(USSR) · F-34 ^(USSR) · M32 ^(USA)
90 mm	M36 ^(USA) · M41 ^(USA)
105 mm	GT-3 ^{(South Africa)}
125 mm	2A46 ^(USSR)
152 mm	M-10T ^(USSR) · XM150E5 ^(USA)
155 mm	M126 ^(USA)

Britain tank cannons
30 mm	L21A1
40 mm	QF 2-pounder
47 mm	Ordnance QF 3-pounder
57 mm	6pdr OQF Mk.III · 6pdr OQF Mk.V
75 mm	OQF Mk.V
76 mm	OQF 3-inch Howitzer Mk I · OQF 3in 20cwt · QF 17-pounder
77 mm	OQF Mk.II
84 mm	20pdr OQF Mk.I
94 mm	28pdr OQF · 32pdr OQF · OQF Mk.II
95 mm	Howitzer, Tank No.1, Mk.I
105 mm	LRF · Royal Ordnance L7A1
120 mm	Ordnance QF Tk. L1A2 · Ordnance BL Tk. L11 · L11A5 · L30A1
165 mm	ORD BL 6.5in L9A1
183 mm	QF L4A1
	Foreign:
25 mm	M242 ^(USA)
37 mm	M5 ^(USA) · M6 ^(USA)
75 mm	M2 ^(USA) · M3 ^(USA)
84 mm	kan Strv 81 ^(Sweden)
105 mm	Sharir ^(Israel)
120 mm	Rh120 L/55 A1 ^(Germany)
125 mm	2A46M-5 ^(Russia)
155 mm	M185 ^(USA)
	South Africa
20 mm	GI-2
76 mm	GT-4
90 mm	GT-2
105 mm	GT-3 · GT-7 · GT-8
155 mm	G6 L/45

China tank cannons
30 mm	ZPL02 · ZPZ02
73 mm	Type 86
76 mm	M32K1
85 mm	Type 56 · Type 63
100 mm	PTP86 · Type 59 · Type 69 · Type 69-II · ZPL04
105 mm	88B-105T · Type 83 · WMA301 · ZPL94 · ZPL98A
120 mm	122TM · PTZ89
125 mm	Type 88C · Type 99A · ZPT98
130 mm	PL59A Gai
152 mm	PL66 Gai
	Foreign:
20 mm	KwK30 ^(Germany)
37 mm	M6 ^(USA)
45 mm	20-K ^(USSR)
47 mm	Type 1 ^(Japan)
57 mm	Type 97 ^(Japan) · ZIS-2 ^(USSR)
75 mm	M2 Howitzer ^(USA) · M3 ^(USA) · M6 ^(USA)
76 mm	D-56T ^(USSR) · F-34 ^(USSR) · M1 ^(USA) · M7 ^(USA) · ZIS-3 ^(USSR)
85 mm	ZIS-S-53 ^(USSR)
90 mm	M3 ^(USA) · M41 ^(USA)
100 mm	D-10S ^(USSR)
105 mm	M68 ^(USA) · M68A1 ^(USA)
115 mm	U-5TS ^(USSR)
122 mm	A-19 ^(USSR) · D-25T ^(USSR)
152 mm	ML-20S ^(USSR)

Italy tank cannons
20 mm	Breda Mod.35 · Fucile Controcarri S Mod.39
25 mm	Oerlikon KBA B02
37 mm	Vickers-Terni 37/40 mod.18
47 mm	47/32 mod.35 · 47/32 mod.39 · 47/40 mod.38
60 mm	Cannone da 60/70 · OTO HVG
75 mm	75/18 mod.34 · 75/32 mod.37 · 75/34 mod.39 · Ansaldo 75 L/34 · OTO 75/43 mod.40
90 mm	90/53 mod.41 · Cannone da 90/50 M3A1 · Cockerill Mk.3
100 mm	Cannone da 100/17 Mod.1914
105 mm	Cannone Ansaldo da 105/25 · OTO Melara 105/52 · OTO Melara 105/55
106 mm	Cannone da 106 s.r.M40A1
120 mm	OTO Breda 120/44 · OTO Melara 120/45
	Foreign:
30 mm	Bushmaster 2 Mk.44 ^(USA)
37 mm	M6 ^(USA)
75 mm	KwK37 ^(Germany) · KwK40 L48 ^(Germany) · M3 ^(USA) · M6 ^(USA) · StuK40 L48 ^(Germany)
76 mm	M1 ^(USA) · QF 17-pounder ^(Britain)
90 mm	M3 ^(USA)
105 mm	L7A3 ^(Germany) · M68 ^(USA)
155 mm	M126 ^(USA)
	Hungary
20 mm	Solothurn QF.36M
40 mm	37/42M · MÁVAG 41.M 40/51
75 mm	41.M · 43.M
105 mm	MÁVAG 40/43M
	Foreign:
30 mm	2A72 ^(USSR) · MK 30-2/ABM ^(Germany)
88 mm	KwK36 ^(Germany)
120 mm	Rh120 L/44 ^(Germany) · Rh120 L/55 A1 ^(Germany)
122 mm	2A31 ^(USSR)
125 mm	2A46 ^(USSR)

France tank cannons
20 mm	20F2
25 mm	SA35 L/72
37 mm	SA18 L/21 · SA38 L/33
47 mm	SA34 L/30 · SA35 L/32 · SA37
75 mm	APX · APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 · SA35 L/17 · SA44 · SA49 · SA50 L/57
90 mm	D.911 APX · CN90 F2 · CN90 F3 · CN90 F4 · D915 · DEFA F1 · SA45 · SA47
100 mm	SA47 L/58
105 mm	CN-105-F1 · Giat 105 G2 · Modele F2 · PzK M57
120 mm	GIAT CN120-25 G1 · GIAT CN120-26 F1 · SA46
142 mm	ACRA
155 mm	GCT F1 · Schneider 155 C · L'Obusier de 155 Modèle 1950
	Foreign:
15 mm	MG 151 ^(Germany)
20 mm	MG 151 ^(Germany)
30 mm	Bushmaster 2 Mk.44 ^(USA)
37 mm	M6 ^(USA)
40 mm	Bofors L/60 · QF 2-pounder ^(Britain)
75 mm	KwK42 ^(Germany) · M3 ^(USA) · M6 ^(USA)
76 mm	M7 ^(USA)
90 mm	M3 ^(USA)
105 mm	M4 ^(USA)

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 == Description ==
-''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.''
+<!--''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.''-->
+The '''75 mm M3''' gun is an American tank cannon used in World War II. It is most well known for being the main cannon armament of the [[M4_Sherman_(Family)|M4 Sherman]] medium tank prior to its transition to the [[M1 (76 mm)|76 mm M1 gun]].
 === Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
@@ Line 27: / Line 28: @@
 == General info ==
 <!-- ''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.'' -->
-The 75 mm M3 cannon was a gun used most popularly on the [[M4 Sherman (Family)|M4 Sherman]] line of tanks. Its good muzzle velocity and armour-piercing power for its BR makes it pretty reliable at taking out targets with a single shot at most ranges, granted you stay in its BR range and you're using the APCBC shot.
+The 75 mm M3 gun in tanks such as the M4 Sherman boast a good mix between muzzle velocity and armour-piercing power around Rank II matches. A good amount of explosive filler in the M61 shell ammunition also allow penetrations to devastate the interiors of enemy tanks, to the point that a good placement of the ammunition can reliably destroy enemy targets in one shot.
+A variety of shells allow the 75 mm M3 to stay competitive even in instances where the AP and APCBC round will have trouble, such as the T45 APCR ammunition and the M89 smoke shell.
 === Available ammunition  ===
@@ Line 92: / Line 95: @@
 == Usage in battles ==
-''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.''
+<!--''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.''-->
+The 75 mm M3 provides a good mix between armour-piercing power and rate of fire for players, and so it is best if the 75 mm M3 has a crew with maximum loading skill to maintain a high rate of fire against the enemies. The explosive filler of the M61 shell is also sufficient to incapacitate enemy tanks quickly with a shell penetration, especially if the gun is fired at the enemy's side armour, so it is best to employ the vehicle mounting the 75 mm M3 in a manner where the player can attack the enemy's sides, making use of the rate of fire to methodically pick the enemies off one-by-one.
+Even in events when the 75 mm M3 AP and APCBC rounds are not sufficient against an enemy at close encounters, such as when using the [[M4A3E2]] and fighting [[Panther D|Panther tanks]], the 75 mm M3 in higher ranking vehicles could have the T45 APCR rounds available for use. These APCR rounds if used properly can provide the necessary firepower advantage to use the 75 mm M3 gun to attack through the enemy's armour.
+The 75 mm M3 gun also comes with a HE shell, which can be useful against thin-skinned enemy vehicles such as certain tank destroyers and SPAAGs. The gun, in select vehicles, can also come with a M89 smoke shell to allow a player to make a smoke screen if no such devices are installed in the tank itself.
+The 75 mm M3's flaws come at longer ranges. A noticeable shell drop can be spotted when fighting at long distances, which would require careful aiming of the range to not shoot too high or low on the target. It certainly is possible to fight enemies at a long range with the 75 mm M3, but the gun handling would be disadvantageous when compared to a tank with a higher-velocity cannon. Knowing the range an enemy is at can negate this disadvantage slightly, but a larger lead would be necessary if the enemy is moving at the farther range, let alone if the enemy employs evasive maneuvres.
 === Pros and cons ===
@@ Line 114: / Line 124: @@
 == See also ==
-''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
+<!--''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 * ''reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
-* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''
+* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''-->
+* [[M2 (75 mm)]] - Preceding variant with a shorter barrel.
+* [[M6 (75 mm)]] - Lightweight variant for light tanks, with a longer reload time.
 == External links ==
-''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 * ''topic on the official game forum;''
 * ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
-* ''other literature.''
+* ''other literature.''-->
+* [http://www.theshermantank.com/about/sherman-lee-and-variants-gun-data/75mm-m3-gun-information/ [The Sherman Tank Site<nowiki>]</nowiki> 75MM M3 Gun Information Page]
 {{USA tank cannons}}

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