The D-74 has a 52 calibre barrel, with a double baffle muzzle brake and a semi-automatic vertical sliding-block breach, with a tied jaw and the block moving down to open.

The breach has a projectile retaining catch to prevent the shell sliding out at higher elevations before it is rammed with a manual rammer.

Box girder section split trail legs are hinged to the cradle support, with bolts to lock them into either the open or closed position.

The cradle support also has a bolt for locking the barrel in centre for traverse before towing the gun.

To assist with all-round carriage traverse, there is a pivot jack mounted at the front of the cradle support.

As was normal for the period the gun has a shield, including a folding piece below the cradle support.

The centre section of the upper shield both slides up and down and folds to accommodate the barrel at higher elevation angles of fire.

In Soviet service the 5,600 kg gun was usually towed by a URAL-375 6×6 truck, AT-S or AT-L medium tractor in some regions.