The first stabilizers appeared during the Second World War – unilateral stabilizers were installed on several models of the M4 Sherman and M3 Stuart tanks. These devices possessed far worse stabilization capabilities than modern stabilizers, but nonetheless provided a means to aim fire on short stops, quickly restoring aiming and also to fire when moving at a low speed. Tanks with a low-caliber gun (for example the British Matilda, the Czech Pz-38t and certain Japanese vehicles) had the ability to unlock the lifting mechanism and aim the gun vertically with the help of a lock rest.

At the same time, because the gun was balanced in pins, when the tank was moving slowly it also achieved a stabilization effect, and could fire effectively against targets at short range. The gun stabilizer became an industry standard in tank design in the post-war years, when the complex electromechanical system of dual-plane stabilization became capable of holding a target in the sight even at a significant speed and with a serious lean on the vehicle’s hull.

On ships, gun stabilization was widespread during World War II, even for anti-air guns. They could also stabilize on three planes, compensating for swell. The ability to fire effectively whilst moving makes gameplay on vehicles equipped with gun stabilizers more fun and more dynamic.