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MG42


Maschinengewehr 42


Overview


MG42

Left side view of MG42 machine gun.
Source: Phanatic - © CC BY-SA 4.0

Origin
Nazi Germany
Type
Machine gun
Entered service
1942
Status
Obsolete
Development
1942
Developer
Nazi Germany
Werner Gruner
Production
1942 - 1945 (MG42 in Nazi Germany)
Producer
Nazi Germany - Großfuß
Nazi Germany - Mauser-Werke
Nazi Germany - Wilhelm Gustloff-Werke
Nazi Germany - Steyr-Daimler-Puch
Nazi Germany - MAGET / Alkett
Unit cost
250 Reichsmark in 1944
Number produced
Over 420.000 during World War 2
Designations
MG42 / Maschinengewehr 42
Notable users
Nazi Germany

Details


Facts MG42
General
Origin
Nazi Germany
Type
Machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
7.92x57mm Mauser
Feed system
Belt feed
Varying from 50 to 250 rounds
Barrel length
530 mm
Rifling
4 or 6 grooves, 210 mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
740 m/s using s.S-Patrone
Operation
Action
Short recoil, fires from open bolt position
Locking
Roller locking
Fire selector
0 - F
Rate of fire
1.200 - 1.500 rpm
Quick change barrel
Yes
Dimensions
Stock type
Fixed
Length
1.22 m
Weight
11.57 kg empty with bipod
1.75 kg for spare barrel
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, post front and V-notch rear
Optional anti-aircraft sight
Range adjustment
200 to 2.000 m per 100 m
Sight radius
430 mm
Optics
None
Accessories
Bipod
Fixed stowable bipod
Tripod
Optional Lafette 42 with Z34 or Z40 optical sight

Media


Ammunition


7.92x57mm Mauser

The MG42 is chambered for the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge.

Related articles


MG34

During World War 2 the MG42 supplemented and replaced the MG34 in the infantry squad and as a crew served weapon. As a vehicle machine gun the MG34 remained in use since the barrel could be replaced while the MG34 was fitted in a ball mount.

Rheinmetall MG3

The MG3 family of machine guns are direct post war derivatives of the MG42 chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO.

Zastava M53

Yugoslav production variant of the MG42 using original captured German tooling. The M53 has a lower rate of fire due to using a heavier bolt.