MG 42 machinegun history

Created in 1942 by the German firm Grossfuss Johannes AG, this heavy machine gun was a successor to the MG 34. The MG 42 has the fastest rate of fire of all the World War II machine guns (up to 1800 rounds/min for some versions).

It was requested by the German military authorities, who wanted to reduce the time and cost of production of the MG 34 machine guns. Thus, the production time of this weapon is, compared to the manufacturing time of the MG 34, divided by two, or 45 hours.

An improved version of the MG 42, MG 42V, was used for the first time during the Battle of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Its weight was reduced to only 9 kg.

The MG 42 is regarded by experts as the best heavy machine gun of World War II, and even of all time: the modern German military forces are still using a heavy machine gun based on the MG 42, and many armies in the world have adopted it. The American M-60 machine gun is inspired by this weapon.

MG 42 machinegun sheet

User: Germany
Denomination: MG 42
Total production: 400,000 (during WW2)

Shooting mode: automatic
Caliber: 7,92 mm
Magazine: 50 / 250 bullets
Operating distance: 1,000 m
Rate of fire: 1,200 rounds/min (up to 1,800 rounds/min for some versions)

Weight: 11,5 kg
Length: 1225 mm

 

 

 

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