Talk:General purpose machine gun

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GPMG does not refer specifically to the MAG-58 / L7A1; it can refer to any machine gun that is designed to be able to fulfill the roles of either light machine gun or medium machine gun. Apart from the MAG-58 which fills that role in the British Army, other well known GPMG's include the M60, German MG3 (and once the famous MG42), and the Russian PKM. (However it is widely accpeted that the MAG 58 is the best GPMG ever made!)

-    Yes, by the very soldiers that use the FN MAG ;)  Any soldier will love theirs best (unless its an early M60)

A full article should discuss the origin of the idea of the GPMG, its tactical role, and why many modern armies are moving away from it back to a LMG/SFMG doctrine. I might do it in a couple of weeks but I am flat out at the moment.

Concerning an article on the MAG-58, it should probably also mention the large number of countries who have adopted it. Also the cyclic rate is actually variable. -- Roger 13 Aug 2003

The absolute best should be the one that originated the concept. In other words, the MG42. 209.221.73.5 15:31, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

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The "hip firing" reference is rather 'Arnie' or 'Rambo', isn't it. For a more encyclopedic tone I suggest 'while on the move'. GraemeLeggett 16:14, 11 Feb 2005 (UTC)

I think hip firing is possible only with weapons up to light machine guns. After that it's simply unfeasible. Oberiko 20:46, 11 Feb 2005 (UTC)

I would like to request that an image be uploaded to this page. Actually I may do that myself now--131.111.8.103 18:52, 8 October 2005 (UTC)

Hip firing is something that is rarely ever employed except for when firing light machine guns or GPMGS on the move.

"Firing from the Hip" is both taught in several armies as well as a more correct description of the technique, since one doesnt have to be "on the move" to fire from the hip. Just because "Arnie" or "Rambo" fires from the hip, that should not influence technical language.

[edit] Same as a Medium Machine Gun?

Isn't MMG pretty much synonymous with GPMG these days? If so, the pages should be merged. If not, notes should be added about how they're different.

My hunch is that GPMG is a British/Commonwealth term, and MMG is a USAian term, although i could be wrong.

-- Tom Anderson 2008-01-28 1819 +000

You have a good point but i dont think its right though. Any machine gun could really be a general purpose machine gun. That fact that most Medium machine guns are general purpose machine is just coincident. A light machine gun could be a gneral purpose machine gun also. BonesBrigade 19:21, 28 January 2008 (UTC)

Tom Anderson, I'm not sure where the term GPMG geographically originated, but I am American, and I am familiar with the term, specifically as it refers to a weapon that is designed to fulfill the roles of both an LMG and a MMG, such as the MG42 or M60.Cbmclean (talk) 21:48, 9 February 2008 (UTC)