Rheinmetall MG 3
| MG 3 | |
|---|---|
 MG 3 |
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| Type | General purpose machine gun |
| Place of origin |  West Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1960 – Present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1959 |
| Manufacturer | Rheinmetall License-built by: Beretta, MKEK, Ellinika Amyntika Systimata, Defense Industries Organization, Military Industry Corporation, Pakistan Ordnance Factories, General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas |
| Produced | 1960 – Present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 11.5 kg (25.35 lb) 27.5 kg (61 lb) (mounted on tripod) |
| Length | 1,225 mm (48.2 in) 1,097 mm (43.2 in) (without stock) |
| Barrel length | 565 mm (22.2 in) |
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| Cartridge | 7.62x51mm NATO |
| Action | Recoil operated, roller locked |
| Rate of fire | 900-1500 rounds per minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 820 m/s (2,690 ft/s) |
| Effective range | 200–1,200 m sight adjustments |
| Maximum range | 800 m (bipod) 1,000 m (tripod mounted) 3,000 m (gun carriage) |
| Feed system | 50-Round non-disintegrating DM1 belt (can be combined in a drum); 100-Round disintegrating DM6/M13 belt |
| Sights | Open Tangent Sights |
The MG 3 is a German general purpose machine gun chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. The weapon's design is derived from the World War II era MG 42 universal machine gun that fired the 7.92x57mm Mauser round.[1]
The MG 3 was developed in the late 1950s and adopted into service with the newly formed Bundeswehr, where it continues to serve to this day as a squad support weapon and vehicle-mounted machine gun. The weapon and its derivatives have also been acquired by the armed forces of over 30 countries. Production rights to the machine gun were purchased by Italy, Spain (MG 42/59), Pakistan (MG 1A3), Greece, Iran, Sudan and Turkey.
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History
Production of the first postwar variant of the MG 42 chambered in a standard NATO caliber (designated the MG 1) was launched in 1958 at the Rheinmetall arms factory as requested by the Bundeswehr. Shortly thereafter, the machine gun was modified, receiving a chrome-lined barrel and sights properly calibrated for the new round; this model would be named the MG 1A1 (known also as the MG 42/58).
A further development of the MG 1A1 was the MG 1A2 (MG 42/59), which had a heavier bolt (950 g, compared to 550 g), a new friction ring buffer and was adapted to use both the standard German continuous DM1 ammunition belt and the American M13 disintegrating belt. Further improvements to the weapon's muzzle device, bipod and bolt resulted in the MG1A3.
Simultaneously, wartime 7.92mm MG 42 machine guns that remained in service were converted to chamber the standard 7.62x51mm NATO round and designated MG 2.
In 1968, the MG 3 was introduced and entered production. Compared to the MG 1A3, the MG 3 features an improved feeding mechanism with a belt retaining pawl to hold the belt up to the gun when the top cover plate is lifted, an added anti-aircraft sight and a new ammunition box. The MG 3 and its variants all share a high level of parts interchangeability with the original MG 42.
Design details
Operating mechanism
The MG 3 is an automatic, air-cooled, belt-fed short recoil-operated firearm. It features a roller locked bolt mechanism that consists of the bolt head, a pair of rollers, the striker sleeve, bolt body and return spring. The bolt is locked securely by a wedge-shaped striker sleeve, which forces two cylindrical rollers contained in the bolt head outward, and into corresponding recesses in the extension of the breech of the barrel. On firing, both the barrel and barrel extension recoil to the rear. The resulting impact (much like a Newton's cradle) moves the carrier to the rear withdrawing the wedge and both rollers as they are cammed inward and out of their sockets by fixed cams, unlocking the bolt head. The bolt carrier and bolt then continue to the rear together guided by fixed guides while the barrel and barrel extension return to battery. Upon return of the bolt forward, the impact of the rollers against the camming surfaces on the breech carry the rollers from their seats, and, together with the surfaces on the striker sleeve, force the rollers outward, locking the bolt head into the barrel extension and ensuring a complete lock. The bolt also houses a spring-loaded casing extractor and ejector. Ejection is carried out when the ejector strikes the buffer head, sending a push forward through the ejector bar, which hits the ejector pin. This pin pushes the top of the base of the cartridge, which is still held by the extractor at the base, causing the empty casing to rotate and eject downward through the ejection chute.
Features
The machine gun has an automatic-only trigger mechanism and a cross-bolt safety in the form of a button that is operated by the shooting hand (in its "safe" position the bolt release is disabled). The weapon fires from an open bolt.
The MG 3 feeds from the left side through a feed block using metal, 50-round continuous-link DM1 ammunition belts (which can be combined by cartridge) or disintegrating-link M13 or DM6 belts. In the light machine gun role, the MG 3 is deployed with a 100-round belt fitted inside a synthetic ammunition drum developed by Heckler & Koch that is latched on to the left side of the receiver. The rear wall of the drum is transparent and serves as a visual indicator for the amount of ammunition available. The feed system operates through a feed arm that is housed in the feed cover. Two feed pawls are linked to the front end of the arm by an intermediate link and move in opposite directions, moving the belt in two stages as the bolt moves back and forward during firing.
Barrel
The MG 3 has a quick-change, chrome-lined barrel with 4 right-hand grooves and a rifling twist rate of 1 in 305 mm (1:12 in). Alternatively MG 3 barrels can also have polygonal rifling. The barrel is integrated with the barrel breech. The barrel should be changed frequently during sustained firing. The gun is cocked and the barrel catch on the right of the barrel shroud is swung forward. The breech end of the hot barrel swings out and can be removed by elevating or twisting the gun. A fresh barrel is then inserted through the barrel catch and the muzzle bearing. When the catch is rotated back the barrel is locked and the machine gun can resume firing. Both the receiver housing and ventilated barrel casing are made from pressed sheet steel. A muzzle device is mounted at the end of the barrel and it acts as a flash suppressor, muzzle brake and recoil booster.
The machine gun is equipped with a synthetic polymer stock, a folding bipod and open-type iron sights (sliding rear U-notch on a ramp with range settings from 200 to 1,200 m). A flip-up anti-aircraft sight is also provided.
In a stationary, heavy machine gun role the MG 3 is mounted on a buffered tripod called a Feldlafette and outfitted with a periscope sight that can be used to engage indirect targets.
Variants
- MG 1: Rheinmetall variant of the MG 42, most notably rechambered to fire 7.62x51mm NATO.
- MG 1A1 (MG 42/58): As MG 1, but with sights properly calibrated for the new round. Sights refitted to existing MG 1s.
- MG 1A2 (MG 42/59): MG 1A1 variant; product improved with longer ejection port, heavy bolt and friction ring buffer.
- MG 1A3: MG 1A2 variant; product improvement of all major components.
- MG 1A4: MG 1 variant; for fixed mount armor use.
- MG 1A5: MG 1A3 variant; MG1A3s converted to MG1A4 standard.
- MG 2: Designation for all wartime MG 42s rechambered to 7.62x51mm NATO.
- MG 3: MG 1A3 variant; product improved with AA rear sight.
- MG 3E: MG 3 variant; reduced weight model (roughly 1.3 kg lighter), entered into late 1970s NATO small arms trials.
- MG 3A1: MG 3 variant; for fixed mount armor use.
Deployment
The MG 3 is still used as the standard secondary weapon of most modern German armoured fighting vehicle designs (e.g. Leopard 2, PzH 2000, Marder), as a primary weapon on light/non-armored vehicles (e.g. LKW 2to, ATF Dingo) and as an infantry weapon on light bipods as well as different tripods. However, the German Armed Forces will phase out the MG 3 in 2012 and will introduce a replacement in 2011.
Users
Austria: Uses the MG 74 which is a MG 42/59 variant licensed from Beretta and manufactured by Steyr Mannlicher. The MG 74's cyclic rate of fire is 850 rounds per minute.[2]
Brazil: Uses the MG3 and the MG3 A1 with the Leopard 1A5 BR[3]
Canada[4]
Cape Verde[5]
Denmark: MG 42/59 designated M/62 in Danish service.[6]
Estonia[7]
Finland: As the 7.62 KK MG 3. Used with the Leopard 2 tanks and NH90 helicopters.[8]- Germany: Used by the Bundeswehr.[5] A replacement is planned from 2011 onwards.[9]
Greece: License production by Hellenic Arms Industry or EAS (formerly Hellenic Arms Industry; Elliniki Biomihania Oplon - EBO).[10]
Iran: License production by Defense Industries Organization as the MGA3.[11]
Italy: License production of the MG 42/59 by Beretta with parts made by Whitehead Motofides and Luigi Franchi; while largely replaced in squad support weapon role by the Belgian FN Minimi, it still sees widespread mounted use on ground-based vehicles and helicopters.[12] Prior to the procurement of the Minimi, the Stabilimento Militare Armi Leggere (SMAL) at Terni has developed a kit to adapt the Italian Army's existing MG 42/59 machine guns to accommodate 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition. The kit comprises a new barrel, bolt head, feed opening and cover, recoil-enhancing element and a lighter bolt. The weight of the modified 5.56mm MG 42/59 machine gun remains unchanged from the original version.
Lithuania: Lithuanian Armed Forces.[13]
Myanmar[5]
Norway[5]
Pakistan: License production by Pakistan Ordnance Factories in Wah Cantt.[14]
Sao Tome and Principe[5]
Saudi Arabia[5]
Sudan: Made by Military Industry Corporation as the Karar.[15]
Togo[5]
Turkey: Made by MKEK in Kırıkkale under license since 1974[16] for the Turkish Armed Forces and Turkish Gendarmerie.[17]
See also
- General purpose machine gun
- SIG 710-3, Swiss derivative of MG 42.
- MG51 machine gun.
Notes
- ↑ Woźniak, Ryszard: Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej—tom 3 M-P, page 106. Bellona, 2001.
- ↑ http://www.bmlv.gv.at/waffen/waf_mg74.shtml
- ↑ http://www.exercito.gov.br/NE/2010/05/10664/10664.pdf
- ↑ http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/netpub/server.np?find&catalog=photos&template=detail_eng.np&field=itemid&op=matches&value=9381&site=combatcamera
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland S., eds (January 27, 2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 (35th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 9780710628695.
- ↑ http://forsvaret.dk/FMT/Materiel/H%C3%A6ren/V%C3%A5ben/
- ↑ Eesti Kaitsevägi - Tehnika - Kuulipilduja MG-3
- ↑ 7.62 KK MG 3. Retrieved on April 2, 2008.
- ↑ http://geopowers.com/Machte/Deutschland/Rustung/Rustung_2008/Bundeswehrplan_2009.pdf
- ↑ 7.62 mm MG3.
- ↑ http://www.diomil.ir/en/aig.aspx?search_id=mga3
- ↑ http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/equipaggiamenti/armi_legg.asp#individuali
- ↑ http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/ginkluote_ir_karine_technika/kulkosvaidziai/kulkosvaidis_mg-3.html
- ↑ http://www.pof.gov.pk/products/mg3.htm
- ↑ KARAR 7.62x51mm. Retrieved on April 2, 2008.
- ↑ MKEK
- ↑ http://www.jandarma.tsk.mil.tr/silahlar/silahlaric.htm
References
- Ezell, Edward C. (1988). Small Arms Today 2nd Edition. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books.
- (Polish) Woźniak, Ryszard (2001). Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej—tom 3 M-P. Warsaw, Poland: Bellona. ISBN 83-11-09311-3.
External links
- Bundeswehr data sheet
- Bimbel.de—MG3 disassembled
- Bimbel.de—MG3 on mount
- Modern Firearms
- MG 3 video #1
- MG 3 video #2
- MG 3 video #3
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