Rheinmetall_MG3

Rheinmetall MG3

The MG3 is a German air-cooled, belt-fed general purpose machine gun chambered in the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. The design traces back to the World War II era MG42 machine gun that fired the 7.92x57mm Mauser round.

Development

Production of the first postwar variant of the MG42 chambered in a standard NATO caliber (designated the MG1) 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 MG1A1 (known also as the MG42/58).

A further development of the MG1A1 was the MG1A2 (MG42/59), 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 7.92 mm MG42 machine guns that remained in service were converted to chamber the standard 7.62x51mm NATO round and designated MG2.

In 1968, the MG3 was introduced and entered production. Compared to the MG1A3, the MG3 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 MG3 and its variants all share a high level of parts interchangeability with the original MG42.

The MG3 and its derivatives have been in use with the armed forces of over 30 countries. Production rights to license-build the machine gun were acquired by Italy and Spain (MG42/59), Pakistan (MG1A3), Greece, Iran, Sudan and Turkey.

Design details

The MG3 is an automatic 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-like 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 compressing 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.

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 MG3 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 MG3 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.

The MG3 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). 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 MG3 is mounted on a buffered tripod called a Feldlafette and is used with a periscope sight that can be used to engage indirect targets.

Variants

MG1: Rheinmetall variant of the MG42, most notably rechambered to fire 7.62x51mm NATO.
MG1A1 (MG42/58): As MG1, but with sights properly calibrated for the new round. Sights refitted to existing MG1s.
MG1A2 (MG42/59): MG1A1 variant; product improved with longer ejection port, heavy bolt and friction ring buffer.
MG1A3: MG1A2 variant; product improvement of all major components.
MG1A4: MG1 variant; for fixed mount armor use.
MG1A5: MG1A3 variant; MG1A3s converted to MG1A4 standard.
MG2: Designation for all wartime MG42s rechambered to 7.62x51mm NATO.
MG3: MG1A3 variant; product improved with AA rear sight.
MG3E: MG3 variant; reduced weight model (roughly 1.3 kg lighter), entered into late 1970s NATO small arms trials.
MG3A1: MG3 variant; for fixed mount armor use.

Current deployment

The MG3 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.

Users

NATO

: Received with Leopard 2 tanks leased from Germany.
: MG42/59 designated M/62 in Danish service.
: Standard support weapon of the Bundeswehr.
: License production by Hellenic Arms Industry or EAS (formerly Hellenic Arms Industry; Elliniki Biomihania Oplon - EBO).
: License production of the MG42/59 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. 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 MG42/59 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 5.56 mm MG42/59 machine gun remains unchanged from the original version.
: Designated m/960.
: License produced by Santa Bárbara Sistemas. Inventory consist of MG42/59, MG1A3 and MG3S models. No longer in production.
: Used with Leopard 2A4 tanks.
: Made by MKEK in Kırıkkale under license since 1974.

Non-NATO

: Used with the Leopard tank.
: Uses the MG74 which is a MG42/59 variant licensed from Beretta and manufactured by Steyr-Daimler-Puch.
: MG42/59.
: As the 7.62 KK MG 3. Used with the Leopard 2 tanks and NH90 helicopters.
: License production by Defense Industries Organization as the MGA3.
: MG42/59.
: License produced by SEDENA.
: Made by Ka Pa Sa factories as the MA15.
: License production by Pakistan Ordnance Factories in Wah Cantt.
: Made by Military Industry Corporation as the Karar.
: Known as the Ksp 94 (Kulspruta 94), used as a coaxial MG on the Strv 122 tank.
: Used with the V-150 APCs.

Notes

References

Ezell, Edward C. (1988). Small Arms Today 2nd Edition. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books.
Woźniak, Ryszard (2001). Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P. Warsaw, Poland: Bellona. ISBN 83-11-09311-3.