| Rheinmetall MG 3 | |
|---|---|
 MG 3 7.62×51mm NATO general-purpose machine gun | |
| Type | General-purpose machine gun |
| Place of origin | West Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1959–present |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | SeeConflicts |
| 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 | 1959–present |
| No. built | 1 million+ |
| Variants | SeeVariants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 11.5 kg (25.35 lb)[1] 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) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Action | Recoil-operated,roller locked |
| Rate of fire | 800–950 rounds/min (heavy-weight bolt) 1,000–1,200 rounds/min (standard-weight bolt) |
| Muzzle velocity | 820 m/s (2,690 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 200–1,200 m sight adjustments |
| Maximum firing range | 600 m (1,969 ft) (bipod) 1,200–1,600 m (3,937–5,249 ft) (tripod mounted) 3,000 m (9,843 ft) (gun carriage) 3,750 m (12,303 ft) (terminal) |
| Feed system | 50-round non-disintegrating DM1 belt (can be combined in a drum); 100-round disintegrating DM6/M13 belt |
| Sights | Open tangentiron sights or optical sights |
TheRheinmetall MG 3 is a Germangeneral-purpose machine gun chambered for the7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. Manufactured byRheinmetall for theBundeswehr, designed and derived from theWorld War II eraMG 42 that fired the7.92×57mm Mauser round.[2]
The MG 3 was standardized in the late 1950s and adopted into service with the newly formedBundeswehr, where it continues to serve to this day as a squad support weapon and a vehicle-mounted machine gun.
The MG 3 and its derivatives have also been acquired by the armed forces of over 40 countries. Production rights to the machine gun were purchased byItaly (MG 42/59 [it]),Greece,Iran (as MGA3)Pakistan (as the MG 1A3),Sudan,Spain, andTurkey.[3]
At the end ofWorld War II, the original technical drawings and data for the 7.92×57mm Mauser–chambered MG 42 were captured by the Soviets. These would later be taken to Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. Rheinmetall had to reverse engineer the first postwar machine guns from an original MG 42 machine gun.[4]
Production of the first postwar variant of theMG 42 chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition (designated theMG 1) was launched in 1958 at theRheinmetall arms factory as requested by theBundeswehr. Shortly thereafter, the machine gun was modified, receiving achrome-lined barrel and sights properly calibrated for the new round; this model would be named theMG 1A1 (also known as theMG 42/58).
TheMG 1A2 (also known as theMG 42/59) is a further development of the MG 1A1, which has a heavier bolt (950 g (33.51 oz) for a slower 700–900 rounds per minute cyclic rate of fire, compared to 550 g (19.40 oz)), and a new friction ring buffer made suitable for using the heavier bolt. The MG 1A2 added new bolt-bounce preventing bolt catches to the action to resolve the ammunition ignition timing sensitivity of the preceding variants and was adapted to use both the standard German non-disintegratingPatronengurt DM1 ammunition belt and the AmericanM13 disintegrating belt. TheMG 1A3 features further improvements to the muzzle device,bipod and bolt.
Simultaneously, wartime 7.92×57mm Mauser chambered MG 42 machine guns that remained in service were converted to the standard 7.62×51mm NATO chambering and designatedMG 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. MG 3s were produced for Germany and for export customers byRheinmetall until 1979. The preceding non–MG 3 variant machine guns in theBundeswehr inventory were gradually converted to the MG 3 standard. Some additional production of the MG 3 in Germany was carried out byHeckler & Koch.[5] The MG 3 and its variants all share a high level of parts interchangeability with the original MG 42.
MG 3s continue to be produced in Turkey and Pakistan.[6] In 2019 there were plans in Germany to produce several thousand new MG 3 receivers to keep using vehicle mounted MG 3s in the low level anti-aircraft (designated MG 3A0A1) and turret mounted (designated MG 3A1A1) roles in the near future.[7]
The MG 3 is still used as the standard secondary weapon of most modern Germanarmoured fighting vehicle designs (e.g.Leopard 2,PzH 2000,Marder), as a primary weapon on light/non-armoured vehicles (e.g. LKW 2to,MAN gl-trucks,ATF Dingo) and as an infantry weapon on light bipods as well as different tripods. Since 2015, theGerman Armed Forces have supplemented the MG 3 with theHeckler & Koch MG5.
In 1974, the US Army tested German made MG 3s alongside eight other contemporary GPMG designs to replace the then-in-serviceM219 Tank Machine Gun, which was considered unacceptably unreliable by the US Army. The MG 3 had worse results in mean rounds between failure (where it was the third worst entrant), mean rounds between stoppage (where it was the fourth worst entrant), cookoff rate (where it was the worst entrant), and accuracy (where it was the worst entrant) than the M60 and FN MAG. The only categories in which the MG 3 outperformed both the M60 and FN MAG were in ease of training, ease of changing barrels, and safety. The MG 3 was overall sixth of nine candidates in an unweighted ranking, and it was considered that no reasonable combination of attribute rankings existed in which it would be the winner of the contest.[8]
The German military instructs that sustained fire must be avoided at all costs. In the bipod mounted light machine gun role, MG 3 users are trained to fire short bursts of three to five rounds and strive to optimize their aim between bursts fired in succession. In the tripod mounted medium machine gun role, MG 3 users are trained to fire both short bursts and longer bursts of 20 to 30 rounds and strive to optimize their aim between successive bursts.[9][10] TheBundeswehr trains soldiers to replace the barrel of the MG 3 after 150 live rounds (or 100 blank rounds) after sustained heavy fire, with a new, cooler one; only once the barrel is hand-warm (able to be held with the bare hand for 30 seconds) can a barrel be reused. Replacing the barrel is a simple procedure on the MG 3. Non-observance of this technical limitation renders the barrel prematurely unusable. Care must be taken when replacing the barrel as after extended cyclical fire, the barrel can be dangerously hot, potentially approaching white hot. The machine gun crew member responsible for a hot barrel change is issued protectiveasbestos gloves or a cloth to prevent burns to the hands.[10] Theeffective rate of fire is about 250 rounds per minute.[11] Some other machineguns have thermally insulated grips attached to their quick-change barrel, at least going back to the ZB vz. 26 design of 1926.
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The MG 3 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 MG 3 fires from anopen bolt. The cyclic rate can be altered by installing different bolts and recoil springs. A heavier bolt uses more recoil energy to overcome inertia, thus slowing the action. On MG 3 machine guns, two types of bolts are available, with standard weight (about 650 g (22.93 oz)) for the standard 1,000–1,200 rounds per minute cyclic rate of fire[12] and with extra weight (about 900 g (31.75 oz)) for a slower 800–950 rounds per minute cyclic rate of fire. Those bolts also are used along with differentreturn springs.[4]
The MG 3 is an automatic, air-cooled,belt-fedshort 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 aNewton'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.
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The MG 3 has a quick-change, chrome-lined barrel with four right-hand grooves and a rifling twist rate of 1 in 305 mm (1:12 in) and weighs 1.7 kg (3.7 lb). Alternatively, MG 3 barrels can also havepolygonal rifling. The barrel is integrated with the barrel breech. During sustained firing, there is a need for the barrel to be changed and this is how they are swapped: The gun is cocked and the barrel catch on the right of the barrel shroud is swung forward. Then, the breech end of the hot barrel swings out and can be removed by elevating or twisting the gun. A fresh barrel would be 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. The machine gun crew member responsible for a hot barrel change is issued protective asbestos gloves to prevent getting burned. A muzzle device is mounted at the end of the barrel and it acts as aflash suppressor,muzzle brake and recoil booster.
The MG 3 feeds from the left side through a feed block using a metal 50-round drum that uses anon-disintegrating metallic-link DM1 belts (Patronengurt DM1) ammunition belts (which have links that wrap around the cartridge case and are linked by a coiling wire on each side) or disintegrating-link M13 or DM6 belts.
In thelight machine gun role, the MG 3 is deployed with a 100-round (or 120-round in case of disintegrating belts) belt fitted inside a synthetic ammunition drum developed byHeckler & 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.
DM1 belts are intended for multiple reuse and in terms of design are based on and derived from the last version of theGurt 34/41-belt family used in World War II in MG 34 and MG 42 machine guns.[13] DM1 belts are preloaded at ammunition factories in 50-round connectable belt lengths and can be linked to any length necessary. Spent cartridge cases are ejected downwards, and the emptied links are transported to the right.
Alternatively, the MG 3 can also be fed by disintegrating metalM13 link belts (designated DM60 by Germany) used by many NATO member states. M13 links are also used on theDillon M134D Minigun,M60,FN MAG,HK21 andMG5 machine guns among others. The disintegrating metal belt is fed from the left side. Ejection of empty M13 links is to the right side, and spent cartridge cases are ejected downwards. The inexpensive M13 links are considered disposable.
Both belt types are of the push-through type and use a metal lip that is arrested in the rim of the cartridges to correctly position and fix the cartridges in place. The feeding system is based on the direct push-through of the cartridge out of the belt link into the gun's chamber. Feed is performed in two steps by a pawl-type feeding mechanism that continues to move the belt during both the rearward and forward cycles of the reciprocating bolt, producing a smooth belt flow.
For field use, there are several ammunition containers available. TheGurttrommel (belt drum) contains a 50-round DM1 or DM60 belt. TheGurttrommel is not a true magazine but holds a curled 50-round belt preventing it from snagging, twisting and getting stuck during mobile assaults. The steel DM2 ammunition box contains a 250-round DM1 belt and the smaller plastic DM40004 ammunition box contains a 100-round DM1 belt or a 120-round DM60/M13 belt. The German military tends to use non-disintegrating DM1 belts for general use and disintegrating DM60/M13 belts in vehicle or aircraft fixed MG 3 mountings that allow for collecting the ejected link pieces for reuse.
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The open-typeiron sight line has a relatively short 430 millimeters (16.9 in) radius and consists of a "∧-type" height adjustable front sight on a folding post and a leaf rear sight with an open V-notch sliding on a ramp, graduated from 200 to 1,200 meters (219 to 1,312 yd) in 100 meters (109 yd) increments. A flip-up anti-aircraft sight is attached to the receiver top just in front of the normal rear sight element.
As an iron sighting line alternative, the Danish military uses a 3.4×28 optical sight mounted on top of the receiver which can be set from 300 to 800 meters (328 to 875 yd) in 100 meters (109 yd) increments on their MG 3 (designated as M/62) and laterM/60E6. What sets the Danish C79 LMG Optic designated as M/98 apart from the standardC79 optical sight is its unique reticle of a chevron with a height of 12,5 TS and two TS line left and right with a length of 7,5 TS beginning 2,5 TS away from the tip of the chevron. The sight designated as M/99 is also available in a night vision configuration.[14]
For the light machine gun role, the MG 3 is equipped with a syntheticpolymer stock and a folding bipod.
In the stationary, heavy machine gun role, the MG 3 is mounted on a bufferedFeldlafette ("field tripod") that also features storage containers for accessories like theZielfernrohr 4 × 24 periscope-style telescopic sight. This direct fire sight is also mounted on theFeldlafette and is graduated from 0 to 1,600 meters (0 to 1,750 yd) in 100 meters (109 yd) increments. TheZielfernrohr 4 × 24 reticle can be illuminated by an external unit. It can also be used with the FERO-Z 51 night sight.[9][10]
A feature of the German World War IILafette 42 tripod that was not carried over to the MG 3Feldlafette was theTiefenfeuerautomat ("in-depth automatic fire"). If selected, this feature walked the fire in wave like motions up and down the range between predefined ranges. This sweeping of a given range (Tiefenfeuer – "in-depth fire") continued as long as the gun was fired.
TheRheinmetall RMG 7.62 is a mounted machine gun based from the Rheinmetall MG 3 with three rotating barrels (to reduce barrel erosion and overheating) is under development as a vehicle weapon. Only one barrel is active at a time: after one barrel overheats, it is rotated out for a cool one.
The MG14z is a double barrel derivative of the Rheinmetall MG 3 with two MG 3 receivers paired together. The MG14z enhances the firepower of military units that still issue the MG 3 or other MG 42 derivatives. It has been developed by the Tactics Group GmbH company as "a low-cost alternative to Miniguns".[16]
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Afghanistan: Used by theMujahideen andTaliban[17]
Albania: Used by theAlbanian Army.[18]
Argentina: Used by theArgentine Army.[19]
Austria: Uses theMG 74 [es] which is aMG-42/59 [it] variant licensed from Beretta and manufactured bySteyr Mannlicher. TheMG 74 [es]'s cyclic rate of fire is 850 rounds per minute.[20]
Azerbaijan: The Military of Azerbaijan acquired a small quantity of MKEK MG 3s from Turkey.[citation needed]
Bangladesh[21]
Brazil: MG 3 and MG 3A1 are used by theBrazilian Army at theLeopard 1A5 BR.[22]
Canada: Only used on 20Leopard 2A6M CAN tanks acquired from Germany.[23] Leopard 2s acquired from other sources will continue to use theFN MAG.
Cape Verde[24]
Chile[25]
Cyprus[26]
Czech Republic: Used onDingo 2.[27]
Denmark:MG-42/59 [it] designatedM/62 in Danish service.[28]
Estonia[29] Designated asMG 3. MG 1A3 version with the anti-aircraft sight.
Finland: As the7.62 KK MG 3. Used with theLeopard 2 tanks andNH90 helicopters.[30]
Germany: Used by the Bundeswehr.[24]
Ghana[citation needed]
Greece: License production byHellenic Defence Systems (also known as EAS).[4][19]
Iceland: Used by theIcelandic Coast Guard.[31]
Indonesia: License production.[32]
Iran: License production byDefense Industries Organization as theMGA3. Used byIranian Army. Installed onZulfiqar MBT.[25][33]
Kurdistan:Peshmerga ofIraqi Kurdistan autonomous region, 40 MG 3s supplied by Germany and 100MG-42/59 [it] by Italy.[34]
Italy: License production of theMG-42/59 [it] byBeretta with parts made by Whitehead Motofides andLuigi Franchi; while largely replaced in squad support weapon role by the BelgianFN Minimi, it still sees widespread mounted use on ground-based vehicles and helicopters.[25][35] Prior to the procurement of the Minimi, theStabilimento Militare Armi Leggere (SMAL) atTerni has developed a kit to adapt the Italian Army's existingMG-42/59 [it] machine guns to accommodate5.56×45mm 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 mmMG-42/59 [it] machine gun remains unchanged from the original version.
Latvia: used by theLatvian Land Forces.[citation needed]
Libya[32]
Lithuania: used by theLithuanian Armed Forces.[36]
Mexico: License produced bySEDENA in Mexico.[37]
Myanmar[24] Clones made in Myanmar as the MA 15.[38]
Niger[39]
Nigeria[40]
Norway[24] In use by the Home Guard and Navy. Replaced in Army service by the FN Minimi and FN MAG in 2019.
Pakistan: Used by thePakistan Army. Manufactured under license byPakistan Ordnance Factories from 1960s inWah Cantt.[41]
Philippines: Used by thePhilippine National Police.[42]
Poland: On Leopard 2 tanks and support vehicles. Intended to be replaced byUKM-2000 andWKM-B.[43]
Portugal[25]
Sao Tome and Principe[24]
Saudi Arabia[24]
Slovakia: Mounted onLeopard 2A4.[44]
Spain: Made under license.[25]
Sri Lanka Used by theSri Lankan Armed Forces in limited numbers.[citation needed]
Sudan: Made byMilitary Industry Corporation as theKarar.[45]
Sweden: As theKSP m/94. Used with theLeopard 2 tanks.[46]
Thailand: Used onCommando V-150 APC.[citation needed]
Togo[24]
Tunisia[32]
Turkey: Made by MKEK inKırıkkale under license since 1974[3] for theTurkish Armed Forces andTurkish Gendarmerie.[47]
Ukraine: Ukrainian armed forces have been given MG 3 to aid them in the Russian invasion of 2022.[48] At least 130 MG 3 have been provided by Germany.[49]
Uruguay[50]
Yemen: pro-Saudi forces andAl-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.[51]
Australia: The MG 3 was used between 1976 and 2007 as an anti-aircraft weapon on theAustralian Army'sLeopard AS1MBT.[54]
