Rheinmetall MG3

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MG3

MG3
Type General purpose machine gun
Place of origin Flag of West Germany West Germany
Service history
In service 1969–present
Used by See Users
Production history
Designed 1966
Manufacturer Rheinmetall
License-built by: Beretta, MKEK, Ellinika Amyntika Systimata, DIO, Military Industry Corporation, Pakistan Ordnance Factories, General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas
Produced 1968-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)
Cartridge 7.62x51mm NATO
Action Recoil operated, roller locked
Rate of fire 1,150 rounds/min (+/- 150)
Muzzle velocity 820 m/s (2,690 ft/s)
Effective range 200 to 1,200 m sight adjustments
Maximum range 800 m (bipod)
1,200 m (tripod mounted)
Feed system 50-round non-disintegrating DM1 belt (can be combined in a drum); 100-round disintegrating DM6/M13 belt
Sights Open-type sights with rear sliding tangent

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 World War II era MG42 machine gun that fired the 7.92x57mm Mauser round.[1]

Contents

[edit] Development

A German soldier demonstrates the features of the MG3 in 1988.
A German soldier demonstrates the features of the MG3 in 1988.

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 and became the MG1A1 (known also as the MG42/58).[1]

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 MG42 machine guns that remained in service were reworked to chamber the standard 7.62x51mm NATO round. These machine guns would become the MG2.[1]

In 1968, the MG3 was introduced and entered production. Compared to the MG1A3, the MG3 features an improved feeding mechanism, 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.[1]

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.

[edit] Design details

A partially disassembled MG3 of the German Army.
A partially disassembled MG3 of the German Army.

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 guided by fixed guides while the barrel and barrel extension return to battery. Upon return of the bolt, the impact of the rollers with the camming surfaces on the breech carry the rollers from their seats, and, together with the surfaces on the bolt head, 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 and the 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 port.

The machine gun has an automatic-only trigger mechanism and a cross-bolt safety selector 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 that is attached to the left side of the receiver. 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 grooves and a rifling twist rate of 305 mm (1:12 in). The barrel assembly is integrated with the barrel breech. Both the receiver housing and ventilated barrel guard 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 notch sight with range settings from 200 to 1200 m). A flip-up anti-aircraft sight is also provided.

In a stationary, heavy machine gun role the MG3 is mounted on a tripod called a Feldlafette and is used with a periscope sight.

[edit] Variants

The MG3 seen here in the stationary, heavy machine gun role, mounted on a stabilized "Feldlafette" tripod fitted with an optical sight.
The MG3 seen here in the stationary, heavy machine gun role, mounted on a stabilized "Feldlafette" tripod fitted with an optical sight.
  • 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.

[edit] 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 (IFV)), 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.

[edit] Users

US and German soldiers training with the MG3.
US and German soldiers training with the MG3.

[edit] NATO

A pintle-mounted MG3 on a Norwegian armoured vehicle
A pintle-mounted MG3 on a Norwegian armoured vehicle

[edit] Non-NATO

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Woźniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P. Bellona. 2001. pp106-107.
  2. ^ Eesti Kaitsevägi - Tehnika - Kuulipilduja MG-3
  3. ^ 7.62 mm MG3.
  4. ^ SOJ.lt. Retrieved on April 2, 2008.
  5. ^ http://www.mkek.gov.tr/english/foUrunDetaylari.aspx?iKodUrun=90&iKodUrunKategorisi=107
  6. ^ 7.62 KK MG 3. Retrieved on April 2, 2008.
  7. ^ KARAR 7.62x51mm. Retrieved on April 2, 2008.

[edit] References

  • Ezell, Edward C. (1988). Small Arms Today 2nd Edition. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books. 
  • (Polish) Woźniak, Ryszard (2001). "p. 106-107", Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P. Warsaw, Poland: Bellona. ISBN 83-11-09311-3. 

[edit] External links