Maschinengewehr 42

[cyberia]

The MG42 viewed, from the left, with the bipod in the down position

Many experts on Second World War weaponry will agree; the Maschinengewehr 42 was one of the most feared weapons on the battlefield.

The MG42 was an evolutionary step up from the world's first practical general purpose machine gun, the MG34. Similar in weight, muzzle velocity and made from stamped metal parts as the MG34, The MG42 proved easier and cheaper to manufacture, able to stand up better to the rigors of combat and easier to maintain in the field.

Plus, it had the astounding rate of fire of 1200 rpm.

The MG42, viewed from the right, with the bipod in the folded up position

This super accelerated rate of fire was desirable both for AA applications and for surprise flanking fire against targets moving through the battlefield.
In general terms, the MG 42 was a great success. It fulfilled the roles of a light machine gun on a bipod, a medium machine gun on a newly developed Lafette 42 tripod, and an anti-aircraft machine gun, mounted in single and twin installations, ground and vehicle-mounted.

The MG42 mounted on the Lafette 42 tripod

Aside from being capable of massive physical damage, the MG42s enormous rate of fire also had a psychological effect on opposing troops. At an estimated 25 rounds per second, the sound emitting from the gun was so fast individual shots could not be heard. Allied soldiers dubbed the MG42 “Hitler’s saw”, for a rate of fire which resembled the sound of a giant mechanical saw.

YouTube - mg-42 machine gun

The MG 42 was a short-recoil operated, air cooled, belt fed weapon which fired from an open bolt. The action of the weapon was operated by the recoil of the locked barrel, assisted by a muzzle booster which used pressure from the muzzle blast to increase the recoil impulse. This was a simple and solid system which minimized the length of parts that are under stress upon discharge, and deduced strain on the receiver.

MG42, bolt assembly, with locking rollers and extractor claw seen at the right and belt-feed operating stud at the left

Yet as much as the MG42 was a intimdating weapon to enemy forces, it had caused some concerns for the Germans as well.

The rapid fire of the weapon caused excessive vibration from recoil, combined with a short sight radius, resulting in degraded long range accuracy. MG42 gunners had to be specially trained in how to try and keep their weapons on target, a near impossible task, and avoid excessive consumption of ammunition.

The high rate of fire also caused the weapon to rapidly overheat. The MG42 was therefore designed with a quick change barrel. A properly trained crew could change out an overheated barrel in less than six seconds using a special asbestos glove to handle the hot barrel.

The barrel for the MG42 was designed to be exposed for quick removal

Yet despite these drawbacks, the MG42 proved a highly successful weapon design. So much so after World War II it was adopted by the Bundeswehr.

[Pirate-Drakk]

Ah, Cyberia, you must always tease us and leave the "goodest" stuff out of your posts!

The amazing thing about the MG-34/42 is that if full filled the roles of a LMG (bipod), MMG (tripod), and HMG (tripod with telescopic sights). That, along with it's ability to be attached to aircraft and vehicles at will, made it was a ubiquitous arm in the German army. This simplified the supply problems normally associated with the Germans propensity to make everything different and not interchangable.

Furthermore, German squad tactics were designed around the support of the MG-34/42. This weapon was key to the fundamental role of the infantry in battle.

No infantry MG in history has had the rate of fire of a MG-42 (typical rates are 400-600 rpm) because the fire discipline required is beyond what most armies expect of their troops.

The MG-42 was know as the "buzz saw" to the allies. For good reason...

[cyberia]

You forgot to mention the saddle drum!

[vitara]

might be a silly question but why wos the nose of the mg. cone shaped ??

[Tom Houlihan]

That's just a flash suppressor.

[warry]

Originally Posted by Pirate-Drakk

Ah, Cyberia, you must always tease us and leave the "goodest" stuff out of your posts!

The amazing thing about the MG-34/42 is that if full filled the roles of a LMG (bipod), MMG (tripod), and HMG (tripod with telescopic sights). That, along with it's ability to be attached to aircraft and vehicles at will, made it was a ubiquitous arm in the German army. This simplified the supply problems normally associated with the Germans propensity to make everything different and not interchangable.

Furthermore, German squad tactics were designed around the support of the MG-34/42. This weapon was key to the fundamental role of the infantry in battle.

No infantry MG in history has had the rate of fire of a MG-42 (typical rates are 400-600 rpm) because the fire discipline required is beyond what most armies expect of their troops.

The MG-42 was know as the "buzz saw" to the allies. For good reason...

i've never heard about its use on aircraft,would you have any pics?
i'd add its Anti Aircraft use on light AA tripods.
i'm trying to find out when and where were MG42 used first time ,but not very successful yet , friends mainly say it was during battle of Stalingrad

[warry]

known as Hitler's saw by the Russians

[TSPhillips]

I've often wondered why the German weapons had such a high rate of fire, and after a bit of research, got a reason. The Germans reasoned that there would always be cover on a battlefield, but troops had to move from cover to cover, and the time they were exposed, put as much lead into that area in as short a time as possible. Hence, the high rates of fire. At least that was one reason. I've also read that on the Eastern front that 42's were modified to fire up to 2000 (!) rounds a minute for the Russian human wave assaults. All in all, a truly terrifying weapon and interesting doctrine.

[Nachtjager]

Originally Posted by TSPhillips

I've often wondered why the German weapons had such a high rate of fire, and after a bit of research, got a reason. The Germans reasoned that there would always be cover on a battlefield, but troops had to move from cover to cover, and the time they were exposed, put as much lead into that area in as short a time as possible. Hence, the high rates of fire. At least that was one reason. I've also read that on the Eastern front that 42's were modified to fire up to 2000 (!) rounds a minute for the Russian human wave assaults. All in all, a truly terrifying weapon and interesting doctrine.

WOW, that sure would slow down russian advances. Quite a good gun. I like how it continued service for some time after the war. Does anyone know when it discontinues service?

[McCoy]

Originally Posted by Nachtjager

WOW, that sure would slow down russian advances. Quite a good gun. I like how it continued service for some time after the war. Does anyone know when it discontinues service?

It's still in service in quite a lot of different countrys in either MG42/59 or MG3 configuration. Both versions is chambered for 7.62 x 51mm NATO (.308).