German MG-42 - interesting gun development

[AJMD429]

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Normally I don't care for anything 'MSN' has to say, but this documentary popped up and was actually interesting, and not 'anti-gun' in any way I could see.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peoplea ... i-AA1yjjMT

[oldebear1950]

The Spanish using German engineers even developed a 5.56 mm version of the MG 42, was developed by CETME, who also developed the first version of HK assult rifle, using those same GERMAN engineers.
and in the 1980s the GERMANS were using a version of the MG 42 in 7.62 NATO, I think was called the MG -3

[Bruce Scott]

I had some experience with its derivative, the MG 3, that came with our Leopard AS1 tanks back in 1977- great guns!

[Pat C]

The MG42 came out to replace the very labor intensive MG34.
A much simpler design using stamped sheet metal for the receiver and FCG.

Easy to maintain , quick barrel changes, high rate of fire but yet capable of rate reducing enhancements. With heavier bolt carrier group.

The barrel houses an extension that retains the roller locking area. When the bolt carrier group cycles into locked position the front wedge locks the firing pin rigid to strike the primer.

The MG then recoils by barrel and bolt assembly moving rearward together until the roller cam inward via the trunnion.
Which at that point releases the bolt from barrel extension.

The barrel slams forward by the spring load of the recouperator assembly while the bolt continues reward until hitting the buffer at receiver rear and compressing recoil spring.

If the trigger is held the bolt carrier returns forward picking up anouther round from the belt which is fed via roller track in feed cover. And cycles starts again .

Barrels are changed in seconds , 1500 RPM !!