Mendoza M1945
Productos Mendoza S.A. · Machine Gun · Discontinued · 1945
Also known as: Mendoza Model 45, Modelo 1945, Mendoza Model 1945
Overview
The Mendoza M1945 (Model 45) is a Mexican gas-operated, air-cooled light machine gun designed by Rafael Mendoza as a refined development of his earlier C-1934. Rechambered from 7x57mm Mauser to the American .30-06 Springfield cartridge, it introduced a redesigned receiver, a shorter barrel, and a perforated muzzle brake while retaining the family's hallmarks: a long-stroke gas piston firing from an open bolt, an offset top-mounted 20-round box magazine, a quick-change barrel, and a folding bipod. It served as a transitional Mexican Army light machine gun before the closely related RM-2.
Specifications
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 450 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .30-06 Springfield · primary — also known as .30-06, 7.62x63mm, 30 Gov't 06
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic, Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Quick Change Barrel, Perforated Muzzle Brake, Folding Bipod, Top Mounted Magazine, Offset Sights, Selective Fire, Redesigned Receiver
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Mexican Army · adopted 1945 · as Model 45
Production
Production years: 1945-1947
Limited-service Mexican Army light machine gun; superseded by the RM-2 development
Origin
Country of origin: Mexico
Designer: Rafael Mendoza
Notes
Introduced in 1945 as an improved version of the C-1934, standardized on the .30-06 cartridge already in Mexican service. The offset top-mounted magazine allowed the sights to be positioned to the side of the bore. Model-45-specific dimensional figures are sparsely documented; the design bridges the 7x57mm C-1934 and the later .30-06 RM-2.
Background
Rafael Mendoza kept refining his indigenous Mexican machine gun through the 1930s and 1940s; the Model 45 traded the original 7mm Mauser chambering for the .30-06 to match ammunition Mexico was already fielding, a stepping stone toward his final RM-2 design.