MG 51
Waffenfabrik Bern (W+F Bern) · Machine Gun · Out Of Production · 1951
Also known as: Maschinengewehr 51, Mg 51, W+F MG 51
Overview
The MG 51 (7,5 mm Maschinengewehr 1951) is a Swiss general-purpose machine gun manufactured by Waffenfabrik Bern. Heavily based on the German MG 42, it adopts the German weapon's roller-locked recoil action but substitutes machined steel components for the original's stamped sheet metal - a choice that increased weight and cost but improved durability. It chambers the 7.5×55mm GP11 cartridge and feeds from 50- or 250-round non-disintegrating metal link belts.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 16000 g (564.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1270 mm (50.00") |
| Barrel Length | 564 mm (22.20") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 250 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 750 m/s (2461 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3178 J (2344 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3000 m (3281 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1000 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.5x55mm Swiss · primary — also known as GP11, Gewehrpatrone 11, 7.5x55mm GP11
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Non Disintegrating Belt
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Quick Change Barrel, Bipod, Tripod Compatible, Machined Receiver, Roller Locked Bolt
Variants
- MG 87 — Vehicle Mount
Service history
Operators
- Swiss Armed Forces · adopted 1951 · as Mg 51
- Danish Army
Conflicts
- Cold War (Swiss reserve) (1951-1991)
Production
Production years: 1951-1980s
Primary Swiss medium MG for four decades; exported in small numbers to Denmark
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Notes
Heavier than its MG 42 progenitor (16 kg vs 11.6 kg) due to machined construction. Replaced in Swiss service starting in the 1980s but still used in fortress and reserve roles into the 21st century.
Background
The Swiss bought a captured German MG 42 in 1947 and decided they liked it so much they reverse-engineered it - but with characteristic Swiss precision, machined every part from solid billet steel, producing a gun that costs as much as a small car and weighs nearly half-again as much as the original.