MG3
Rheinmetall AG · Machine Gun · In Production · 1968
Also known as: Maschinengewehr 3, MG1A3, MG42/59, MG74
Overview
The MG3 (Maschinengewehr 3) is a German general-purpose machine gun manufactured by Rheinmetall AG. It is a post-war evolution of the legendary MG42, rechambered from the original 7.92x57mm Mauser to the standard 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. The MG3 entered production in 1968 as the definitive standardized variant following a series of earlier NATO conversions (MG1, MG1A1, MG1A2, MG1A3). Like its predecessor, the MG3 employs a short-recoil operated, roller-locked mechanism that fires from an open bolt, retaining the MG42's characteristically high rate of fire. The standard MG3 achieves a cyclic rate of approximately 1,100-1,200 rounds per minute with its lighter 650-gram bolt, though interchangeable heavier bolts (900g) can reduce the rate to 700-900 rpm for improved controllability and reduced barrel wear. The weapon features a quick-change barrel system that allows replacement in seconds, essential given its high rate of fire. The MG3 is fed from NATO-standard DM1 (50-round) or DM6 (100-round) disintegrating link belts, with a chrome-lined barrel featuring four right-hand grooves at a 1:305mm twist rate. The weapon serves in bipod-mounted light machine gun and tripod-mounted sustained fire roles, and can also be adapted for vehicle and anti-aircraft mounting. The MG3 has been adopted by over 30 countries and was produced under license in Italy, Greece, Iran, Pakistan, Spain, and Turkey.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 10500 g (370.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1225 mm (48.23") |
| Barrel Length | 565 mm (22.24") |
| Action Type | Roller Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Automatic Only |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 820 m/s (2690 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3194 J (2356 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3000 m (3281 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1200 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Stamped Steel |
| Barrel Material | Chrome Lined Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62x51mm, 7.62mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Disintegrating Link Belt
- Safety mechanisms: Crossbolt Safety, Open Bolt System
- Features: Quick Change Barrel, Chrome Lined Barrel, Roller Locked Mechanism, Stamped Steel Construction, Muzzle Booster, Folding Bipod, Tripod Capable, Air Cooled, Anti Aircraft Capable, Variable Rate Of Fire, Disintegrating Belt Feed
Variants
- MG1 — Initial Conversion
- MG1A1 (MG42/58) — Improved Sights
- MG1A2 (MG42/59) — Reduced Rate Of Fire
- MG1A3 — Enhanced Bipod
- MG3A1 — Vehicle Mount
- MG3E — Lightweight
- MG3 KWS — Modernized
- MG74 — Austrian
- MG42/59 — Italian
- MGA3 — Iranian
- MG14z — Double Barrel
Base model
Service history
Operators
- German Bundeswehr · adopted 1968
- Austrian Armed Forces · adopted 1974 · as MG74
- Italian Armed Forces · adopted 1959 · as MG42/59
- Turkish Armed Forces
- Pakistani Armed Forces · as MG1A3
- Greek Armed Forces
- Spanish Armed Forces
- Iranian Armed Forces · as MGA3
- Danish Armed Forces · adopted 1962 · as M/62
- Norwegian Armed Forces
- Portuguese Armed Forces
- Estonian Defence Forces
- Lithuanian Armed Forces
- Sudanese Armed Forces
- Chilean Armed Forces
- Saudi Arabian Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Falklands War (1982-1982)
- Turkish Invasion of Cyprus (1974-1974)
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
Production
Production years: 1968-present
Produced under license in Italy, Greece, Iran, Pakistan, Spain, Turkey, and Sudan. Exact total unknown but estimated in the hundreds of thousands.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Werner Gruner
Notes
The MG3's variable rate of fire is achieved by exchanging the bolt assembly: the standard 650g bolt produces the high 1,100-1,200 rpm rate, while the heavier 900g bolt reduces it to 700-900 rpm. The Italian MG42/59 uses an even heavier 1,200g bolt for approximately 800 rpm. The weapon retains the MG42's distinctive stamped steel construction, which was revolutionary in its time for reducing manufacturing cost and complexity. Without the buttstock (for tripod or vehicle mounting), the MG3 measures 1,097mm. The barrel weighs 1.7 kg and features chrome lining for extended service life. The MG3 can be fired from the bipod against targets at 600 meters effectively, extending to 1,000 meters when mounted on the Feldlafette (field tripod) with optical sight. Maximum trajectory range reaches 3,000 meters. Production rights were purchased by Italy, Greece, Iran, Pakistan, Sudan, Spain, and Turkey, with active manufacturing continuing in Turkey (MKEK) and Pakistan (POF). The German Bundeswehr is gradually replacing the MG3 with the HK MG5 (MG4 in 5.56mm / MG5 in 7.62mm), though the MG3 remains in widespread reserve and secondary use.
Background
The MG3 is essentially a rechambered MG42, making it the direct descendant of what Allied soldiers called 'Hitler's Buzzsaw' in World War II. Its variable rate of fire can be adjusted simply by swapping bolt assemblies of different weights, ranging from a devastating 1,200 RPM with the light bolt to a more manageable 700 RPM with the heavy bolt. The German Bundeswehr is only now beginning to replace it with the HK MG5 after over 50 years of service.