Mauser MG 42
GunCritic Score
87%
Critic Rating
3 Reviews
50%
User Rating
0 Reviews
MSRP:$302.99
Used Price:
$242.39
Sale Price:
$289.99
Ballistic Stats
Average Fps
2493 fps
Average Energy
2726 ft-lbf
Recoil
17 N
Ballistic Coefficient
0.59
Sectional Density
0.27 lb/in²
Average Gr
198 gr
Pwdr Chrg Wght
50 gr
Range
300 yd
Muzzle Velocity
2600 fps
Muzzle Energy
3990 J
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Technical Data
Caliber
8x57mm Mauser
Barrel Length
21"
Length
48"
Weight
405.6 oz
Capacity
100 Round Belt
Mauser Mg 42 Capacity
The MG 42 is chambered in 8x57mm Mauser (7.92x57mm) and feeds from linked ammo. There were two common loading methods that included a 75 round “drum” that contained a short belt in a cylindrical case or it could be fed from an ammo box with the help of the assistant gunner…and the other three of the five Wehrmacht soldiers in the machine gun squad who had to help carry ammo.
Mauser Mg 42 Feature
The MG 42 is a gas-operated, roller-locked, belt-fed, fully automatic machine gun with an incredibly fast fire rate of 1500 rounds per minute. The 42 was built with a 21 inch barrel that could quickly be swapped out to prevent overheating (machine gun crews shared 7 barrels for one gun). The barrel is accompanied by a flip-up front sight and a range-adjustable rear sight.
Mauser Mg 42 Ergonomics
The MG42 has a stock that is directly in-line with the barrel to reduce muzzle climb and a pistol grip that had cutting-edge ergonomics for its time. The charging handle is located on the right side of the gun and is hinged to allow for better leverage when manually cycling the action. Also on the right side of the gun is the barrel release lever that an assistant gunner can open to quickly pull the barrel out with the use of an asbestos glove and insert a cold barrel asbestos he could, usually in a matter of 10 to 20 seconds.
Mauser Mg 42 Mobility
With an unloaded weight of 25.5 pounds and an overall length of 48 inches, the MG42 was definitely one of the lighter guns of WWII. Due to this lighter weight combined with the intense fire rate, an unstable bipod, and the recoil from a full-power cartridge, the MG42 was very hard to control even when firing from a prone position. This led to many of its users to either spray bullets everywhere or employ a bulky tripod.
Mauser Mg 42 Fit-N-Finish
One unique design feature of the MG42 is the fact that all of its stamped components are cut from one large sheet of steel. They are then formed, parkerized and assembled with the turned and milled components into the complete gun. Along with the inaccuracy from the factors mentioned in the “mobility” section, the MG42 also suffered from inaccuracy due to the rather thin barrel profile that produced detrimental barrel harmonics that caused the barrel to whip and throw shots.
Mauser MG 42 Comparisons
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