Why the German MG-3 machine-gun is still popular with forces across the world after six decades
The MG-3 is German made and like many other popular general purpose machine-guns, it is still in use after more than 60 years.
This family of general-purpose machine-guns is still widely used by militaries around the world because of its simple design, rapid rate of fire and its robustness on the battlefield.
The MG-3 is a variation of the popular MG-42 machine-gun used by Nazi Germany during the Second World War.
Jonathan Ferguson, keeper at the Royal Armouries Museum, says that many people unwittingly mistake the MG-3 as the earlier variant of the gun, and added: "To be honest, all intents and purposes, they really are."
MG-3 is short for 'Maschinengewehr' Model 3 in German and translates into English as 'machine-gun'.
What calibre is the MG-3 machine-gun?
Much like the L7A2 General Purpose Machine-Gun (GPMG), sometimes known to the British Armed Forces as the 'The General' or 'Gimpy', the MG-3 also fires a standard 7.62x51mm Nato round – capable of penetrating through soft-skin vehicles (non-armoured cars) and even brick walls.
When the gun was first introduced, the ammunition size was different and when Germany aligned itself with Nato, the barrel was redesigned to fire a standardised round for all allies.
The MG-3 has an improved ammunition feed mechanism and is fitted with flip-up anti-aircraft sights, to engage low-flying helicopters and fighter jets.
Who uses the MG-3?
More than 40 countries still use the MG-3 machine-gun as a dismounted platoon support weapon and in the vehicle-mounted role. The gun is also used as a secondary weapon on most modern German armoured fighting vehicles, and the Leopard 2 tank.
The gun is made by German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.
What is the effective range of the MG-3?
Light Role (Carried by dismounted soldier) – 600 metres.
Mounted in gun carriage (vehicle, boat, sangar etc) – 3,000m.
Tripod mounted – 1,000m.
7.62 tracer burnout – 1,100m.
Weight of the MG-3
11.05kg (empty).
MG-3 rate of fire
1,200 rounds/minute.
MG-3 muzzle velocity
820m/second.
Where does the MG-3 sit in the pecking order of GPMGs?
"The MG-42 as a family, is well up there," said Mr Ferguson.
"I think with post-war developments and service, I would have to put the FN Mag - our [UK] GPMG if you like - well up there and the PKM well up there as well. I won't necessarily come down on which is best because it does depend on context.
"And then I might put the MG-42/MG-1/MG-2/MG-3 the next one down."
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