Machine guns introduction
Austria
 Steyr-Solothurn MG 30
 Steyr AUG /Hbar
Belgium
 FN Minimi
 FN MAG
 FN BRG-15
China, People's Republic
 Type 67 GPMG
 Type 88 GPMG
 Type 95 LMG
 Type 77 HMG
 Type 85 HMG
 W-85 HMG
 Type 89 HMG new
 Type 02 / QJG 02 HMG
Czech Republic
 ZB 26
 ZB 53 / Vz.37
 type 52 & 52/57
 type 58 (UK vz.58)
Denmark
 Madsen LMG
 Madsen-Saetter
Finland
 Valmet KvKK 62
France
 MAC M1924/29
 AAT Mod.52
Germany
 MG 08, MG 08/15, MG 08/18
 MG 13
 MG 34
 MG 42 and MG 3
 HK 21 and 23
 HK MG 4
Great Britain
 Vickers Mk.I
 Lewis
 Bren
 L86A1 SA-80 LSW
Israel
 Negev
Japan
 Type 96 & Type 99
 Type 62
Russia / USSR
 Maxim M1910/30
 Degtyarov DP DPM RP-46
 Degtyarov DS-39
 Degtyarov RPD
 Kalashnikov RPK
 Kalashnikov RPK-74
 Gorjunov SG-43 SGM
 Kalashnikov PK / PKM
 Pecheneg
 DShK DShKM 12.7
 NSV 12,7 'Utes'
 Kord 12,7
 KPV 14,5
Singapore
 STK Ultimax 100
 CIS .50 MG
South Africa
 Vector SS-77 / Mini-SS
South Korea
 Daewoo K3
Spain
 CETME Ameli
Switzerland
 Steyr-Solothurn MG 30
 SIG MG 50
 W+F MG 51
 SIG MG 710
USA
 Lewis
 Browning M1917 M1919
 Browning M1918 BAR
 Johnson M1941 M1944
 M60
 M16 LSW / LMG
 M134 Minigun new
 XM214 Microgun new
 Stoner 63
 M249 SAW
 M240
 Mk.48 mod.0
 Browning M2HB .50 cal
 XM312 .50 cal
 LW50MG new

 Gatling, Minigun, Vulcan

all texts and some pictures
copyright © 1999-2008
by Max R. Popenker
and can not be used without author permission

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Heckler-Koch HK MG4 MG 43 machine gun (Germany)

Production version of the HK MG4 as adopted by Bundeswehr, with telescope sight installed and bipod folded

HK MG4 machine gun, with bipod and carrying handle extended and open sights installed

The HK MG 43 (this is an original factory designation of the project) is a light, 5.56mm machine gun, developed by famous German company Heckler & Koch as a direct rival to the well-established FN Minimi / M249 SAW LMG. The MG 43 was developed during late 1990s and first appeared circa 2001. It had been type-classified by the Bundeswehr (German Army) in 2003 as the MG4, and by 2007 is already in use as a ground and vehicle gun, gradually replacing older, but more powerful 7,62mm MG3 machine guns in German service. Recently HK has announced that Spain has ordered a slightly modified version of MG4, known as HK MG4 E (Export).
Like the HK G36 assault rifle, the MG-43 is a quantum leap from earlier HK designs, which were based on Vorgrimler-designed, roller delayed blowback actions. MG4 is a conventional, gas operated design, and utilizes all new trends in small arms development, including polymers and accessory interfaces (Picatinny rails).

HK MG4 is a gas operated, belt feed, air cooled automatic weapon. The gas group is located under the barrel and uses a conventional gas piston to operate bolt group. Barrel is locked using typical rotating bolt design. Barrel of the HK MG4 is a quick detachable, and has a folding carrying handle to assist replacement of the hot barrels. The two-pawl belt feed is operated by the roller on the top of the bolt carrier. Belt is fed from separate or clamp-on plastic boxes, from left to right. Spent belt links are ejected to the right, spent cartridge cases are ejected down from the window on the bottom of the receiver.

HK MG4 is fitted with folding bipod, integral to the forend, and has a standard interface for M2-type infantry tripod or vehicle mount. Plastic buttstock can be folded to the left side to save the space, and gun can be fired with the butt folded. HK MG4 is fitted with the Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver, and also is equipped with open sights as a standard. Front sight is mounted on the barrel and can be folded down when not in use. Rear sight is graduated up to 1000 meters, mounted on the Picatinny rail and can be easily detached if not required.

Foldable charging handle is located at the right side of the receiver. Ambidextrous safety switch is located on the pistol grip, and allows only for full automatic fire mode.

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