the best machine gun

Yes it is, though I doubt the threat starter cares since the thread is 2 1/2 years old

Anyway, some points:
I hereby define "best MG" as "MG with the best combination of versatility, ergonomics, reliability, effect" = the ideal GPMG.

The M2 certainly cant be the best MG. It is very restricted in its role, and can only be used offensively if mounted on a vehicle. It is too heavy (as well as the ammunition), and so it definately is only a defensive tool for the infantry. Its role as aircraft armament was also rather quickly replaced by more effective cannons. The reason it is still in service while being insanely heavy for what it offers is that it wont be used offensively by infantry anyway, and vehicle mounted the weight is somewhat unimportant.

The Vickers 12.7, Maxim MG and Gatling gun are disqualified because of their restrictions due to their need for a heavy undercarriage and/or water cooling. They were devilish weapons in their times, but their concept didnt stand the test of time.

The Bren cant be the best MG because it cannot deliver the amount of fire needed to be versatile due to the short mag (=not capable of sustained fire). Its comparably thin barrel would also become a problem with a higher rate of effective fire due to overheating. It was however good as offensive MG because of its lower weight and because mag fed MGs can more easily be operated by one person alone. The same more or less applies to the M1918 BAR and the newer SA80 LSW, all three were eventually rather used as accurate semi-auto longrange weapons than in thier MG role.

The FN Minimi certainly is a very good approach to the squad support weapon problem, capable of a large volume of fire out to usual combat ranges. Then again the 5.56mm isnt versatile enough to be effectively used against cover or vehicles, as well as it lacks in capability and accuracy to effectively engage area targets. There is a reason why they mount 7.62mm MGs on vehicles. The Russian RPK and RPD MGs in 7.62x39mm fall into this category, too.

The M60 is kind of like the M16, only worse. While the M16s manufacturing flaws needed several years and tweaking of the ammo to get operational, the M60 itself was fundamentally flawed, especially in terms of reliability, for DECADES. And especially the M60E3 was actually a step backwards because it was constructed lighter than before - which introduced even more problems. Only the new M60E4 seems to have matured, but the damage is done. Likewise, there is a reason why the US military adopted the FN MAG as principal 7.62mm MG.

So we are left with the final contenders, the FN MAG and the MG42/MG3. While they are somewhat comparable in their general features, both have their distinctions. For the MAG most notably the better handguard and the selectable rate of fire, as well as a barrel with handle. The MG42/3 however is lighter and less cumbersome, both its bolt and barrel can be replaced extremely quickly (though that needs gloves). Via a simple replacement of 2 or three small parts the ROF can be adjusted from 650 RPM up to 1200-1400 RPM. The MG3 can use either linked or disintegrating belts. Both MGs have an unquestioned reliability both in funtion and durability of parts, as well as highest accuracy. My personal evaluation would be that the MAG has the edge for offensive infantry operations while the MG42/3 is better on the defensive and vehicle mounted.

So for a final winner we have to resort to the most decisive factor: The looks. And I dont think anyone with even a remote sense of style can deny that the MG42/3 with its slender, streamlined looks and the sharkfin stock has the victory over the chubby FN MAG in that regard


PS.: The Russian PKM in 7.62x54R mm is noteworthy too, and may very well be up there with the MAG and MG3, but I have to little knowledge of this weapon to correctly sort it in.

[edit on 17/2/2006 by Lonestar24]

My definite choise would be PKM, it's reliable, accurate and has good rate of fire...

Fulcrum: KVKK 62 is a POS, It's only good feature is the phenomenal rate of fire, but it's very prone to jamming and breakages...

So here is some stats on most commonly used MGs so far.

M60 weight(kg)* 10.5 / length(mm) 1105/ rate of fire(rpm ) 550 / ammo 7.62x51

M60E3 weight(kg)* 8.6 / length(mm) 1067/ rate of fire(rpm ) 550 / ammo 7.62x51

M240 weight(kg)* 11-13** / length(mm) 1260/ rate of fire(rpm ) 650-950 / ammo 7.62x51

PKM weight(kg)* 9 / length(mm) 1173/ rate of fire(rpm ) 650 / ammo 7.62x54


* - weight on bipod
** - depends on version

Once I visited forum where machinegun fans shared their experiences. Sorry, I don't remeber forum name, and maybe they were wrong. But they claimed that PKM is lighter yet use more powerfull ammunition and is more accurate than either M60 and M240 . And only it's disadvantage is heavy ammo.

I'm going to have to put another vote for the m-2. Its big, mean, loud, and can really reach out there and touch somebody.

"Happiness is a belt-fed weapon"

[edit on 19-2-2006 by Uni_Brow]

The very first M2s had water jackets, Most did at that time like the Maxim and Vickers.

Check this old ww2 japanese machine gun here, it had a side mounted hopper for 5 round clips

www.worldwariimuseum.com...

www.lcsd.gov.hk...

www3.plala.or.jp...

weird innit!

Up to now, The FN MAG is the best NATO GPMG ever produced

securityarms.com...




[edit on 21-2-2006 by Browno]

the best machine gun is a scar.DUH!!!!!!!!

As someone who has never used any machine gun in my life, my favorites are as such:

for heavy machine gun, I like the M-2. Seems like a classic.

for GPMG, I like the MG3 and FN MAG.

for light squad automatic rifle, I like the FN minimi

Somebody said in a reply that the original GPMG - the MG34 could not be mass produced.

Actually, it was. Both in the light role and in 2 sustained fire roles: One was the Lafette 42 leather padded tripod [later versions were capable of mounting 2 MG 34's side by side] and another Lafette tripod system used in the AAA role.

The main reason why the MG 42 replaced the MG 34 was because it was largely made from metal stampings and was so much cheaper to produce, thus aiding mass production by semi-skilled slave labourers.

It was without doubt, the best WWII GPMG and it's successor the MG3 or MG4, is a superb GPMG.

Best post war MG goes to both Brownings - 7.62 mm and the big Five Oh!

The M60 shows you what happens when you take the best GPMG in the world and try to make it better. Because of that, I don't even count it as a successor to the 7.62 milly Browning.

Undoubtably the best GPMG in the world today, is the Gimpy or as some of us know it, The General.

It's not called The General for nothing because it bosses the battlefield and if a gunner is switch on and hot, it can even be used as small arms artillery. Go figure that out peeps!

The Kord does not count, so please don't keep harping on about it otherwise somebody will start writing on these hallowed pagaes again and Paddy and I would be upset.

Originally posted by fritz
Undoubtably the best GPMG in the world today, is the Gimpy or as some of us know it, The General.

Absolutely. The L7 GPMG (FN MAG/M240) is truely a fantastic force multiplier. It burns ammo at a rate that allows for sustained fire yet conserves ammo to maximise efficiency. It can be used in the light- or sustained-fire roles, allowing direct fire out to 800m off a bipod with iron sights, 1800m using the C2 dial sight and a tripod, and map predicted fire to 2800m. You can slap it onto pretty much any vehicle with little prep.

People in high up places have been trying to get it out of the platoons for years, yet every time the fuzzy-wuzzies try a shooting war the Gimpy seems to find its' way back into the sections. It's saved my bacon any number of times. For those of you who like a bit of gun porn;

The Kord does not count, so please don't keep harping on about it otherwise somebody will start writing on these hallowed pagaes again and Paddy and I would be upset.

For the love of God, please don't start that debate/argument/slagging-match/whatever again!

[edit on 20-1-2009 by PaddyInf]

For my money I think you can't beat this baby.