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The StG44 (Sturmgewehr 44 or "assault rifle model 1944") was an assault rifle  produced in Nazi Germany during the second world war and was the first of its kind to see major deployment. It is also known under the designations MP43 and MP44...(Maschinenpistole 43, Maschinenpistole 44 respectively), which denotes earlier development versions of the same small arms. MP43, MP44, and StG44 were different designations for what was essentially the same rifle, with minor updates in construction.  The variety in the naming formats resulted from complicated circumstances in Germany in the second world war. Developed from the Mkb 42 (H) "machine carbine", the StG44 combined the characteristics of a carbine, sub-machine gun and automatic rifle. StG is an abb. of  the Sturmgewehr assault rifle. The name was approved for the propaganda reasons and literally means storm rifle as in "to storm an enemy point" (i.e. "assault", leading to the current terminology "assault rifle"). After the adoption of the StG44, the English translation "assault rifle" became the accepted designation for this type of infantry small arm. The rifle was chambered for the 7.92x33mm Kurz cartridge, also known as 7.92 mm Kurz (German for short). This shorter version of the German standard (7.92x57mm Mauser) rifle round, in combination with the weapon's selective-fire design, provided a compromise between the controllable firepower of a submachine gun at close quarters with the accuracy and power of a Karabiner 98k bolt action rifle at intermediate ranges. While the StG44 had less range and power than the more powerful infantry rifles of the day, Wehrmacht studies had shown that most combat engagements occurred at less than 300 m with the majority within 200 m. Full-power rifle cartridges were overpowered for the vast majority of uses for the average infantryman. The StG44's receiver was made of heavy stamped and welded steel as were other contemporary arms such as the MP40 and MG42. This made for a fairly heavy rifle, especially one firing an intermediate-power cartridge. Difficulties with fabrication, the need to use available non-priority steels, and the exigencies of war resulted in a heavy receiver. U.S. military intelligence criticized the weight of the weapon along with the inclusion of the fully automatic feature which it considered "ineffectual for all practical purposes."

The British were also critical saying that the receiver could be bent and the bolt locked up by the mere act of knocking a leaning rifle onto a hard floor. Many of these criticisms are more a testimonial of the Allied aversion rather than an accurate view of the weapon's characteristics which were proven during battle in the war. To its credit, it was the first weapon of its class, and the concept had a major change on modern infantry small arms development. By all accounts, the StG44 fulfilled its role admirably, particularly on the Eastern Front, offering a greatly increased volume of fire compared to standard infantry rifles. In the end, it came too late to have a major effect on the outcome of the war.
 
The Mg42's most important features was its comparatively high rate of fire of about 1,200 rounds per minute, twice the rate of the British Vickers machine gun and American Browning at 600 round/min. So distinct and terrifying was the weapon that the United States Army  created training films to aid its soldiers in dealing with the psychological trauma of encountering the weapon in battle. At such a high rate the human ear cannot easily discern the sound of individual bullets  being fired, and in use the gun makes a sound described as like "ripping cloth" and giving rise to the nickname "Hitler's buzzsaw", or, more coarsely, "Hitler's zipper" (Soviet soldiers called it the "linoleum ripper"). German soldiers called it Hitlersäge ("Hitler's saw") or "Bonesaw". The gun was sometimes called "Spandau" by British troops from the manufacturer's plates noting the district of Berlin where some were produced, much like the Germans' own World War I MG 08  had been nicknamed. Notwithstanding the MG42's high rate of fire, the Handbook of the German Army (1940) forbade the firing of more than 250 rounds in a single burst and indicated a sustained rate of no more than 300–350 rounds per minute to minimize barrel wear and over-heating.The high rate of fire resulted from experiments with preceding weapons that concluded that since a soldier only has a short period of time to shoot at an enemy, it was imperative to fire the highest number of bullets possible to increase the likelihood of a hit. This principle was also behind the Vickers GO aircraft gun. The disadvantage of applying this principle was that the weapon consumed exorbitant amounts of ammunition and quickly overheated its barrel, making sustained fire problematic.The method of barrel change made the MG-42 unsuitable for secondary or co-axial armament on WW2 era German tanks with the exception of the Jagdpanzer IV. Early versions of the Jagdpanzer IV carried two standard (no modification made) MG42's on both sides of the gun mantlet/glacis, firing through a ball slot which was protected by an armored cover (with the MG42 retracted) when not in use. Later version Jagdpanzer IV's carried only one MG-42 on the left side.The MG42 weighed 11.6 kg in the light role with the bipod, lighter than the MG 34 and easily portable. The bipod, the same one used on the MG 34, could be mounted to the front or the center of the gun depending on where it was being used. For sustained fire use, it was matched to the newly-developed Lafette 42 tripod, which weighed 20.5 kg on its own. The barrel had polygonal rifling and was lighter than the MG 34's and heated more quickly, but could be replaced in seconds by an experienced gunner. The optimum operating crew of an MG-42 for sustained fire operation was six men: the gun commander, the No.1 who fired the gun, the No.2 who carried the tripod, and Nos.3, 4, and 5 who carried ammunition, spare barrels, entrenching tools, and other items. For additional protection the commander, No.1 and No.2 were armed with pistols, while the remaining three carried rifles. This large team was often reduced to just three: the gunner, the loader (also barrel carrier), and the spotter. The gunner of the MG42 was preferably a junior non-commissioned officer (or Unteroffizier).U.S. and British doctrine of the era centered around the rifleman, with the machine gun serving a support role. German doctrine was the reverse, with the machine gun placed in a central role and rifleman employed in support. This meant that German forces deployed far more machine guns per equivalent-sized unit than the allies, and that allied troops assaulting a German position almost invariably faced the firepower of the MG42. It was possible for operating crews to lay down a non-stop barrage of fire, ceasing only when the barrel had to be replaced. This allowed the MG42 to tie up significantly larger numbers of enemy troops. Both the Americans and the British trained their soldiers to take cover from the fire of an MG42, and assault the position during the small window of barrel replacement. The superb rate of fire of the MG42 sometimes proved a weakness, mainly in that, while the weapon could be used to devastating effect, it could quickly finish off its ammunition supply. For this reason, it was not uncommon for all soldiers operating near an MG 42 to carry extra ammunition, thus providing the MG 42 with a backup source when its main supply was exhausted.

 

U.S. Army Intelligence Report MG42 Machine Gun

Recently a new dual-purpose machine gun has appeared which may eventually replace the MG34 in the German Army. Like the MG34, it can be used on a bipod (see fig. 49) as a light machine gun, on a tripod as a heavy machine gun, as an antiaircraft machine gun (on a special tripod), and for numerous other special purposes on special mounts. Because of the wide use of stamping, welding, and riveting, this gun is far easier to make and less smooth in finished appearance than the M.G. 34. It is, however, equally as serviceable as the older model, which is still the main armament of all types of German units. A new and faster method of barrel change is another superb characteristic of this new model. The rate of fire has been increased over that of the M.G. 34, but a certain decrease in accuracy has resulted.

How to Identify the MG42

The MG42 may be identified by—
(1) Rectangular shape of receiver and barrel jacket.
(2) Barrel jacket opening on the right side to allow change of barrel. (This change is effected by a handle, also on the right side.)
(3) Operating handle much larger than that of the M.G. 34 and grooved for the fingers.
(4) Leaf rear sight sliding on ramp (unlike the M.G. 34 rear sight, which is of the upright leaf type).
(5) Separate antiaircraft rear sight hinged on the right sight base.
(6) Bolt of a totally different pattern from that of the M.G. 34, the body being round and having a separate bolt head of a non-rotating type.
(7) Single trigger. (The trigger mechanism is not equipped with two triggers as in the M.G. 34, and the gun cannot fire semi-automatically.)

c. Characteristics
(1) General.—The MG42 is a combination short-recoil blowback weapon. Instead of the rotating bolt action of the M.G. 34,12 the bolt is locked to the barrel by means of two movable locking studs, located in the bolt head, and operating on two locking cams on the barrel extension. These locking studs resemble a wheelbarrow wheel and axle, and are placed symmetrically in slots in the sides of the bolt head with their axles vertical. The edges of the wheels are in contact with the operating surfaces of the locking cams in the barrel extension. As the bolt closes, the locking cams force the locking wheels outward, so that their axles, which project above and below the slots, enter the corresponding slots in the barrel extension. The barrel is then locked to the bolt head. On firing, the barrel extension and the bolt recoil together a half inch, and then the locking cams serve to unlock the locking wheels from the barrel extension, while the blowback pressure from the barrel drives the bolt to the rear, operating the weapon. This system gives a high rate of fire, which is what the Germans seem to be seeking in this weapon.13

The feed on the MG42 is the same as for the M.G. 34, a belt or drum being used (fig. 50). It is not known whether a special feed cover to take a 75-round saddle-type drum is made for this gun. The tripod mount is the same as that of the M.G. 34 except for the method of fastening the gun to the mount. No detailed information on the antiaircraft tripod is available.

(2) Table of characteristics.

Principle of operation       Combination short recoil and blowback.
Caliber     7.92-mm (.312 inch).
Rate of fire (cyclic)     1,050 to 1,350 rounds per minute.
Ammunition        All types of 7.92-mm not expressly forbidden for use in the machine gun (for example, the Patr. 318 manufactured for the Pz.B. 39 antitank rifle is unsuitable, because it will not fit in the chamber).
Type of feed       1. Non-disintegrating metallic-link which holds 50 rounds and may be connected to make longer belts.
2. 50-round belts, for use by the light (ground) version when the position of the gun is being changed frequently and rapidly; or, in antiaircraft versions of the gun, contained in a metal drum attached to the feedblock.
Weight as light machine gun (bipod)      25 1/2 pounds.
Sights:         
    Front        Inverted V adjustable for height, on a folding post.
    Rear         Leaf with open V notch sliding on ramp, graduated from 200 to 2,000 meters (219 to 2,187 yards) (there is an antiaircraft rear peep sight hinged on the open rear sight base).
    Auxiliary      Antiaircraft ring sight, kept in the maintenance kit, and fitting on the barrel jacket. (This is used in conjunction with the folding antiaircraft rear peep sight attached to the rear sight base.)

d. How to Operate

(1) Safety.—There is a plunger-type safety catch located just above the pistol grip. Unlike the M.G. 34 safety, it works from side to side. The safety catch cannot be operated unless the gun is cocked. To put the gun on "safe," push the safety catch toward the left (facing the muzzle), until the letter "S" (sicher—"safe") shows on its surface. To put the gun on "fire," push the safety catch toward the right until the letter "F" (Feuer—"fire") is exposed.

(2) To load and fire.—(a) Using belt from belt box.—Insert the tab of the belt, with the open end of the links down, in the feedway on the left side of the receiver (if there is no tab on the belt, take two cartridges from the end of the belt and use the empty links as a tab). The feed cover may be either open or closed during this operation. Pull the belt through until the first round can be engaged by the feed pawls (a three-cartridge width). The cartridges in the belt should not be pulled so far as to cover the feed opening in the feed-plate lower assembly. Do not cock the gun until ready to fire. When ready to fire, cock by pulling the operating handle to the rear as far as it will go. The handle should then be shoved forward again until a "click" is heard. This will prevent a misfire, since the recoil (return) spring is not powerful enough to close the bolt and at the same time to shove the operating handle forward. The safety can be put on "safe" only when the gun is cocked. To fire, move the safety to "fire," and press the single trigger.14 There is no double trigger (to give provision for semiautomatic fire) as in the M.G. 34.

(b) Using 50-round belt from drum.—Press the catch on the sliding cover of the drum, and move the cover to the open position so that the tab end of the belt can be pulled from the drum. Insert the tab in the feedway, with the open end of the links down. Engage the hook which is on the front (narrow) end of the drum onto the lug on the front end of the feed-plate lower assembly.

Turn the rear end of the drum toward the gun until the spring catch on the rear end of the drum engages the lug on the rear end of the feedway. Now proceed as in belt-loading from a belt box (see d (2), on the opposite page).

(c) Using 75-round double drum (if furnished with gun).—If this type of drum is found with the gun, more than likely the gun will be fitted to take these drums without any changes, that is, with a special feed cover. This special feed cover has an opening to take the 75-round drum, and it also has a folding dust cover to protect the breech mechanism when the drum is not in place on the gun. No belt is used in this type of drum. Place the drum in position, straddling the feed opening and thereby depressing the dust cover. Pull the operating handle to the rear and then push it forward, thus charging the gun and placing the operating handle in a position where it will not fly forward when the trigger is squeezed. Use the trigger for semi- or full-automatic fire in the same manner as in firing belted ammunition from a belt box or drum.

(d) Immediate action.—If the gun fails to fire, pull the operating handle to the rear and return it to its forward position. Then pull the trigger. About the only types of stoppage that will occur in the M.G. 42 are caused as follows: (1) by empty cases jamming in the catch between the bolt and the operating handle, or (2) by empty cases jamming between the bolt head and the barrel extension. To clear the first type of stoppage, the bolt must be drawn back a little by pulling back on the operating handle, holding the bolt level with the feed-arm roller, and moving the operating handle back and forth. To clear the second type of stoppage, merely hold the bolt back and shake the gun several times. This stoppage cannot be cleared by pushing in the end of the bolt or by using a stick or other object to remove the jammed case.

(3) To unload.—To unload (using the belt drum or belt), cock the gun by pulling the operating handle to the rear, and set the safety lever to the "safe" position. Raise the feed cover by pushing forward the feed-cover catch (at the rear end of the feed cover). Remove the belt from the gun. After checking to be sure that the chamber is empty, close the feed cover, move the safety lever to the "fire" position, and ease the bolt forward by holding the operating handle and squeezing the trigger.

To unload when using the 75-round double drum, proceed as in unloading with the belt or belt drum, except that the double drum must be removed before the feed cover is opened.

(4) To change barrels.—(a) General.—The barrel on this gun should be changed after firing 250 rounds in full-automatic fire, or, in cases of emergency, after firing 400 rounds. Spare barrels are regular equipment with the M.G. 42 and are carried in either single- or double-barreled containers by the gun crew. The single-barreled container opens up so that the hot barrel can be laid on it and exposed to the air to facilitate cooling.

(b) Procedure.—Cock the gun and set the safety catch to the "safe" position. Push the barrel-change lever forward, and rotate the rear end to the right and forward (see fig. 51). This will bring the rear end of the barrel clear of the barrel jacket, and it can be withdrawn by grasping it with the asbestos hand pad furnished with maintenance kit. Place the cool barrel in the loop of the barrel-change lever, and seat the muzzle of the barrel in the front end of the barrel jacket; then swing the barrel-change lever toward the barrel jacket until it locks in place. Set the safety catch to "fire" and recommence firing.