German Guns

Rheinmetall Fallschirmjager Gewehr 42 Rheinmetall Fallschirmjager Gewehr 42 AKA:  FG 42 Origin:  Germany (Obsolete) 1942 Caliber:  7.92x57mm Feed Device:  20 round detachable box magazine Action:  Gas, Selective fire Sights:  Open (ZF4/42 4X telescopic sight optional) Length:  94 cm Muzzle Velocity:  770 M/S Weight:  4.5 kg Rate of Fire:  800 rpm   The FG42 was designed by Rheinmettal-Borsig for the Luftwaffe and introduced a number of features which were later copied on other firearms (most notably the U.S. M60 machinegun).  By firing from a closed bolt in semiautomatic mode and an open bolt in full automatic mode, it combined the best of both a rifle and a light machinegun.  Although it was made to fire the full-sized 7.92mm Mauser cartridge, felt recoil was reduced by the provision of an in-line stock, a muzzle brake, and an integral (albeit somewhat flimsy) bipod.  The bayonet was also built in and could be stored beneath the bipod, it's weight effectively helping to reduce muzzle climb.  Early versions of the FG42 were produced with a steel buttstock and a severely angled pistol grip (as shown above), while the later models had wooden furniture and a more traditional pistol grip, as well as an improved muzzle brake.  The rifle was also designed to accept the ZF4 (Zielfernrohr 4-fach) and ZF42 telescopic sights.  These sights were nearly identical, both 4x, and were graduated from 100 to 800 meters in 50 meter increments, with a reticle consisting of a center post with side bars.