Data Quality84%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
Beretta MG 42/59
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1959–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · EARLY COLD WAR
6
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Production Year1959
- Service Entry Year1959
- Weight (Empty)10.5 kg
- Weight (Loaded)12.5 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre5MOD.5
- Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
- Calibre7.62 mm
- Case Length48.5 mm
- Calibre Class7.62mm
- Bullet Weight9.5 g
▣Operation9MOD.9
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesautomatic
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemBelt
- Magazine Capacity50
- Cyclic Rate of Fire800
- Practical Rate of Fire250
- Trigger Typesingle-stage
- Safety Typemanual safety
◇Ballistics7MOD.7
- Muzzle Velocity820 m/s
- Muzzle Energy3,200
- Effective Range (point)800 m
- Effective Range (area)1,200 m
- Maximum Range3,600 m
- Sighting Range1,200 m
- Accuracy4
◆Barrel & Sights6MOD.6
- Barrel Length533 mm
- Rifling Twist1:12
- Rifling Grooves4
- Sight Typeadjustable iron sights
- Sight Radius450 mm
- Iron SightsYes
▤Construction3MOD.3
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood or polymer
- Modularityquick-change barrel
⬢Features2MOD.2
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1959
- Variants1
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
- Width150 mm
- Height250 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1959Production started
67
years in service
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
06 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
17GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)6EARLY COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)17ITALY · ALL WEAPONS16PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources