Data Quality87%
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
Besa Machine Gun
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1939–1945
Quantity
39,332
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · WORLD WAR II
9
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
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
◎General6MOD.6
- First Production Year1939
- Service Entry Year1939
- DesignerVáclav Holek
- Weight (Empty)21 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
- Notable UsersBritish Empire, Ireland, Israel
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
- Cartridge7.92×57mm Mauser
- Calibre7.92 mm
- Case Length57 mm
- Calibre Class8mm
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation5MOD.5
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesselectable high/low cyclic rate
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemBelt
- Cyclic Rate of Fire450
◇Ballistics1MOD.1
- Muzzle Velocity823 m/s
◆Barrel & Sights6MOD.6
- Barrel Length737 mm
- Rifling Twistright-hand
- Rifling Grooves4
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction3MOD.3
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
- Total Production39,332
- Production Start1939
- Production End1945
- Variants1,939
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1939Production started
- 1945Production ended
87
years in service
6
years in production
39,332
units produced
3
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
06 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · World War II
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
66GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)9WORLD WAR II · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)172UNITED KINGDOM · ALL WEAPONS59PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
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.
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