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Besa Machine Gun
Photo: Atirador · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
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BesaMachineGun

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · United Kingdom · 1939
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BesaMachineGun

Besa Machine Gun
Besa Machine Gun Photo: Atirador · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
65
Effective Range
60
Penetration
55
Reliability
80
Accuracy
65
Barrel Endurance
70
Mount Versatility
50
Controllability
70
Portability
60
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin United Kingdom
ManufacturerBirmingham Small Arms Company
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraWorld War II
In service1939–1945
Operators3 countries
Quantity39,332
Data Quality87%
65
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
9/16
World War II
66/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
65
Effective Range
60
Penetration
55
Reliability
80
Accuracy
65
Barrel Endurance
70
Mount Versatility
50
Controllability
70
Portability
60
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
Besa Machine Gun
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)
—
65
general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category
ⓘ 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
▣Operation5MOD.5
◇Ballistics1MOD.1
  • Muzzle Velocity823 m/s
◆Barrel & Sights6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
  • Total Production39,332
  • Production Start1939
  • Production End1945
  • Variants1,939
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1939Production started
  2. 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
ZB-53 1939
Besa Machine Gun 1939
05 / Operators
📖 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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) entry →