Data Quality85%
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
MG 51
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1951–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · EARLY COLD WAR
9
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
◎General7MOD.7
- First Production Year1951
- Service Entry Year1951
- DesignerWaffenfabrik Bern
- Weight (Empty)16 kg
- Weight (Loaded)26 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
- Notable UsersSwiss Army
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
- Cartridge7.5×55mm Swiss
- Calibre7.5 mm
- Case Length55 mm
- Calibre Class7.5mm
- Bullet Weight11.3 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation7MOD.7
- Action TypeShort Recoil
- Fire Modesautomatic only
- Select FireNo
- Feed SystemBelt
- Magazine Capacity50
- Cyclic Rate of Fire1,000
- Practical Rate of Fire570
◇Ballistics6MOD.6
- Muzzle Velocity750 m/s
- Muzzle Energy3,164
- Effective Range (point)100 m
- Effective Range (area)2,000 m
- Maximum Range2,000 m
- Sighting Range2,000 m
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
- Barrel Length563 mm
- Sight TypeIron sights; 2.3x optical sight
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood and polymer
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularityvehicle, tripod, bipod variants
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1951
- Variants4
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1951Production started
75
years in service
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
29GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)9EARLY COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)21SWITZERLAND · ALL WEAPONS16PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
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.
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.
Short recoil is a firearm operating mechanism where the barrel and slide move together for a short distance after firing, then separate to complete extraction, ejection, and chambering.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources