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MG 51
Photo: Wikimedia Commons user TheBernFiles. · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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MG51

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Switzerland · 1951
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MG51

MG 51
MG 51 Photo: Wikimedia Commons user TheBernFiles. · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
75
Effective Range
70
Penetration
65
Reliability
90
Accuracy
80
Barrel Endurance
85
Mount Versatility
60
Controllability
75
Portability
65
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin Switzerland
ManufacturerWaffenfabrik Bern
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraEarly Cold War
In service1951
Operators2 countries
Data Quality85%
75
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
9/21
Early Cold War
29/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
75
Effective Range
70
Penetration
65
Reliability
90
Accuracy
80
Barrel Endurance
85
Mount Versatility
60
Controllability
75
Portability
65
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
MG 51
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)
—
75
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
◎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
▣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
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
  • Production Start1951
  • Variants4
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1951Production started
75
years in service
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries2country
05 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Early Cold War
📖 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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) entry →