Data Quality83%
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 74
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1974–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · COLD WAR
4
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
90
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 Year1974
- Service Entry Year1974
- DesignerMikhail Kalashnikov (original PKM)
- Weight (Empty)8.5 kg
- Weight (Loaded)12.5 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre4MOD.4
- Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
- Calibre7.62 mm
- Case Length51 mm
- Bullet Weight9.5 g
▣Operation8MOD.8
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modesfully automatic
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemBelt
- Magazine Capacity30
- Drum / Belt Capacity100
- Cyclic Rate of Fire650
- Practical Rate of Fire100
◇Ballistics7MOD.7
- Muzzle Velocity830 m/s
- Effective Range (point)800 m
- Effective Range (area)1,200 m
- Maximum Range3,000 m
- Sighting Range2,000 m
- Penetration12 mm
- Accuracy2.5
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
- Barrel Length605 mm
- Rifling Grooves4
- Optic RailYes
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelYes
▤Construction3MOD.3
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialwood/metal
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
⬢Features1MOD.1
▲Production & Cost1MOD.1
- Total Production20,000
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1974Production started
52
years in service
1
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) · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
15GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)4COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)24AUSTRIA · ALL WEAPONS11PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE7terms
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.
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.
A mounting system for attaching optical sights to rifles.
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.
A pistol barrel with external helical grooves allowing the attachment of a suppressor or other muzzle devices.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources