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MG 74
Photo: MoserB at de.wikipedia · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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MG74

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Austria · 1974
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MG74

MG 74
MG 74 Photo: MoserB at de.wikipedia · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
85
Effective Range
75
Penetration
70
Reliability
90
Accuracy
75
Barrel Endurance
80
Mount Versatility
85
Controllability
80
Portability
70
Cost-Effectiveness
95
Origin Austria
ManufacturerSteyr Arms
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraCold War
In service1974
Operators1 countries
Data Quality83%
80
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
4/18
Cold War
15/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
85
Effective Range
75
Penetration
70
Reliability
90
Accuracy
75
Barrel Endurance
80
Mount Versatility
85
Controllability
80
Portability
70
Cost-Effectiveness
95
ⓘ 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)
—
80
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 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
▤Construction3MOD.3
⬢Features1MOD.1
▲Production & Cost1MOD.1
  • Total Production20,000
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1974Production started
52
years in service
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
PKM 1969
MG 74 1974
05 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
📖 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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) entry →