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MG 3 machine gun
Photo: KrisfromGermany · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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MG3machinegun

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Germany · 1960
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MG3machinegun

MG 3 machine gun
MG 3 machine gun Photo: KrisfromGermany · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
90
Effective Range
85
Penetration
80
Reliability
95
Accuracy
85
Barrel Endurance
90
Mount Versatility
85
Controllability
80
Portability
75
Cost-Effectiveness
90
Origin Germany
ManufacturerRheinmetall AG, Beretta
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraEarly Cold War
In service1960–1979
Operators50 countries
Quantity1,000,000
Data Quality88%
87
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
2/21
Early Cold War
3/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
90
Effective Range
85
Penetration
80
Reliability
95
Accuracy
85
Barrel Endurance
90
Mount Versatility
85
Controllability
80
Portability
75
Cost-Effectiveness
90
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
MG 3 machine gun
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1960–1979
Quantity
1,000,000
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · EARLY COLD WAR
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
87
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
◎General5MOD.5
  • First Production Year1968
  • Service Entry Year1959
  • Weight (Empty)11.5 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersBundeswehr, Italy, Greece, Iran, Pakistan, Sudan, Spain, Turkey
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
▣Operation5MOD.5
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
  • Muzzle Velocity820 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)800 m
  • Maximum Range3,750 m
  • Sighting Range1,200 m
◆Barrel & Sights3MOD.3
  • Barrel Length565 mm
  • Sight TypeOpen tangent iron sights or optical sights
  • Iron SightsYes
▤Construction3MOD.3
⬢Features2MOD.2
▲Production & Cost3MOD.3
  • Total Production1,000,000
  • Production Start1968
  • Production End1979
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1960Production started
  2. 1961Entered service
  3. 1979Production ended
  4. 1980First deployment: Iran–Iraq War
66
years in service
19
years in production
1,000,000
units produced
49
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
MG 42 1942
MG 3 machine gun 1960
// SIBLING VARIANTS
05 / Operators
06 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Early Cold War
📖 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.
A firearm stock that can be folded or collapsed to reduce overall length for storage or transport.
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.
Firearm action type where the energy from firing a cartridge cycles the action via rearward movement of the barrel or slide.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) entry →