Data Quality88%
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 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)
—
ⓘ 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
- Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
- Calibre7.62 mm
- Case Length51 mm
- Calibre Class7.62mm
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation5MOD.5
- Action TypeRecoil-Operated
- Fire ModesFull automatic
- Select FireNo
- Feed SystemBelt
- Cyclic Rate of Fire1,200
◇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
- Receiver MaterialSteel
- Folding / Collapsing StockYes
- Bullpup LayoutNo
⬢Features2MOD.2
▲Production & Cost3MOD.3
- Total Production1,000,000
- Production Start1968
- Production End1979
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1960Production started
- 1961Entered service
- 1979Production ended
- 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
05 / Operators
Operator Countries50country
06 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
3GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)2EARLY COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)13GERMANY · ALL WEAPONS6PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 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