HK MG 43

The HK MG 43 is a new generation machine gun developed by Heckler & Koch Germany with the purpose of replacing the earlier HK machine guns. Developed during the late 1990s, the HK MG 43 marks a departure from the delayed blowback action operated machine guns produced by Heckler & Koch. First unveiled at the Defense Systems and Equipment International Convention in London in September 2001, the HK MG 43 has already been inducted into the Bundeswehr (German Army) and type classified as the MG 4 since 2003. Though not officially classified as a member of the G36 family, it seems to be a progression on the design. The MG 43 is still considered to be in its testing stages notwithstanding the fact that the German Army already uses it. This is probably so because it is still being developed and because it has never been tested in the combat arena. In all likelihood, the MG 43 will serve the role of a SAW plugging the gap between the MG 36 and the MG 3 in the Bundeswehr.

The MG 43 is an air cooled Light Machine Gun that is gas operated, belt fed with a rotating bolt head. The rotating bolt head is used to lock the barrel. A conventional gas piston is used to operate the gas group, which is located under the barrel. It uses 5.56 x 45 mm NATO ammunition though rumor has it that it will be developed in 7.62 x 51 mm NATO as well. The MG 43 fires at a cyclic rate of 750-800 rpm and the spent cases are ejected downwards whereas the belt links are ejected to the right side. The ammunition is belt fed but a detachable 30 round box magazine from the HK 36 is also compatible. The belt can be fed from separate or a clamp on box in the left to right direction. The belt feed system is reportedly very strong and sturdy. The barrel of the gun is easily and quickly changeable and has a folding carrying handle, which assists in replacing hot barrels. Also in another departure from HK, the selector lever does not have the single shot; semi auto options and the MG 43 can only be operated in fully automatic mode. The selector lever though is ambidextrous which is quite common for HK.

The MG 43 has a plastic collapsible butt stock and when folded (folds to the left side) it reduces the length of the gun from 1050 mm to 810 mm. A special feature of the MG 43 is that the gun can still be fired with the butt stock folded. The MG 43 come with standard open iron sights along with a Picatinny rail on top of the receiver. The foresight is can be folded down when not in use. The detachable rear sight is mounted on the rail and is graduated up to 1000 meters.

The HK MG 43 weighs 6.5 kgs and comes with an integral bipod at the fore end and has a standard interface for M2 type tripod or vehicle mount.