Rheinmetall MG42/59: The Slow-Fire Commercial MG42
This video explores the Rheinmetall MG42/59, a modified variant of the iconic MG42 machine gun. Following WWII, West Germany's Bundeswehr adopted the MG42, with Rheinmetall tasked with its recreation in 7.62 NATO. The MG42/59, produced for commercial export and the Bundeswehr (designated MG1), features significant iterative improvements. Notably, it incorporates a nearly doubled bolt weight to reduce its cyclic rate to a more manageable 700-900 rpm. Other upgrades include a hinged top cover, an improved feed tray, an integrated AA rear sight, and a new muzzle booster design, foreshadowing the final MG3. This specific example, a 1964 production, is a transferable C&R item in the US.













