Fallschirmjager FG-42 Rifle
Select-Fire Rifles
•
13m
The German FG-42 paratroop rifle was a very impressive design, managing to meet a very strict set of performance criteria. The first production model in particular was exceptionally light and compact, while still offering semi and full-auto 8mm Mauser fire with surprisingly light recoil. The gun went through a continuous evolution through its production, becoming heavier and less expensive to manufacture. The first major design was made from a milled billet of steel at great cost, and the second major model was done with a stamped steel receiver instead. We had the opportunity to disassemble one of the second model FG42s, and put together a video showing how it operates.
Up Next in Select-Fire Rifles
-
FG-42 German Paratroop Rifle (Transfe...
Only a few dozen of these are in private hands in the US, and they are an extremely advanced design for WWII.
-
MKb-42(H) Assault Rifle with ZF-41 scope
The MKb-42(H), or Maschinenkarabiner-42 (Haenel), was the first production iteration of the German Sturmgewehr. It was chambered for the then-new 8x33mm kurz cartridge, and fired both semiauto and full-auto from an open bolt. Approximately 11,000 of these were made before production changed to th...
-
AAI 2nd Gen SPIW Flechette Rifles
The SPIW program began in 1962 with entries from Colt, Springfield, AAI, and Winchester. The first set of trials were a complete failure, and both Colt and Winchester abandoned the project at that point. AAI pressed on, producing these second generation rifles - one for trials in 1966 and one aft...