The German Fallschirmjäger FG42 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.
You can read more on the development of the gun over on the FG-42 page in the Vault, where we also have a gallery of detailed photos here.
Watch also:
- Firing a Pak40, Ian McCollum fires a German Pak 40 75mm AT Gun
- Panzerbüchse 39, a German Anti-Tank Rifle
- Naval Luger, the German P04 Naval Luger
- MG34 & MG42, Ian McCollum fires both machine-guns.
Literature:
- Dugelby, Blake Stevens: Death From Above: The German FG42 Paratrooper Rifle (Hardcover). Collector Grade Publication.
- McNab, Chris: German Automatic Rifles 1941-45: Gew 41, Gew 43, FG 42 and StG 44 (Paperback). Osprey Publishing.
