MG 51
| Machinengewehr 51 | |
|---|---|
| File:W+F MG 51 Left.jpg W+F MG 51 | |
| Type | General purpose machine gun |
| Place of origin |  Switzerland |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Swiss Army |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Waffenfabrik Bern |
| Produced | 1951-present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 16 kg (35.3 Lbs.) (with bipod) 26 kg (57.3 Lbs.) (with tripod) |
| Length | 1270 mm |
| Cartridge | 7.5mm Swiss, 7.62x51mm NATO[citation needed] |
| Caliber | 7.5mm |
| Action | recoil-operated |
| Rate of fire | 1000 rounds per minute |
| Feed system | 50-round belt |
| Sights | Iron sights |
The 7,5mm Maschinengewehr 1951 or Mg 51 is a General Purpose Machine Gun manufactured by W+F of Switzerland. The weapon was introduced into Swiss service when the Swiss Army initiated a competition for a new service machine gun to replace the heavy MG 11 and the light Lmg 25, adopted in 1911 and 1925 respectively. The weapon is based on the MG42 but instead made from heavier quality machined components and just slightly heavier.
The Pz Mg 51/71 is a vehicle-mounted variant for armoured vehicles like the MOWAG Eagle scout car, the Panzer 68 battle tank and the Entp Pz 65 recovery tank, while the more modern Pz Mg 87 can be found on the Pz 87 "Leopard" tank.