Denel MG4

History of the Denel MG4

The Browning M1919 became a classic machine gun after its introduction after the First World War (1914-1918). Ultimately envisioned as a dedicated infantry machine gun and aircraft machine gun, it saw combat action in various conflicts spanning the "Banana War" and the modern Syrian civil war. Over 5 million of this type are made in one form or another by different manufacturers.

The prolific range of the M1919 series inevitably led to the machine gun entering the stockpiles of many national armies, including the South African Army, where it is still in service as the "M4".

The M4 evolved from the production M1919A4 model and is a modernized version of the same weapon manufactured at Lyttleton Engineering Works in Pretoria. Much of the work involved redesigning the original weapon. 30-06 Springfield rifle cartridge, all the way to the ubiquitous 7.62x51mm NATO Cold War era rifle cartridge.

During this time, the weapon's components were reinforced to better serve the Army in the expected combat environment. The feed has also been modified at this point to include a bolt-opening feature, and the weapon can now support the dismantling chain straps common to modern machine guns.

The machine gun was air-cooled, with holes punched in the barrel jacket for air circulation. Operation is based on recoil (short recoil).

In form and function, the MG4 is a modern M1919A4. The MG4 is typically mounted on a sturdy tripod for steady fire from a fixed position, and can also be used as a trainable vehicle-mounted machine gun (trunnion mount) or a stationary anti-aircraft (AA) machine gun.

This weapon is now under the Denel Land Systems brand label.

Specification

BASICS

Year of Service

1960

Origins

South Africa

Categories

Belt-mounted air-cooled machine gun

Manufacturer

Lyttleton Engineering Works (Denel Land Systems) - South Africa

Operator

South Africa

Roles

Fire Support

Ability to suppress enemy elements at a distance using direct or indirect fire.

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

1,015 mm

39. 96 inches

Barrel length

594mm

23. 39 inches

Cured weight

28.66 lbs

13.00 kg

Attractions

Iron; optional optics

Action

Short recoil; belt feeder; open latch

Open the latch

The system uses an internal mechanism, in which the bolt and associated working parts are located in the rear of the receiver, without a cartridge chamber. Pulling the trigger moves the bolt forward, chambering the cartridge and firing the bullet in one motion - and eventually resets throughout the cycle by the energy generated.

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

7.62x51mm NATO

Circle/Feed

250 rounds of shaky belts

POWER

Maximum efficiency. Arrived

655 feet

(200m | 218m)

Rate of fire

600

Number of revolutions

Mile speed

2,755 ft/s

(840m/s)

VARIANTS

MG4 - Name of base series 7. 62mm MG - alternative name