German Machine Guns – that is the subject of this Photo Of the Day here at The Firearm Blog.

The Machine Gun MG3, made by Rheinmetall, is probably one of the most iconic firearms of the Bundeswehr. In service since the 1960s and proven over the decades.

The time has come for a change, an upgrade. Enter the Machine Gun MG5, made by Heckler & Koch. It is called HK121. Note the periscope type of shooting above and in the video.

The German Army has been to the infantry training center and compared the two machine guns side-by-side.

Below: MG5 clearly visible. In other photos, from exhibitions, you can see HK121 on the receiver instead. (and here)

Below you can watch a video. It’s in German, but very interesting to see. In the end, notice how steady the MG5 is when shooting standing.

The promised bonus, the MG6 Minigun.

New weapon – new challenges – new possibilities. The helicopter squadron 64 tests the first mini-gun of the Bundeswehr: the machine gun MG6. During the “Heli Dust” exercise in Upper Lusatia, the new on-board weapon was put through its paces by special forces of the Bundeswehr.

Source: German Bundeswehr.