MG34 on the eastern front in the winter

During WWII, in particular the Eastern Front, what was the main advantage the MG-34 had over the MG-42?

 

You might want to check out the others threads created about the MG-34/MG42

 

Those that I have seen give general info about both. None seem to give a good answer.

 

The MG-34, when fitted on a bipod in every infantry section, was simply a more accurate weapon than the MG-42 due to its significantly lower firing rate.

That's about it.

 

The negatives of the MG34, from my understanding are mainly these:

1. reliability in adverse climates- the MG34 jams and malfunctions more than the superbly reliable MG42
2. The MG34 is much more expensive to produce.
3. The incredible firing rate of the MG42 has its advantages in certain situations.
4. The tripod mounted MG42 is generally superior to the Tripod mounted MG34 in combat effectiveness.
5. The MG34 takes much longer for a barrel change- the quick change feature for the MG42 is quite advantageous.

 

"Comparison of German Machine Guns" from Tactical and Technical Trends

A report on versions of the WWII German MG 34, MG 42 machine guns, from Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 32, August 26, 1943.

[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

COMPARISON OF GERMAN MACHINE GUNS​

The following comparison and photographs of the German machine-gun model 34, 34 (modified), 34S, 34/41 and 42 are based on data received from the Aberdeen Proving Grounds.
The MG 34 is a familiar weapon, and model 42 has already been described in Tactical and Technical Trends no. 20, p. 28 and no. 31, p. 37. This report is of interest because of its comparison of the variations of model 34 and the excellence of the detail of the illustrations.
* * *
a. MG 34 Modified
The MG 34 (modified) is used principally in armored vehicle hull mounts and differs from the MG 34 in the following:
(1) Heavier barrel jacket adapted to fit in ball type hull mounts
(2) Absence of antiaircraft sight bracket
(3) Simplified and easily operated firing pin nut lock
(4) Bipod clamps for attaching bipod for emergency use.

This model can be mounted on the antiaircraft and heavy ground mounts.
b. MG 34S and 34/41
The MG 34S and MG 34/41, are identical in appearance except for the perforated operating handle of the MG 34/41 (see figure 2) but are named in this report separately only because a definite effort was made to make them as distinct models. The reason for this is unknown. One description will suffice for both weapons. They differ from the MG 34 in the following:
(1) Provision for full automatic fire only instead of full or semiautomatic fire;
(2) Simplified trigger group with extensive use of stampings;
(3) Barrel 3 1/2 shorter with enlarged muzzle end to accelerate recoil;
(4) Simplified bolt and bolt-locking sleeve eliminating many machining operations;
(5) Elimination of firing pin lock nut and substitution of a simple, easily operated, plunger type, catch recessed in the bolt carrier;
(6) Larger and stronger ejector assembly located in the left receiver wall;
(7) Larger and stronger buffer group;
(8) Heavier recoil spring constructed of two lengths of woven wire;
(9) Addition of a cocking lever catch to secure cocking lever in the forward position;
(10) Modified feed mechanism providing a more secure trip on the cartridge.

Both models can be used on the antiaircraft mount and although they appear to have been designed for mounting on the heavy ground mount, the clamp, fitting over the rear end of the barrel jacket cannot be secured when the gun is in place. A different trigger actuator is also required. The MG 34 and the models described above may be mounted flexibly in tank hulls.
c. MG 42
The MG 42 is a new design but has the same tactical employment. A few of the outstanding characteristics will be listed here. The MG 42 differs from the MG 34 basically in the following:
(1) Extensive use of stampings in receiver, barrel jacket, cover assembly, and trigger group;
(2) Provision for full automatic fire only;
(3) Simplified bolt assembly allowing rollers to lock bolt to locking sleeve and eliminating locking lugs. The bolt carrier is a forging;
(4) Simplified buffer mechanism with a very heavy spring;
(5) A new and simplified quick change barrel is provided;
(6) A more flexible feed mechanism is provided making for smoother operation.

Bipod, antiaircraft and heavy ground mount are provided but these mounts are not interchangeable with those used with the MG 34.

 

There was one small detail my friend was looking for.

"The trigger guard is bigger on the MG34 allowing for bigger gloves to be used whilst gunning while the MG42 has a smaller tigger guard so less room for gloves which means less warmth for mr shoot shoot as he does the shoot shoot because it's
winter."

On another forum for a game, there is a thread called Military History Quiz. He asked what was the main advantage the MG34 had over the MG42, and what's in quotes is the answer he was looking for. Go figure.

 

LOL wut

 

Thats what I said. I was like wtf? That's so minor.

 

I am also going to say that mg-34s jammed much easier when dirty making them less reliable

 

The MG 42 superseded the MG 34 but did not replace it, they were already tooled up to make the MG 34 (and few if any parts were interchangeable between the two) so they just kept making them. In wartime you can never have enough machine guns.

The MG 34 was more finely machined and had closer tolerances and required more craftsmanship to make, also it longer to build one. The closer tolerances meant it was somewhat less reliable in the dirt with the landser than the MG 42. MG 42 was designed for quick manufacture using steel stampings as much as possible (they did the same thing with the MP 38 vs MP 40.) The tolerances were also not as fine, so it was less susceptible to jamming.
Most photos and stories of german armored vehicles reveal that the machine gun(s) they used were usually MG 34's - A sensible decision since an armored crew's machine gun would presumably be spending alot less time in the dirt and weather.

 

Towards the end of the war the Germans had to replace the missing man power by more fire power. That is one of the reasons why MG42 was introduced.Of course the method to produce Mg42´s was simpler so less work force was needed for that also.

 

oh and another thing to add the about the mg-34 the belt could be loaded in the side without having to lift the one piece making it quicker to reload.