The historical FG 42 was designed around the rather stringent requirements, that stipulated use of the full-power cartridge in a hand-held weapon that is not heavier than 5 kg, the weapon being capable for the automatic and single-bullet fire.
It is my understanding that FG 42 ended up as a very good weapon (with almost cult-like following today), with the shortcomigns being that was expensive to make, and that the muzzle blast was sizable, to say at least.
So let's make it different this time - designers are allowed to use an existing non-German rifle cartridge, provided that the cartridge and an the initial number of barrels are easily available for Nazi Germany of the late 1941/early 1942. Cartridge does not need to be as powerful as the 7.92x57. The alternative FG 42 is not expected to be made in millions anyway like it is the case when the major change of regular infantry weapon change (here is about the thousands of weapons needed), so the logistics are not that demanding as it will be in that case.
The non-German cartridge used can be as-is, or with a bit of nip and tuck to fit better the new weapon; in the later case, it is required that original cartridge can still be used need-be. Weapon is still required to be able to do the automatic fire, while weight is to be up to 5 kg. At least 20 cartridges in a removable magazine, as per historically.
What cartridges might be the best choice, that can still make weapon useful at longer ranges while not 'beating' the weapon internals and the soldier using it? Lower powered cartridge should be making the smaller muzzle blast, and the automatic fire will be more controllable, but it might be worse off against the targets past, say, 500 m?
Impact on the development of the self-loading and/or automatic weapons after 1943?
It is my understanding that FG 42 ended up as a very good weapon (with almost cult-like following today), with the shortcomigns being that was expensive to make, and that the muzzle blast was sizable, to say at least.
So let's make it different this time - designers are allowed to use an existing non-German rifle cartridge, provided that the cartridge and an the initial number of barrels are easily available for Nazi Germany of the late 1941/early 1942. Cartridge does not need to be as powerful as the 7.92x57. The alternative FG 42 is not expected to be made in millions anyway like it is the case when the major change of regular infantry weapon change (here is about the thousands of weapons needed), so the logistics are not that demanding as it will be in that case.
The non-German cartridge used can be as-is, or with a bit of nip and tuck to fit better the new weapon; in the later case, it is required that original cartridge can still be used need-be. Weapon is still required to be able to do the automatic fire, while weight is to be up to 5 kg. At least 20 cartridges in a removable magazine, as per historically.
What cartridges might be the best choice, that can still make weapon useful at longer ranges while not 'beating' the weapon internals and the soldier using it? Lower powered cartridge should be making the smaller muzzle blast, and the automatic fire will be more controllable, but it might be worse off against the targets past, say, 500 m?
Impact on the development of the self-loading and/or automatic weapons after 1943?
