Medium machine gun

A Medium Machine Gun or MMG in modern terms, usually refers to a belt fed, full power rifle caliber (such as 7.62 mm rifle caliber) automatic weapon with some provision for more extended firing than lighter automatic firearms, often using an extra-heavy barrel, fins, barrel-changing, or even a water cooling jacket; but they are light enough to be used by infantry with a bipod. (typically they weigh between 15 and 40 pounds). The descriptor is a grey area, especially historically, and occupies a uncertain realm between machine guns called light and heavy.

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Two features which have remain somewhat constant however, are some added ability for greater fire over automatic rifles, and the ability to be used in both light infantry support roles on a bipod, but also on mounts and tripods. While heavies are rarely, if ever used on bipods, and lighter machine guns are rarely if ever mounted, mediums have historically been used in both. Heavy machine guns are either crew-served or mounted, while mediums are usually operated by 1-2 soldiers. Light machine guns and automatic rifles are often a individual weapon with a fixed, naked barrel. On the other hand medium machine guns have usually had more endurance of some sort, such as the aforementioned heavier barrel, barrel change, fins, etc..

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