Its FG42 and it was designed specifically for paratroops._ Its light weight and small size was perfect for airborne operations – yet, at the same time, its 20 rounds of 8mm Mauser would provide the firepower of a light machinegun in each rifle._ The desired outcome wasn’t exactly reached, however, as the weapon’s light weight and short length was ill-suited for a full size rifle cartridge._ The recoil was enormous, making sustained automatic fire impossible. The complexity of the design slowed production to a crawl – only 7000 of these weapons were ever made.
