Machine guns are automatic weapons that provide suppressive fire onto an enemy target in support of our own troops.  These types of weapon are more robust in construction than rifles, predominantly due to the requirement to be able to absorb the greater forces and heat that are generated by the higher rates of fire produced by machine guns.  Currently there are 3 types of machine gun  in service with the NZ Army.

Minimi C9 Light Machine Gun

The 5.56 mm C9 Minimi Light Machine Gun is a fully automatic, air-cooled, gas operated weapon. It fires ammunition from disintegrating link belts or can be fed by magazines. It incorporates an open breech firing system and interchangeable barrels.

This gun is the most common within the NZ Army and has been used as the army's Light Support Weapon (LSW) since 1988.  The C9 can be converted for parachuting by fitting a carbine (shorter) barrel and collapsible stock, which reduces the overall length of the Standard C9 by 318 mm.

The specifications of the C9 Minimi are:

• Equipment Weight (unloaded)  6.48kg
• Length (standard)    1038mm
• Height (at muzzle)    270mm

The MAG™58 7.62mm Machine Gun

The MAG™58 machine gun is a gas-operated, full-automatic, weapon firing the 7.62 x 51 mm NATO ammunition. It was produced by FN HERSTAL and designed as a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) able to be configured for a variety of roles. 

The gun is used in The NZ Army as:

A Light Machine Gun (LMG),
The Co-axial and Flexible Mounted Machine Gun for the NZLAV,
A Flexible mounted machine gun on the LOV
A Sustained Fire Machine Gun.

These guns were originally introduced into service as part of the introduction of the NZLAV.  It is now replacing the L7A2 (A British version of the MAG™58 which has been in NZ service since 1976). 

The Specifications of the standard MAG™58 are:

• Length 1263mm
• Height (folded bipod) 225mm
• Height (unfolded bipod) 318mm
• Weight  11.79kg
• Effective range of 1100m
• Cyclic rate of fire 650 – 1000 rounds per minute

L7A2 7.62mm Machine Gun

The L7A2 7.62mm Machine Gun is a gas operated, fully automatic weapon designed as a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). As its name suggests it is widely used within the NZ Army and can be employed in both the offensive and defensive role - either in a ground or vehicle mounted configuration.  

These guns were originally introduced into service in 1976, and despite their age, continue to be a very effective weapon. 

The L7 is an automatic Machine Gun capable of firing 750 – 1000 rounds per minute. The weapon has an effective range of 1100m.

The Specifications of the L7A2 are:

• Equipment   L7A2
• Length   1232mm
• Barrel Length  679mm
• Weight  10.9kg

Browning .50 Calibre Machine Gun

The Browning .50 calibre Machine Gun is a recoil operated, air-cooled, belt fed, medium machine gun. It can be fired electrically or manually and is capable of firing a variety of ammunition types.

The weapon is capable of both semi automatic and automatic fire and can be used by Army in a vehicle pintle or a ground-mounted role. The .50 calibre is capable of firing a variety of ammunition types depending upon the tactical situation.

The Specifications of the .50 calibre are:

• Length  165cm
• Weight 25.25kg