What Is The Situation Right Now?
- Magazines: The FG 42 I and FG 42 II share a single, interchangeable ammunition pool.
- Bayonets: Neither model has a functional bayonet, despite the FG 42 I and FG 42II both being designed to permanently carry an attached folding spike.
[Note: I understand the bayonet may require a model rework since it’s directly modelled into the gun rather than as a separate entity, but this should still be addressed.]
This setup is historically incorrect and places German BR V select-fire rifle users at a tangible gameplay disadvantage compared to other nations, outshadowered additionally in assault rifles too. I’m sure a lot of players has already brought out this concern, but I’d like to reiterate its legitimacy.
TL;DR
The FG 42 I and FG 42 II currently share a single magazine pool and lack functional bayonets despite both having integral folding spikes modelled on the weapons. This is historically inaccurate and puts German BR V players at an unnecessary disadvantage compared to other nations.
Requested changes:
- Separate magazine pools for FG 42 I and FG 42 II
- Enable the folding spike bayonet as a functional melee weapon
Problem #1: Shared Magazine Pool (Historically Impossible & Mechanically Limiting)
The two major FG 42 variants used deliberately incompatible magazine catch systems. They cannot physically accept each other’s magazines, and the Germans designed them that way on purpose specifically to prevent unreliable cross-issue in the field.
Click to expand: Why FG 42 I and II magazines CANNOOOOTT be swapped
FG42I Catch (Earlier Model)
- A spring-loaded plunger on the left receiver engages a rectangular hole cut in the left wall of the magazine.
- Release: Press the protruding button.
- Problem: the button could be bumped accidentally, dropping the magazine in combat.
FG42 II Catch (Later Model)
- A pivoting latch behind a shielded paddle grabs a deep, angled notch on the rear spine of the magazine.
- Release: Pulling the paddle rearwards, which is more secure against accidental bumps.
- The magazine body was also re‑engineered with a different spring housing, stamped follower, and completely different catch recess.
FG42I Magazine on the Left, FG42 II Magazine on the Right
Cross-compatibility test:
| Magazine | In FG 42 I | In FG 42 II |
|---|---|---|
| Type I (side hole) | Plunger locks | No rear notch, no side catch; so magazine falls free |
| Type II (rear notch) | Side plunger has nothing to grab; so magazine drops | Latch engages rear notch |
The two systems are mutually exclusive by design. The Germans made them incompatible so that no soldier would try to use older, less reliable magazines in the improved weapon. To rub it in even more, the Type E and Type G models share zero parts in common , including magazines, despite sharing a basic operating mechanism.
A Video Analysis By Gun Jesus Himself (Basically where I got the images of the magazines)
Gameplay Impact
- Separate ammunition pools would give players a reason to equip both FG 42s. Currently, carrying both models gives you the same shared ammunition reserve, essentially making them two identical weapons with slightly different stats. With separated pools, equipping an FG 42 I and an FG 42 II would effectively double your carried ammunition, similar to carrying an AVS-36 alongside an AVT-40. For players that do not think it is an issue because they stick a single gun with large ammo pouches, you’ll still run into the same exact issue on your Radio Operators.
- This change also prevents the unrealistic situation of the same magazine working in two completely different similar-looking weapons.
Problem #2: No Functional Bayonets (Historical Inaccuracy & Gameplay Disadvantage)
Both the FG 42 I and FG 42 II feature a permanently attached, folding cruciform spike bayonet under the barrel. In-game, this is visually modelled but completely non-functional.
Click to expand: Historical Bayonet Systems
Type I & II Integral Spike
- The spike hinges just behind the muzzle and stows in a channel under the barrel.
- Deployed by pressing a release catch and swinging it forward. It is not removable without disassembly. So why not simply press the release catch, Gaijin?
- This is not the same as the MAS‑36 spike; the MAS‑36 spike is a separate piece that is reversed and re‑inserted. The FG 42 ’s spike is fixed at the hinge.
It would be SO cool if the Sniper Variant of the FG42II also had a bayonet…
Proposed Bayonet Implementation
The integral spike should function as a permanent melee weapon. The soldier would simply thrust with the deployed or rapidly-extended spike. The spike cannot be removed or swapped, functioning similarly to other integral bayonets in-game.
Why This Matters for BR V Players (Beyond Historical Accuracy)
At BRV, every other major nation fields select-fire battle rifles with functional bayonets. The FG 42 series currently lacks this capability, putting German players at a distinct disadvantage in close-quarters panic melees. Combined with the shared magazine pool, the FG 42s underperform relative to their counterparts.
Direct Comparison: Select-Fire Battle Rifles & Bayonets
| Nation | Weapon | Bayonet | Magazine Pool | Melee Capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | T20 (select-fire Garand) | M1 bayonet (detachable) | Unique | Bayonet always available |
| USA | M2 Carbine | M4 bayonet (detachable) | Unique | Bayonet always available |
| USSR | AVS‑36 | AVS-36 bayonet (detachable) | Unique | Bayonet always available |
| USSR | AVT‑40 | SVT‑40 bayonet (detachable) | Unique | Bayonet always available |
| Japan | Type Hei Automatic | Type 30 bayonet (detachable) | Unique | Bayonet always available |
| Germany | FG 42 I | None (spike unused) | Shared with FG 42 II | NOTHING |
| Germany | FG 42 II | None (spike unused) | Shared with FG 42 I | NOTHING |
In the rapid encounters of BR V, having a bayonet allows a player to react instantly to a melee threat without switching to a dedicated melee weapon, because bonking them with the butt of your rifle can largely only down them in one hit. The FG 42s, despite their high rate of fire, lose that split-second edge; BRV is ABOUT having the split-second edge.
Bottom line: This update would not overpower the FG 42s. It would simply give them the same baseline melee and ammunition management tools that every other nation’s high-tier select-fire rifle already enjoys, while SIMULTANEOUSLY fixing a long-standing historical error. It’s legit just a pure quality-of-life equaliser, not even a raw damage buff, and it has been something the community has been wanting forever since the introduction of better late-game battle rifles.
Summary of Requested Changes
- **Separate magazine pools
- FG 42: Enable the permanent folding spike as a functional melee weapon
- Yes – Listen to -iii-, and add those separate magazine pools and functional bayonets for both FG 42 models
- No – Keep current shared magazines and no bayonets for the Germans because I’m a USSR main that only uses body armour
