AMELI: Spain's Not-Mini-MG42 in 5.56mm (ad-free)
Added 2023-08-26 12:00:02 +0000 UTCThe AMELI (which is a contraction of "ametralladora ligera", or light machine gun) was introduced by CETME in 1981, and adopted by the Spanish military as the MG82. It was a counterpart LMG to the new CETME-L 5.56mm rifles, and is a mechanically fascinating design.
The AMELI is a roller-delayed blowback system. Although it takes a lot of visual cues form the MG42, it's not simply a copy of that classic. What makes the AMELI so intriguing is it combination of excellent mechanical simplicity, light weight (6.7kg/14.7 lb), and handiness. It is a belt-fed gun, with a rate of fire around 900rpm - fast, but not too fast.
Unfortunately the AMELI suffered a reputation for fragility, and never saw widespread adoption or real commercial success. It was adopted by Spain, Mexico, and Malaysia in limited numbers, but was replaced by the H&K MG4 in Spain in 2008. Production ended in 2003, with only 3000-4000 apparently being made.
Big thanks to DSA for giving me the opportunity to disassemble and film this one for you!
Comments
So is it actually MG45-derived? More general: what ever happened to delayed-blowback machine guns? The 18mm aerial autocannon in the MG45 timeline apparently implies delayed blowback is fine in such a role (after all, API straight blowback even is), which makes me wonder if it's not the perfect role for gas-delay (you get cooling for free up there).
Stuart Morrow
2023-09-03 19:39:00 +0000 UTCAluminum FAL mags would be cool.
Lance Thundercock
2023-09-01 03:05:48 +0000 UTCTell DSA to start making metallic FAL mags again
z c
2023-08-28 13:04:43 +0000 UTCA question if a country wanted to start a firearms family what type of locking method would be easier to produce from both a lower cost of production and ease of manufacturing? Such as roller delay, flapper, tilting bolt. rotating bolt? Also what operating system ie short stroke long stroke,?
2023-08-27 03:58:36 +0000 UTCdon't you think this as too bad or is that just me? I mean that low weight in a kind of sort of mg42/3 kind of design.... if that combo doesn't make it such a high potential to be outstanding then I don't know. should be THE 556 lmg to have. ok the ultimax maybe negev but still. hell... a 6Kg LMG.
Guido Schriewer
2023-08-26 20:55:50 +0000 UTCI second that motion!!! 🤠👍
Paul Beck
2023-08-26 20:12:54 +0000 UTCWill we get blessed with a shooting video tomorrow?
Ryan Sponauer
2023-08-26 18:54:40 +0000 UTCWhat a great MG! I am concerned with the number of spring loaded ancillary components--seem very liable to fail. Also seems to have too many small parts for a military firearm. I would be interested in a US Ordnance test and evaluation. I think it could be re-engineered to simplify and strengthen. A lot of potential passed by.
Thomas Batha
2023-08-26 12:50:14 +0000 UTCSo with the slight change in op systems...I wonder how much of a safety factor increase there was over the mg42? Obviously stepping down from full power 8mm is a huge deal but still curious.
Aaron Black
2023-08-26 12:49:16 +0000 UTC
