By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2022
Rhineland Arms, located in Spring, Texas, has created something special with their FG-9. The FG-9 is a 9mm version of the WWII German Wehrmacht FG-42 machinegun.
The FG-42 (German for Fallschirmjägergewehr 42) or paratrooper rifle 42 was a unique design created for the German Airborne corps, enabling them to jump into battle with their rifles instead of retrieving their weapons from air dropped weapon containers after landing. The container-system proved disastrous at the Battle of Crete when dug in defenders inflicted heavy casualties on German Airborne troops who were scrambling to retrieve weapons from containers in various positions around the drop zone.
Early Version of the FG-42. Photo via Rhineland Arms
The Rhineland Arms version has some differences, of course, but their version looks very much like the early version of the FG-42.
The FG-9 carbine uses the magazines and fire control group from the 9mm AR-15. The receiver has a large feed ramp to help feed all bullet types including hollow points. The weapon has a built in Picatinny rail on top for optics, and a modified M-LOK on the lower rail for bipods or accessories.
All component parts are held in place with HK style push pins for rapid field disassembly. The rifle is constructed from aluminum, steel, and wood with no plastic, right here in the USA.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Semi-Automatic Blowback
Caliber: 9mm
Magazine capacity: 30 Rounds
Sights: Picatinny rail for optics
Barrel Length: 16 inches or 17 inches with flash hider
MSRP: $855
URL: www.troupsystems.com
THE VERDICT
Definitely a cool toy to add to your collection. I’d love to get my hands on one of these to test. Rhineland Arms are you listening?
That’s all for now folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, FloridaJolt.com, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International. Contact him at [email protected].