Here are results. Look at timer. How long it takes to kill 222 or Puma for HMG42, M-42, dshk or Guards?
DSHK vs 222 (AP rounds of course) 6seconds.

HMG42 (AP) vs 222 6seconds.

Guards vs 222 17 seconds.

M-42 vs 222 13 seconds


But here is the cherry.
HMG42 vs Puma 16 seconds.

M-42 vs Puma 16 seconds, same as machine gun


Solution? I have few on my mind.
Increase rate of fire.
Make it non-doc T1 (put KV2 in urban and defensive tactics).
Remove it completly and introduce BS3
Canister shells.
Anyfuckingthing.
I could go for HMG42/M-42 vs M20 or HT but I did not want to torture this poor M-42