This is asymmetrical balance my friend,and they are not going to change it...
If you want 6 squad members on your MG,play as Sov and decrew a MG,simple as that...
And,I don't know where you got this idea that Maxim is OP or too survivable,but two rifle nades and the crew is down to 1 or 2 people so you don't even need to flank it
ya german need 2 gren to fire 2 rifle nades to take it down a Maxim to 1 to 2 people while 1 con can run up MG42's face and toast it with 1 molotov is fair?
so german need 480MP and 50MU(2x25MU rifle nade) to bring it down a Maxim to 1 to 2 men then pray to shoot off the rest. In the same time soviet only need 240MP and 25MU (10MU Oorah! +15MU molotov) while MG42 usually don't have chance to run back because they will all burn to ash try to pack up the MG42 is balance?
i am not support 6men MG42 team but i think they should have at least same suppression or swap it so it won't get Oorah and molotov in the face