I have no problems playing the MG, even it is harder to play than (for example) an assault trooper... and of course you will be shot down easier.
The matter of fact is, that for success, a player for a MG must be more experienced and that he must be a special type of player.
But this is is absolutely normal when you compare with reality.
The MG is well designed in RO2, perhaps the accuracy with the first bullet and the first salvo of three bullets could be much better and the general facts 'firing from the shoulder during standing' and positioning / emplacing the weapon behind sandbags, windows, walls, and so on. (I had the possibilty to shoot with the historic MG 34 and MG42 and of course our weapon the German MG3, served as German paratrooper 'Unteroffizier').
For the game the question might be, if we would like a balanced weapon for easy playing or if we would like reality as best as possible.
Therefore to all people who are a bit disappointed, keep in mind:
1. The MG is a 'supporting weapon' and a 'distance weapon'.
a) It is used during an attack to flank the battlefield from one side to support the attacking squads or in positions to support a break through. It is unusual, that an MG is leading an attack in front of the troops. When changing position the MG is secured.
b) In defence it is also used as a flanking weapon and is of course the main defence weapon of squad or platoon. Fighting in urban the MG is used, to secure streets or strategic points.
2. 80 to 90% of the firepower of an group comes from the MG (in the German Infantry every group has an MG, in some armies, there is/ are only one two or MGs per platoon) . Therefore the enemy tries to shoot down the MG-gunner first, that means MG-gunner lives shorter.
3. In reality there are two sometimes three MG-gunner (called MG1, MG2, MG3 in the German Army), organized as MG-Squad. MG1 uses/ shoots the MG, MG2's job is (sometimes additional MG3) has to secure, to recon and to support MG1.
(A single MG-Gunner is very vulnerable.)
When we regard this, you can see that the problem is not the design of the MG in the game, the problem is how it is used.
For this case the main problem of the MG-gunner is, that he fights alone, with no MG2 or MG3 and that less experienced players try to go in close-combat. This must fail.
At least, the type of player for MG is more the 'concentrated camper' (not the player who prefers to jump, shoot around, looking for a quick shot).