The concept of this weapon is to overcome the deficiencies of the low power rimfire cartridge by rapidly delivering a large number of projectiles.
The weapon, therefore, relies on the .22 Long Rifle's very low recoil and a high rate of fire of 1,200-1,600 RPM.
The .22 Long Rifle is one of the cheapest and most easily obtainable rifle cartridges in the world, which leads this type of firearm to be popular with some gun owners in localities with laws restricting the ownership of fully automatic weapons.
MGV-176 was widely used both during the Slovenian war of independence by Slovenian territorial defense militia then by Croat volunteers during the first part of the Croatian War of Independence, notably during the so-called Battle of the Barracks.
It was however replaced as soon as a regular Croatian army was established and equipped with standard military weapons.