I believe German platoons had one gun for each squad. A lot more firepower than a Yank squad, even with the BAR.The quick barrel change you mentioned made the 42 even more deadly. Barrel changing the 1919 was a job of work for GIs. My uncle who fought in Italy and South of France told me the number of MG42S they’d face was very demoralizing.
The MG42 made dismounted German infantry very stout on defense, but it cost them in mobility when bounding forward in the advance. Great “base of fire” though.