MP40 - German assault rifle of World War II: technical secrets and combat qualities

Submachine gun MP40 (Maschinenpistole 40) became one of the most recognizable symbols of the Wehrmacht in World War II. Developed in the late 1930s, this machine gun combined simplicity of design, reliability and high rate of fire - precisely those qualities that were critical in modern warfare. Even though The MP40 was not the first submachine gun in the world, it became the benchmark for many subsequent models due to its unique balance between compactness and firepower.

Today MP40 is of interest not only to historians and collectors, but also to those who study the evolution of small arms. Its design, based on the blowback principle, became the basis for many post-war developments. In this article we will analyze the technical characteristics, combat advantages and disadvantages of the machine gun, and also tell you where you can see the original copies today and how to distinguish them from replicas.

We will pay special attention to comparison MP40 with its main competitors - the Soviet PPSh-41 and American Thompson M1A1. You will find out why German engineers relied on a metal folding stock, how the high rate of fire affected combat qualities, and why this machine gun is still considered one of the most ergonomic examples of its time.

History of creation: from MP38 to MP40

Development MP40 began in 1936, when the German command realized the need for compact automatic weapons for paratroopers and armored vehicle crews. The first model was MP36, which was subsequently modified into MP38. The main innovation was the use stamped parts instead of milled ones, which significantly reduced the cost of production.

However MP38 had a serious drawback: its barrel quickly overheated during intense shooting. Company engineers Erma Werke modified the design by adding ribbed barrel casing for better cooling and simplifying the shutter mechanism. So in 1940 it appeared MP40, which immediately went into mass production.

• 🔧 1936 — start of development MP36 for parachutists.
• 🛠️ 1938 — release MP38 with milled parts.
• ⚙️ 1940 — modernization to MP40 with stamped elements.
• 📉 1945 - production ceased, about 1.2 million copies were produced.

I wonder what MP40 was originally positioned as a weapon for elite units of the Wehrmacht - paratroopers, tank crews and officers. However, by the middle of the war, conventional infantry units began to actively use it, especially on the Eastern Front, where high density of fire was critical.

Technical characteristics and device

MP40 worked on the principle blowback recoil, which made its design simpler and cheaper to manufacture compared to machines using a gas engine. Weapon caliber - 9x19mm Parabellum, the same as the pistol Luger P08, which simplified ammunition logistics.

The weight of the machine was 4.03 kg without a store and 4.7 kg with a full magazine of 32 rounds. Length in firing position - 833 mm, and with the butt folded - only 630 mm, which made it extremely convenient for paratroopers and tank crews. The rate of fire reached 500 rounds per minute, and the effective fire range was 100–150 meters.

One of the key features MP40 was metal folding stock, which made it possible to reduce the size of the weapon during transportation. However, this design also had a drawback: the butt did not provide sufficient stability when firing in bursts, which reduced accuracy. It is also worth noting that stores MP40 were single-row, unlike two-row stores PPSh-41, which made reloading somewhat more difficult.

⚠️ Attention: Original stores MP40 were made of thin steel and were often deformed when dropped. Modern replicas usually have stronger magazines, but their appearance may differ from historical examples.

Fighting qualities: advantages and disadvantages

MP40 valued by Wehrmacht soldiers for compactness, reliability and ease of maintenance. Its main advantages:

• ✅ High rate of fire — 500 shots/min made it possible to suppress the enemy with dense fire.
• ✅ Ease of transportation — the folding stock and compact dimensions made it ideal for tank crews.
• ✅ Simplicity of design — disassembly and cleaning took a minimum of time.
• ✅ Unification of ammunition - use of cartridges 9×19 mm simplified supply.

However, the machine also had serious drawbacks:

• ❌ Low accuracy when firing in bursts - due to the light weight and uncomfortable butt.
• ❌ Difficulty of producing stores — single-row magazines often jammed when dirty.
• ❌ Limited effective fire range - at a distance above 150 m accuracy dropped sharply.

For comparison: Soviet PPSh-41 had 71-round disc magazine and higher accuracy thanks to the wooden butt, but it was heavier (5.3 kg) and less compact. American Thompson, despite its high reliability, weighed as much as 4.9 kg (without store) and cost at 5 times more expensive in production.

Comparison with analogues: MP40 vs PPSh-41 vs Thompson

To understand why MP40 became so popular, it is worth comparing it with the main competitors of the time. Below is a table of key parameters:

PPSh-41 superior MP40 in terms of magazine capacity and firing range, but was less convenient to transport. Thompson, in turn, was highly reliable, but its .45 ACP cartridges had less penetration compared to 7.62×25 mm or 9×19 mm.

The German machine gun occupies an intermediate position: it was not the most powerful or long-range, but its the balance between compactness, rate of fire and ease of production made it an ideal weapon for close combat.

MP40 in the modern world: collecting and replicas

Original MP40, produced in 1940–1945, are today rare and expensive exhibits. Their price at auctions can reach $20 000–$50 000 depending on condition and historical value. Most copies are in museums or private collections, and their circulation is strictly regulated by weapons legislation.

For those who want to feel like a Wehrmacht soldier, there are several alternatives:

• 🔫 Dematerialized replicas — exact copies without the ability to fire (price: $300–$800).
• 🎯 Pneumatic copies — they shoot plastic balls, identical in appearance to the original (price: $150–$400).
• 💥 Alterations for injury - legal in some countries, but require permission (price: $1 000–$3 000).

⚠️ Attention: In Russia and many European countries the original MP40 belong to the category military weapons, their storage and wearing without special permission is prohibited. Even deactivated samples may be regulated - check local regulations before purchasing.

When purchasing a replica, pay attention to:

• 🔍 Stamping quality — original parts have characteristic traces of processing.
• 📜 Marking - on the original MP40 there are marks WaA (reception by the Wehrmacht).
• 🛡️ Butt material - must be metal, not plastic.

Myths and legends about the MP40

Around MP40 There are many myths, some of which are not true. Let's look at the most common ones:

Myth 1: “The MP40 was the best machine gun of World War II”

Actually MP40 conceded PPSh-41 in terms of magazine capacity and firing range, and Thompson surpassed him in reliability. Its main advantage is compactness and ease of production, which was critical for Germany during the war.

Myth 2: "The MP40 could shoot at 300 meters"

Technically yes, but the effective range was no more 150 m. At long distances, accuracy dropped sharply due to the light weight and lack of a muzzle brake.

Myth 3: "All MP40s had wooden stocks"

This is not true - the original MP40s were only equipped with metal folding stocks. Later modifications had wooden stocks, such as MP40/II (with two stores) or experimental samples.

Where can you see the MP40 today?

If you want to see with your own eyes MP40, visit the following places:

• 🏛️ Museum of the Second World War (Gdansk, Poland) - one of the largest collections of German weapons.
• 🎖️ Imperial War Museum (London, UK) — the original is on display MP40 with a history of use.
• 🇷🇺 Central Museum of the Armed Forces (Moscow, Russia) — captured specimens are presented.
• 🎬 Private collections and exhibitions - for example, on Shot Show in the USA replicas are sometimes shown.

Also MP40 can be seen in movies and video games, where it often appears as a weapon of German soldiers. The most famous examples:

• 🎮 Call of Duty: World at War - accurate 3D model with realistic animation.
• 🎬 "Saving Private Ryan" - used in the Normandy landing scenes.
• 📺 "Bandyuga" - Soviet film, where MP40 appears in the hands of German officers.

For those who are interested in historical reconstruction, there are clubs where you can not only hold a replica MP40, but also take part in thematic events dedicated to the Second World War.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about MP40