The MP-38 and MP-40, often incorrectly referred as "Schmeissers", were developed by german engineer Follmer at the Erma company and adopted by Wehrmacht (German Army) in 1938 and 1940, respectively. The MP-40 is a further modification of the MP-38. Total of some 1.2 millions of MP-38/40 were manufactured prior and during WW2. Initially, MP-38 was intended for use by paratroopers and vehicle crews, but later was widely used by german infantry.
Both MP-38 and MP-40 were blowback operated, full auto only submachine guns. MP-38 featured steel machined receiver, while MP-40 featured stamped receiver and stamped magazine veil to make the gun cheaper. The charging handle (located at the left side of the receiver) was used as a safety, locking the bolt in forward or rearward position when placed in cut slots in the receiver. Both MP-38 and MP-40 fired from the open bolt. Both featured special rate of fire reducer, that resulted in very controllable rate of fire of some 400-500 rounds per minute. Both guns featured special detail below the barrel to use the guns from armoured wehicles. Both guns featured underfolding steel buttstock. Both MP-38 and MP-40 featured fixed and hooded front sight and flippable rear sight with settings for 100 and 200 meters.
The main drawbacks of the MP 38/40 were the lack of the front handguards that often resulted burned hands during the sustained fire, and the lack of the effective range, when compared to its soviet counterparts (PPSch-41, PPS-43), chambered for more powerful 7.62mm TT round.
Weapontype: Submachine Gun
Manufacturer: Erma, Steyr, Haenel.
Operation: blowback
Cartridge: 9mm Parabellum
Weight: 4.03 kg (8.8 Lbs)
Length: (stock closed/open): 630/833 mm (24.80/32.79 in)
Barrel: 251 mm (9.8 in)
Rifling: 6 Grooves, rh
Magazine Capacity: 32 Rounds
Feed system: Magazine
In Production: 1940-45
Sights: fixed and hooded front sight and flippable rear sight with settings for 100 and 200 meters.
Rate of fire: 500 RPM
Effective range: 100 Meters (109.3 Yards)
Markings: `MP40 (year)` on rear reciver cap. Serial number on side of cap. Factory identifying code ([ayf] or [27] for erma, [bnz] or [660] for steyr, [fxo] for haenel) on rear top of receiver.
Safety: Pull back cocking handle and turn up into a notch in the receiver slot. And further for MP-40 a two-piece cocking which could be pushed into the bolt, in its forward position, and into a hole in the receiver to lock the bolt.
Unloading: Magazine catch on rear of magazine housing. Remove magazine, pull back cocking handle to eject any round in the chamber. Inspect chamber via ejection port , reease cocking handle, press trigger.
