NAME – MP40 (Early)

NAME (NATIVE) – Maschinenpistole 40

COMMON NAMES – Schmeisser

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN – Germany

DATE OF MANUFACTURE – 1940-1942

CALIBER – 9x19mm

OVERALL LENGTH – 63 cm (24.8 in) (Stock folded), 83.3 cm (32.8 in) (Stock open)

BARREL LENGTH – 25.1 cm (9.9 in)

RIFLING (TYPE & TWIST) – 6 groove, Right hand twist

BULLET WEIGHT – 8.04 g (124 gr)

BULLET DIAMETER – 9mm (0.355 in)

MUZZLE VELOCITY – 381 m/s (1250 fps)

MUZZLE ENERGY – 583 j (430 ft/lbs)

WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 3.70 kg (8 lbs 2.6 oz)

WEIGHT (LOADED) – 4.35 kg (9 lbs 9.6 oz)

SIGHTS – Front – Blade, Rear open U-notch, flip sight for 100 and 200 meters (109 and 218 yds)

EFFECTIVE RANGE – 200 m (218 yds)

OPERATION – Blowback, fires from open bolt

TYPE OF FIRE – Full automatic only

RATE OF FIRE – 96 rpm

CYCLIC ROF – 500 rpm

FEED DEVICE – 32 round box magazine, double-column, single position feed

FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 0.26 kg (9 oz)

FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (LOADED) – 0.65 kg (1 lb 7 oz)

MAGAZINE LOADER WEIGHT 0.15 kg (5.3 oz)

BASIC AMMUNITION LOAD – 6 magazines (192 rds)

LOAD WEIGHT – 3.9 kg (8 lbs 10 oz)

MANUFACTURER – ERMA Erfurter Maschinenfabrik B. Geipel GmbH, Erfurt, Germany, C.G. Haenel Waffen-und Fahrradfabrik AG, Suhl, Germany

STATUS – Obsolete, May still be found in guerilla hands throughout the world

SERVICE – Extensive issue and use throughout all of the German forces during WWII. Post World War II saw widespread use of the MP40, limited only by the numbers produced, in Chinese and other Asian countries as well as South and Central America with both military and police forces.

     The MP40 was the follow-on weapon that supplanted the MP38. It was intended to be an improved version of the earlier weapon with particular attention given to its mass production. In spite of being an upgraded version of the MP38, the early production of the MP40 version still suffered from some teething problems.

     Very noticeable in the MP40 is the lack of grooving machined into the receiver. This is because the MP40 design was intended for mass production from stamping with as few machined parts as practical. Instead, the upper receiver tube of the MP40 is a formed sheet metal tube as compared to the fully machined tube of the MP38. The magazine well is also formed from sheet metal as is distinctive by not having the lightening hole in its center.

     One part retained directly from the earlier design is the hook-type cocking lever. This lever still requires the leather strap assembly to hold it in the forward position for safety when travelling.

 

A first-year (early) manufacture MP40 submachinegun in a right-side view with the shoulder stock locked open and a 32 round magazine locked into place. The unribbed receiver is made of extruded steel and did not require the additional lightening or strength offered by the machined ribs. The magazine well is flat sided with no central lightening hole. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
A first-year (early) manufacture MP40 submachinegun in a right-side view with the shoulder stock locked open and a 32 round magazine locked into place. The unribbed receiver is made of extruded steel and did not require the additional lightening or strength offered by the machined ribs. The magazine well is flat sided with no central lightening hole. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
An upper-left side view of an unloaded early-model MP40 with the stock in the folded position. What is significant in this picture is the curved cocking handle in the forward, uncocked, position. The cocking handle was a hold-over from the original MP38 and would be soon replaced as the manufacture of the weapon continued. The two-part flip rear sight can be seen clearly on top of the receiver. The rear (200 meter) blade is in the folded position so that the front (100 m) blade can be used. The front sight is completely protected by the surrounding hood at the front of the barrel. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
An upper-left side view of an unloaded early-model MP40 with the stock in the folded position. What is significant in this picture is the curved cocking handle in the forward, uncocked, position. The cocking handle was a hold-over from the original MP38 and would be soon replaced as the manufacture of the weapon continued. The two-part flip rear sight can be seen clearly on top of the receiver. The rear (200 meter) blade is in the folded position so that the front (100 m) blade can be used. The front sight is completely protected by the surrounding hood at the front of the barrel. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
This is a completely disassembled view of an early model of the MP40 submachinegun. The only part missing in the picture is the magazine. The weapon is a relatively simple design with few parts, in spite of what is seen here. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
This is a completely disassembled view of an early model of the MP40 submachinegun. The only part missing in the picture is the magazine. The weapon is a relatively simple design with few parts, in spite of what is seen here. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
A cross-sectioned view from the left side of an MP40 submachinegun. The magazine is empty but a fired cartridge case is in the chamber. Inside the telescoping mainspring housing can be seen both the much larger mainspring as well as the much smaller buffer spring at the center front of the mechanism. The buffer spring softens the blow of the bolt reaching the end of its recoil, helping to lighten felt recoil by the shooter as well as prevent damage to the weapon. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
A cross-sectioned view from the left side of an MP40 submachinegun. The magazine is empty but a fired cartridge case is in the chamber. Inside the telescoping mainspring housing can be seen both the much larger mainspring as well as the much smaller buffer spring at the center front of the mechanism. The buffer spring softens the blow of the bolt reaching the end of its recoil, helping to lighten felt recoil by the shooter as well as prevent damage to the weapon. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army