CODE 03-040-943
NAME – MP 43/I
NAME (NATIVE) – Maschinenpistole 43/I [Machine pistol 43/I]
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN – Germany
DATE OF MANUFACTURE – 1943
CALIBER – 7.92×33 mm
OVERALL LENGTH – 94 cm (37 in)
BARREL LENGTH – 41.9 cm (16.5 in)
RIFLING (TYPE & TWIST) – 4 grooves, Right hand twist
LOAD – Full jacketed ball with iron core
BULLET DIAMETER – 8.23 mm (0.324 in)
BULLET WEIGHT – 8.19 g (126.4 grains)
MUZZLE VELOCITY – 685 m/s (2247 fps)
MUZZLE ENERGY – 1922 j (1417 ft/lb)
WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 4.56 kg (10 lb 1 oz)
WEIGHT (LOADED) – 5.50 kg (12 lb 2 oz) with 30 rounds Pist.Patr.43 SmE
SIGHTS – Open, Iron, Adjustable, Front sight- Inverted V blade, Rear sight- V-notch Tangent sight adjustable for range, Graduated from 100 to 800 meters (109 to 875 yards) in 100 meter (109 yard) increments
EFFECTIVE RANGE – 500 m (550 yards)
OPERATION – Gas
TYPE OF FIRE – Selective, semi and full automatic
RATE OF FIRE – 40 rpm Semi, 120 rpm full
CYCLIC ROF – 540 rpm
FEED DEVICE – 30 round removable box magazine, Double column, Double feed
FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 0.40 kg (14 oz)
FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (LOADED) – 0.94 kg (2 lb 1.2 oz) loaded with 30 rounds Pist.Patr.43 mit E
BASIC AMMUNITION LOAD – Six 30-round magazines (120 rounds)
LOAD WEIGHT – 5.46 kg (12 lb 0.6 oz)
MANUFACTURER – ERMA, Erfurt, Germany and Mauserwerk, Oberndorf, Germany. Both were primary contactors by 1944
STATUS – Obsolete
SERVICE – German military, found in irregular forces hands around the world after WWII.
MP43/1 – Identical to the MP43 but with some minor manufacturing differences at the muzzle area of the weapon for the attachment of a rifle grenade launcher. The threading at the muzzle matches that of the earlier MKb 42 (H), which was also intended to be able to use a slightly-modified Scheissbecher rifle grenade launcher – referred to officially as the MP Gr Gt 43. The requirement to be able to attach the launcher was dropped in subsequent models. One means of identifying the MP 42/I is the spacing between the knurling on the muzzle nut which protected the longer grenade launcher thread. An integral mounting rail for an optical sight was included in most of the MP43/I rear sight bases.
