Revision as of 14:33, 20 January 2021

The MP40 is a German submachine gun designed by Erma Werke. Utilized extensively by the German military in World War II, the MP40 has become an iconic weapon in World War II media.

Popular culture has portrayed the MP40 as the most common weapon in the hands of German soldiers during World War II. This is actually incorrect, as the bolt-action Karabiner 98k was more common, but in films, television, and especially in video games, the MP40 will be seen issued on at least a one-to-one basis with the Kar 98k, and is often more common than it.

There are a number of common errors related to the magazine; the MP40's straight dual-column, single-feed magazine was notoriously prone to misfeeding if used as a grip, and the correct grip is either to grasp the magazine well or support the underside of the weapon directly behind it (see how the masked assailant fires the MP40 at Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark). However, it is not strictly incorrect for an actor to grip the magazine, as a wealth of stock photographs exist of real soldiers holding their weapons in this way. Additionally, the MP40 magazine was prone to spring failures if fully loaded; rather than being loaded with a full 32 rounds, soldiers would typically use 30 or 28. Videogames will almost always show them with a full 32 rounds.

N.B. In several films, novels and television series, the MP40 is colloquially referred to as the "Schmeisser", which was the nickname assigned to it by Allied soldiers during World War II. In fact, German weapons designer Hugo Schmeisser had no part in the design or manufacture of the MP40, except for a patent on the magazine. Schmeisser's name was associated with the weapon due to his involvement in several earlier designs, including the MP-18, the first submachine gun deployed in combat (during World War I).

The MP40 sub-machine gun (or one of its variants) can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

MP40

MP40 - 9x19mm

MP40 - 9x19mm

MP40 with brown bakelite lower receiver - 9x19mm

Specifications

(1940 - 1944)

• Type: Submachine Gun

• Caliber: 9x19mm

• Weight: 8.82 lbs (4 kg)

• Length: 32.8 in (83.3 cm) stock extended, 24.8 in (63 cm) stock folded

• Barrel length: 9.9 in (25.1 cm)

• Capacity: 32-round box magazine

• Fire Modes: Full-auto only

Film

Television

Video Games

Anime

MP38

MP38 - 9x19mm

MP38 - 9x19mm

MP38 with stock extended - 9x19mm

The MP38 was a predecessor to the MP40 used by the German Military before 1940. It was still used in small quantities in 1941 and 1942. The MP38 can be identified by its fluted receiver and hook shaped cocking handle.

Specifications

(1938 - 1940)

• Type: Submachine Gun

• Caliber: 9x19mm

• Weight: 9.5 lbs (4.31 kg)

• Length: 32.7 in (83.0 cm) stock extended, 24.4 in (62 cm) stock folded

• Barrel length: 9.4 in (25.1 cm)

• Capacity: 32-round box magazine

• Fire Modes: Full-auto only

Film

Television

Video Game

MP41

MP41 - 9x19mm

The Haenel/Schmeisser MP41 was a copy of the MP40 produced produced and used in small quantities from 1941-42. It saw usage with the SS and Police during World War II. It featured wooden furniture and a wooden stock. Production ended because of legal action by the designers of the MP40. Unlike the MP38 and MP40, the MP41 had a cross-bolt button fire selector taken from the MP28 allowing it to fire in semi-auto.

Specifications

(1941 - 1942)

• Type: Submachine Gun

• Caliber: 9x19mm

• Weight: 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg)

• Length: 34 in (86.4 cm)

• Barrel length: 9.9 in (25.1 cm)

• Capacity: 32-round box magazine

• Fire Modes: Semi-Auto, Full-Auto

Film