Blasting away with this fine little WWII German submachine gun, the MP40 on 55 Gallon Drum filled with water, does it get any better than this? Well, wait for it, because there is more!
The MP40 submachine gun was made to use with the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge. This submachine gun was developed in Germany by the Nazis and the Axis powers used these guns extensively throughout World War 2.
These guns were designed by Heinrich Vollmer in 1938, he got the inspiration for them from the MP38 (its predecessor). The MP40 was used throughout the German army, by paratroopers, platoon leaders, infantrymen and squad leaders on both the Western and Eastern fronts.
It was designed with more modern features that were far more advanced than anything that had come before; this made it hugely popular with both German soldiers and countries around the world (following the end of the War). It was commonly called the ‘Schmeisser’ by the Allies; this was an incorrect name as Hugo Schmeisser had zero involvement in this gun, neither in its design nor in its production.
Between 1940 and 1945 it is estimated that approximately 1.1 million of these MP40’s were manufactured – all made by Erma Weke.
The MP40 Submachine Gun Specifications:
Cartridge Type: 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge
Action: Open bolt, straight blowback
Firing Rate: Between 500-550 rounds per minute
Muzzle Velocity: Approximately 400 meters per second / 1,312 feet per second
Firing Range: Between 100-200 meters (this was its effective range)
Maximum Firing Range: 200 meters
Lead image: Youtube / hickok45