MP 40.

Production of the order 1 A million copies, cartridge 9 x 19 mm Parabellum, 4 kilos of properly welded steel and 500 shots per minute of theoretical rapidness. All this is presented to us by the picture "Maschinenpistole 40", In short, MP 40, And in Polish it is simply a machine gun.It was a construction for those times in Nowoczesna, but unfortunately quite troublesome and complicated in production. It was simply quite heavy for her category, And the most troublesome element of weapon was the castle chamber. Complicated technology caused, that to the end 1940 The year was only produced 40 000 ex.. version preceding MP 40, or MP 38. It was much too little for the needs of a constantly developing Wehrmacht. The power supply is made of double -row, characteristically long box magazine with a capacity 32 cartridge, with single -row output (Exchangeable with a magazine from mp38). In this case, the magazine latch button is placed on the left side of the socket. Initially, the magazines had smooth side walls (Exactly the same as MP38 magazines), However, special magazines with creases increasing their rigidity were later used. The magazine's socket itself is at the bottom of the castle chamber before the pistol grip, has no holes used to reduce the mass. This was associated with another production process, which could not be afforded under the pressure of time and considerable demand. For the back of the skeleton of the pistol grip, a metal butt folded under the castle chamber was specifically installed. Very useful when driving with a sense of user - a single fire at a further distance. On the left and right side of the pistol grip there are covers made of ordinary bakelite. Bed, and grip covers were usually characterized by black, However, copies equipped with beds and covers made in brown are also found. The production of the MP40 itself was simpler and faster than MP38 production, However, the newly created weapon was characterized by a larger mass compared to its predecessor. Of course, the pistol has a trigger mechanism that allows shooting only with continuous fire, However, due to the slight theoretical rate, Farning a single shot should not be a major problem for anyone. In the next model, one number higher than MP 40, a mianowicie MP 41 „Schmeisser ”, firing a single shot, at a higher theoretical speed of Fr. 100 shots per minute (ok. 600shot/minor) It wouldn't be that easy anymore, However, compared to the Soviet PPSz (do 1000 shot/minor) still feasible anyway. Let's move on to interesting modernizations.

One of the practical solutions of German technical thought is it, that the weapon can be equipped with a "winter trigger", facilitating its removal in thick winter gloves. Convenience of use, and the lack of frozen and ossified fingers - above all ... it is worth mentioning, that MP 40 It was also produced for paratroopers in a short time and in a surprise to get the goals set. In this case, dealing with considerable heights (low temperatures) and intensifying the feelings of a cold roller of air, This element becomes almost indispensable to carry out an efficient attack. Nay, It was often shot not only while being a safe landing, but also flinging on a parachute, while falling.

Another idea was to adapt the appropriate muffler to the weapon. However, the cartridges used in the MP series were slightly different than in the average pistols. Despite the illusory, the same pistol 9 × 19 pair, Ammunition had to be charged completely different. More precisely - stronger. It was thanks to her that the German machine guns were so loud, sensitively distinguishing from another average equipment of this class. Returning to the silencers, Unfortunately, each prototype wandered in the basket, being simply torn, be at least cracked. None of the engineers managed to tame the high power of MP 40. Parachute actions carried out at night by surprise, In combination with a muted automatic weapon shot, which was MP 40, They would certainly intensify the effects and reduce losses on the German side.