MP-40 Clone

German Sport Guns GmbH · Submachine Gun · In Production · 2016

Also known as: GSG MP40, ATI GSG MP40, MP40 Semi-Auto Reproduction, Schmeisser Replica

Overview

The MP-40 Clone is a semi-automatic submachine gun chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, manufactured by German Sport Guns as a modern civilian-legal reproduction of the World War II MP40. Faithfully recreating the silhouette of the wartime original -- the underfolding metal stock, ribbed receiver and bakelite-style grip -- it replaces the open-bolt full-automatic mechanism with a fully redesigned closed-bolt, semi-automatic-only action that fires a single round per trigger pull and cannot be converted to full-auto. The 254mm barrel and 833mm extended length mirror the proportions of the 1940s weapon, while the zinc-alloy frame keeps weight and cost down for the collector and recreational shooter. Fed by a 25-round detachable box magazine, the clone is sold both as a stockless pistol and a long-barrelled carbine, and is also offered in a .22 LR plinking variant and a 9mm P.A.K. blank-firing model for re-enactment use. Imported into the United States by American Tactical, it lets enthusiasts handle and shoot a convincing MP40 lookalike without the legal burden of a registered machine gun.

Specifications

Weight (empty)3500 g (123.5 oz)
Weight (loaded)3780 g (133.3 oz)
Overall Length833 mm (32.80")
Folded Length630 mm (24.80")
Barrel Length254 mm (10.00")
Height178 mm (7.01")
Width50 mm (1.97")
Action TypeBlowback
Firing MechanismClosed Bolt
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity25 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity380 m/s (1247 fps)
Muzzle Energy538 J (397 ft·lbf)
Effective Range50 m (55 yd)
Maximum Range150 m (164 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Rifling Twist254 mm (10.00")
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialZinc Alloy
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialSteel
FinishPhosphate

Calibers

Features

Variants

Base model

Mp40

Service history

Operators

Production

Production years: 2016-present

Modern semi-automatic reproduction; produced by German Sport Guns and imported to the US by American Tactical from 2016 (9mm) following the .22 LR variant in 2014.

Origin

Country of origin: Germany

Designer: German Sport Guns

Notes

This entry covers the modern semi-automatic MP40 reproduction (commonly the German Sport Guns / American Tactical MP40) rather than the original wartime Maschinenpistole 40. The clone uses an all-new closed-bolt, semi-automatic-only fire-control group and redesigned internal parts so it complies with civilian import and ownership laws and is not readily convertible to automatic fire. A pistol version ships with no stock, while carbine versions add a longer barrel (often a 16-inch barrel under a faux-suppressor shroud) to meet rifle length requirements. Magazine capacity varies from 5 to 25 or 30 rounds depending on local regulations. Weight, finish and exact length differ slightly between the pistol, carbine and rimfire models.

Background

When demand for the iconic MP40 silhouette outpaced the shrinking, expensive supply of transferable wartime originals, German Sport Guns answered with a faithful semi-automatic clone. By swapping the open-bolt machine-gun action for a closed-bolt, semi-auto-only fire-control group and re-engineering the internals so the gun cannot be converted to full-auto, GSG put a shootable, affordable 'Schmeisser' lookalike into the hands of collectors, re-enactors and movie armorers worldwide -- the same profile that armed the Wehrmacht, now legal on a civilian shelf.