MP40
Erma Werke · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1940
Also known as: Maschinenpistole 40, Schmeisser, MP38/40
Overview
The MP40 is a automatic submachine gun chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, produced by Erma Werke since 1940. Featuring a 32-round magazine capacity, this submachine gun offers generous firepower for duty use and home defense.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4000 g (141.1 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4280 g (151.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 832 mm (32.76") |
| Folded Length | 629 mm (24.76") |
| Barrel Length | 251 mm (9.88") |
| Height | 175 mm (6.89") |
| Width | 50 mm (1.97") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Full Auto Only |
| Magazine Capacity | 32 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 381 m/s (1250 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 540 J (398 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 500 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Folding Stock, Open Bolt Firing, Stamped Steel Construction, Bakelite Grips, Full Auto Only, Hooded Front Sight, Flip Up Rear Sight
Variants
Service history
Operators
- Wehrmacht · adopted 1940
- Waffen-SS · adopted 1940
- Fallschirmjäger · adopted 1940
- Soviet Red Army · adopted 1941
- Finnish Defence Forces · adopted 1941
- Romanian Armed Forces · adopted 1941 · as MP41
- Royal Netherlands East Indies Army · adopted 1945
- Israeli Defense Forces · adopted 1948
- Yugoslav People's Army · adopted 1945
- Norwegian Armed Forces · adopted 1945
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- 1948 Arab-Israeli War (1948-1949)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,100,000 · Production years: 1940-1945
Approximately 1.1 million produced by Erma Werke, Steyr-Daimler-Puch, and Haenel
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Heinrich Vollmer
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
Often incorrectly called the 'Schmeisser' by Allied forces, despite Hugo Schmeisser having no direct involvement in its design. The weapon was designed by Heinrich Vollmer at Erma Werke. The MP40 exclusively fired in full-automatic mode with no semi-automatic option, though its moderate rate of fire allowed skilled operators to fire controlled single shots with trigger discipline. The dual-magazine MP40/II variant proved impractical in combat due to weight and complexity. The folding stock design reduced overall length from 832mm to 629mm when collapsed, making it ideal for armored vehicle crews and airborne troops. Post-war, approximately 200,000 captured MP40s were redistributed to Allied forces and used in various conflicts through the 1970s.
Background
Despite being universally called the 'Schmeisser' by Allied troops, Hugo Schmeisser had no involvement in the MP40's design -- it was created by Heinrich Vollmer at Erma Werke. The MP40 was one of the first submachine guns designed with a folding metal stock, making it ideal for paratroopers and vehicle crews. Its moderate 500 RPM cyclic rate made it one of the most controllable submachine guns of the war, allowing skilled operators to fire single shots through trigger discipline alone.