MP40 question

Scribe · October 18, 2005, 03:14 PM

Can any one answer this question for me. I am told that the German MP40 submachine gun has a mechanical rate reducer which holds its rate of fire to 550rpm. Apparently this made it very controllable when fired (full auto only). I have never handled or fired one, but if I ever get to Knob Creek I hope to do so. (… as well as a PPSH, A Sten and a Thompson)

Dave Haven · October 18, 2005, 09:12 PM

No mechanical rate reducer. Just a combination of bolt mass and recoil spring force that give that rate of fire.

artie in miami · November 3, 2005, 08:09 PM

I bought a bunch of german ww2 stuff from a vet that told me a neat story about the mp40...he said that our GI's loved the little monster and would pick one up to use in combat whenever possible. They found that the "burp gun" had a very distinctive sound when fired, and when they used it in combat...it would draw fire from other GI's who learned to "fire at the sound" of the little gem !! He said that to get around that, they field stripped the gun, took out the spring/firing pin tube and cut "a couple of inches" from it. That changed the rate of fire, and the sound of the gun...making it safe to use without drawing fire from their buddies.

I guess the point that I was trying to make was that the fellow that answered you post was correct when he said that the rate was determined by the weight of the bolt and the recoil spring. I read somewhere that in the last frantic days of the reich, they were cutting down the mg42 recoil springs and using those in the mp40's (at the assembly factory) in order to save time. This gave the gun an erratic rate of fire, and was not a great idea...the poor "volkstrum kids" must have had a hell of a time with that !!

I owned several of those at one time (early 70's)...bought 3 from differant vets that brought them back...then found out that there was no way to register them legally and had to sell them for parts. Would love to buy a parts set for an mp40 or mp44...anyone got mags or parts for those to sell ??

artie in miami
new member

October 18, 2005, 03:14 PM	#1
Scribe Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2005 Location: England Posts: 249	MP40 question Can any one answer this question for me. I am told that the German MP40 submachine gun has a mechanical rate reducer which holds its rate of fire to 550rpm. Apparently this made it very controllable when fired (full auto only). I have never handled or fired one, but if I ever get to Knob Creek I hope to do so. (… as well as a PPSH, A Sten and a Thompson) Last edited by Scribe; October 18, 2005 at 04:53 PM.

October 18, 2005, 09:12 PM	#2
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	No mechanical rate reducer. Just a combination of bolt mass and recoil spring force that give that rate of fire. __________________ NRA Endowment Member FCSA Life Member Subs are cool, but belt-feds RULE!

November 3, 2005, 08:09 PM	#3
artie in miami Junior Member Join Date: November 3, 2005 Location: miami, fl Posts: 5	mp40 rate I bought a bunch of german ww2 stuff from a vet that told me a neat story about the mp40...he said that our GI's loved the little monster and would pick one up to use in combat whenever possible. They found that the "burp gun" had a very distinctive sound when fired, and when they used it in combat...it would draw fire from other GI's who learned to "fire at the sound" of the little gem !! He said that to get around that, they field stripped the gun, took out the spring/firing pin tube and cut "a couple of inches" from it. That changed the rate of fire, and the sound of the gun...making it safe to use without drawing fire from their buddies. I guess the point that I was trying to make was that the fellow that answered you post was correct when he said that the rate was determined by the weight of the bolt and the recoil spring. I read somewhere that in the last frantic days of the reich, they were cutting down the mg42 recoil springs and using those in the mp40's (at the assembly factory) in order to save time. This gave the gun an erratic rate of fire, and was not a great idea...the poor "volkstrum kids" must have had a hell of a time with that !! I owned several of those at one time (early 70's)...bought 3 from differant vets that brought them back...then found out that there was no way to register them legally and had to sell them for parts. Would love to buy a parts set for an mp40 or mp44...anyone got mags or parts for those to sell ?? artie in miami new member

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