MP 40

Maschinenpistole 40
A Maschinenpistole 40 made by Erma Werke in 1943 with the stock unfolded.
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Nazi Germany
Service history
In service	1939–1945 (Nazi Germany) 1940–present (other countries)
Used by	See Users
Wars	World War II Continuation War Guerrilla war in the Baltic states Greek Civil War Indonesian National Revolution First Indochina War 1948 Arab–Israeli War Algerian War Malayan emergency Vietnam War West New Guinea dispute Rhodesian Bush War Lebanese Civil War Guatemalan Civil War Yugoslav Wars Iraq War (limited) Syrian Civil War (limited) Russo-Ukrainian War[1] [2][better source needed]
Production history
Designer	Heinrich Vollmer Berthold Geipel
Designed	1938
Manufacturer	Steyr-Mannlicher[3] Erma Werke Haenel
Unit cost	57 ℛ︁ℳ︁ (1940) €130 current equivalent
Produced	1940–1945 (MP 40)
No. built	1,100,000 (estimated)
Variants	MP 36 MP 38 MP 40 MP 40/1 MP 41
Specifications
Mass	3.97 kg (8.75 lb)[4][5]
Length	833 mm (32.8 in) stock extended/630 mm (24.8 in) stock folded[6]
Barrel length	251 mm (9.9 in)[6]
Cartridge	9×19mm Parabellum[6]
Action	Straight blowback, open bolt[5]
Rate of fire	500–550 rounds/min[6]
Muzzle velocity	400 m/s (1,312 ft/s)[6]
Effective firing range	100–200 m (330–660 ft)[5]
Maximum firing range	250 m (820 ft)[5]
Feed system	32-round detachable box magazine, 64-round with dual magazines[5]
Sights	Hooded front blade

The MP 40 (Maschinenpistole 40) is a submachine gun chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge. Developed in Nazi Germany, it saw extensive service in the Axis forces during World War II.

Designed in 1938 by Heinrich Vollmer with inspiration from its predecessor the MP 38 [de], it was heavily used by infantrymen (particularly by platoon- and squad-leaders), and by paratroopers, on the Eastern and Western Fronts as well as by the crews of armoured fighting vehicles.^[7][8] Its advanced and modern features made it a favorite among soldiers and popular in countries from various parts of the world after the war.

The Allies often referred to the MP 40 as the "Schmeisser", after the firearms-designer Hugo Schmeisser (1884-1953). In 1917 Schmeisser had designed the MP 18, which was the first mass-produced submachine gun. He did not, however, have anything to do with the design or development of the MP 40, although he held a patent on the magazine.^[9]

The MP 40's variants included the MP 40/I and the MP 41. Erma Werke produced an estimated 1.1 million MP 40s between 1940 and 1945.^{[citation needed]}