Published on
July 23, 2010 in
German.
The German 9 mm Luger ’08 or Parabellum pistol, one of the official sidearms of the German army, is a semi-automatic weapon of unquestionable power and accuracy. Extensive tests have proved that the American .45 Colt automatic is superior because of greater shock effect.
Action of the Luger is based on the design of an American, Borchardt. The original Borchardt pistol utilized a recoil-operated mechanism with the breechblock locked to the barrel at the moment of discharge. The breechblock was unlocked by a toggle-joint action which was free to move after the breechblock and barrel had recoiled together for a short distance.
The pistol, which was heavy, clumsy, and badly balanced, was redesigned in 1900 and designated the Luger. The toggle-breech mechanism and retractor-spring housing of the Luger were much more compact than those of the Borchardt. The simpler 1908 model of the gun uses the German 9 mm Parabellum ball ammunition fed by an 8-round magazine fitted into the butt or grip. The bolt group indicates after firing whether a new cartridge has been inserted, in which case the extractor projects above the chamber showing the inscription “Geladen” (loaded) on the left side. There are two versions of the Luger, one with a short barrel, and the other with a long barrel and shoulder stock attachment. A 32-round drum magazine which enables a higher fire capacity may be used with either type, but the long barrel type with the shoulder stock and drum magazine has been replaced by the submachine gun in the current war.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
9 mm (actually .347 in.) |
| Weight |
|
30 oz. (1 lb., 14 oz. with empty magazine) |
| Length |
|
8 3/4 ins. |
| Length of barrel |
|
4 ins. |
| Capacity |
|
8 rounds |
| Action |
|
Recoil—semi-automatic |
| Range |
|
50 ft.—effective |
| |
|
150 yds.—maximum |
| Muzzle velocity |
|
1,075 f/s-1,250 f/s |
German: p. 202
Published on
July 1, 2010 in
German.
The Bergmann 9 mm machine pistol, M.P. 341, is a semi- or full-automatic, air-cooled, blow-back-operated submachine gun which is fed by a box magazine containing 32 rounds. It is manufactured commercially in Germany for use by the German Army. It is also used by other countries in modified forms. This is only one of several types of submachine guns.
The barrel and moving parts are, except for the trigger mechanism, housed in a long cylindrical tube. The forward end of this tube is perforated and forms a cooling jacket for the barrel; the rear portion serves as a receiver or housing for the bolt group. The M.P. 341, unlike the M.P. 181, is cocked by a turning bolt handle, and has a positive safety mechanism.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
9 mm (actually .347 in.) |
| Length |
|
33 ins. |
| Length of barrel |
|
7 3/4 ins. |
| Weight |
|
9 lb. |
| Feed |
|
Box magazine—capacity 32 rds. |
| Rate of fire |
|
500 rds./min. (maximum) |
| |
|
120 rds./min. (practical) |
| Range |
|
218 yds. (effective) |
| Sights |
|
Front—blade |
| |
|
Rear—Leaf on ramp, graduated up to 1,000 meters |
German: p. 204
Published on
July 1, 2010 in
German.
This submachine gun was originally designed for use by parachute troops but is now in general use in all combat units of the German Army. It is a gun of simple construction, reliable operation, and general accuracy.
The Model M.P. 40 like its predecessor the M.P. 38 is air-cooled, blowback operated, and fitted for a 32-round box magazine. It can be used as a shoulder or hip weapon, being equipped with a folding shoulder stock.
As the trigger is pulled, the sear disengages the sear notch in the bolt. As the bolt travels forward it pushes the top round from the magazine into the chamber. The extractor keeps the firing pin from hitting the primer until the round is chambered then snaps under the cannelure of the cartridge allowing the base of the cartridge to come back against the face of the bolt. As the cartridge is fired, the bolt starts to recoil. At the proper point, the ejector hits the base of the cartridge, pivoting it out into the ejection opening. The bolt compresses the operating spring at the same time. The buffer plunger hits the end of the small operating spring tube, compressing the buffer spring and stopping the recoil of the bolt. The bolt then moves forward to repeat the cycle of operation.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
9 mm (actually .347 in.) |
| Weight with loaded magazine |
|
10 lb., 7 oz. |
| Weight with empty magazine |
|
8.87 lb. |
| Length with stock extended |
|
33.25 ins. |
| Length with stock folded |
|
24.75 ins. |
| Barrel length |
|
10 ins. |
| Capacity of magazine |
|
32 rounds |
| Sights |
| Front |
|
Partridge type ramp with hood |
| Rear |
| Fixed |
|
Open V notch, sighted at 100 meters |
| Folding |
|
Open V notch, sighted at 200 meters |
| Muzzle velocity |
|
1,040 f/s-1,250 f/s |
| Range, effective |
|
200 yds. |
| Rate of fire (practical) |
|
80 to 90 r.p.m. |
| (cyclic) |
|
518 r.p.m. |
German: p. 206
Published on
April 7, 2010 in
German.
This weapon is steadily taking its place as the standard issue for the German Army. It is even believed to be gradually replacing the Luger (Pistole ’08) as the official German military sidearm.
Although the Walther lacks the stopping power of the U.S. Colt .45, it is, nevertheless, a handy weapon because of its good balance and its double action. This latter feature enables the weapon to be fired simply by squeezing the trigger without cocking the hammer. It is one of the few military automatic pistols with the double action feature.
The Walther is a recoil-operated pistol with a slide that moves directly to the rear, resembling in this respect the Colt rather than the Luger. It is fed by an eight-round magazine that fits into the pistol butt. The safety catch is located at the left rear of the slide. There is also a device which enables a quick check in order to determine whether or not there is a cartridge in the chamber. This is in the form of a small pin which protrudes from the back of the slide when a cartridge is in the chamber.
German standard 9 mm Parabellum ammunition is regular issue, but the pistol will accommodate British and United States manufactured 9 mm Parabellum ammunition for the Sten and Lanchester submachine guns. It will also use Italian Mod. 38 9 mm ammunition designed for the Beretta submachine gun.
A leather holster, spare magazines, and a magazine holder are issued with this weapon.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
9 mm (actually .347 in.) |
| Weight with empty magazine |
|
2 lb., 1 3/4 oz. |
| Weight with full magazine |
|
2 lb., 5 1/4 oz. |
| Length |
|
8 1/2 ins. |
| Length of barrel |
|
4.75 ins. |
| Principle of operation |
|
Short recoil, double action |
| Feeding device |
|
Removable magazine in butt |
| Capacity |
|
8 rounds |
| Sights |
| Front |
|
Inverted V blade |
| Rear |
|
Open V notch |
| Muzzle velocity |
|
1,040 f/s-1,250 f/s |
| Range |
| Effective |
|
50 ft. |
| Maximum |
|
1,150 yds. |
German: p. 203
Published on
March 13, 2010 in
German.
The 9 mm German Submachine Gun, M.P. 181, Germany’s original submachine gun introduced toward the end of the first World War, is still in use today. Several other models, modifications of this weapon, are, however, more widely used at the present time.
The gun is operated, like all the later types, by blowback action and carries on the left side a 32-round drum magazine of rather complicated design, consisting of a short straight portion terminating in a small drum. For loading, a lever in the bottom of the magazine is turned until a catch drops into a recess in the bottom plate, thereby taking the tension off the coil spring. The cartridges are then inserted into the mouth of the magazine. After it is fully loaded, the catch is released and pressure applied to the cartridges by the coil spring. A safety recess marked “S” is formed at the rear end of the cocking handle slot. To prepare for firing, the cocking handle is pulled back and rotated upward, the magazine is inserted, and the cocking handle is disengaged. There is no provision for single shots, the weapon being automatic.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
9 mm (actually .347 in.) |
| Weight |
|
9 lb., 2 oz. without magazine |
| Length |
|
32 ins. |
| Rate of fire |
|
550 rds./min.—cyclic |
| Ammunition |
|
9 mm Parabellum |
| Effective range |
|
218 yds. |
German: p. 204
