7.92×33mm Kurz (aka. 8mm Kurz or Pistolenpatrone 43
05. Designed by
Hugo Schmeisser
06. Design date
1942
07. In service date(s)
1943–1945
08. Adopted by
Nazi Germany
09. Production quantities
425,977. Manufactured by: C. G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik; CITEDEF (post war); Steyr-Daimler-Puch
10. Mechanism
Gas-operated long-stroke piston, tilting bolt, selective fire
11. Weight
4.6 kg (10 lb 2 oz) unloaded 5.13 kg (11 lb 5 oz) loaded
12. Mountings
Shoulder mounted select fire rifle
13. Practicality in action
The StG 44 was the first successful assault rifle, with features including a relatively short cartridge, controllable automatic fire. The StG 44 influenced the Soviet AK-47 and the US m16
14. Comments / Other information
Rate of fire. 500 rounds/min; Muzzle velocity. 685 m/s (2,247 ft/s); Effective firing range. 300 m (330 yd) (automatic) 600 m (660 yd) (semi-automatic); 30-round detachable box magazine. Introduced in 1943;chambered for the 7.92 x 33mm round, capable of semi and fully-automatic fire; cyclic rate about 500rpm; uses a 30-round box magazine; weight without magazine 10.2lb. Despite its original designation MP, the final version, designated MP44 was renamed “Sturmgewehr” (assault rifle); this was the first modern infantry rifle.