Mp 40, with friends!

[Bernie]

Nice mp40. Funny how everyone has an opinion of how to care for it and what ammo to use.

I've owned two original and live mp40s (still own one) and have fired thousands of rounds through them. From my experience, hot ammo is better than weak ammo. +P+ ammo is fine too. The mp40 has a long bolt travel and fires from the open-bolt position. Because of this, weak ammo can cause runaways because the bolt does not recoil back far enough to engage the sear. I've shot plenty of hot ammo through both of mine and it never damaged either gun. Just make sure whatever ammo you use is quality. Stay away from CCI Blazer ammo. Wolf ammo works good. PMP is weak as is Winchester white box. \

Do yourself a favor and buy a FBP bolt and recoil mechanism from IMA. The parts swap right in on most mp40s. The FBP set-up eliminates the firing pin by having it milled directly in the bolt face (like a M1A1 Thompson.) This is a perfect thing to buy (costs $100) if you plan to shoot the mp a lot.

Barrels are easy to swap too, so it is a good idea to find a complete barrel assembly. There is even someone remaking barrels. Another key item for the avid shooter.

If the gun qualifies as a C&R weapon, get a C&R license and then you can transport it across state lines without filing a 5320.20. If it is a tube gun, then you will need to do the paperwork whenever leaving the state with it.

Good Luck!
Cincylance

Thanks Cincylance!
For what I paid for this, I certainly want to have it around for awhile!!, The reloads I have(400) left, about 2 hours,,,hahaha, and 1000 Winchester 115,white box,,,I'll shoot those up and look for better quality,,,I am worried about Wolf Ammo, because of the steel casings?, wont these eat up my magazine lips?.

[Cincylance]

Bernie,

Common sense says that brass is less abrasive on steel than steel, but I've never noticed wear from steel case cartridges on any firearm that is properly lubricated. I prefer a light oil like the type used for air tools, but everyone has their own opinion.

Wolf ammo works well. Try some and I think you'll agree. The only oddity about it is the ammonia-type smell.

Cincylance

[Lon]

Bernie,

Cincylance is correct, you should have no problem with Wolf. I routinely shoot their 9mm & 45acp and have never had a problem. Wolf originally had a bad reputation for poor quality but their current product is fine and you can't beat the price. The only downside is that you can't reload them. I wouldn't worry about the MP40 mags, they are some of the best quality around and very durable.

The FBP bolt is also a good suggestion, they are widely used. I haven't gotten one only because I want mine just as it was during the war.

Good shooting,
Lon

[Josh Beckett]

Very nice MP40, although I am not a German collector, I absolutely will get me one when I grow up, it is possibly one of the most beautiful and coolest MGs.

[TopGuns]

Carefull with weak loads ehen shooting your MP40

Be carefull however, and not use too weak ammo. If you do that, you risk the gun to shoot "out of control", meaning it'll keep shooting even when you let go of the trigger. With weak loads, the bolt simply doesn't run back far enough to lock when you let go of the trigger.

I was shooting my MP40 one day, and tried a mag full of ammo loaded for sub sonic shooting for a suppressed gun. Imagine my surprice when I let go of the trigger after a short burst and the MP 40 just keept shooting.

Have fun 'n keep shooting !

Kris

Very nice display!!

I also prefer a MP40 shooter above a de-activated one .

Ps: use ammo with a "low" percentage of powder. Some ammo brands have a too high percentage of powder. This could damage your MP40.
Just an advice


Best

[John Hodgin]

Lastly, and this is just my opinion, I don't use the safety position, unless very necessary due to stress on a very old and prone to breaking cocking handle.
Lon

Agree, the best solution is to buy a spare MP 38 bolt with it's solid cocking handle for shooting . Nice 40!
Regards,
John