MP.40 prices

AN-94 said:
Rock Island Auction, the one stop shop of the more money than brains crowd in the firearms community.

On a side note, what even is a realistic price for a legit WWII one these days?
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I haven't priced them, but I figure what, $25K? Most all are refinished. Finding a matching original in 85% or better condition isn't easy.
 
Hambone said:
I haven't priced them, but I figure what, $25K? Most all are refinished. Finding a matching original in 85% or better condition isn't easy.
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You have a fair point but isn't $53k + 20% premium getting well into nice StG44 or MG42 territory? I'd rather have either one of those if I was going to spend that kind of money on a NFA item given that both were produced in lower numbers and there's other places selling them probably for a better price than RIA.
 
AN-94 said:
You have a fair point but isn't $53k + 20% premium getting well into nice StG44 or MG42 territory? I'd rather have either one of those if I was going to spend that kind of money on a NFA item given that both were produced in lower numbers and there's other places selling them probably for a better price than RIA.
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I wouldn't spend $50k for a MP anything. I prefer an MP.40 to a Stg.44 if you plan to shoot it. MP.40 is pretty iconic, start to finish in WW2. If you have a nice original you can use simply the tube and replace everything else easily. You'll never break the tube like you could bulge a matching barrel or crack bakelite on a matching lower or break a matching extractor or FP, etc. Once you get up into $50k range I'd think one should be looking at a MG.34 or 42 with spare barrels, some 50 rd drums, all the cool stuff, etc.
 
Hambone said:
I wouldn't spend $50k for a MP anything. I prefer an MP.40 to a Stg.44 if you plan to shoot it. MP.40 is pretty iconic, start to finish in WW2. If you have a nice original you can use simply the tube and replace everything else easily. You'll never break the tube like you could bulge a matching barrel or crack bakelite on a matching lower or break a matching extractor or FP, etc. Once you get up into $50k range I'd think one should be looking at a MG.34 or 42 with spare barrels, some 50 rd drums, all the cool stuff, etc.
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I personally prefer the StG after handling a dewat vs handling a dewat MP40. I've yet to have the pleasure of shooting any WW2 machine gun but the MP40 definitely sounds like the better option for a shooter without fear of parts breakage with the way you described it. All I know is that it's going to be a long long time before I get close to even thinking about picking one machine gun I'd want to buy.
 
I purchased an amnesty C&R mp40 mostly matching 80%+ October of 22, set of worn pouches, six mags and a loader for $24,500. Based on even tubes being in the $20s I thought that was fair.

I tracked down a couple other matching C&Rs but the guys were reluctant to sell. They cited the fact that they could bring to Rock Island and most likely get stupid money for them.
 
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Class III stuff has really shot up lately. I have a MG34 receiver with a single saw cut. I cant even figure out what its worth right now. Prices are nuts.
 
The ultra wealthy are purchasing the crap out of NFA items clearly. Where they get their money from - who knows and who cares.

But I do know the average enthusiast is clearly priced out of the market. I’ve said it before, I feel very blessed to have bought in when I did, a modest investment has appreciated very nicely. And it’s never coming down, so there’s no time to buy like today.
 
AN-94 said:
I personally prefer the StG after handling a dewat vs handling a dewat MP40. I've yet to have the pleasure of shooting any WW2 machine gun but the MP40 definitely sounds like the better option for a shooter without fear of parts breakage with the way you described it. All I know is that it's going to be a long long time before I get close to even thinking about picking one machine gun I'd want to buy.
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I've shot them both. An Stg. is fun, but heavy and fires an obscure and expensive cartridge with expensive spare parts that cannot be easily swapped. The bane of a MP is a bulged barrel. I've bulged the same MP.40 barrel twice. It was a sewer pipe trashed barrel given to me. Had it been a matching barrel it would have been a sad day. Out of about 20k rounds that has happened twice. But who knows when it will happen. I can get a commercial replacement barrel for a MP.40 for about $250 ready to go. Spares used to be easy to find. The barrel is easy to swap out. It's nice to have all matching. You don't want to be shooting an all matching anything full auto with your original barrel and bolt. How much is a spare barrel and bolt for a MP.44/Stg. and how hard are they to replace? For simply owning and looking at, handling, working the bolt, it's whatever you like. If you want something that you will want to shoot and not worry about a $1 round of ammunition cutting about $10k off your investment with one pull of the trigger, it's the MP.40.
 
Hambone said:
There are younger guys in tech who made millions and millions on stocks, bitcoin sales (before they tanked) etc. They also are gamers and play WW2 games, so if you're one of them who wouldn't want a Thompson or MP.40? Just my thoughts...
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That’s the exact vibe I got.
 
There are new made STG barrels for fairly cheap. The stg design is pretty robust so I don’t worry about my bolt or carrier, but if one was worried the best route is probably to buy a dewat or dummy and keep the bolt/carrier and part the rest out. With some patience one can be found for the right price to make the parts not prohibitively expensive. I can’t argue that 9mm isn’t cheaper though lol
 
I’ve fired and own both a 42’ mp40 and early 45’ Stg. The mp40 is pure joy to fire. A heavy weapon with a small round, makes for no kick. The Stg, much meaner recoil. Both crowd pleasers at the range. However, I don’t think I’ll fire the all matching mp40 any longer to your point on blown parts. They’ll be in the collection until my trust turns at my demise. I have an Erma EMP as well, that is very accurate and nice to fire as well. Grease gun in the near future as well. That’ll have a kick I bet!
 
I have an all matching mp43, and while I agree with much of the above the occasional trip to the range with the bolt and op rod swapped out has never worried me. Use good ammo!

Also, just to clarify on the price discussion the RIA prices above include the 20% BP, hence the (final) price realized. Still a lot of money though, especially when 42’s are now inching closer to 100k. I don’t think 42’s come up anymore now for less than 65-75k.
 
As someone who loves both, owns both, and shoots both - the STG (as y’all know) is my favorite by far. It has such a unique feel during operation too.

But honestly how often is one out shooting their MP tat the price difference per round is a true factor? If you’re in the vintage Machine gun market I propose it isn’t. In addition with Dingo’s parts why not replace internals and blast away without worry?

Or better yet, buy both ;)
 
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