New to the MP 40

P

PVD99

Member
Hello everyone,

So my grandfather was in Anzio and Rome during the war. While in Rome he was wounded and sent back to the U.S.. Apparently somehow he got a MP40 home which my dad has always had locked away (it was registered in the late 60s and we have that ATF paperwork). As my dad is aging I have recently had him set up a NFA gun trust to make things easier when he does pass on. My question is, what do I need to know about this gun or even owning an NFA item in genera l(as a kid I was always fascinated by the gun)? At some point the when the gun is legally in my possession it would be nice to have it evaluated and possibly be able to shoot it. I am definitely not a noobie to guns but am a noob for a machine gun that is over 80 years old. The only thing we do not have are magazines for it. Sorry for the long post but hopefully someone can help out. Thanks in advance.....
 
Magazine are easily available. These guns are very robust. You have little to worry about. They have a very low cyclic rate and are heavy and controllable. Stock up on plenty of ammo and a loading tool. It ain’t like Hollywood . The clips are empty in a hurry. Without a loader you will wear your thumb out. A joy to shoot.
 
Any ammo recommendations? I have a ton of range 9mm for my Glocks and Sigs but is it the same? And everywhere I have seen that advertises mags seem to be out of stock. Is there anything to be on the look out as far as purchasing them?
 
Original German ammo was 124grain ball. I’ve shot everything through mine from Wolf to white box. I have seen others claim they have issues shooting the light 115 grain but mine runs with no issues. I would get several magazines, make sure they are clean and install new Wolff springs for reliability. They are a ball. I’ll never sell mine. Try some mags of range ammo. It’s all fodder. You blow through it so quickly, you’ll see. The loader is a must. You won’t hurt the gun if that’s what you’re worried about.
 
Mags seem to run $150-200 Ballpark. I’d bet on Gunbroker you could find some. I got to shoot one a few years ago and it was my favorite sub gun to shoot, very controllable.
 
124 gr. M882 NATO ammo or equivalent will work best in a healthy MP40. If 115 grain Winchester white box works well, then the gun's recoil spring is probably compressed or weak. 115 gr. loaded to SAAMI specs will not usually fling the bolt back far enough to engage the buffer spring, giving an even slower rate of fire.

80 years is a long time. Most guns today have seen extensive handling and use and show it in one way or another.
 
Congrats. What biggymu said. Best ammo is a NATO spec 124 gr. It likes hotter ammo. The 115 gr. factory regular loaded spec will run fine. Only trouble I've had was Wolf 115 gr. which is apparently under loaded.
 
Last summer a guy sold out a huge collection of mp40 mags and had them on Gunbroker for $100 a pop, wish I had bought more. Echo what everyone else said, I tried running brass 115 gr magtech in mine and had a few hangups. Moved to the 9mm NATO and no issues.
 
So, its been awhile since I posted. In the meantime I did find a magazine. The next step/stumbling block I have come across is getting it into a NFA Trust. My dad had a trust drawn up in Georgia where he lives. The next step is to transfer it into the trust and become a responsible person in the eyes of the ATF. I was hoping the attorney would do the paperwork but thats not something they offer. Does anyone here have experience with this? Basically none of the FFLs I have spoken with here in Florida know what to do or are interested in helping. My understanding is a form 4 hard copy, not eform . I would just like a little guidance considering its the government and machine gun and my first time with either.
 
PVD99 said:
So, it’s been awhile since I posted. In the meantime I did find a magazine. The next step/stumbling block I have come across is getting it into a NFA Trust. My dad had a trust drawn up in Georgia where he lives. The next step is to transfer it into the trust and become a responsible person in the eyes of the ATF. I was hoping the attorney would do the paperwork but thats not something they offer. Does anyone here have experience with this? Basically none of the FFLs I have spoken with here in Florida know what to do or are interested in helping. My understanding is a form 4 hard copy, not eform . I would just like a little guidance considering its the government and machine gun and my first time with either.
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Try asking Lee. He did a trust for me and may be able to answer your question.
www.advancedfirearmsgroup.com

class III

Advanced Firearms gun store sells machine guns, suppressors, short barrel rifles. We offer gun trusts.
www.advancedfirearmsgroup.com www.advancedfirearmsgroup.com
 
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PVD99 said:
So, its been awhile since I posted. In the meantime I did find a magazine. The next step/stumbling block I have come across is getting it into a NFA Trust. My dad had a trust drawn up in Georgia where he lives. The next step is to transfer it into the trust and become a responsible person in the eyes of the ATF. I was hoping the attorney would do the paperwork but thats not something they offer. Does anyone here have experience with this? Basically none of the FFLs I have spoken with here in Florida know what to do or are interested in helping. My understanding is a form 4 hard copy, not eform . I would just like a little guidance considering its the government and machine gun and my first time with either.
Click to expand...

if you’re the / a beneficiary of the NFA trust and designated as an RP “Responsible Person” then now you’ll have to submit that to ATF with your AFIS prints done and you can have possession of it. It’s simply matter of turning in the form with you as an RP, AFIS and form attesting to the 4473 requirements.

As for mags, that’s a critical accessory, a weak point of the design (double stack, single feed). Tip: the mag has to have a good spring, Wolff makes spares, and the feed lips need to be adjusted so that the top cartridge is held in it, with the bullet having a bit of an upward / nose up angle.
 
The Germans changed from lead cored ball (about 123.5 grains) to Iron or pressed steel cores to conserve lead, much as they did in their rifle calibers.
1) Pistolen Patrone 08 - 8 gms (123.45 grains) bullet / 1050 fps



2) Pistolen Patrone 08 S.E. (S.E. standing for Sintereisenkern or pressed steel core) - 5.9 gms (91 grains) bullet / 1350 fps



3) Pistolenpatronen 08 m.E. (m.e. = mit Eisenkern or with iron core) - 6.3-6.5 gms (97-100 grains) bullet.**

**I have shot some amount of this over the years, more than enough to run my MP-40's Regards, JH
 
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