MP40 info wanted

[MikeP]

Like all the old open bolt guns, they are inherently dangerous to handle.

The safety consists of a little notch for the charging handle, plus a little catch of equal value.

Staying on a range should present no problems with this, but handling in other environments requires caution.

Snagging the handle or dropping the piece can cause a discharge.

I actually had a MP 40 for a while in VN. Whole companies of CIDG were issued them at one time or another.

I know of two deaths from dropping blowback SMGs, a M1 Thompson and a Swedish K.

Both incidents involving highly experienced senior NCOs.

I have read of German incidents as well.

Firing pins and extractors can be issues with these pieces also.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by MikeP

Firing pins and extractors can be issues with these pieces also.

Ejectors also. Mike reminded me that mine had a broken ejector - just an upside-down "J" shaped piece of metal that sticks up in the back of the ejection port, pinned to the magazine well & receiver. I made a new one out of drill rod. Milled, heated, and bent. File to fit.

Movies always show the magazine inserted and the bolt forward. This is the dangerous scenario. The firing pin is held in the bolt by recoil spring pressure and the mag will feed from a dropped gun as easily as from an intentional fire. Bang!