MP 18
Submachine gun / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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This article is about the submachine gun. For the paleontological zone referred to as MP 18, see Mammal Paleogene zone.
The MP 18 is a German submachine gun designed and manufactured by Bergmann Waffenfabrik. Introduced into service in 1918 by the German Army during World War I, the MP 18 was intended for use by the Sturmtruppen, assault groups specialized in trench combat, as a short-range offensive weapon that would provide individual soldiers with increased firepower over a pistol.
Quick Facts Type, Place of origin ...
MP 18 | |
---|---|
Type | Submachine gun |
Place of origin | Germany |
Service history | |
In service | 1918–1945 (Germany) |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | World War I Russian Civil War[citation needed] Warlord Era German Revolution Greater Poland Uprising (1918-1919) Irish Civil War[citation needed] Rif War 1924 Estonian coup d'état attempt Chaco War Spanish Civil War Second Sino-Japanese War Chinese Civil War German-Czechoslovak War World War II Indonesian National Revolution Iranian crisis of 1946 Ifni War[1] |
Production history | |
Designer | Hugo Schmeisser |
Designed | 1917 |
Manufacturer | Bergmann Waffenfabrik C.G. Haenel (MP 28/II) Lindelof Konetehdas (Lindelof Submachinegun) Pieper (Mi 34) Qingdao Iron Works SIG (SIG M1920) |
Produced | 1918–1920s 1928-Early 1940s (MP 28/II) |
No. built | Fewer than 30,000 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 4.18 kg (9.2 lb) 4.0 kg (8.8 lb) (MP 28/II) |
Length | 832 mm (32.8 in) |
Barrel length | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
Cartridge | 9×19mm Parabellum 7.63×25mm Mauser (export) 7.65×21mm Parabellum (export) 9x23mm Largo (export) (MP 28/II) 9x25mm Mauser (export) (MP 28/II) .45 ACP (export) (MP 28/II) |
Action | Open-bolt blowback |
Rate of fire | approx. 350-500 rounds/min (MP 18) 550-600 rounds/min (MP 28/II) |
Muzzle velocity | 380 m/s (1,247 ft/s) |
Feed system | 10-round Mauser pattern detachable box magazine (MP 18,III and MP 18,IV prototypes) 20-round detachable box magazine (prototypes, post WW1, MP 28/II) 30-round detachable box magazine (post WW1) 32-round detachable box magazine (MP 28/II) 32-round detachable TM 08 drum magazine (WW1) 36-round detachable box magazine (Spanish Avispero copy) 40-round Mauser pattern detachable box magazine (MP 18,III and MP 18,IV prototypes, SIG 1920)[2] 50-round Mauser pattern detachable box magazine (MP 18,III and MP 18,IV prototypes, SIG 1920)[2] 50-round magazine from Lanchester (MP 28/II) |
Sights | V-notch and front post |
Close
Although MP 18 production ended after World War I, it was highly influential on subsequent small arms design; it formed the basis of most submachine guns manufactured between 1920 and 1960.[3]