Cybergun Schmeisser MP-44/StG-44 AEG

The Granddaddy of assault rifles, the StG-44 was designed as a replacement for the various submachine guns serving with the Wehrmacht during WW2 and was appropriately disguised with the name "MP-44" in order to slip this mould-breaking design past those in higher command with more conventional leanings.

Conceived by a true master of firearms design, Hugo Schmeisser, the StG-44 is remarkably modern for the era in its design characteristics, most notably its use of an intermediate cartridge (7.92x33 Kurz), detachable 30-round magazine, in-line stock design and the inclusion of a pistol grip. The StG-44 was such a success it led to the development of the vast majority of modern assault rifles we all know and love to this day and literally defined what an assault rifle is. From the AK-47 to G3 through to the AR-15, they all have Sturmgewehr in their blood!

Starting at the tip of the barrel we are greeted with an authentically shaped muzzle cap which conceals 14mm CCW male threading beneath. This is both great for realism and not so great, as it gives true Airsoft heretics the option to mount tracer units and suppressors but allows those of us who like to keep our replicas authentic to keep everything as it is for true Sturmgewehr looks. The real StG-44 did in fact have a threaded barrel but this was designed in to allow for rifle grenades to be launched, not for any sneaky beaky stuff.

To the rear of the muzzle cap, we come to the front iron sight which is raised up to facilitate the in-line stock design of the StG-44. The front sight is similar to a KAR98K in its layout, with a barleycorn front sight blade concealed within a steel protective ring. The front sight base itself is constructed from alloy and has an authentic weight-reducing cut in the centre, just like the real thing.

Following the barrel rearwards we come to the gas block which is constructed from alloy and includes a steel sling loop on the right side and a protruding rod at the front. In the real StG-44, this rod allows the gas system to be disassembled and cleaned from the front and also functions as what is known as a "stacking swivel", allowing 3 StG-44s to be stacked together with only the butt plate touching the floor, keeping the actions clear of dirt and debris. Unless you run 3 Sturmgewehr AEGs at once you are unlikely to be using this part for Airsoft, but it is nonetheless an essential part of the iconic StG-44 silhouette.

The gas tube and handguard follow shortly behind and are both constructed from stamped steel for an authentic look and feel. The handguard is very very slim and is ported along the sides and bottom to assist with heat dispersion in the real rifle, and unlike most handguards, is not designed to be held onto during firing. This part is literally a guard to prevent your hand from making contact with the spicy hot barrel, and from what historical images tell us, the convention when holding the StG-44 is to hold onto the magazine well where your hand is far less likely to be burned!

Next up, we reach the receiver which is adorned with reinforcing ribs and grooves to mimic the real StG's stamped steel construction. Stamped steel may be a bit old-school by modern standards but when it hit the battlefield during WW2 stamped steel firearms were positively space-aged, making use of thinner steel than milled steel guns for reduced weight and lower manufacturing costs.

At the top front of the StG-44 receiver, we can find the rear sight located in a very similar position to that of the AK-47 which followed. The sight is also very similar to an AK rear sight, making use of a tangent design with a slider which can be adjusted back and forth to raise and lower the open rear sight notch. Unlike the AK, the sight is mounted on a raised tower, a characteristic borrowed by the later AR-15 along with the in-line stock design which makes recoil more controllable. The AK didn't bother with an in-line design which explains its legendarily choppy recoil!

The charging handle lives over on the left side at the top of the receiver, positioned similarly to a modern SCAR rifle with an eerily similar cylindrical shape. The charging handle is unfortunately not connected to a mock bolt carrier, and is only present to complete the Sturmgewehr looks. Nonetheless, it can be pulled back and released with a satisfying metal-on-metal "clank".

The HOP-up unit of the StG-44 is located on the right side and is hidden behind the dust cover which is another design aspect which some speculate was borrowed for Ugene Stoner's AR-15. As with the AR, the dust cover is spring loaded and is retained by a detent pin, and can be opened by getting a finger under the corner and popping it open. Inside you will see an M4/AR-15 style gear HOP-up adjuster which is used to vary the amount of backspin applied to your projectile, extending range and allowing you to tune the Sturmgewehr for ammo of different weights.

The fire selector switch is one area where the Airsoft StG-44 deviates from the original. The real StG-44 has a conventional rotary fire selector but on the Airsoft version this selector does not rotate, it instead slides back and forth in a linear motion. The first position is safe, and sliding the selector back slightly will provide semi-automatic fire and the rearmost position is the full auto position. This is a bit of a shame but was designed in to compensate for the slightly different fire selector position of the StG when compared to the M4 AEG it is internally based on.

The pistol grip on the other hand matches the real deal perfectly and is constructed from alloy with linear textured panels built in. Compared to modern grips, the texture isn't as grippy, but it is still relatively comfortable and very similar to a standard AK grip in shape and profile. The trigger guard is the same story, smaller than most modern trigger guards but absolutely adequate in its role of keeping your booger hook off the bang button!

The geometry of the receiver reminds us of the MP5 and G3, two equally legendary German firearms. This should come as no surprise as many members of the Sturmgewehr design team moved to Spain following the end of the war and were the ones behind the CETME, the rifle which eventually led to the H&K G3. The Sturmgewehr may not have spent a long time in military service but it has definitely made its mark on firearms history!

Bringing up the rear we come to the stock of the StG-44 which is constructed from real wood and mounts to the receiver via an alloy base. The wood texture on the stock is positively beautiful, unlike many real StG-44s which were rushed through production as fast as physically possible. The stock also has a cleaning kit port in the top rear which can be used to store batteries for any powered accessories you are running or alternatively, you can store tactical sweet here to keep your energy levels high in game.

The battery compartment of the StG-44 is inside the stock and to access it you will need to remove the stock entirely. To do this, push the pin in the stock base through from the right and pull it out from the left side, after which the stock and its base should come straight off. Inside the receiver, you will see the mini-Tamiya battery connector and inside the stock you will see a cylindrical hollow designed to fit AK-type NiMh stick batteries. To install your battery you will need to connect it up and position it inside the hollow in the stock, then mount the stock and replace the rear pin. We recommend an 8.4V 1600mAh Stick battery or a 7.4V 1200mAh LiPo stick battery for the StG-44 for ease of installation.

Whether you want to take a walk on the wild side and run a rarely seen replica in your next skirmish or you are a WW2 reenactor looking for a primary to complete your loadout, the StG-44 is a unique platform which is sure to turn heads in game. Unlike many WW2-era platforms, the StG has the added benefit that it can be used with practically any WW2 or modern OPFOR loadout due to its evident popularity as a battlefield pickup weapon in both the 20th and 21st centuries!

Features

• Full metal construction
• Steel handguard and gas tube
• Real wood stock - Very authentic build, feels real!
• 3.75KG Overall weight - Hefty and realistic
• A top-notch replica of the first real Assault Rifle ever made!
• 14mm CCW Male threaded barrel - Suppressor or tracer ready
• Gear adjustable HOP-up unit - Compatible with AEG rubbers, nubs and inner barrels
• Barleycorn front sight blade with steel protective hood - Looks very German, as we would expect!
• Adjustable tangent iron sights - Similar to an AK, slide the adjuster at the rear to compensate for range
• Linear fire selector - SAFE-SEMI-FULL AUTO, slide forwards and backwards to select your mode
• Textured pistol grip - Improves wet weather handling with linear texture
• Authentic reinforcement ribs and grooves throughout the design - Mimics steel stampings perfectly
• Alloy Version 2 gearbox with steel gearset - Compatible with aftermarket upgrade parts
• Cleaning kit port in the top of the real wood stock - Use it to store tactical sweets or accessory batteries
• Battery compartment inside the stock - Remove the rear pin and stock to access, fits AK stick batteries
• Rear wired to a mini-Tamiya battery connector
• Compatible with Cybergun and AGM MP-44/StG-44 magazines

Package Includes

• Cybergun Schmeisser MP-44/StG-44 AEG
• 420rnd High-capacity magazine
• Cleaning/unjamming rod
• User manual