Sturmgewehr 45

From Metapedia

The Sturmgewehr 45 (aka StG45(M), literally "Storm Rifle" 1945) was a prototype assault rifle developed by Mauser for the Wehrmacht at the end of World War II, using a roller-delayed blowback mechanism. It fired 7.92x33mm (7.92 mm Kurz) ammunition at a cyclic rate of around 450 rounds per minute.

[edit] Overview

The Sturmgewehr 45 was intended to replace the Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle, because the latter was rather expensive and time-consuming to produce. Compared to the StG44's cost of 70 Reichsmark, the StG45(M)'s calculated cost was 45 Reichsmark. This low price was especially remarkable given the reduced efficiency of German industry during the late part of World War II.

While the StG45(M) was intended to use its predecessor's 30-round magazine, the rifle is commonly seen equipped with the 10-round magazine designed for the Volksturmgewehr. The shorter magazine was used by Mauser engineers during testing as its lower profile was easier to use when shooting from a trench or the prone position.

Parts for only 30 complete rifles were produced before the war ended. While it was never issued to the Wehrmacht, the StG45's mechanism was later the basis of more famous weapons such as the CETME, the SIG 510, and the Heckler & Koch G3 and MP5.