#Germany

Every couple of weeks I get an email from a reader asking me if I know when the ATI GSG MP40 9mm pistol will go on sale. Well I can finally announce that yesterday (23 Feb) the ATF finally approved the pistol for import and sale in the USA. The gun will go on sale as soon as American Tactical Imports can bring a shipment of them over from Germany.

A fellow by the name of Heinz Reinkemeier has a public Facebook Page where he has uploaded a number of fascinating videos to watch, of airgun competitors in Europe. From what I can tell, he appears to be German and is also either a coach or a manufacturer of these muzzle laser devices, but he is certainly a talented videographer. The laser devices I’m talking about are programmed into a computer system that allows someone to view the actual movement of the muzzle, during the course of fire. So even the most minute movement of the rifle by the competitor is sensed up to the point of discharge, wherein the movement marker changes color to purple from the previous green. Thus, you can visually see where the shooter is putting their sights on target, and how they are going through the steps of breathing, aiming, and finally firing the air gun. They look like a fantastic learning tool, for serious competitive shooters in this sort of setting (as opposed to more fluid shooting competitions). It is apart of a start up company/app/contraption called the MEC Shot App and I assume Heinz is a developer of it. Unfortunately my German is as good as my ancient Latin, and can’t research as much about this interesting device as I could, if any of our German readers are willing, it would be great to have some input on this in the comments section!

Ask and ye shall receive – another Forgotten Weapon’s post, that is. It seems I am not the only one fascinated by unique and/or historically relevant firearms, and the recent run of daily posts on YouTube by Ian of Forgotten Weapons has been fantastic. I can only hope it lasts just a bit longer.

Recently, I ran an article on this site pointing out some of the less impressive aspects of the MP.44 assault rifle’s history. Many people were unhappy with my assessment that the legendary Sturmgewehr was overrated and over-hyped, and therefore I think it’s worth spending some time to examine, by analogy, why I think that. But first, let’s talk about a French rifle.

In the early summer of this year,  a car-full of gun nerds set out to capture the rare Pedersen rifle on camera for the first time. The passenger with the van Dyke mustache and ponytail had just mentioned how if he could own any machine gun, it would be an StG.44, the German assault rifle of the second World War. Upon this, the driver, a tall, blonde Texan in cowboy boots, rebounded that one of the other passengers was the only person he’s ever met who wasn’t impressed with the German ur-sturmgewehr, which caused a great deal of whiplash to the others as their heads spun around to look in surprise and incredulity at the overweight one with the unkempt beard and brown mop of hair.

According to a recent document published by the German popular parliament (Bundestag), the German government has authorized a relaxation of the accuracy requirements for the new MG5 machine gun. Both the original and machine translated versions of the document are embedded below, but first the relevant quote (edited for clarity):

Attention history and antique gun buffs, this group may be one for you. The Ghosts of the Eastern Front is a Facebook group dedicated to the Russo-German conflict within the Second World War. The group features, photos, videos, and stories from the deadliest front.

News.Ge reports that a German government commission investigating alleged problems with the H&K G36 found no problems with the rifle. In fact, they got glowing reports from troops who used the rifle in Afghanistan …

David writes …

The German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has released a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to the industry, regarding new infantry weapons that could replace the troubled G36 rifle. A PIN is the European equivalent of the American Request For Information (RFI), which usually precedes a tender for a contract. A machine translation of the PIN is reproduced below:

In an interesting turn of events across the Atlantic, our friends in the German Free State of Bavaria are now allowed to hunt with a suppressor. All Shooters reports (translated from German using Google Translate)…

My friend, from Hong Kong, shared this with me. At first I was confused. This couldn’t possibly be real steel. An AK Luger? It doesnt make sense. The barrel is not even attached to the front sight. This looks extremely dangerous. So it has to be airsoft right? Wrong. I discovered Waffen Werle, a German gun shop that specializes in Luger modifications.

Over at NitroExpressForums is a series of photos of the rare 1918 improved Mauser rifle prototype. Some are embedded below, but be sure to click through to see them all:

H&K’s troubles are mounting, as the German Minister of Defense is now investigating the MG5, the Bundeswehr’s designation for the 7.62mm HK121 machine gun. Spiegel Online reports:

One thing I love about the guys at Strike Industries is that when they come up with an idea they don’t think is worth commercializing, they release the idea for free to the internet. One of their engineers, Sam C., who is an H&K G36 fan, came up with a handguard/rail concept that could prevent the loss of zero that the German military claims happens when the H&K G36 heats up. They have allowed me to publish the design and told me that any manufacturers can use it royalty free (if any manufacturers want to confirm this or want more details about the design they can email info@strikeindustries.com).