The MP-43 (which is mechanically identical to the MP-44 and StG-44; the differences are the subject for another video later) is a tilting bolt rifle with a long stroke gas piston. It was manufactured primarily from complex sheet steel stampings, as a way to minimize the amount of high-quality and thus difficult to acquire steels needed for its construction. The rifle is heavy by today's standards, but remarkably ergonomic (except for the metal handguard, when heats up quickly). Its sights come right up to the eye when shouldering the rifle, and it disassembles quickly and easily.

It really is one of the best small arms developed during World War II.

  / forgottenweapons  

Related:
MP44 Part 1, Mechanics:    • Sturmgewehr MP-44 Part I: Mechanics  
Sturmgewehr vs Kalashnikov:    • Kalashnikov vs Sturmgewehr!  
MkB-42(H) with ZF41:    • MKb-42(H) Assault Rifle with ZF-41 scope  
StG-44 with Krummlauf:    • Krummlauf Curved Barrel on an StG-44  
Last Ditch Innovation - Development of the Gerat 06 & 06H:    • Last Ditch Innovation: The Developmen...