Anybody with even a passing interest in the Second World War will recognise the German MP40 instantly. It is, probably without doubt, the iconic German weapon.
In my personal opinion, the MP40 and its’ predecessor, the MP38, are the best looking sub machine guns ever produced and by far the most desirable to have in any WW2 collection.
I am a Collector and Modelgun enthusiast rather than an Airsoft skirmisher, so my review of Marushin’s GBB MP40 will be biased more towards how it compares to Marushin's own Plug Fire Cartridge replica of the real steel gun, rather than how it’ll perform down as an Airsoft Weapon at the local skirmish site when you’re facing hordes of 101st Airborne armed with Garands and Thompsons or British Commandos carrying STENs.
Marushin have produced superb 100% accurate replicas of the MP40 for years. I believe I'm correct in saying that Marushin's is tyhe ONLY replica to be 100% dimensionally accurate. The versions most commonly found now are built from Zinc Alloy, ABS and some steel parts. The Model Gun is designed to fire a cap charged and reusable brass 9mm cartridge and when set up properly they fire, function and perform exactly as per the real thing. Smoke, Noise, Ejecting Shells, everything except bullets coming out of the barrel! This system is known as Pluf Fire Cartridge (PFC)
Marushin have used a large number of their PFC model gun parts to put together the basis for this, their Gas Blow Back 8mm Airsoft gun and they have, therefore, come up with a very realistic looking replica.
The PFC version is in front here, but there are no obvious differences until you look a little closer…
Most parts are common between the two, the obvious differences being the Magazine, Inner Barrel and Bolt assembly because the operating system and end result is quite different.
I wanted a good replica that functioned like a real MP40. I have the PFC versions but don’t always have enough spare time to strip them down for essential cleaning and the more laborious but even more vital cartridge cleaning and reloading.
I wanted an MP40 that I could pick up, insert a loaded magazine and fire without any hassle. I’d bought a Chinese AGM Electric MP40 previously which looked ok, but I’m sorry to say that AEGs don’t cut it for me personally as they don’t have operating bolts (bar the odd exception now) and make the wrong noise. As I said earlier I’m not an Airsoft skirmisher so my requirements from a Replica will be a bit different from the Airsoft users'.
Marushin’s Gas Blow Back caught my attention the minute I heard they were realeasing them… Could this be the gun for me?
Straight out of the box then, how does it compare to a replica of the Real MP40?
Not bad at all actually! We’re all used to handling abs guns and obviously it won’t feel like cold steel. My version is the Matt Black finish which takes away the “shiny” plastic look and it looks fine, I wish I’d taken the time to look at the “Vintage 1945” version Marushin offer also though. They’ve re-painted the plastics and “weathered” and aged the metal parts to give it a well used and battle scarred look. The photos I’ve seen look pretty good and I think I may have actually preferred it to the Brand New look.
The box contained the Gun, a single 32 round magazine, a cleaning rod and a small bag of 8mm BBs. A Japanese instruction Manual is included with reasonably good diagrams (as usual from Japan) so the lack of English doesn’t matter.
Everything looks exactly as it should, Rear Sights are as they should be, a simple affair set up for 100yds with a flip up leaf for up to 200yds. Not that the Airsoft gun will need that range but it’s authentic looking!
Front sight is a hooded blade, muzzle nut and barrel look dead right, Barrel Nut and Sling loop, Mag Well stampings, Mag’ Release Catch, Folding skeleton stock all present and correct… Secondary safety is present and works on the cocking handle too, just as it should on the MP40
See Photos…………….
There’s a Socket Head Grub Screw located just behind the Barrel Nut and Sling Loop… That’s the Hop Up Adjuster and obviously wouldn’t be on the real ones but it’s in a handy and accessible place if you need it..
See Photo……………..
The Folding Stock operates as it should, push the release catch and drop the stock. Extend it into position and lock out the butt.
The Magazine holds 32 8mm BBs, same load as the real steel MP40. Apart from the slot running down the length of the Mag exposing the Spring, the mag’ looks real enough once it’s slotted into the gun.
See Photo………….
There’s no Speed Loader provided so it’s a case of pulling the spring down the slot and dropping them in singly. A bit slow this, but real ones are like this anyway! At least the spring's not very strong so your thumbs won't ache loading this!
Spare magazines would be a big advantage, but Gas mag’s are very expensive. Last time I looked Hong Kong dealers were asking the equivalent of about £35 each for them… German troops issued with an MP40 were given 6 spare magazines with the gun…
A set of mags could cost you as much as the gun!
I used Abbey Predator Gas to charge the mag’ and it’s just like every other Gas Mag’ and Cigarette Lighter I’ve filled.
Insert the Magazine into the Mag’ Well until it Clicks into place.
First thing I noticed that appeared different to the PFC replica is that unless the Bolt is pulled back either to Cocked position, or, better still for safety’s sake, further back and up into the Safety Notch at the back of the Receiver, the Magazine will not slot in, nor come out of the Well if the Bolt is forwards.
All that’s needed is a firm but gentle push on the mag and it’ll Click into place. There’s no need to slam it home hard like they do in the Movies, you’ll break the Mag’ doing that!
If the Bolt is in Safety, grasp the Cocking Handle and guide the Bolt forwards into Cocked position.
Here’s a big difference to the Real Steel and PFC replicas. The GBB bolt comes forwards far too much to be realistic. What effect will that have on Rate of Fire I wonder?...
See Photos…………
Both the above photos show the Airsoft version uppermost.
The difference is obvious isn’t it?
MP40s are not Selective Fire weapons. Depending on ROF, controlled 3 or 4 round bursts are quite possible, otherwise it’s Full Auto until all 32 rounds are gone
Pick your target then, squeeze the trigger….
Trigger action is light and smooth…
The Bolt only has a very short travel so Rate of Fire is fast. Way to high to be realistic, but Hell, this is FUN so I can forgive it for that!
The Bolt and firing action makes a pretty good noise when you’re holding the gun yourself, there’s an amount of recoil to be felt too but it’s nothing dramatic…. Enough to be fun and definitely better than AEGs
This is what GBB Machine Guns are all about!
This short video should give you an idea what to expect…
Sound levels are always difficult with home video, the gun sounds louder than this when you’re holding it so try winding your speakers’ volume right up :0)
One burst empties the Magazine in very short order, you’ll know when the last round’s gone as the bolt hits the Gas Button on the mag’ and it discharges itself with an annoying HHHHHHHIIIIIISSSSSSssssss
Watching the Bolt travel during firing shows how power drops off as the Gas level drops… It visibly slows down and travels less
Unless there’s a pre-loaded and gas-filled magazine ready for use you’ll have to sit down and reload the empty one. That’ll be another five minutes of not shooting which ain’t bad if you’re plinking at targets indoors or in the garden but absolutely useless if you’re in a skirmish.
Better then to fire it in short bursts. Ammunition lasts longer that way!
The video ends with short controlled bursts of fire, as you can see it re-cocks itself perfectly each time.
There’s just enough Gas in the Mag to empty it in one burst. Other,( C02 in particular) guns I’ve used won’t empty a Mag without stopping two or three times to let it settle but this will do so happily.
Strip Down procedure is just like the real steel and the PFC replicas.
Remove the Magazine,
Bolt forwards
Pull out thumb wheel below the Receiver and Twist half a turn
Grasp and Hold the Pistol Grip and while Squeezing the Trigger,
Grasp the Mag Well with your other hand and twist the Upper Receiver Clockwise
Twist until the Rear sights just touch the Lower Receiver’s Side Plate
Pull the Upper Receiver and Barrel assembly forwards and away
Bolt and Recoil Spring Tube will pull back through the Upper Receiver.
Cleaning is very easy and straightforward. Wipe everything down with some Silicone Oil and a soft cloth.
Clean the barrel as usual with some paper towelling or a small piece of rag and the cleaning rod provided.
My overall impressions are pretty favourable. Marushin have managed to build a realistic enough MP40 which is why I bought it.
Cocking it by pulling the bolt back sounds “right” with satisfying “Clicks” I can load it up and plink away at my leisure getting a satisfyingly loud enough Machine Gun sound in return, without having to spend the next few hours cleaning, It makes a great Wall Hanger next to my other WW2 gear
Two things let it down for me,
The Bolt. It doesn’t “sit” right when it’s Cocked.
I don’t like the loud Hiss of escaping gas either once the last BBs gone. If only they introduced a Stop but I guess that most GBBs are like this really.
If I were a skirmisher, I’d HAVE top spend about £200 Post on 6 spare magazines otherwise I’d not stand a chance of surviving a Battle.
I don’t have a Chronometer so have no idea of muzzle velocity. To be honest, I don’t need that for my requirements.
It shreds paper and card targets with ease though at relatively short range. This is a Close Quarter weapon after all, it’s not a Sniper Rifle! Great for House to House or Trench clearing which is exactly why Sub Machine Guns were first introduced.
So which do I prefer? Well to be honest while the Airsoft version has the HUGE advantage of being loaded with disposable BBs and charged with a squirt of gas and that's it, it's ready to shoot... I do prefer that extra realism offered by the PFC model. Everything looks right with the modelgun, and despite the laborious preparation and loading that each cartridge requires , followed by the even more laborious cleaning of cartridges and gun alike, the PFC makes a far better noise, there's smoke that even smells great, and all those cartridges get ejected just like a real MP40...
Now if Marushin sorted out that Bolt, slowed the rate of fire down to about 550-650 rpm, AND had shell eject, they'd have a serious contender...
Cerwyn
_________________ Cerwyn
Hobby collector of Replica model guns and Militaria. also member of Living History Reenactment Groups.
Last edited by Cerwyn on Sun Jul 09, 2017 4:21 pm; edited 4 times in total
SunHill999 likes this post
Ozguns Modelgun Enthusiast
Number of posts : 333 Location / Country : Perth, Western Australia Registration date : 2008-08-21
Subject: Re: Marushin MP40 GBB & PFC Comparison Sat Jun 12, 2010 2:19 am
Very interesting and thorough review Cerwyn.
I like the looks of it, but like you say, the shooting action is not up to the realism of the PFC guns. But I would certainly have one in my collection if I could.
What we need next is a comparison of a PFC gun against the real gun. Who is going to do it?
smootik Modelgun Perfectionist
Number of posts : 1823 Location / Country : Poland Registration date : 2009-03-03
Subject: Re: Marushin MP40 GBB & PFC Comparison Sat Jun 12, 2010 11:22 am
Great read! It's good to read what Marushin did and did not do differently for airsoft version :-) Recently I found that I shoot GBBs more than PFCs because they require very little time to set up and unload. PFC is however much more satistfying whenever I can reserve time for the whole cleaning/reloading ritual.
I was surprised by the "hiss" heard in movie after mag is emptied. Fortunately you wrote about it to confirm I did not "hiss-heard" something ;-)
Cerwyn, I hope this is just first of series :-)
Cerwyn Cerwyn (Site Admin)
Number of posts : 11076 Age : 65 Location / Country : North Wales Registration date : 2008-07-20
Subject: Re: Marushin MP40 GBB & PFC Comparison Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:16 am
Thanks Oz' and smootik . I was sorting out posts for the specific MGC and Marushin MP40 categories when I realized the Airsoft / PFC comparison I'd written some time ago hadn't been included in the GBB section.
I'm glad you both enjoyed the review. I would like to write another at some point comparing the KWC Co2 Mini UZI with Marushin's PFC UZI.
Ozguns might well find 2sharp's review of a real MP40 interesting here you go:-
Hobby collector of Replica model guns and Militaria. also member of Living History Reenactment Groups.
WaA363 New Member
Number of posts : 6 Location / Country : Europe Registration date : 2013-05-05
Subject: Re: Marushin MP40 GBB & PFC Comparison Sun May 05, 2013 10:48 am
Sorry to revive this old thread. But i have a question. Is the magazine on the GBB made to original dimensions. Does it fit on the PFC version?
Another thing. Is it possible to totally disassemble the barrel?
Thanks!
Cerwyn Cerwyn (Site Admin)
Number of posts : 11076 Age : 65 Location / Country : North Wales Registration date : 2008-07-20
Subject: Re: Marushin MP40 GBB & PFC Comparison Sun May 05, 2013 11:05 am
Hello WaA363
Welcome to the Forum
No need to apologise for reviving old threads, it's good to know that older articles are being read and of interest to folks.
Do you know what the dimensions of real magazines are? If yes, please let me know so that I can compare them. The GBB magazine has a bb feeder sitting on top so even if it fitted the PFC version I wouldn't think the bolt would close. I'll check to see though and let you know.
I've had no reason to strip the barrel of my GBB version yet, however I will see how far it can be stripped for you. I'll get back asap
_________________ Cerwyn
Hobby collector of Replica model guns and Militaria. also member of Living History Reenactment Groups.
WaA363 New Member
Number of posts : 6 Location / Country : Europe Registration date : 2013-05-05
Subject: Re: Marushin MP40 GBB & PFC Comparison Sun May 05, 2013 11:14 am
Thank you very much!
Feel free to take photos!
The PFc magazines is spot on compared to original magazines. So if A PFc Magazine fits an original Will do as Well
Cerwyn Cerwyn (Site Admin)
Number of posts : 11076 Age : 65 Location / Country : North Wales Registration date : 2008-07-20
Subject: Re: Marushin MP40 GBB & PFC Comparison Sun May 05, 2013 11:29 am
Are you looking for magazines to fit a real or Blank Fire MP40, something to fill magazine pouches for display ?
I ask simply because the GBB mags wouldn't operate in anything other than the GBB gun and they are very expensive to buy compared to Marushin PFC mags.
_________________ Cerwyn
Hobby collector of Replica model guns and Militaria. also member of Living History Reenactment Groups.
WaA363 New Member
Number of posts : 6 Location / Country : Europe Registration date : 2013-05-05
Subject: Re: Marushin MP40 GBB & PFC Comparison Sun May 05, 2013 11:39 am
Yes i know. The reason why i ask is that i once owned one of those GBB MP40's and i really thought it was überawesome! The only problem with it in my opinion is that so much of it is made from ABS. I'm more of a full metal guy. And i got a friend with some pretty nice machinery so my plan is to make some copy parts entirely made out of metal.
That's the reason why i ask.
I plan to recycle the gas system. The inner barrel, the bolt and the magazine. I just wanted to know if i in theoy just could take and original magazine housing to use for the project.
Cerwyn Cerwyn (Site Admin)
Number of posts : 11076 Age : 65 Location / Country : North Wales Registration date : 2008-07-20
Subject: Re: Marushin MP40 GBB & PFC Comparison Sun May 05, 2013 11:46 am
I understand better now The idea of a metal GBB MP40 is a good one, I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
_________________ Cerwyn
Hobby collector of Replica model guns and Militaria. also member of Living History Reenactment Groups.
Cerwyn Cerwyn (Site Admin)
Number of posts : 11076 Age : 65 Location / Country : North Wales Registration date : 2008-07-20
Subject: Re: Marushin MP40 GBB & PFC Comparison Mon May 06, 2013 11:10 am
GBB Marushin MP40 Magazines will fit comfortably in the ABS PFC version's magazine well
I didn't have much joy with the Barrel however. Unscrewing the Barrel Nut is all that's needed to remove the PFC barrel but the GBB barrel seems to be held firmly in place by another method. I removed the hop-up adjuster grub-screw but the barrel remained firm in the trunnion. I've no detailed strip down manual so couldn't proceed further.
The barrel assembly must be removeable for maintenance but at the moment I'm unclear how it comes away from the receiver.
_________________ Cerwyn
Hobby collector of Replica model guns and Militaria. also member of Living History Reenactment Groups.
WaA363 New Member
Number of posts : 6 Location / Country : Europe Registration date : 2013-05-05
Subject: Re: Marushin MP40 GBB & PFC Comparison Mon May 06, 2013 11:13 am
Thank you very much for the information! That's really great news
Cerwyn Cerwyn (Site Admin)
Number of posts : 11076 Age : 65 Location / Country : North Wales Registration date : 2008-07-20
Subject: Re: Marushin MP40 GBB & PFC Comparison Mon May 06, 2013 11:22 am
No problem I'm sorry I couldn't be more help with the barrel. Hopefully someone out there will know how and let us know
_________________ Cerwyn
Hobby collector of Replica model guns and Militaria. also member of Living History Reenactment Groups.
Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:39 pm
. I was sorting out posts for the specific MGC and Marushin MP40 categories when I realized the Airsoft / PFC comparison I'd written some time ago hadn't been included in the GBB section.
here you go:-
