Well, I'm not sure it's completly fair to compare the two because the MP44 was a later (more advanced) weapon and as such would be expected to have certain advantages.
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The initial M1918A1 version of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) was first used in combat by American soldiers during World War I, and many saw service in World War II. The BAR received high praise for its reliability under adverse conditions.
http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/browning.htm |
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The first prototypes, the MKb 42(H) and the MKb 42(W) from Haenel & Walther, were field tested in late 1942. This resulted in the Haenel model being accepted, and with some modifications put into service as the MP43. The results were so favourable that soon Generals were going all the way to Hitler to get these new weapons for their troops.
Needless to say, Hitler was furious that his orders had been disobeyed, but when the designers armed his personal bodyguard with the new weapon and staged a demonstration of it, Hitler quickly changed his mind and renamed it the "Sturmgewehr", or assault rifle.
Not only is the MP44 the world's first true assault rifle, it also incorporated other new features. The first was a dramatic change away from machining in favour of pressings in manufacture. Also production of parts was extensively sub-contracted, aimed at ensuring a reliable supply of weapons.
http://www.gunsworld.com/mgp/mp44.html |