Volkssturmgewehr 1-5

Infobox Weapon
name=Volkssturmgewehr 1-5


caption=
origin=flagcountry|Nazi Germany
type= Assault Rifle
is_ranged=yes
service=February-May 1945
used_by=Nazi Germany
wars=World War II
designer=
design_date=Late 1944
manufacturer=
unit_cost=
production_date=January-May 1945
number=Approx. 10,000
variants=See variants
weight=kg to lb|4.27|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes
length=mm to in|960|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes
part_length=mm to in|380|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes
cartridge=7.92x33mm Kurz
caliber=
action=Gas-delayed blowback
rate= Semi auto
velocity=convert|685|m/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on
range=300 m
max_range=
feed=30-round detachable STG 44 box magazine
sights=

The Volkssturmgewehr 1-5 is a 7.92 mm caliber semi-automatic rifle developed by Nazi Germany during World War II. It was also known as the VG 1-5, Volkssturm-Gewehr 1-5, Versuchs-Gerät 1-5 and "Gustloff", and was intended for use by the Volkssturm militia.

Development

The VG 1-5 was designed by Karl Barnitzke of the Gustloff-Werke for the "Primitiv-Waffen-Programm" ("primitive weapons program") in 1944 and was intended to be used by the Volkssturm. Production of the VG 1-5 occurred from January 1945 till the end of the war; roughly 10,000 were made.

Design details

The Volkssturmgewehr 1-5 uses a gas-delayed blowback action based on the Barnitzke system, whereby gas bled from the barrel near the chamber creates resistance to the rearward impulse of the operating parts, which ceases when the projectile leaves the muzzle, allowing the operating parts to be forced rearward by the residual pressure of the cartridge case. This principle has been used most successfully in the Heckler & Koch P7 pistol.

The VG 1-5 is constructed rather like many automatic pistols, it has a casing and spring around the barrel; the whole casing recoils backward. The breech block, with firing pin and extractor, is pinned to the back end of the barrel casing. The rear end of the gun does not recoil and has the hammer, sear and trigger built into it. Gas coming from four vents, near the end of the barrel, holds the bolt closed till the gas pressure drops to a safe level. The VG 1-5 used the same 30-round 7.92x33mm Kurz caliber magazine as the Sturmgewehr 44/Sturmgewehr 45. Some selective-fire VG 1-5s were made.

ee also

*StG44
*StG45/AME 49 prototype rifle, with roller-delayed blowback operation.
*MP 3008 submachine gun, intended for use by the Volkssturm.
*Heckler & Koch P7, a gas-delayed blowback operated pistol.
*List of World War II firearms of Germany

External links

* [http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/2900/2931.htm VG 1-5 Semi-Auto Carbine in 7,62x33mm Kurz_Germany] article with photographs
* [http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/2100/2125.htm German WWII VG 1-5 gas delayed blowback rifle]