Historical StG 44 in .22LR Rimfire Coming from ATI

Authors Paul Helinski Rifles SHOT Show 2012
We were able to shoot the new StG 44 from American Tactical Imports at Media Day. This gun is a big deal for historical collectors and .22 rimfire collectors both, because the real StG 44 guns can't be found for reasonable prices in the US. These are full weight guns with real stamped steel parts that handle just like the originals, and they should sell like hotcakes.

We were able to shoot the new StG 44 from American Tactical Imports at Media Day. This gun is a big deal for historical collectors and .22 rimfire collectors both, because the real StG 44 guns can't be found for reasonable prices in the US. These are full weight guns with real stamped steel parts that handle just like the originals, and they should sell like hotcakes.

They will be $599 retail, and will come in a wooden box like you see here. Have your local gun dealer get on a list if you want one and this is possible. These guns will go very quickly.

They will be $599 retail, and will come in a wooden box like you see here. Have your local gun dealer get on a list if you want one and this is possible. These guns will go very quickly.

This is the original MP44/StG44 from WWII. It fired a 7.92x39mm., or 8x33 Kurz, round that was a smaller version of the German 8x57, or 8mm Mauser. The Kalashnikov, or AK-47, fires a 7.62x39 cartridge, which is a smaller version of the 7.62x54 Russian. Most people consider the StG44 the original assault rifle from which all others were fashioned, but it arrived too late in WWII to make a difference in the failed Nazi war machine.

This is the original MP44/StG44 from WWII. It fired a 7.92x39mm., or 8x33 Kurz, round that was a smaller version of the German 8x57, or 8mm Mauser. The Kalashnikov, or AK-47, fires a 7.62x39 cartridge, which is a smaller version of the 7.62x54 Russian. Most people consider the StG44 the original assault rifle from which all others were fashioned, but it arrived too late in WWII to make a difference in the failed Nazi war machine.

This full weight replica should satisfy the tastes of collectors and enthusiasts who can't get a real one. It doesn't feel at all like a .22 to heft it, but it of course has no kick whatsoever.

This full weight replica should satisfy the tastes of collectors and enthusiasts who can't get a real one. It doesn't feel at all like a .22 to heft it, but it of course has no kick whatsoever.

These guns are made in Germany by GSG for American Tactical Imports, and are one of many rimfire replica guns by that company. This StG44 isn't on the ATI website yet, but you can check out a lot of other rimfire replicas that have all gained great reputations in the market as reliable and impeccable recreations.

These guns are made in Germany by GSG for American Tactical Imports, and are one of many rimfire replica guns by that company. This StG44 isn't on the ATI website yet, but you can check out a lot of other rimfire replicas that have all gained great reputations in the market as reliable and impeccable recreations.

https://www.americantactical.us/

The StG 44 is one of those guns in history that is in a class by itself. By most accounts, it was the first modern “assault rifle,” and would have made a big difference in WWII had it arrived sooner in the war. but it didn’t, and the StG 44, otherwise known as the MP43 or MP44, has taken its place in history as part of the failed Nazi war effort that was defeated handily by the Allies.

American Tactical Imports (ATI), is bringing in a replica of this famous rifle in .22LR rimfire this year, and we got to take a look at one for Media Day at the Range, SHOT Show 2012. It is made in Germany by GSG, and ATI has already imported several other rimfire guns from this company over the past several years. The StG 44 is a full weight, almost exact replica of the original 8×33 Kurz rifle that is said to be the predecessor to the Kalashnikov, as well as all of the other assault rifles spanning the decades after WWII.

Available this summer, the GSG StG 44 will retail for $599, and it will come in the wooden crate you see here in the pictures. We were able to try the initial prototypes at the range and they seemed to work great. Hopefully ATI will send us a gun or two to test once they are ready to sell them. As a collector’s item, the original StG 44 is out of the reach of most American collectors, in part because the original was select fire and therefore banned from import by the 1986 machinegun law. In semi-auto .22LR rimfire, not only can you own a gun with the original look and feel of the real StG 44, you will be able to shoot it cheaply, and it will itself be a big collector’s item as we go down the road. This was one of the guns everyone was talking about at SHOT this year, and if you can get one ordered, you might want to get in line now because supply will not keep up with demand for a long time after they start coming into the country. Have your local gun dealer get in touch with one of the distributors listed on the ATI website now if you want one

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  • steve Welsh May 6, 2014, 9:36 pm

    Kurt, get over yourself

  • Nightster April 7, 2014, 7:22 pm

    I just got one last friday. Was fun to shoot but more of just a collector for me…

  • vipertom March 11, 2014, 2:05 am

    Very nice gun. Being .22lr, it is reasonable to shoot. Bought a scope and mount, and love it.

  • RALPH Newton October 24, 2013, 12:31 pm

    I , need too know are there any plan’s too make these in a larger cal. if so, what hopefully in 6.8 and 308 , 7.63×39 mm !!!

  • tony April 13, 2013, 4:18 pm

    do you have mp40 ? i have stg44 and love it hope you have same in mp40

  • frank ramunto January 27, 2013, 9:49 pm

    bought stg 44 22 cal nicely made has steel barrel and trunion, bolt assembly all steel and servicable, nice stock and handguard full style clips in 2 5 10 and 25 shots repelicates origional rifle perfict to fill the void in your collection,i took to range worked fine comes in wood crate with simulated german marking get one while you can for around 600.00

  • frank ramunto January 27, 2013, 9:49 pm

    bought stg 44 22 cal nicely made has steel barrel and trunion, bolt assembly all steel and servicable, nice stock and handguard full style clips in 2 5 10 and 25 shots repelicates origional rifle perfict to fill the void in your collection,i took to range worked fine comes in wood crate with simulated german marking get one while you can for around 600.00

  • RG November 28, 2012, 9:00 am

    I want one !

  • CH August 23, 2012, 7:45 pm

    Just bought this awesome gun. Heavy for a 22 but supposed to mimic original. I was also surprised how well it shoots. Could easily hit a 2 gallon propane tank at 140 yds. Everyone who shot it could do same. I am the envy of my friends. Always thought this weapon was amazing but never dreamed I would own one. Little expensive for a toy but it was worth it.

  • kurt July 30, 2012, 11:06 pm

    when will they get here ????
    to the gun stores
    were they shipped from germany
    when and has customs cleared them yet and have they been sent to the stores
    still waiting

    Thanks

  • siegrunen June 22, 2012, 6:20 pm

    Per ATI, first shipment goes on the ocean next week!!!!!

    http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2011/01/20/ati-stg-44-rifle-22-lr/

  • kurt June 20, 2012, 1:06 am

    So
    1.when will they be ready to buy ???

    2 what does it mean when you said they were created from blank firing guns

    3 How do they feed I can only contemplate a 22 from a mag might be hard ??

    4 will they come with the box ??

  • Tom June 19, 2012, 4:07 pm

    I just wish they if they could do it in .22, why they couldn’t go just a little further and made it .223 ?? It would make all the difference in the world.

  • Paul June 17, 2012, 3:49 pm

    GSG Do not make guns from Pot metal . Pot metal is used for toys or was used for toys and Airsoft guns . GSG guns are made from High grade cast Aluminum just like most modern AR15 rifles are, These are not junk like the Umarex brand. I have had my GSG5 for 4 yrs now and it works flawlessly every time I use it . As for the people saying 22lr is a none Lethal or something that’s not dangerous well the figures show your wrong . More people are killed in the USA by 22LR than any other caliber . Only a Moron would pass judgment on a rifle before using it or reading respectable reviews. I hate gun snobs you are a bunch of bigots .

  • JSL April 11, 2012, 12:08 pm

    Since this is a replica, I suspect the clip has a 30 round capacity.

  • Jimmyjet February 6, 2012, 11:41 am

    Dear administrator> No such thing as “stamped” pot metal. Pot metal will always be cast. Time to admit our mistake.

    • JSL April 11, 2012, 12:12 pm

      You are correct. If I’m not mistaken, the original stg44 was also stamped steel because it was cheaper to mfg. They worked just fine. The ak47 is also stamped steel.

  • Cobra February 6, 2012, 11:14 am

    Need Price list on all AK’s

  • KURT February 5, 2012, 10:34 pm

    Sir
    I want to let you know ww2 reenactors will really like this gun
    2 questions
    1 is it pot metal ??
    2 I assume I can blank adapt it put in a plug in the end of barrell
    but i wonder how 22 blanks will cycle can you put a few blanks in and see ??
    and see how it will feed the blanks too.

    • Administrator February 5, 2012, 10:42 pm

      They were created from blank firing guns, so mostly they will. We don’t have one to test. They appear to be stamped pot metal.

  • jmw-1955 February 2, 2012, 8:39 pm

    I think evryone understands the difference between pot metal & stamped steel. The first caption says stamped steel, the admin who had it for a few minutes thought it was pot metal. We will have to see, but I can’t imagine it being anything but steel. My airsofts are stamped steel. Does anyone know the mag capacity? Some mention of 10 rounds, don’t know if thats a CA rule or not. Thx

  • mick February 2, 2012, 12:01 pm

    your phrase about the working of the gun…”seems to work fine”…is pretty thin…I has a Walther G22…for about a week …it never functioned very well at all …and that is a WALTHER….

    ( I returmed it and bought a sig…they work perfectly…)

    to expect someone to dish out $600 for ANY gun…that “seems to work fine….does not cut it….
    It’s either dependable and accurate or it’s not….$600 is to much for a wall hanger.

  • Dee February 2, 2012, 10:50 am

    I am certain, every time ANYONE mentions the StG44, they alway repeat that homily “The First Assault Rifle”. I am getting so so tired of it. Because they are wrong. The collapsing German 3rd Reich did NOT in fact develop the FIRST assault rifle in the paudry 30,000-40,000 StG44 rifles they were able to eak out before the world crashed down around their ears.

    The first Assault Rifle, made in sufficient quantities to actually affect battle outcome and the war in general was the American M-1 Carbine. It fits all the criteria all the writers repeat that makes a modern assault rifle. It uses a cartridge of reduced power using the standard infantry caliber bore (.30)… a 110 grain FMJ slug at 2000 FPs It is lightened and shortened to make it easier to carry and use. It carries a large number of cartridges ( 15 or 30) and it can fire full auto (M-2 carbine and retrofit on the earlier M-1 carbines).

    So I give you – The ORIGINAL ASSAULT RIFLE – THE M1/M2 CARBINE

    Dee

    • Administrator February 2, 2012, 11:05 am

      We agree but revisionist history says the german gun was the one that influenced the Kalashnikov, and later the AR designs. For someone reading the blog here who has never heard of the gun, it is what they need to know, and 40k guns is more than many current gun manufacturers make of their guns in one year. It is not a few prototypes. Alas, the M1 will have to remain in history one of the more demeaned rifles of all time. Everyone I have known who carried on in Korea hated it.

  • Vinny Galante February 2, 2012, 8:48 am

    I have an fid card in Mass. Would I be able to purchase the gsg stg with the 10rd mag? Only asking because mass has terrible gunlaws..

    • Administrator February 2, 2012, 8:55 am

      I would doubt this to be mass legal.

    • Frank the boogieman June 4, 2013, 11:39 pm

      You and others can start by getting rid of the Democrap Libturd politicians who are restricting your rights. Here in Colorado there are several Recall Petitions being circulated to do just that. . . Many of us are sick to death of the Progressive Left dictating what we can and cannot own or do. . . . . It’s ok now in Colorado to smoke dope as a recreation and if you are queer you can also get married. . . . but God Forbid if you own guns and especially those evil looking black “assault rifles”. . . . . Can’t wait for “Open Season” on Liberals!!!!!

  • JOHN R February 1, 2012, 5:15 pm

    I recently bought a GSG 5 SD ,I have not fired it yet,There were 2 available in the store, one has a plastic receiver for $100 less, I paid the higher price for the metal receiver, is it pot metal also? would the plastic have been a stronger gun. I own an Erma Luger 22 cal, I saw a Erma luger with a longer barrel 22 pistol that had cracked in two by the receiver for sale. I believe the gun was Pot Metal. Cheap Car hood ornaments in 1930’s were pot metal.

  • Brian February 1, 2012, 1:21 pm

    HA, yes, back to the main point of this, yes the gun is very interesting, subscribed to GunsAmerica recently and LOVE IT, kudos to bringing us the story! Bad news is your guys fault that my wish list is getting longer, still trying to figure out out to explain to the wife that my trips to the store for baby food include ammo all the time…….. Now lets stop complainin and so forth, lets talk GUNS GUYS!!!!!!!!! GEEEEEEEZZZZZ

  • frank February 1, 2012, 10:04 am

    I think there are a few million stamped steel receiver AK’s running just fine
    And I need one of these to go with my GSG-5 which also runs fine

    • Administrator February 1, 2012, 10:20 am

      Agreed on that one, and guys, this is really getting old. The whole point was that someone asked why it wasn’t in a full sized caliber instead of .22LR, and the answer was that these were designed as blank firing guns and don’t have the metallurgy to handle centerfire ammo.

  • Ken February 1, 2012, 5:44 am

    I’ve sold lots of GSG stuff with no real issues to speak of. Once in while bad magazine stuff, but even that’s rare. I say it looks cool. I want one.

  • Learn and Survive February 1, 2012, 1:53 am

    Obviously the “gun” folks that don’t understand “stamped” metal from “pot” metal, must have been reading People Magazine instead of Popular Mechanics during their formative years. Catch up and do some home studying by “Googling” these metallurgical and manufacturing processes and gain a basic understanding of firearm construction. (I am fairly certain that you will enjoy the journey.)
    Knowledge is even more powerful than a locomotive !

    • GARY GRANT February 4, 2012, 1:06 am

      @LEARN AND SURVIVE… THANK YOU…I COULDN’T HAVE SAID IT BETTER!

  • rb February 1, 2012, 1:35 am

    I’m getting one. But when will they reproduce the P-38?

  • Ameriman February 1, 2012, 1:16 am

    Well when california falls (been here 56 years) and all the guns are gone,i’ll move to Florida,and we can load up and take California back,then we can move back to a free state two 🙂

  • Jim Wiskus January 31, 2012, 9:13 pm

    Another amazing reproduction weapon was the MP40 produced by SSROOM.COM. They apparently fell on hard times as they are no longer in business. It was a 9MM semi auto. The attention to dtail was unreal from what I could see. I almost bought one until I was told that living in, ugh, Iowa that they had to extend the barrel beyond the muzzle nut another 8″ or fix the stock closed in order to qualify in Iowa. I couldn’t see spending 3K for an MP40 that was modified other than the semi auto feature which I understand. Back to the MP44, I just want to understand, is there a question as to the weapon being made or partially made of pot metal? I do agree the first caption mentions stamped steel construction. Just need clarification. Thanks to all!

  • Jim Wiskus January 31, 2012, 8:42 pm

    I agree with PB it does say stamped steel. I personally don’t want a pot metal gun either. Actually I think the airsoft MP44 is stamped steel as I recall. Can’t say on the barrell though. Someone needs to do a full detailed analysis on this covering all the suspect questions.

    • Administrator January 31, 2012, 8:51 pm

      Yea we hope they send us one soon actually. We had five minutes with the gun.

  • Mike January 31, 2012, 7:44 pm

    I have a CSG 1911/22 gun that I have owned for a couple months. I have shot 300 plus rounds through it. It works flawlessly. I has never miss fired, jamed, etc. The gun was very accurate strait out of the box. No complaints about the quality, functioning, or quality of the CSG product. It is my favorite pistol.

  • Benjamin o. Baird jr. January 31, 2012, 7:17 pm

    please let know when and where i can get rifle sgt 44/22rimfire. i live in Richond, VIRGINIA

    • Frank the boogieman June 4, 2013, 11:31 pm

      Dial 411, ask for Durango Colorado, Rocky Mountain Pawn Shop listing on County Road 250. They have two on the shelf as of June 4th for $649.00 each. They will ship to an FFL dealer in your area for a fee and you can purchase it that way quite easily.

  • Mike January 31, 2012, 4:44 pm

    An original wartime Stg.44 will cost you 20,000-30,000 dollars. This full weight replica is probaly much more afordable. Plus it shoots a tiny cheap .22 bullet. .22 rifles are soooooo much fun.

  • jeryt January 31, 2012, 3:01 pm

    what the hell is pot metal and I’m glad those murdering Nazi,scums failed with their super weps(V-1,V-2and ME262)
    And the MP44. Standing O for the GI’s who beat ’em!

  • MW January 31, 2012, 2:46 pm

    If they are garbage, I don’t know and time will tell. But if they make quality guns then they’ll fly off the shelves. One thing that is interesting…why a .22 rimfire model and not a semi-auto 7.62×39 model? Most likely a gov’t import related reason, but come on guys a 7.62×39 model to go along with all those AK’s would truely RULE!

  • F Z January 31, 2012, 12:55 pm

    ATI or GSG guns look great and tend to work ok. BUT being made of soft pot metal they do not stand the test of time. As other guns of the same constuction. ie. Walther P22, Phonex Arms etc.

    • PB January 31, 2012, 4:38 pm

      Read the caption on the First Pic at the top of this Page, Tell us what it says.

    • Randy W. January 31, 2012, 7:50 pm

      That’s funny. As of this weekend I’ve put more than 9,000 rounds thrugh my GSG 1911-22 with only 5 failures to feed. When GSG puts out a ‘plain-Jane’ government model, I’ll definitely add it to my collection.

  • George Scott January 31, 2012, 11:50 am

    Administrator:
    What in the hell are you talking about,”pot metal”, why would anyone spend money for something like that? Quality, quality, quality sells. Why do we keep forgeting that, in our head long dash of make so much “stuff”.

  • peter goodno January 31, 2012, 10:49 am

    I’ll never buy another gun from ATI.. I have a GSG M1911 that broke down in oct..been promised parts several times. Still no parts to fix it and now they won’t even answer emails. Never again

    • ATI Representative February 1, 2012, 11:33 am

      Hello Sir,
      We apologize for your inconveniences… If you’d like to send contact info to [email protected] I’ll be sure to send it along to one of our customer service representatives.

      • peter goodno February 3, 2012, 5:09 pm

        I want to thank you Jeremiah for taking care of the problem.

  • Eric in Sacramento January 31, 2012, 10:27 am

    Very, very, very, very cool. I live in Kalifornia, where we’ll soon be arguing about why any person would need a “high-capacity 10-round magazine,” so I’m not even going to entertain the idea of buying one. What good is an STG with a 10-round magazine? You couldn’t even hang it on your wall with any real satisfaction. Sometimes–most times–I despise living in this state, but it’s the only state I’ve ever lived in and have no idea where else to go. Every other state sounds like “snow-tornadoes-flooding-thirty below-humidity” from this vantage point. (Sorry everybody, I’m feeling truly pathetic today.)

    • Michael January 31, 2012, 11:06 am

      I have lived in commiefornia my whole life ( I am 62 ) and come May I will be living in a free state, Florida! There is a better place than living in the once golden state ( it is now a leaded state !)

      • bob January 31, 2012, 5:50 pm

        i agree with you michael!i`am originally from new york and have lived freely in florida since 1979!eric,you would love florida!you could shoot just about anything you want!

    • jim January 31, 2012, 1:12 pm

      If you move, we would love to have you in Texas. Are wild fires and the big Earthquake any better? If you do move, move for the right reasons, do it because its the best thing for you and your family. We have great fishing and hunting in Texas, and we aren’t a bunch of stuffy Marxist who smoke marijuana all day and then postulate social theory and enact it as legislation on everyone whether they like it or not. This gun looks exciting and affordable. This gun could be lots of fun. I look forward to seeing one of these in stores.

      • Eric in Sacramento January 31, 2012, 2:53 pm

        Thanks, Jim, I feel welcome in Texas! My understanding of Texas is exactly how you describe. It seems like Texas fast-tracks criminals, too, which I can certainly appreciate. I want to point out two things, purely non-consequential: people I know that have an opinion of Texans tell me they are racist and ignorant, by and large–even though they’ve never lived there–but the people I know that actually lived in Texas (and in one case, New Mexico) tell me that is nothing close to the truth. Two of the smartest techies I’ve ever met are from Texas, coincidentally. I have no family there, nor does my wife, so it’s still just a pipe dream at this point. I really appreciate your reply, Jim, thank you.

        • Frank the boogieman June 4, 2013, 11:23 pm

          I was born in Texas, but live in Colorado now. . . . . . The Libs passed basically uninforcable new laws invoking a class action law suite by 54 of the 63 County Sheriff’s in Colorado. Many of us who live in the Sticks as some like to call it have no intentions of abiding by these commie new laws. Anyway, should Texas ever declare itself a Republic again I think I would quickly move back there to get away from idiot libs who insist on making this country a socialist state. By the way. . . . I’ve purchased no less than 15 guns since the beginning of the year including four so called “Assualt Rifles” , 5 hand guns, two Shot Guns and a host of 22lr and one 17hmr. . . . . and I’m not done yet!

    • Sparky January 31, 2012, 4:37 pm

      You might have to chose between weather and freedom. I used to live there, and now I don’t. I’ll take 30 below to the PRK anytime. (People’s Repulik of Kalifornia)

    • Michael R. February 1, 2012, 9:08 am

      Well, don’t move to Massachusetts! I have an Unrestricted Class A LTC and we are still limited to 10 shot magazines in Rifles & Handguns. At least we have one less Kennedy to deal with.

    • Tim February 1, 2012, 1:02 pm

      Come to Arizona. The summer can be rough depending on where you live but we have some of the most awesome firearms available for purchase here. I am actually a recovered Californian myself.

      • Me April 25, 2012, 7:43 pm

        Try out Alabama… Enough said.

  • john s January 31, 2012, 8:31 am

    Though I’m a big fan of the .22LR round, I’d like to see it produced in a larger caliber. Not the 7.62 NATO round, but a .223 would be nice or perhaps 9MM. Just a thought.

    • Administrator January 31, 2012, 8:33 am

      They make these from blank firing guns and they are pot metal, not capable of pressures for real ammo.

      • Doug January 31, 2012, 1:22 pm

        Does .22LR count as real ammo?
        Are you saying this rifle is unsafe?
        I’m ready to call my gun shop but if there is any question about the safety of this rifle, I’ll pass.

        Thanks

        • Administrator January 31, 2012, 1:25 pm

          Well if you point it at someone and pull the trigger they will most likely experience bodily harm, but for the .22LR cartridge the 7 or 8 lbs of steel that make up this rifle should be sufficient to protect the shooter from the enormous power of the .22LR cartridge, all 1 x .2 inches of it lol.

        • Me April 25, 2012, 7:41 pm

          Real ammo?… Really. If you are concerned with the awesome power that is a .22 Long Rifle, you may want to stick with your BB gun.

        • Frank the boogieman June 4, 2013, 11:13 pm

          Not to worry, this gun is built like a tank to take a beating. I love mine and it does a great job.

    • Charley Hanson January 31, 2012, 12:37 pm

      Check out DIVA Arsenal LLC. They use an H&K 93 to make their MP44.
      I know nothing about them though.

  • retired editor January 31, 2012, 7:35 am

    Yes, “alas” was definitely a poor choice of words on the writer. Enough lives were taken by K98 Mausers, thank God they didn’t get the 44 rolling in time. But it would be a fun gun in .22.

  • DAVE January 31, 2012, 6:13 am

    i need one or two may be more

    • DAVID HERRON August 31, 2014, 11:58 am

      I HAVE A NEW IN THE BOX NEVER BEEN FIRED STG-44 IN 22 CAL FOR SALE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED I WILL TAKE 500.00 CASH FOR IT . IT COMES WITH THE ORIGINAL WOODEN BOX AND I MIGHT THROW IN SOME AMMO TO. LET ME KNOW GIVE ME A CALL 269-202-7098 ASK FOR DAVE THANKS.

      • Administrator August 31, 2014, 2:09 pm

        Why don’t you just list it for sale silly. This is GunsAmerica hello.

  • JSinAZ January 31, 2012, 4:40 am

    and would have made a big difference in WWII had it arrived sooner in the war. but alas, it didn’t

    Alas? No, I think the correct side won, don’t you?

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