STG 44 Takes AR Mags – New in 5.56, 7.62, .300BLK – SHOT Show 2016

Authors Sam Trisler SHOT Show 2016

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For such a rough design, the whole rifle has the same unique appeal as the AK.

For such a rough design, the whole rifle has the same unique appeal as the AK.

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Check out Hill & Mac: https://www.hmgunworks.com/products/firearms/

Hill and Mac had a very interesting gun at SHOT Show this year.  They have taken the WWII German STG 44 and updated it. This is no replica. What we have here is a unique approach to a historical firearm. Modern updates dominate the design, yet it retains the look of the original. For history buffs, the changes may seem drastic. But really, for the rest of us, the biggest news is that the guns will be available in calibers other than the hard-to-find original 8mm Kurz. It will come in 5.56, 7.62×39 and 300 Blackout in addition to the original 7.92×33.

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This original was auctioned off by the Rock Island Auction Company.

This original was auctioned off by the Rock Island Auction Company.

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That said, the Hill & Mac still serves up nostalgia. The original STG 44 is considered to be the first assault rifle.  Its name, Sturmgewehr (STG for short), even translates to Storm Rifle.  Storm meaning to assault. The original was compact, fired an intermediate cartridge, and had select-fire capabilities. The Germans made around 400,000 of these in the last few years of WWII.  The STG inspired the philosophy behind and basic design for the AK-47.

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The classic design with a distinctly modern twist.

The classic design with a distinctly modern twist.

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Hill & Mac’s STG, they call it the HMG STG, looks a lot like the original.  They did change a few things, though.  The HMG uses AR-style magazines. Hill and Mac are developing a magazine that looks like the original STG mag but fits the AR mag well.  The new HMG mags will actually hold 50 rounds in 5.56 or 30 rounds of .300 Blackout or 8mm Kurz or 7.62×39. They also changed the trigger out to accept H&K trigger packs–so there will be a lot of aftermarket options.  They will also come with a detachable section of Picatinny rail for mounting optics.

A quick note about the build. Some of the photos you see here show some rivets and weld lines that don’t jive with the price we’re going to quote you below. We heard that from people on the floor at SHOT Show, too. That doesn’t worry me so much. These are the first of their kind. I imagine that these were built on a deadline, and that H&M saw an opportunity to get guns to the big show. But keep in mind what these are supposed to look like. The build quality of the originals was rough. Really rough towards the end. Nations actively losing wars don’t make Lugers. They piece together whatever they can. I’d expect some rough edges on the H&Ms, and why not? No one wants a polished STG–it’s like putting lipstick on a Hilary Clinton–or whatever that old expression was.

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How modern will you want to go with the design?

How modern will you want to go with the design?

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Threaded barrels.

Threaded barrels.

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The HMG will be offered in 3 different variations.  A rifle version with a 16.1″ barrel, a pistol with a 13″ barrel, and an SBR with various barrel lengths. And they’re all modular. If you want one gun that can run other calibers, you’ll only need new barrels and bolts. The barrels swap out like AR barrels. There’s even a castle nut hidden beneath the handguard. And the rumor we heard at SHOT was that the magazine will work with all of the calibers.

All told, this gun may be a great option for the history buff who still likes to run lead down range. The HMG may have some anachronistic features, and you might want to top it with an RMR, but the gun still looks like something your grandfather might have picked up off of the side of the road on his way into Berlin.

The Hill and Mac HMGs have MSRPs from $1799-$1959 and are scheduled to start shipping in June of this year.

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The workmanship on this one is basic, as it is a prototype.

The workmanship on this one is basic, as it is a prototype.

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K00001.

K00001.

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Pistol version for those DIY SBR aficionados.

Pistol version for those DIY, SBR aficionados.

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If you want to change calibers, you remove the barrel under here, like you would on an AR.

If you want to change calibers, you remove the barrel under here, like you would on an AR.

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The hooded front sight post.

The hooded front sight post.

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The mags will hold all available calibers. Or that's the plan. This one is 3D printed.

The mags will hold all available calibers. Or that’s the plan. This one is 3D printed.

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The originals were made to be cobbled together quickly. In that respect, the aesthetic is correct.

The originals were made to be cobbled together quickly. In that respect, the aesthetic is correct.

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The selector on the pistol.

The selector on the pistol.

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Available calibers.

Available calibers.

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  • Eric Bray June 27, 2020, 7:33 pm

    This company is doing the “standard” pricing rule of RECOVERING their development cost(s) by adding those costs to the initial pricing of the product. Then the USUAL practice is to reduce the price after the development cost(s) have been recovered. Whether they will follow this pattern will depend on what their pricing board decides once the developmental cost(s) have been recovered, if they sell enough items at a fast rate that allows them to reduce their initial pricing, or if they are only selling items at a rated that they will have maintain high profits margins to satisfy the shareholders because of that rate!

  • Buck October 22, 2019, 12:59 am

    I think it’s great these guys have produced this semi-copy of the Stg44. I think the pricing is reasonable, especially since these are being produced on a per order basis. The people who complain about the pricing simply do not understand that start up costs for something like this is extremely high, and their profit margin is likely very, very low if any at all for the first several produced due to overhead and outlays for tooling, R&D, materials and labor. Labor and tooling costs are going restrict profit initially. Naturally, I wish the design, at least cosmetically, was closer to the original. But $1800 for this repro compared to $29k+ for an original, you get what you pay for. I am just very pleased that someone has finally attempted to make a repro of the Stg44.

  • Denver Maxwell Dooley March 22, 2019, 9:00 pm

    This is going to be beautiful when done id love to know if it can be produced with the true authentic Woodstock

  • Tom June 2, 2016, 8:32 pm

    Optic rail? removable flashhider/suppressor? Hmmm not sure

  • Icorps1970 February 3, 2016, 9:21 pm

    If you want one in CF then pay the price. Its a low production piece at present, this means its going to be pricey. If people were buy as many as they buy ARs then the price would go down. But thats not going to happen. I have paid damned near 100 bucks in the past year to fill my pickup. Sure I wish the price was 950 but its not. Sure you can buy ARs for 950, Colts at that. But they are not a STG they are ARs.

  • Robert Lockwood February 2, 2016, 1:05 pm

    If some of you guys don’t like setting up a shipment delivery through an FFL, I just saw that Big Five Sports is selling the .22 LR Stg. 44 for around $349.

  • Evan February 2, 2016, 12:33 pm

    A couple years ago I had the idea for an StG in .300BLK. Unfortunately, I know nothing about manufacturing guns, so it looks like these guys beat me to it. Oh well. And I don’t think the price is excessive either. That’s about the price of a GOOD AR, and since nobody else is making replica StGs, they can charge basically whatever they want. The picatinny rail sections are basically sacrilegious though. Why would you do that? I like old WWII rifles and the like, but making them all tacticool ruins them. If I want an AR, I’ll buy an AR, I don’t think anyone is gonna buy this with the intent to use it for any actual tactical purpose.

  • Corthew February 2, 2016, 2:12 am

    So its a watergun? Right?
    It looks like a toy. I’d be afraid of breaking it.

    • IAC February 13, 2017, 4:57 pm

      The originals were made of stamped low grade steel, not heat treated forged steel, also !

  • Robert Lockwood February 1, 2016, 11:08 pm

    Yes, CDNN is selling the Stg 44 .22LR for $299 in a cardboard box or $329 in a wooden crate box. The one I bought a couple of years ago for $500 and change was in the wooden crate box. The rifle comes with the stock detached and after you assemble and start using the rifle, what to do with the rather flimsy wood crate with the German eagle burned into the lid, sans Swastika of course? Save the $30 for shipping and FFL fee. The guy who wrote that we who do not like the inflated prices of semi-auto replicas because we are not all business executives and don’t make enough money should buy the wooden crated selection. And the FN249S. After all…aren’t he and his ilk the people who the replica manufacturers are really jacking these prices up for?

  • Robert Lockwood February 1, 2016, 10:25 pm

    I can buy three to four AR Car-15/M4 types for the price of this weapon. It’s well over twice the price it should be. GSG’s Stg 44 look-alike in .22LR can be had for $299. The prices some of the replica manufactures and distributors are asking for these and other semi auto replicas are ridiculous. Check out the msrp on FN’s newest offering in a semi auto replica; the M249S.

  • JFO February 1, 2016, 8:36 pm

    Lol, I love the guys piling on to comment on the price being too high. Clearly none of them have run s successful business, never mind understand how microeconomics works.

    Priced too high? Ask the guys that bought one of the PTR 44 clone imports a few years back for $4995 if this is priced too high?! Granted those imports were more exact clones dimensionally, but they were largely nonfunctional (most of them do not functional reliably without extensive gunsmithing/modifications) and they still go for $5000 and up all day long on the major auction sites.

    If these guys can deliver a reasonably realistic and functional/reliable STG 44 clone at that price point, they’re going to make an absolute killing.

    Count me in!

  • GS February 1, 2016, 8:13 pm

    I like this gun but I also agree on 2 previous points. The price is a bit steep and a distressed appearance would give it more appeal.
    I bought a CETME for a third of the cost of this rifle to add a 308 to my collection that was non AR/AK.
    If .22 ever gets back to normal I might consider that version of the STG.
    I’ll bite too. Where is the NIB for under $300. You vill tell us NOW!

    • Outlaw February 28, 2016, 1:54 am

      CDNN sports they are located in Texas and they sell some really good priced guns. Are they ass cheap as Buds? I cannot answer that but I did buy one of the STG’s in the wooden crate for $329 and OEM 25rd mag for $24.99. I think I saw the add for $299 in cardboard last week. They have several different sales each week so you might have to wait a week or two for it to be on sale again. I think they buy overstock guns, mags, parts etc. as their inventory varies. I have purchased a couple of guns and lots of mag’s and other parts from them and never had any issue with their service or their prices.

  • Robert Lockwood February 1, 2016, 1:46 pm

    I’ve always liked the look and feel of the Stg 44. I passed on an original in the mid-80’s at a price that was five times lower than the current prices and regret it now, but it was one of the rough ones and I was into pristine at the time. I bought a GSG .22lr caliber Stg 44 a couple of years ago and watched as the price dropped to about half of what I paid due to the .22lr ammunition scarcity and tripling of prices. It’s a fun carbine for plinking and paper-killing. And you can get them NIB for under $300. Yes, it’s a sheep in wolf’s clothing, but unless you are a reinactor and want the real McCoy or an assault rifle freak that wants to run drills with any assault rifle which looks and feels different from the assault rifle herd, then the .22lr may be a satisfactory substitute for the larger caliber weapons. Until they get the price down on this newest Stg clone, I won’t be that interested.

    • Butch Mckie February 1, 2016, 7:29 pm

      Ok. I’ll bite. where can I get the .22 version for $300 NIB?

      • Joe Beaty February 1, 2016, 9:41 pm

        CDNN has the STG 44 in the crate for 329.99 as of 2/1/2016

  • jlp February 1, 2016, 1:33 pm

    I always wanted one in the original caliber but I think what will kill it is the outrageous price. Come on $1,800 for a gun made mostly out of sheet metal stampings? What is their manufacturing cost $200 bucks? Talk about gouging profit. I will pass.

    • Muih February 4, 2016, 12:15 pm

      Materials cost may be $200, but for a company not outting out 10k guns a month, per unit costs are high, especially with all the research and design work.

      If they wanted to gouge for profits, theyd have made it s $5k gun like most other german ww2 repro guns are, not a sub $2k gun.

    • Jeremy October 19, 2016, 5:20 am

      I don’t see the fuss about the price. First, it’s not s&w or colt. As production goes up, price goes down, and this is a smaller company. Second, if it’s a legit, reliable stg that can take sight, comes standard with the threaded barrel and reducer, is modular(can take barrels for various sizes, which can save money since you can just buy the cheapest current ammo), and takes AR mags, it might even be a bargain. A decent AR is gonna start at 600, more like 800 to 1,000 for real quality. For an extra 800, you get a cool looking, fully function replica that has all the modern amenities and interchangeable barrels. Show me an AR that does that and does it well for under 2k.

      Of course, if it’s a piece of junk then it’s worth only a few hundred bucks. But that’s any rifle. They could have easily put it at 3k retail and I guarantee sold out in a month or two

  • paul February 1, 2016, 1:20 pm

    I’m in agreement with others about the price. I look at what else I can buy for the same amount of money at current price I can get 3 AR platforms. The cost would have to be cut in half before I would even consider one. Most of these types of firearms are just not very accurate.

  • Philip Bozza FFL February 1, 2016, 12:10 pm

    Hey Guys. I think you’ve hit a home run with this model….As a WW2 Collector I have been looking for a good life like representation of the STG 44. There are several re-enactment groups out here in the SW that would love to get their hands on one of these. As production increases I’m sure the price will come down. Suggestion: Offer a model with a distressed finish so it looks more like the original above. Thanks

  • Rob62 February 1, 2016, 10:49 am

    No thanks for me.
    I will not be getting, or even thinking about getting one. But good luck to the company.

  • rky February 1, 2016, 10:13 am

    its overpriced for a cheap copy and yes you can buy 2 rifles with that amount of this rifle but ithink its gonna b fun shoot it

  • tyrese February 1, 2016, 10:12 am

    It’s a nice “curio” or conversation piece but who wants to rely on a second modification of the original, outdated, superseded, already bypassed rifle. Not to mention the ASTRONOMICAL and excessive high price tag. Holds all the different caliber rounds , wonderful, for that price one would hope it provides sexual favors as well, at the very least. Nice looking but a curiosity at best.
    Just my opinion.

    • Jeremy October 19, 2016, 5:31 am

      Out of curiosity, why is it out dated? Hell, the original 44 would still be a formidable battle rifle. It’s the precursor(supposedly) to the AK, but is the AK better? Even modern ones? Debatable. And the new one can take optics, different caliber sizes, and uses AR mags. All that and I still think an original 44 shooting 8mm would hold its own against most modern AR platforms and other semi auto rifles. Look at the m16a2. We took those into Iraq and while they worked, a bigger bullet and less finicky weapon system would have been awesome. Hell, I bet your average grunt would take a 44 over a 16. Maybe even an m4. Well, except for the weight, but a hypothetical 8 lb 44 shooting 7.62 or similar… I would have taken it. Shooting bad guys through walls they love to hide behind and with enough power to incapacitate with 1 or 2 shots that doesn’t jam constantly and require constant cleaning and care… Yes please. Obviously technology has given us some phenomenal guns, but the average grunt doesn’t get those.

  • Ringo Lapua February 1, 2016, 9:31 am

    Thanks….. BUT NO THANKS….Can buy a much better rifle for 1/3 the price. Need I say more?

  • John fernandez February 1, 2016, 9:20 am

    Since it uses one magazine why not add my favorite hog hunter SOCOM 458 to the menu???

  • Todd February 1, 2016, 8:56 am

    An overpriced cheap copy… No thank you.

  • Mike Price February 1, 2016, 8:54 am

    I would like to know when are the MP40 pistols going to show up we seen in last years shot show they said they were importing? I keep seeing articles on them but have yet to see one for sale.

  • Brian February 1, 2016, 6:49 am

    I want one! Hmm, but which caliber? Desicions, deductions

  • George February 1, 2016, 6:29 am

    My first impression was an AR with an MP5 trigger pack, then weld on some ribbed panels and various other cosmetic pieces to make it resemble the original. Still on the fence weather or not I really like it… IMHO they could have put more into making it function like the original-ie; put the controls where they should be, not where an MP5 controls are. .

    • JD MAK February 1, 2016, 7:10 am

      Agreed on all points. If they were going to go through the trouble, they could have attempted to design an actual STG-44 that would take AR mags and then left it at that. It’s only right that they named it the HMG STG, as it only has a few cosmetic similarities to the STG-44. Oh well, to each his own.

      • Muih February 1, 2016, 9:18 am

        Go watch InRange’s videos on this gun and they explain why they made the changes they did. Few people want a $5k repro gun with headspacing secured by a blob of molten lead or a trigger pack that was absurdly over-designed & expensive for what it needs to do (and that the H&K trigger packs were ultimatley designed by the same people post-war). The design changes they made were done in light of the fact that they aren’t making these with more labor than quality materials in wartime conditions and designing elements under stress in weeks and need to come in at a price that will actually sell.

      • Jeremy October 19, 2016, 5:33 am

        If you want a straight replica(or close), they make those. This is obviously for people who want the general look and feel of the original 44 but that performs like a modern combat rifle

    • Silas February 1, 2016, 9:55 am

      Wow, you need to go watch some of the videos In Range TV did on this gun. They walk thought the entire gun start to finish and talk about why they did what they did. If you think this looks like an AR with a HK trigger pack, then you don’t know your AR’s. This gun shares nothing with the AR except the barrel nut. Its a long stroke tilting bolt design, not a DI gun and not a roller lock gun like the HK’s and CETME’s Its a sheet metal stamped gun just like the original STG, the bolt and locking lug are functionally the same, and the dimensions are also the same. As for the HK trigger pack, that’s honestly the best choice for authenticities sake since the ATF would never have allowed them to use the original trigger pack, never mind that the original looks like the inside of a clock. As for using AR mags, the reasoning is two fold. STG mags run $150+ and a lot of them don’t work at all. Using AR mags along with the barrel nut allows caliber conversions if you want to shoot something other than 7.92×33 which isn’t cheap or good. This gun is going to be more reliable and accurate that the original and won’t shoot itself to pieces while being somewhat obtainable to a normal person price wise so i don’t understand all the grumbling. Someone made something very cool that isn’t just another AR or 1911 so enjoy it.

  • Erik February 1, 2016, 6:21 am

    Just have to mention, if it holds 50 rounds of 5.56, it will hold 50 rounds of .300 BLK.

    • John February 1, 2016, 9:24 am

      Correct

    • Shawn February 1, 2016, 10:34 am

      I was going to ask why the difference. I figure a typo or someone doesnt know what a Blackout is…….

  • steve February 1, 2016, 4:53 am

    WHAT exactly is the difference between one of these and an HK? and the CETME and an MG42 God bless Franco! aaannndd so on

    • Jeremy October 19, 2016, 5:36 am

      I know your question was rhetorical, but how it looks. Making a semi faithful replica that performs like a modern semi auto rifle. Obviously you aren’t the target demographic

  • Aaronbern February 1, 2016, 3:16 am

    It might be interesting to some that 300 blackout is ballisticaly identical to 8 Kurtz. History repeating itself.

    • JS February 1, 2016, 9:32 am

      Interesting fun fact, thanks. I had always wondered how the 7.92 stacked up.

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