Sturmgewehr 44 - Denix Copy

[Gildwiller1918]

[Gildwiller1918]

Here is my new Denix copy of the STG 44 or Sturmgewehr 44. Originals are quite expensive, so I broke down and got a copy. This one is the same weight, length as the original, with a detachable magazine. 

[72 usmc]

 So now you get a Umarex M1A1 Thompson, Mp40, and the M3 Grease gun in BB version. You will have BBs all over the basement

 

https://hardairmagazine.com/reviews/exclusive-first-review-of-the-m1a1-thompson-bb-gun/

 

https://thegunzone.com/umarex-legends-mp40-bb-submachine-gun/

 

https://hardairmagazine.com/reviews/umarex-legends-m3-bb-grease-gun-review/

 

on a side note Tokyo Marui makes a high quality wood stock  airsoft MP 44, but no steel BB versions in Japan.

 

[Gildwiller1918]

I am looking at the Grease gun, lol. For the Thompson, I will most likely get an original, non-functional version. 

[72 usmc]

 Do you need close up photos of mine? 

[Gildwiller1918]

I will not turn down that offer! Thanks.

[Fritz]

Not bad, they cost a bit more than the other replicas, but quite realistic. Originals are too rare and expensive.

[Gildwiller1918]

Yes Fritz, they are quite realistic as far as weight, proportions and operations, but as you said originals are hard to come by and expensive, here they are high 4 figures $$$, sometimes higher and that is for a non-operational one with real and newly made dummy parts. 

[72 usmc]

Quote

I will not turn down that offer! Thanks.

Umarex vs Denix M3 Grease Gun Replica

What follows are some close up details of a second year production Umarex M3 grease gun that is really a version of the later M3A1 U. S. grease gun.

 

A friend gave me one because I did not have the cash to buy one, he just ordered two and sent it to my house. My days of expensive toys are long gone, so that was a generous, unexpected surprise. My Umarex arrived with a metal barrel, not the plastic barrel as found on early production M3 Umarex grease gun replicas. This is a fully automatic BB gun. Unlike the originals, this replica has a selector switch on the bottom to switch to single fire or auto.

Denix makes a nice replica of the M3 Grease gun. It does not fire, but all parts function. It also has the charging handle. The Umarex version is actually an M3A1 replica, but why it is called an M3 on the box is beyond my comprehension. Here are two photos of a Denix replica M3.

 

If you look at an original M3 grease gun you will note both the Denix replica and the Umarex BB version come in black when originals were painted in an olive drab paint. I am not sure if all were painted green. It seems most are in a dark color in B&W photos. Maybe a collector can provide some information as to when they were painted green. Here is an original green color IMA photo with optional flash suppressor cone ( M9 Flash Hider for an M3 Grease Gun, ORIGINAL):  

 View of Olive green original M3 shown above

The Umarex version of the M3 came out in 2021, but the BB gun did not actually hit the market in the U. S. until mid 2022. The Umarex model shows a hole in the bolt assembly for cocking the BB gun. This is not correct for an M3 replica.

 

The M3 has a cocking lever, but the later M3A1 grease gun does not. The lack of a cocking lever is a real negative if you want a WW II version. It is also the incorrect color if most WW II versions were indeed painted green. At least it can be painted and aged if it had a cocking lever. So the Umarex is actually a Korean War replica M3A1 grease gun lacking the flash cone and correct color. It has the finger hole for cocking, larger cover, and longer tab.

The Denix Replica is a correct WW II, non firing version of the M3 grease gun that came out back in June of 2018.

See this video, WWII Denix M3 and Replica Guns S&T M3a1 Quick Overview.

There is an M3 and an M3A1  replica version :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8A_ZVeEplw

 

 

This is an excellent video showing the differences between the two grease gun models. For a review of the real firearms by Forgotten Weapons, see the M3 and M3A1 Grease Gun SMGs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ivr4QdhVtU

 

 

Umarex Replica

The Umarex BB firing replica is actually a M3A1 replica at the same weight as the original. It comes in black and is a Taiwan product made of Zemak metal alloy and some internal plastic and rubber parts.These are not hardened steel BB guns and parts wear out quickly with the soft alloy. Spare parts are not available - if it’s broken you buy a new toy. These are not a real firearm. Umarex products are toys that scratch easily and can wear out with heavy use and abuse. My replicas are collector specials. They are my shelf queens which are rarely fired. I want to provide a few close up views of the Umarex grease gun currently on the market for the readers.

 

 

Concerns

First some concerns. The Umarex replica has white markings because it is primarily a functioning BB gun. You have all the safety warnings.

 

By contrast, the non-firing Denix replica does not have white paint markings, but it does have trademarks, which are in black.

 

The Umarex white paint markings can be subdued so they are not so obvious. Neither company replicates true original military markings as shown in this lower photo. 

For a Denix review see :    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKQT_p0L6YQ

 

The Umarex M3A1 has a fake oiler in the handle. It is a non-functional cap, not an original M1 carbine oiler that can be removed. Since the Denix is a true M3 replica, it has no oiler in the handle. The oiler was stored on the side.

Denix oiler location on a WW II M3 replica shown below:

 

 

The Umarex has magazine loading problems due to a stiff spring and small tab. The BBs have to be carefully loaded in a staggered order using a homemade tool so the spring tab does not come undone while loading. It holds 60 carefully positioned Umarex high quality BBs. Use cheap or out of round BBs and you’ll get a feeding issue or jam. See the photo of my wire loading tool. 

 

 

The Umarex is a Co2 BB gun and both 12 gram Co2 cylinders fit into the bottom of the magazine. The two Co2 cartridges sometimes need the dime trick to fully seat. A U. S. dime is positioned between both cartridges so they fully puncture and feed air to the gun. Most Legends brand air guns by umarex function better with high quality  BBs and I would suggest  always use Umarex Co2 cartridges. I have had problems in my pistols with Crosman Co2 canisters. Keep with the same brand that works for you due to size differences imprinting the seals, and never leave a Co2 cartridge in the air gun  for more than 2 days. See this review

Quote

Use UMAREX CO2 cartridges....Off brand can be a "hair" in size difference for piercing both tanks......Remember, UMAREX manufactures with their CO2 cartridge dimensions....My other Legends, MP40 AND M1A1, have issues with off brand (Crosman or Daisey) cartridges....With the M3 I've had no piercing problems using UMAREX brand CO2....

The BB gun eats Co2 cartridges due to its blow back function. In addition, the shooter goes through BBs fast.  Zip… you just shot 60 BBs on full auto. It is best to have additional magazines - they are costly. Only one comes with the toy.

 

 

 

The magazine has to be inserted correctly and with care to avoid seal damage. Replacement seals are not available. New replacement mags cost approximately $60. Here is a quote from a seller's reviews:

QUOTE

**WARNING** INSTALLING & REMOVING the MAGAZINE

I found a large chunk of the magazine air valve seal missing at the top of the mag.

After inspecting the mag well for any possible cause. I discovered that the “Firing Pin” will protrude into the mag well and interfere with that seal, which it probably did, when you pull the trigger, hold and slowly allow the bolt to go all the way forward.

I did that to release spring tension on the bolt and firing mechanism (De-cocking sort of speaking) Seems to act like an open bolt operation and at some point, I either removed or installed the magazine and probably destroyed that seal. I do not recall reading anything in the instruction book about it. Perhaps they did not count on anybody doing that when storing it.

MY STRONG ADVICE … MAKE SURE THE GUN IS ON SAFE, OF COURSE, COCKED AND THE BOLT IS NOT ALL THE WAY FORWARD BEFOR YOU INSTALL OR REMOVE THE MAGAZINE. THERE SHOULD BE ABOUT 3/4″ SPACE BETWEEN THE BOLT AND THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE EJECTION PORT OPENING, FORWARD EDGE.

THIS IS THE NORMAL COCKED POSITION OF THE BOLT BEFORE FIRING AND MAY ACTUALLY BE THE NORMAL STOWED POSITION.

IT TRAVELS BACK FURTHER BUT STOPS AT THAT POINT GOING FORWARD. … or … JUST LOOK INTO THE MAG WELL AND VERIFY THE BLACK FIRING PIN IS NOT PROTRUDING OUT INTO THE MAG WELL PATH FOR INSERTION.

Live and learn. I DID FEEL SOME RESISTANCE TRYING TO INSERT THE MAG ONE TIME AND GAVE IT A LITTLE PUSH WITH MY PALM TILL IT CLICKED. Probably should not have done that.

END OF QUOTE

 

Note the firing pin is protruding so do not insert the mag.  Cock the firearm prior to inserting the magazine to avoid seal damage to the magazine.

See lower photo. Look to the left of the inside mag well.

 

 

As the magazine fits in the gun, this is the right top view shown below.  Note the mag is riveted.

 

As the magazine fits in the gun, this is the left top view shown below.   Steel BB caliber .177

 

 

 

Some who ordered the first early production models have reported a plastic barrel tube. Mine is metal; it attracts a magnet. It is not a plastic barrel,  just the end has a plastic piece. See lower photos:   

 

This barrel pulls out to clear stuck oversize or out of round BBs.  Best to use high quality, precision, silver, Umarex steel BBs in an Umarex replica.  

 

View of barrel muzzle

 

 

 

There is no charging handle as seen on the M3 because the Umarex replica is a M3A1 version. The Denix does replicate an M3 and consequently has a functioning charging handle.

Neither replica comes in the military olive green like the ones we had on our M48A3 tanks. Both replicas are in black and both scratch somewhat easily. Neither has a durable paint. The Umarex has replicated the weld seams. The Denix has folded seams. Both have screws not found on originals.  

Example of Umarex weld seam photos   ( these provide a good representation of the actual finish)

The weld seams seem to be reproduced by a hard caulk bead. 

 

 

The Umarex has a selector switch on the bottom. The Denix does not. 

 

The Umarex is a full auto BB gun. The Denix is non-firing.

Both magazines can be removed, but the Umarex shows the BB stack and spring from the frontal view. In contrast, the Denix has an original magazine look.

 

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Below are some photos of an Umarex M3 grease gun’s details. The box is artistically done and is nice for display. It is odd that the box and replica are named an M3. The Chinese apparently do not know the difference between an M3 and an M3A1. I’ll bet the Chinese in Korea knew.

 

Also shown are an assortment of the bolt and cover views and the holes in the bolt for cocking an M3A1.

 Bolt uncocked and cover open

 

 Bolt cocked position is below 

 

Bolt cover partially open and bolt in cocked position shown below

 

Bolt held back for silicone lube on working parts to prevent wear to soft metal parts. On first firing use a special lubrication Co2 cartridge to prime the dry components.  Never use oil, it will melt the rubber Chinese O rings and internal seals.  Use only silicone oil and grease on most air guns.  On the initial firing, load with Ultrair Co2 silicone care kit cartridge to get silicone to the internal seals. 

In the above photo you see an original Korean War M1 carbine sling on my Umarex. They do make replicas of both WW II and later versions of the M1 sling. 

 

 

 

Finally, some random details from a Umarex M3/M3A1

View of the sling and firearm

 

Plastic release button for the stock, originals are metal

 

Trigger

 

Rear sight

 

 

Loading tool for a 45 auto cartridge like seen on originals

 

 

The front barrel screws off to remove stuck BBs from the barrel. It is best to use the high quality Umarex BBs. No other disassembly is shown because it voids the one year warranty.  

[72 usmc]

 There are original deactivated military firearms then non-firing  replicas like Denix and Hudson.  Also very nice are the  Japanese replicas that are very detailed, some having all original markings that are non-firing or cap (plugfiring) replicas of all sort of military firearms. MCG and Nakata of Japan are high quality. For pellet or BB versions Webly and Umarex are good. I tend to avoid most airsoft firing plastic replicas.  This forum does not have a replica section and I am unsure how popular replica pellet, BB, or non-firing military firearms are outside the U. S.

I generally avoid posting replicas of all my toys. I collected a real version, a BB or pellet version, then a 22 cal version of certain military firearms  Yep, I  am an  ancient odd ball. I have posted some of the pellet military trainers that I love. 

[72 usmc]

 Here we go what dreams are made of:

[Gildwiller1918]

Well, I took the plunge and got a Denix copy of the Grease gun, just it late tonight, will post images in the next day or so. 

[Gildwiller1918]

On 18/09/2023 at 21:15, 72 usmc said:

 Here we go what dreams are made of:

I would love to get this, a little out of my price range presently.

[Fritz]

Sorry, gentlemen, but the greasegun is absolutely horrible in my opinion, not something I would buy.

[Gildwiller1918]

Hello Fritz, I agree that the grease gun is not a very elegant looking weapon, in my opinion the Sten falls into the same category for me. But it was a good economic answer to help augment the shortage of SMG's such as the Thompson which was milled and took a lot of time and resources to make. I would not buy an original, but a replica being fairly cheap will do just fine for me. The grease gun, like the Sten was a very simple weapon, easy to make and operate and it used existing ammunition. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Here are some images of the replica grease gun, not bad considering the price. Will make a good display item. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Just need to find a decent period sling for the M3, I have seen plenty of the 3 -magazine bags so far.