MachinenPistol 44 (MP-44) is official designation of Sturmgewehr 44 (Stg-44) assault rifle, forerunner of all modern day assault rifles including the US M-16 and Russian AK-47. Developed in secret without Hitler's approval in 1942 and began unofficial field-tests in 1943 (Hitler originally wanted more machine guns to counter mass Soviet infantry human wave attacks). MP-44 gave more localized firepower to German infantrymen than MP-40 submachine, and was more flexibility in handling than MG-34 or MG-42 machine guns. Sturmgewehr 44 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturmgewehr_44

die Haupkampfline Kommandeuren (frontline commanders) were so impressed by MP-44 performance that they formally requested more of its production during a conference with Hitler. Surprised and impressed, Hitler officially granted its production.

Rollover : True to form of German engineering culture, MP44 was a work of art but was also complicated to assemble and maintain in the field. Thus, when Russians captured this gun design, they streamline the components in the form of the AK-47 assault rifle. Although some would argue that MP44 and AK47 are totally different gun designs.

Characteristic of modern assault rifles are a mid-size Full Metal Jacket (cartridge) : smaller than rifle cartridge, but larger than pistol ammunition. Gun also has selection between single-shot, semi burst mode, and full automatic fire. Large Banana Clip magazines holding 20 to 30 cartridges are also the norm.

Between 1950s to 1990s, Soviets gave AK-47 to any paramilitary group sympathetic to their Communist ideological cause. However, in the past 20 years, China has also produced vast AK-47 variants for sale on world arms markets. Some have estimated over 40 million AK-47 variants are dispersed throughout the world. Klashnikov AK-47 and AKM assault rifles - world.guns.ru/assault/as01-e.htm