NV093 Denix MP44 / StG 44 Replica Review. Plus off the shelf deact / replica display cabinet.

[@Matt-Durham]

Hiya mate, Matt Durham, I'm a bit of a gun nut here in England and I have to say for the price WELL DONE fantastic looking rifle, I love the STG/MP44, just a beautiful rifle, you can really see how company X (I can't recall the name of the manufacturer of the STG during WW2 I know there were at least 2 companies making them) I believe Mauser but I could be wrong, then became Heckler and Koch after WW2. Somewhat of a side note the top men at Mauser crammed everything they could onto a train as their work was a war secret and sped off into the mountains, their train was nearly destroyed by our pilots strafing the train but the train carried on, the allies did eventually capture the train and their equipment as well as some of their prototypes however, to this day there is a massive mystery about what happened to the real blueprints and designs to the STG44 as the final version was never found. Which is why every company in the US have tried to make the real deal and failed. Anyway, after WW2 H&K was formed with most of the guys from Mauser and you can really see how the STG44 then became the HK G3 rifle in 7.62 Nato, the stock is very similar, the trigger, the selector switch, the pistol and fore grip are all very similar to the STG44. The same with the MP5 used by our Hereford boys AKA the SAS during the famous Iranian Embassy siege where every member of the SAS had an MP5. I would love to get my hands on an STG but I don't meet the online criteria despite being a member of my local air rifle club firing .177 and .22 cal but there we go. Anyway I'll leave it there, I could talk to you all day but I won't bore you to death. Thank you for the video, well done, I feel your pain with your knees. Edit: I would love to move to the US in a heart beat but they won't take me, I forgot to add I've seen an STG being used in Ukraine in 2023 and 2024 just f*ing mental. A gun nearly 100 years old still fighting in a modern war zone not far from where it was probably captured from a deceased German soldier, just insane, it really is.

[@nickvending9688]

Hello Matt, good to meet you. Thank you for watching and thank you for commenting, much appreciated. Yes it's a great looking bit of kit, way ahead of it's time and as you say amazing how many features of modern rifles can be seen in it. I'd heard about the design being difficult to replicate but hadn't heard about the train. I think it is GSG managed a .22 rim-fire version which looks fun if not accurate - I'd like to get one but will probably have to stick with the Denix.

[@jamesgillbanks2074]

Good video, would love to see a sling aging related video. As a airsofter, all things considered, the AGM version of this gun generally appears more realistic with removable stock and working dust cover flap etc.

[@nickvending9688]

Thank you for your comment, much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed the video. I will add the aging video to the schedule. I am looking at Airsoft guns to try to up the realism. The replicas are rather frustrating with the cast in, non operational components.

[@itchy108]

I got to shoot a real one in New Zealand just before the ban on semi auto centerfire rifles came into effect. The owner had a case of surplus ammo and said full your boots, it 's the last time I can use it. Fortunately it didn't get destroyed, he managed to keep it on a collector license but is not allowed to shoot live ammo anymore. I was really impressed how nice it was to shoot, much more pleasant than a AK.

[@nickvending9688]

Hello, thank you for your comment much appreciated. I'd like to have a go with a real one. Glad it didn't get destroyed - it is a shame when historical items are caught up in legislation. How was the accuracy? There is a company making a .22Lr version that is legal in the UK, I'm tempted by it.

[@itchy108]

@@nickvending9688 accuracy wasn't too bad considering we were shooting 70 year old surplus ammo. I also shot a friends M1 garand that day. The stg 44 had a nice slow recoil impulse and its quite heavy so it's very easy to keep it on target

[@nickvending9688]

Many thanks 👍🏻. I'd like a go with an M1 at some point, maybe when I'm stateside. All the best, Nick

[@crazyk831]

That's a very cool display. Thank you for giving me a good idea 💡

[@nickvending9688]

Thank you, glad the video was helpful. I was thinking about doing a follow up video showing the final version, would that be of interest?

[@crazyk831]

@@nickvending9688 yes it would be. Axis replicas (my P38 airgun,my Walther PPK blank gun,My live firing 8mm Mauser, and my airsoft C96 with stock) make up the majority of my collection and I've been thinking about buying the Denix MP44

[@nickvending9688]

Thank you, I will join the group 👍🏻

[@NEEJER]

Top watch that, what are the best methods to age the weapon, make it worn and with a bluish metal look.

[@nickvending9688]

Thank you for your comment, glad you enjoyed the video. I am aiming to do a video on aging the MP44. A proper blued finish is difficult due to the gun being non-ferrous material, I am looking for a suitable product but not been able to find anything yet.

[@NEEJER]

@@nickvending9688 Cheers Nick 👍

[@Oytz]

Wonderful review! Thank you.

[@nickvending9688]

Thank you, much appreciated.

[@omstipper]

Hello there, Actually you can fieldstrip it like the real one. the button you touch at 1:54 can actually be driven out after that the replica folds open just like the real one.

[@nickvending9688]

Hello, thank you for that I will have a go.

[@denistiseniazei5903]

I am looking for replicas but the only ones that i can find are denix ones i cant find any blank firing replicas or anything like that so should i go with denix?

[@nickvending9688]

www.fusil-calais.com/en/3436-gsg-stg44-blank-firing-assault-rifle-9mm-pak-bore.html

[@nickvending9688]

Hopefully the link in my other comment has come through OK. GSG make one. Alternatively if you have a firearms licence look for a Withum MP44. They come with magazines specifically for blank .22 RF cartridges as well as proper "live" .22RF. Just remember which magazines are which...

[@johngriffiths3309]

Nice one I’m always interested in anything gun related because everything has history and boy oh boy that’s got history 👍🏻

[@nickvending9688]

Thanks John, much appreciated 👍🏻. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@huey5694]

Could you make a video on how to disassemble this rifle?

[@nickvending9688]

Hello, thank you for your comment. I am cautious of taking a Denix apart, they do not tend to go back together well. But I will see what I can do.

[@huey5694]

@@nickvending9688 I was going to take a Denix grip frame and try to fit it on an AGM StG 44 receiver.

[@nickvending9688]

I'd be surprised if it works, but you never know.

[@huey5694]

@@nickvending9688 Yes I think I will just buy a Denix, It looks slightly better than the AGM and I don't really want or need an airsoft gun.

[@nickvending9688]

Good idea 👍🏻

[@oldspec3006]

Lovely looking bit of kit! Would love one but sadly I'm no longer VCRA exempt 🤷

[@nickvending9688]

It's funny how many modern assault rifles you can see in the MP44, it was truly ahead of its time. I'm surprised there isn't a CO2 powered 4.5mm version available - definitely a gap in the market.

[@garrybaldy327]

​@@nickvending9688 I took a photo of mine from an odd angle and it looked just like an MP5A2

[@nickvending9688]

@Garry Baldy I see what you mean.

[@steelhelmetstan7305]

Great review....I've got one also, got it for Xmas. I agree with everything you said, the bolt is odd but I think that's how the real ones are...operating from a 'closed bolt' I think 🤔. The sling that comes with it is crap...I know what you mean about SOF k98 slings, I think they are also top thick. I'd love to see a video on how you age the sling m8. Good idea regarding the cabinet, I've got all mine in an old ,very sturdy , chemical sample cupboard, laid on its back, so effectively like a coffin with the door as a lid....but the IKEA thing looks really nice. I'd also like to see what you do with the replica regarding aging it , if you are...and finally, knees....I recently took up 6 a side football...after 30+ years of rugby with only minor knee complaints and an operation or two....the football has crocked me for sure....bloody middle age!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nickvending9688]

Hello Stan, thank you for your comment much appreciated 👍🏻. I will schedule in a video on ageing the sling, I'll have a think about ageing the MP44. Good idea with the sample cabinet. I wish I could blame sports for my knees, sadly it just seems to be a family defect 🙄.

[@nordlandkampf]

Does the bolt go back and fourth?

[@nickvending9688]

Hello, thank you for your comment. The whole bolt moves fully back and forth, it cocks the trigger which then dry fires. Hope that helps.

[@kcw8181]

Why do you have to be a member of a re-enactment group to buy one if these

[@nickvending9688]

Hello, thank you for your comment much appreciated. It is UK law that you have to be a member of a reenactment group, an Airsoft skirmisher, run a museum or something about being a crown/civil servant which I still don't understand. However if it was a deactivated genuine STG44 then you could just buy it. Or if it was an airgun/CO2 powered gun you could just buy it (note airgun, not Airsoft). I don't really understand the UK law in that respect, I just have to comply with it. Hope that helps.

[@manifestman132]

I was lucky enough to get a Shoei STG 44.

[@nickvending9688]

I had to Google that. Wow, they look awesome 👌🏻. Out of my price range sadly.

[@manifestman132]

@@nickvending9688 Yeah I shouldn’t have but I like to make bad decisions and it was a one time thing. They made a FG42 as well. Sadly we can’t get deactivated guns here.

[@nickvending9688]

Where are you?

[@manifestman132]

@@nickvending9688 The US. In some states you can’t even own replicas.

[@nickvending9688]

@manifestman132 that surprises me. What are the firearms laws in those states?

[@Mikolt1911]

Your right! The wood smells like shit😂

[@nickvending9688]

It's pretty bad isn't it. It fades eventually but there still seems to be a waft of it now and then.

[@philipfraser8723]

You have a very fortunate life as such, a woman who actually supports your hobby, which is collecting replica firearms, how jealous am i, probably along with half the male population. Oh and a vote of yes to the video on ageing leather, that I would like to see. As a footnote.....the display cabinet, I would have just searched second hand furniture stores or charity shops and got a nice varnished wooden cabinet, but that's just me.

[@nickvending9688]

Hello Philip, thank you for your comment much appreciated 👍🏻. Yes, Mrs V tells me how lucky I am every day. Ok many thanks, I will schedule in the video on ageing the sling. I looked in second hand furniture shops for quite a while - IKEA was the last resort.

[@R-and-M1]

I like the relics website great quality

[@nickvending9688]

Hello, thank you I've just had a look. Their proces.on Denix are higher than Soldier of Fortune for the items.I compared. However they do have some unique items-I'm tempted by the battlefield relic Webley for sure.

[@74KU]

For the money they charge its petty junk

[@nickvending9688]

They do seem to have gone up in price recently. Mind you there's not much for sale these days that justifies its price tag.

[@pedrotome9119]

Hello again and thanks for the video. As I live in Portugal, and as we are next to Spain, we used to be able to buy Denix's models until 2006, when another socialist "government" restricted even more guns and everything that surrounds this subject. So, Denix no more. This company could be better, as they got plenty of experience, knowledge, means etc. But that's just me. Please when you can, take a look at Shoei replicas, and Maruzen, as well as Marushin and Tanaka. All those are Japanese made. I hope you can get them where you are.

[@nickvending9688]

Hello, thank you for your comment much appreciated. I looked at the Shoei, it looks fantastic but wow it's rather expensive. I managed to handle a deactivated MP44, I want one now but I don't think I can afford that either.

[@pedrotome9119]

@@nickvending9688 Well do not give up! Here I can do nothing: Denix and other replicas are forbidden, deactivated guns are not allowed as far as i know, and they are expensive too. Only airsoft and some 4,5 and 5,5mms replicas are allowed but lots of paper work, etc. Japanese replicas beside Tokyo Marui, and maybe one more brand may appear, but on a very limited models , in number and kinds. And only for airsoft players. Well I am not a player and I will not be. I am a collector, and an occasional plinker. In your case, I would do this way: I'd pick some good photos of the real steel gun I want. Maybe if I could, I'd use the Denix and airsoft replicas , and if you have a shop where you can work in peace, try to ''mix'' and make a better replica , if you have the means or if some good friend of yours has, and lend a help. I know Shoei is unreachable. But please investigate if MARUSHIN, MARUZEN, TANAKA, have what you want. See also if something comes up on the NATURABY in France. Here I also have issues with the portuguese Customs! How I'd love to live and work in Spain or France. But I have problems with French language... Anyway, please keep me posted, as I am curious, and your victories are deeply motivating to me. Greetings from Portugal!! P.S. Watch here on KZbin the Chris Schuler as he builded one. And call for some help and advice to Waxmax also here!!

[@Celtictribes]

Thanks for that I understand your interest now but to me they are just bits of metal & wood in the shape of firearms. Deactivated firearms of historic value I do understand but as you say most of them have been butchered.

[@nickvending9688]

That is a fair comment. Would you believe though that most replicas have more functionality than current specification deactivated guns? I'd rather buy a replica than support an industry that butchers historically important items. Hope you don't mind the odd video on the channel about replicas, more airgun related content will be out soon.

[@Celtictribes]

I do understand that but a non functioning firearm by most definitions is not a firearm anymore! But if people are so interested in firearms & shooting it is not that difficult to own them legally, it's a faff I'll give that but it's worth it & keep the videos coming mate you're straight talking & that's a breath of fresh air these days.

[@nickvending9688]

I'm in the process of applying for my FAC (had it a few years ago, gave up due to an injury but I recovered better than expected). It looks like it will take a long time, they are saying it could be over a year. I put in for coterminous with my shotgun certificate. (expires this year), hoping it might speed it up a bit. Fingers crossed.

[@Celtictribes]

They always say that, I have held both certificates for well over 40 years now & I've lost count of the amount of times that the police have tried to put me off applying. I would recommend people to apply as the sport is in decline. I also love to use my spring air rifles, I have thought about pcp air rifles but the price of quality guns is just too high. Good luck with your application.

[@Celtictribes]

Sorry mate I usually love your videos but I don't get anybody interest in replicas, what's the point of them ? What do you actually do with them ? As for ikea they couldn't pay me enough to even enter one of their shops, please stick to real guns.

[@nickvending9688]

Hello Terry, thank you for your comment much appreciated 👍🏻. Replicas are used for reenactment, displays and museums. In my case I do displays and talks on WW2 kit, mainly British but the German items are there to give a bit of variety. I mainly use deactivated guns however their prices and the butchery that passes for deactivation has made me start looking at replicas. The majority of people can't tell the difference. I can't bear going to IKEA stores either, (that's Mrs V's department) fortunately they deliver. I fully appreciate that replicas aren't everyone's cup of tea but there is a lack of honest videos about them - and honesty is my trademark.