VALUE FOR MONEY
First off, the Umarex Legends MP is full auto. Secondly it sells for just $200. Third: it’s an outstanding replica of the iconic German MP40 of WW2 fame. Fourth: you can own and shoot it with no complicated Federal paperwork. Fifth, it’s just a HUGE amount of fun!
So how can the Umarex Legends MP not be a great value???
Hard Air Magazine’s conclusion. It is!
As HAM tester Doug Wall commented in his testing notes: “It’s well worth the price”.
As regular readers of Hard Air Magazine will know, we test pistols and rifles differently. The question was – should we test the Umarex Legends MP as a pistol or a rifle? In the end, we decided to test it as a pistol.
After all, the German “MP” designation calls it a pistol, “Maschienenpistole” that is, in spite of the collapsible stock. And Umarex USA’s documentation also refers to the Umarex Legends MP as a pistol, so that settles it.
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Umarex Legends MP40 CO2 BB Submachine Gun![]()
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Umarex Legends MP Full Auto BB Gun
| HAM Test Rating | 96% |
|---|---|
| Value For Money | Great realism, shoots hard and accurate. |
| Firearm it Copies | MP40 |
| Best BB Tested | Hornady Black Diamond |
| Street Price at Time of Test | $199.99 |
| Ammo Type | .177 caliber steel BBs. |
| Power Source | 2 x 12 Gram CO2 cartridge. |
| Useful Shots per Fill | About 150. |
REALISM-LOOKS AND FEEL
Just outstanding!
The size and weight of the Umarex Legends MP perfectly match that of the original MP40 in just about every way. Weight of the gun tested by HAM was exactly 8 Lbs, including the magazine. The only change that we can detect from the firearms original is the obligatory manual safety that’s fitted inconspicuously ahead of the trigger guard. (The MP40 had no safety).
There’s also the “Legends MP” marking on the right side of the action, but we expect that too, as well as the obligatory safety warning that’s printed on the stock.
And now we’re being really picky! The left side of the action carries the “ac” code – meaning manufacture by Walther. As Umarex owns Walther, we understand the “in joke” here, but – to our knowledge – Walther never manufactured the original firearm MP40 for the German military.
Continuing with the really, really picky theme, the Umarex Legends MP received by HAM had the front sling bar on the left of the gun. It should be on the right. Fortunately, this was easy to change and HAM Publisher Stephen Archer did so.
Given these very minor criticisms, you can tell that we were really struggling to find anything to take issue with.
ACCURACY AND POINT OF IMPACT
Of course, any submachine gun is not expected to have sniper-grade accuracy. This applies to the MP40, too. But the accuracy of the Umarex Legends MP tested by HAM was very good for a BB pistol!
Accuracy was well inside “minute of soda can” at 6 yards with all the standard HAM test suite of BBs.
The point of impact was also pretty good. Elevation was just about right to hit the middle of our soda can target at 6 Yards. There was a tendency for the BBs to impact slightly to the left, but not very significant.
At 10 Yards range, the Umarex Legends MP still shot to the correct elevation. However the point of impact had moved to the left somewhat. As the front sights of the Umarex Legends MP do not have the MP40’s windage drift adjustment capability, there’s not much you can do about this except aim off at longer ranges. It gives an excuse – if needed – to fire a few more BBs to bring the point of impact on target!
The simple, flip-up rear sight has two leaves and no windage adjustment.
Below. Doug Wall looks very happy with the Umarex Legends MP!
It’s clear that, with a little Kentucky windage applied, the Umarex Legends MP will easily group all 10 BBs into the HAM soda can target. Not many BB pistols are able to do that.
Note that HAM Tester Doug Wall fired all the test targets in semi-automatic mode. Accuracy in “rock and roll”, fully automatic, mode was somewhat less good, as you would expect. But accuracy was much better than we expected in full auto bursts and still inside one minute of soda can at 6 yards range. That’s excellent performance!
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Hornady Black Diamond Steel BBs, .177 Cal, 5.1 Grains, Anodized Finish, 1500ct![]()
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Hornady Steel BBs, 1500 Ct.
COMPARISON TO MAKERS CLAIMS
The manufacturer claims a maximum Muzzle Velocity of 465 FPS for the Umarex Legends MP. That’s what it says on the box and in the instruction manual. This is 30 FPS higher than the 436 FPS maximum achieved in the cool – 68 degrees F – HAM test ranges.
However, HAM tests on CO2-powered guns indicate that the Muzzle Velocity increases by about 2 FPS per degree F change in temperature. This means that the Umarex Legends MP will shoot at the claimed 465 FPS at a temperature of about 83 degrees F.
The manufacturer also claims a maximum of 52 BBs per magazine. This has changed from the earlier 60 shots capacity that was quoted at the time of launch. In HAM testing, the 52-shot capacity proved to be realistic. Yes, there’s space for more BBs in the magazine, but loading more carries the potential for jamming in use.
Of course, the headline claim is for full auto blowback operation. That’s fully met: there’s no doubt about it!
CONSISTENCY
HAM testers were impressed with the consistency demonstrated by the Umarex Legends MP.
Initial Muzzle Velocity was consistently in the 430 – 435 FPS range with all the standard test BBs except the Avanti Ground Steel Shot.
And the Standard Deviation (the measurement of shot-to-shot variation in a string) was incredibly low at an average of just 6.37 FPS. This is the sort of consistency that would be expected from a $1,000 regulated PCP air rifle!
That consistency of Muzzle Velocity continued over many shots. It was not until shot 120 that the Umarex Legends MP dropped to below 400 FPS. That’s an outstanding performance, particularly when the gun gives such a strong blowback effect.
This consistency of FPS was demonstrated in semi-auto fire, of course. We’d expect FPS to drop quite fast on full auto fire, although the gun shoots too fast for the Chronograph to keep up!
Trigger pull weight was also surprisingly consistent in the Umarex Legends MP tested by HAM. It varied by a maximum of just +/- 5 Ounces from the 10 Lb 4 Oz average. Here is another area in which consistency was a very strong suit for the MP.
REALISM – TRIGGER AND ACTION
Given the restrictions on owning a scarce original MP40, none of the HAM Team has fired the firearms original of the Umarex Legends MP.
However, this replica feels just as we imagine it should.
Doug Wall noted: “Great action! The bolt has quite a long throw and gives a very satisfying clatter when operating”.
Yes, the Umarex Legends MP certainly “hammers away” when firing full auto. The action locks open once the magazine is empty to avoid wasting CO2 – another nice and effective feature.
The cyclic rate of the MP40 was around 500 shots/minute. This is not fast for an automatic and, although we do not have a way to measure it, the rate of fire of the Umarex Legends MP in full auto mode was slow enough to hear the individual shots. This probably means that the cyclic rate of the Umarex Legends MP is similar to that of the firearm it copies.
The safety is positioned in front of the trigger guard. It has three positions: safe, fire (single shots) and auto. So it’s also actually a fire selector switch. The original MP40 was full-auto only in use. The safety/fire selector is very effective in operation although somewhat hard to slide.
The Umarex Legends MP tested by HAM had no jamming issues whether fired semi-auto, full-auto in bursts or full-auto as a “magazine dump” of all the BBs at one time. HAM Publisher Stephen Archer used it in full auto, firing in short bursts, the whole time and is still smiling!
The box says to load a maximum of 52 BBs at one time. We tried this. There was no problem with feeding or jamming.
However, we did take some basic precautions when loading BBs. Firstly, we generally loaded somewhere around 40 – 45 BBs into the magazine at a time. Secondly, we ensured that the BBs were in a clear “zig zag” pattern in the magazine.
Trigger pull weight averaged 10 Lb 4 Oz. Although this is heavy, it didn’t feel onerous to the testers – maybe because we were having so much fun! And – given that the original MP40 was not fitted with a safety, it’s almost certain that the tripper pull weight of the firearm original would have been in the same range, if not heavier.
The blowback action of the Umarex Legends MP has a long throw, as you can see when the cocking handle moves back and forth after every shot. However, one of the very few departures from full realism is that the bolt handle does not come back quite as far as the original. The bolt hold open cutout at the end of the slide slot is not present either, just indicated by a recessed molding.
That – together with the fact that the Umarex Legends MP cannot be field-stripped – are minor disappointments. We say minor because the overall level of realism is otherwise outstanding and the fun factor is so high.
SHOT COUNT
The Umarex Legends MP uses two CO2 cartridges at one time. These fit base-to-base in the magazine with the flat ends both being punctured together when the CO2-loading screw in the base of the magazine is tightened.
In HAM testing, we achieved 150 shots per fill of two CO2 cartridges. At this point, the Muzzle velocity had fallen to 290 FPS. Beyond this point, the action would not cycle reliably, although another 10 shots or so were available if the Umarex Legends MP was manually cocked for each shot as the blowback understandably did not function at the low pressure of the little remaining CO2.
This equates to about 75 shots per cartridge, which is reasonable for a CO2-powered air pistol, particularly one with such a strong and long blowback action.
MUZZLE VELOCITY
Muzzle Velocity of the Umarex Legends MP tested by HAM was strong, with all the tested BBs except for the Daisy Avanti Ground Shot showing 430 to 435 FPS as a maximum. And that was in our cool basement ranges at 68 degrees F. As with any CO2-powered airgun, that Muzzle Velocity will rise in warmer temperatures and drop in cooler ones.
| BBs | Average Muzzle Velocity | Average Muzzle Energy | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crosman Copperhead 5.13 Grain | 431 FPS | 2.12 Ft/Lbs | Very Good. |
| Umarex Steel 5.29 Grain | 432 FPS | 2.19 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. |
| ASG Blaster 5.32 Grain | 432 FPS | 2.20 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. |
| Hornady Black Diamond 5.36 Grain | 436 FPS | 2.26 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. Best Tested. |
| Daisy Avanti 5.44 Grain | 391 FPS | 1.85 Ft/Lbs | Excellent. |
APPEARANCE AND FINISH
The Umarex Legends MP has most external metal parts finished in a black powder coating. The stock is brown plastic. In both respects the color and appearance of the finish matches that of the original MP40.
There is also a “worn battle finish” version of the Umarex Legends MP available in some countries, although this is not yet available in the US.
This is a full metal gun – except where the original had plastic parts. This means that the stock, trigger blade and magazine are all metal, in case you had wondered.
The stock itself is firm when extended into place. It’s locking knob is precise and easy to use. The skeleton buttplate clicks beautifully into place, as does the whole stock when folding forward under the action. The tactile sensations just from folding and unfolding the stock are a delight in themselves!
The finish of all parts is outstanding – as we have found with other replica pistols marketed by Umarex USA.
With the exception of the name and safety information printed on the right of the action, there’s nothing that would indicate the Umarex Legends MP is not a real MP40 – at almost any distance.
BUYING AND OWNING
Like other BB-firing replicas from Umarex, the Umarex Legends MP has a 90-day warranty. Although this is greater than the warranty period provided by some other manufacturers (ASG and SIG give just 60 days), Crosman provides 12 months warranty on its BB replica pistols and Gletcher gives a class-leading 18 months.
As with other BB pistols, the Umarex Legends MP is not designed to be repaired – certainly not by the customer. However, as the valve is contained in the magazine, it can be easily replaced if defective, simply by replacing the magazine. This is evident in the photograph below. On the downside, magazines are more expensive because of that.
And you definitely will want to buy several additional magazines for the Umarex Legends MP! Given the huge fun factor, having multiple magazines pre-loaded with CO2s and BBs is the best way to ensure a long, enjoyable shooting session with the Umarex Legends MP.
Buy plenty of 12 Gram CO2 cartridges at the same time as you get the additional magazines. You’re going to be using them fast!
A separate Allen (hex) wrench is required for installing CO2 cartridges. Of course, one is supplied with the Umarex Legends MP. But if you loose it, you may like to know that the size is 6 mm metric.
Packaging of the Umarex Legends MP pistol is good. There’s a strong card box and molded “egg carton-type” paper insert. This will help ensure that your new BB gun reaches you in perfect condition, no matter what rough treatment a shipping company may deal out to the parcel.
The operator’s manual supplied with the Umarex Legends MP is good. It provides considerable operational and safety information for using the gun. It’s in English, French and Spanish.
Given the high magazine capacity, BB loading is best undertaken using a speedloader. But the HAM Team feels the Umarex Legends MP really should have a BB follower retaining slot. This would hold the BB follower back simply and easily without risk to thumbnails. This is really one of the few strikes against the Umarex Legends MP in the HAM Team’s opinion.
There’s plenty of space for such a retaining slot in the MP’s magazine. It’s not clear to HAM why some Umarex BB pistols have this useful BB follower retaining slot, yet others do not. They all should, without exception, unless space constraints prevent it.
SAFETY FIRST. As with all BB-firing airguns, it’s necessary to wear shooting glasses when firing this airgun. Also do not shoot at hard surfaces or water. BBs tend to bounce off these surfaces and may hit you, or something other than what you intended. If in doubt, don’t pull the trigger! Due to the realistic appearance of this product, handle it as you would a firearm. Do not display it in public or in any place where it could be mistaken for a cartridge firearm.
6-YARD TEST TARGETS
10-YARD TEST TARGET
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Umarex Legends MP40 CO2 BB Submachine Gun![]()
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Umarex Legends MP Full Auto BB Gun
This entire article including scoring, test targets etc is Copyright Hard Air Magazine and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the publisher.
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