How did the MP43 and MP44 differ from traditional German rifles?

The MP43 and MP44 (also known as the Sturmgewehr 44) differed from traditional German rifles of the World War II era primarily through their use of intermediate-power ammunition and their capacity for selective fire.1

While traditional rifles relied on high-powered, long-range cartridges, the MP43/44 was designed by Hugo Schmeisser to fire the 7.92-mm Kurz ("Short") cartridge. This ammunition was lighter and shorter than standard Mauser rifle cartridges, providing less-potent "intermediate" power that was optimized for combat at ranges of approximately 300 yards (270 metres).1

Furthermore, unlike the bolt-action or semiautomatic rifles that dominated the era, the MP43/44 featured a 30-round curved box magazine and the ability to switch between semiautomatic and fully automatic fire. This combination of portability, high volume of fire, and manageable power established the concept of the assault rifle, which would go on to define infantry weapon design for the remainder of the 20th century and beyond.1