I once saw an interview of Kalashnikov in which he said he took no inspiration from the StGw/MP-44 when designing his AK-47. He went on to say that the AK-47 functioned in a completely different manner than the StGw-44. I thought this sounded like the typical Soviet "We thought of it first" doctrine. I'm quite familiar with the AK but have never handled the StGw-44. Can anyone describe any appreciable difference in the function of these rifles? Thanks!