The StG 45(M) was intended to replace the "Sturmgewehr" 44 assault rifle, because the latter was rather expensive and time-consuming to produce. Compared to the StG44's cost of 70 Reichsmarks, the StG45(M)'s calculated cost was 45 Reichsmarks. Like the "Sturmgewehr" 44 the weapon made extensive use of (for the 1940s) advanced cost-saving pressed and stamped steel components rather than machined parts. Parts for only 30 complete rifles were produced before the war ended. The StG 45(M) had an elevated iron sights line over the bore axis in part to optimize the maximum point-blank range of the compared to full-power rifle cartridges modest external ballistic performance of the 7.92×33mm Kurz cartridge, ergonomics and recoil management.