OKPistolsfiring87
Member
List your favorite WW2 machine gun and why? Keep it educational type format.
What is your favorite WW2 Machine Gun and why
- Thread starter OKPistolsfiring87
- Start date
Wow, no way I could just have 1 favorite.
Heavy:
Browning M2 - longevity of course, versatility in both ground and air roles. Simplicity of design, caliber, and ability for mass production.
Rilfe caliber:
MG42 - the use of stamped sheet metal receivers, delayed roller locking lugs, quick change barrel, and of course high cyclic rate of fire. In my opinion way to high in a ground based platform.
Zb26 / Zb30 - Easy of barrel changes, rifle caliber, easily adjustable gas system, portable infanty based system for fire support. Designed used to base development of Bren LMG.
Intermediate:
STG44 / MP44 - the innovation behind the development of a squad level, portable machine gun in an intermediate caliber changed function of squad based fire and lead to the development of current platforms.
Pistol:
M3a1 Grease Gun - ease of design and manufacture, stamped sheet metal, versatility in role for infantry and tank personnel. Controllable rate of fire.
Sten Mk 2,3,5 - ease and cost of production, ability to mass produce and easy to use. Simplicity of design.
Steyr MP34 - Rolls Royce of submachine guns. Fully machined receiver, side feed. Semi/FA capable.
PPSH41 - Rate of fire in urban setting. Iconic Russian Infantry weapon.
I said hard to just pick 1 for me.
Will
Heavy:
Browning M2 - longevity of course, versatility in both ground and air roles. Simplicity of design, caliber, and ability for mass production.
Rilfe caliber:
MG42 - the use of stamped sheet metal receivers, delayed roller locking lugs, quick change barrel, and of course high cyclic rate of fire. In my opinion way to high in a ground based platform.
Zb26 / Zb30 - Easy of barrel changes, rifle caliber, easily adjustable gas system, portable infanty based system for fire support. Designed used to base development of Bren LMG.
Intermediate:
STG44 / MP44 - the innovation behind the development of a squad level, portable machine gun in an intermediate caliber changed function of squad based fire and lead to the development of current platforms.
Pistol:
M3a1 Grease Gun - ease of design and manufacture, stamped sheet metal, versatility in role for infantry and tank personnel. Controllable rate of fire.
Sten Mk 2,3,5 - ease and cost of production, ability to mass produce and easy to use. Simplicity of design.
Steyr MP34 - Rolls Royce of submachine guns. Fully machined receiver, side feed. Semi/FA capable.
PPSH41 - Rate of fire in urban setting. Iconic Russian Infantry weapon.
I said hard to just pick 1 for me.
Will
CRH113
Senior Member
I would counter your mp34 with the czech zk383
Bigdibbs88
"Ach du lieber!"
Jap 96/99 most underrated LMG of the war
BAR maybe the worst in every category but sheer awesomeness
BAR maybe the worst in every category but sheer awesomeness
Agreed about the BAR. Iconic Browning design, but that's about it by WW2
Nambu was a really great designer, borrowed off the ZB26 and Hotchikiss designs. The type 99 was definitely an improvement from the 96.
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mauser202
Senior Member
MG42 for all the reasons already listed plus the fear factor. The US actually had to make a training film to address soldier’s fears on its rate of fire. Next too the Tiger tank, “88’s” , Stalin organs and Japanese knee mortars, I can’t think of many WW2 weapons that opposing troops knew and feared by name.
Japanese Type 99 -Improved cartridge and design over the 96, cool looking finned barrel, fast barrel change, accurate (Could be used almost like a sniper rifle when scoped) and mobile. Seeing its use or the 96’s use in so many Japanese combat film reels for me, cements its reputation/association with Japanese troops in WW 2
MP38/40- Like the German helmet, Luger, gas mask container, and potato masher: I feel this weapon is so iconic in its association with the German soldier of WW2 that it hard not to envision a German soldier that’s not holding one. Simple design, well made, innovative with stamped steel, and folding stock, very controllable when firing and mag pouches giving it a big fire power advantage in close range/ urban battles.
MP 44- So much innovation: stamped steel construction, intermediate cartridge, large capacity magazines, modular with scopes ,vampires scope, around the corner barrel extension etc. Truly set the bar for the next generation of infantry weapons. Love the look of them too!
FG 42- Rareness/exclusivity to elite troops, design and power. Considering it’s relatively low production numbers, it being one of the most legendary weapons of the war with books even dedicated to it says a lot.
Japanese Type 99 -Improved cartridge and design over the 96, cool looking finned barrel, fast barrel change, accurate (Could be used almost like a sniper rifle when scoped) and mobile. Seeing its use or the 96’s use in so many Japanese combat film reels for me, cements its reputation/association with Japanese troops in WW 2
MP38/40- Like the German helmet, Luger, gas mask container, and potato masher: I feel this weapon is so iconic in its association with the German soldier of WW2 that it hard not to envision a German soldier that’s not holding one. Simple design, well made, innovative with stamped steel, and folding stock, very controllable when firing and mag pouches giving it a big fire power advantage in close range/ urban battles.
MP 44- So much innovation: stamped steel construction, intermediate cartridge, large capacity magazines, modular with scopes ,vampires scope, around the corner barrel extension etc. Truly set the bar for the next generation of infantry weapons. Love the look of them too!
FG 42- Rareness/exclusivity to elite troops, design and power. Considering it’s relatively low production numbers, it being one of the most legendary weapons of the war with books even dedicated to it says a lot.
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Blackpowderresearcher
Well-known member
MG-42 for belt fed crew operated weapon. Quick change barrel (unlike the M-2) and good for repelling hordes. Relevant today.
Now, for indivivdual weapon the FG-42.
Now, for indivivdual weapon the FG-42.
IMHO, the best SMG of WW2 was the Beretta 38/42 series. Following that is the MP.40. The 38/42 series lived on post WW2 and mostly into the Beretta M12.
Best HMG goes to the Browning M2. It's still in use and performing superbly.
Best GPMG, hands down, goes to the MG.42. It's still in use and performing superbly.
Best HMG goes to the Browning M2. It's still in use and performing superbly.
Best GPMG, hands down, goes to the MG.42. It's still in use and performing superbly.
fishermankw
Senior Member
The Thompson is iconic - but heavy. The weight does help it suck up some of the recoil.
I’m going Axis on the SMG - MP40 or the beretta 38/42. Both super controllable and great shooters.
While I am partial to the MP-38 (with MP40 cocking handle) I also favor the Beretta 38/42... but I think the most reliable would be
either the Finish Soumi or the Australian Owen SMG (see on Youtube the Canadian WWII training video comparing the Owen with the 1928 Thompson and STEN and MP38 during a blowing sand and then a mud bath torture test... just no comparison as to how well the Owen was!)
either the Finish Soumi or the Australian Owen SMG (see on Youtube the Canadian WWII training video comparing the Owen with the 1928 Thompson and STEN and MP38 during a blowing sand and then a mud bath torture test... just no comparison as to how well the Owen was!)
DogDoc
Well-known member
Ok, I'm going to take some liberties here and call and orange an apple.
There are several great guns listed and valid arguments made for each one. I will vote for the M2 for same reasons as wb1775 said above.
Now for the orange: best "machine gun" of WWII
B25J Mitchell modified by Pappy Gunn for strafing with eight M2's in the nose. Made famous in the Battle of Bismark Sea
There are several great guns listed and valid arguments made for each one. I will vote for the M2 for same reasons as wb1775 said above.
Now for the orange: best "machine gun" of WWII
B25J Mitchell modified by Pappy Gunn for strafing with eight M2's in the nose. Made famous in the Battle of Bismark Sea
Ross_badger
Member
Gotta love these 3 sub guns: MP40, the Thompson, and the Grease Gun!
There is a cool old US GI Training film on YouTube comparing the three. Of course, the Thompson and the Grease Gun were considered the "winners" as per our military. However, if I had to lug / use one of these day in & day out on the battlefield, I think I would have chosen the MP40 due to the relatively light weight, reliability, and mag size.
There is a cool old US GI Training film on YouTube comparing the three. Of course, the Thompson and the Grease Gun were considered the "winners" as per our military. However, if I had to lug / use one of these day in & day out on the battlefield, I think I would have chosen the MP40 due to the relatively light weight, reliability, and mag size.