The Development of Submachine Guns in WW2
World War 2 saw the rise of submachine guns as a crucial part of modern warfare. These compact, automatic firearms were designed for close-quarters combat and proved to be highly effective in various theaters of war. In this article, we will explore five notable submachine guns of WW2, their design, and their impact on the war.
1. MP 40 (Germany)
The MP 40 was a iconic German submachine gun designed by Heinrich Vollmer in 1940. It was made of stamped steel and had a folding stock, making it a compact and lightweight weapon. The MP 40 was chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and had a rate of fire of 500 rounds per minute. It was widely used by German forces during WW2 and became a symbol of the German army.
đź’ˇ Note: The MP 40 was designed to be produced quickly and cheaply, with a production time of just 35 hours per unit.
2. Thompson M1 (USA)
The Thompson M1 was an American submachine gun designed by John T. Thompson in the 1920s. It was widely used by the US military during WW2 and was known for its reliability and firepower. The Thompson M1 was chambered in.45 ACP and had a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute. It was also used by British and Canadian forces during the war.
3. Sten Gun (UK)
The Sten Gun was a British submachine gun designed in 1941 by Harold Turpin and Reginald V. Shepherd. It was made of stamped steel and had a simple design, making it easy to produce and maintain. The Sten Gun was chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and had a rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute. It was widely used by British forces during WW2 and was also used by other Allied forces.
🔍 Note: The Sten Gun was designed to be produced quickly and cheaply, with a production time of just 5 hours per unit.
4. PPSh-41 (USSR)
The PPSh-41 was a Soviet submachine gun designed by Georgy Shpagin in 1941. It was made of stamped steel and had a distinctive curved magazine. The PPSh-41 was chambered in 7.62x25mm Tokarev and had a rate of fire of 1000 rounds per minute. It was widely used by Soviet forces during WW2 and was known for its reliability and firepower.
5. MAS-38 (France)
The MAS-38 was a French submachine gun designed in 1938 by the Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS). It was made of stamped steel and had a folding stock, making it a compact and lightweight weapon. The MAS-38 was chambered in 7.65x17mm SR and had a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute. It was used by French forces during the early years of WW2.
| Submachine Gun | Country of Origin | Caliber | Rate of Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP 40 | Germany | 9x19mm Parabellum | 500 rounds per minute |
| Thompson M1 | USA | .45 ACP | 600 rounds per minute |
| Sten Gun | UK | 9x19mm Parabellum | 550 rounds per minute |
| PPSh-41 | USSR | 7.62x25mm Tokarev | 1000 rounds per minute |
| MAS-38 | France | 7.65x17mm SR | 600 rounds per minute |
In conclusion, these five submachine guns played significant roles in WW2, with each country developing its own unique design to suit its military needs. The MP 40, Thompson M1, Sten Gun, PPSh-41, and MAS-38 all demonstrated the importance of submachine guns in modern warfare, providing soldiers with a compact and reliable means of firepower in close-quarters combat.
What was the primary purpose of submachine guns in WW2?
+
The primary purpose of submachine guns in WW2 was to provide soldiers with a compact and reliable means of firepower in close-quarters combat.
Which submachine gun was known for its high rate of fire?
+
The PPSh-41 was known for its high rate of fire, with a rate of 1000 rounds per minute.
What was the design philosophy behind the Sten Gun?
+
The Sten Gun was designed to be produced quickly and cheaply, with a production time of just 5 hours per unit.
