Best WWII automatic weapon - Aircraft of World War II

Desert Fox · 12-24-2006, 12:06 AM

The Second World War saw the introduction of many automatic weapons, but which one was the best?
My personal favourite was the PPSh-41 for its simplicity. But, it was a hard decision to pick it over the Aussie Owen gun, a very ingenious design and of course, it was an Australian weapon!

Soren · 12-24-2006, 01:03 AM

Too bad you forgot the best in your poll, the MP-44.

Desert Fox · 12-24-2006, 02:54 AM

For this poll I tried to choose one per country, one that had a significant impact on the fighting men of the war. Sure, the MP44 was a great weapon, but it didn't see as much of the war as the MP40 did.
I could've added the MP44, the FG42, the Type 100 (Japan) or the Suomi. But they werent as influential during the war as these particular weapons that are in my poll.

Soren · 12-24-2006, 03:46 AM

The MP-44 is the best small-arm of WW2, and it saw more action than the Owen - so if you ask me it should be on the list, but nevermind.

If I had to choose between the above I think its going to be a tie between the Thompson and MP-40.

Gnomey · 12-24-2006, 05:58 AM

I would go for the MP40 although I would normally vote for the MP44 but it isn't on the list...

Wildcat · 12-24-2006, 06:26 AM

Owen gun. If you are in the jungle you couldn't ask for a better weapon.

the lancaster kicks ass · 12-24-2006, 07:03 AM

i assume we're keeping this to small arms and not squad suport weapons like the bren?

Nonskimmer · 12-24-2006, 08:25 AM

My vote goes to the PPSh-41. Typically Russian: Simple, rugged, reliable, and lethal as all hell.

I think the Finnish Suomi should be on that list, even though it predates WWII.

P38 Pilot · 12-24-2006, 12:02 PM

My vote goes to the Thompson. It was reliable, hard-hitting, and a good submachine gun for intense combat. The Thompson will always to me the sub-machine gun of choice for WWII. (And if I recall, the Thompson was even used by the British in numerous of campaigns like N. Africa.)

the lancaster kicks ass · 12-24-2006, 03:27 PM

yeah we used her, but our commandos got the ultimate commando weapon, the sten!

102first_hussars · 12-24-2006, 05:35 PM

The sten was a peice of crap apprently, a friend of mine who was in the Royal Marines from 1947 to 1958 i beleive said that the damn thing was made from old bicycle parts and what not

MacArther · 12-24-2006, 07:24 PM

I would vote for the PPSH-41, because it does the job of a submachine gun well. With either a 71 round drum or a 35 round box magazine it had plenty of ammo, and its rate of fire was great for room clearing actions. The thompson, while my other favorite, also took longer to produce than its contemporary, the "Grease Gun" (Although I would take a Thompson over a grease gun any day). Also, from what I've read, the German infantry respected the PPSH-41 enough to capture it and its ammo whenever possible.

Quote:

the MP-44

I see a trend in all the choices, they are all SMGs, NOT assault rifles.

the lancaster kicks ass · 12-25-2006, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 102first_hussars

The sten was a peice of crap apprently, a friend of mine who was in the Royal Marines from 1947 to 1958 i beleive said that the damn thing was made from old bicycle parts and what not

oh, don't get me wrong, it was made of pressed metal and was liable to fall to bit when dropped.... but she was cheap, easy to produce, easy to use, small, light, compact, great for smuggling around France!

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 12-25-2006, 02:26 PM

Id go for the 44 but since it is not up there I will go for the 40. Not really sure though there are many up there that were just as good or better than the 40.

My vote in theory goes to the 44.

Matt308 · 12-26-2006, 12:02 AM

Hey since there is no criteria to this other than those on the poll, I vote for the MG42. Hands down. End of thread.

View Poll Results: Best WWII Automatic weapon
Thompson	33	35.48%
MP40	26	27.96%
Sten	5	5.38%
PPSh-41	17	18.28%
M3/A1 Grease Gun	4	4.30%
Owen	5	5.38%
Beretta Modello 1918	3	3.23%
Voters: 93. You may not vote on this poll

12-24-2006, 12:06 AM	#1
Desert Fox Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Great Southern Land Posts: 436	Best WWII automatic weapon The Second World War saw the introduction of many automatic weapons, but which one was the best? My personal favourite was the PPSh-41 for its simplicity. But, it was a hard decision to pick it over the Aussie Owen gun, a very ingenious design and of course, it was an Australian weapon! __________________ "Courage is doing what you are afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you are scared." - Eddie Rickenbacker

12-24-2006, 02:54 AM	#3
Desert Fox Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Great Southern Land Posts: 436	For this poll I tried to choose one per country, one that had a significant impact on the fighting men of the war. Sure, the MP44 was a great weapon, but it didn't see as much of the war as the MP40 did. I could've added the MP44, the FG42, the Type 100 (Japan) or the Suomi. But they werent as influential during the war as these particular weapons that are in my poll. __________________ "Courage is doing what you are afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you are scared." - Eddie Rickenbacker

12-24-2006, 05:58 AM	#5
Gnomey "World Traveller" Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Royal Deeside/St Andrews, Scotland, UK Posts: 16,540	I would go for the MP40 although I would normally vote for the MP44 but it isn't on the list... __________________ "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts" Sir Winston Churchill "To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today" Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London WW2 Talk: A WW2 Discussion Forum My Photo Collections on Flickr

12-24-2006, 06:26 AM	#6
Wildcat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Queensland Posts: 4,765	Owen gun. If you are in the jungle you couldn't ask for a better weapon. __________________

12-24-2006, 01:03 AM	#2
Soren Banned Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,625	Too bad you forgot the best in your poll, the MP-44.

12-24-2006, 03:46 AM	#4
Soren Banned Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,625	The MP-44 is the best small-arm of WW2, and it saw more action than the Owen - so if you ask me it should be on the list, but nevermind. If I had to choose between the above I think its going to be a tie between the Thompson and MP-40.

12-24-2006, 07:03 AM	#7
the lancaster kicks ass Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 19,945	i assume we're keeping this to small arms and not squad suport weapons like the bren? __________________ "Reminds me of the time I sank the Tirpitz" comments a Spitfire pilot, "One pass of course, old boy."

12-24-2006, 08:25 AM	#8
Nonskimmer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 8,871	My vote goes to the PPSh-41. Typically Russian: Simple, rugged, reliable, and lethal as all hell. I think the Finnish Suomi should be on that list, even though it predates WWII.

12-24-2006, 12:02 PM	#9
P38 Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Auburn,Alabama; USA Posts: 1,822	My vote goes to the Thompson. It was reliable, hard-hitting, and a good submachine gun for intense combat. The Thompson will always to me the sub-machine gun of choice for WWII. (And if I recall, the Thompson was even used by the British in numerous of campaigns like N. Africa.) __________________ Its better to have an Army of deer being led by a lion, rather an Army of Lions being led by a deer...

12-24-2006, 03:27 PM	#10
the lancaster kicks ass Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 19,945	yeah we used her, but our commandos got the ultimate commando weapon, the sten! __________________ "Reminds me of the time I sank the Tirpitz" comments a Spitfire pilot, "One pass of course, old boy."

12-24-2006, 05:35 PM	#11
102first_hussars Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edmonton,Alberta Posts: 2,259	The sten was a peice of crap apprently, a friend of mine who was in the Royal Marines from 1947 to 1958 i beleive said that the damn thing was made from old bicycle parts and what not __________________ Hello me...meet the real me. And my misfits way of life. A dark black past is my Most valued possession. Hindsight is always 20-20, But looking back its still a bit fuzzy. Speak of mutually assured destruction? Nice story...tell it to readers digest!!!

12-25-2006, 02:26 PM	#14
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 34,086	Id go for the 44 but since it is not up there I will go for the 40. Not really sure though there are many up there that were just as good or better than the 40. My vote in theory goes to the 44. __________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"

12-26-2006, 12:02 AM	#15
Matt308 aka Dickcheese Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 14,012	Hey since there is no criteria to this other than those on the poll, I vote for the MG42. Hands down. End of thread. __________________ "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.] Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan Master of Duplicate Posts

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