Best Sub-Machine gun of WWII?

[Matt Weber]

Decided to post a new poll, since the last poll didn't have enough weapons to chose from. I started new polls now on: best pistol, best machine gun, best infantry rifle, and best sub-machine gun.

This one is for best sub-machine gun. Sorry there are only 10 choices. You can only pick one, so choose wisely!

Matt

[Johnnie]

MP38/40. But in all honesty, this is just a long time love afdfair of mine,

Johnnie

Decided to post a new poll, since the last poll didn't have enough weapons to chose from. I started new polls now on: best pistol, best machine gun, best infantry rifle, and best sub-machine gun.

This one is for best sub-machine gun. Sorry there are only 10 choices. You can only pick one, so choose wisely!

Matt

[Blitz]

If i could, i would pick the "Suomi" sub-machine gun.

[Matt Weber]

Sorry Blitz, I could only list 10 choices. There are literally dozens of sub-machine guns I could have listed. I didn't even list the Japanese types either!

No surprises here either. I suspected that the MP38 and PPsh41 would get the majority of the votes here. Both were fine weapons, had tremendous firepower at close ranges, and impervious to the elements!

Matt

[JaimeH]

Although the MP38/40 are "cool" looking. I chose the Thompson because of the accounts I've read by German soldiers reaction to the Thompson, also it was a highly regarded capture weapon by the Germans. (I won't get into the 9mm vs .45 cal)

[Matt Weber]

Jamie,
I love the Thompson, but it was complicated and expensive! Plus it's tiny 20 round magazine was quickly exhuasted. I won't even get into the 9mm vs. .45 debate! If the Thompson was 9mm, I still wouldn't pick it.

All kidding aside. Actually I voted for the MP34(o)! It wasn't the best known SMG, or widely used. However, if you have ever seen one, you will be amazed by its quality! It makes the Thompson look like a Sten gun! (not ragging on the Thomspon, just a comparison of quality construction.)
Obviously, someone else agrees with me, because I see the MP34(o) has 2 votes now!

I guess the MP34(o) is more my favorite SMG. The Best SMG, I would probably go with the crowd and say the PPsh41. That large magazine is re-assuring, and you just couldn't break the damn thing!

Matt

[Johnnie]

Hi Matt,
I know this may sound like heresey comming from an American, but I share your dislike for the Thompson, only from a practical point of view. It is HEAVY! And for me at least, doesn't balance well. The ammo is heavy also, in large enough usable quantities.
This may also shock some, but for a short period of time in Vietnam, I carried an M-3 greasegun, and prefered it's characteristics to that of a Thompson. The folding retractible stock made it handy, and the cyclic rate was slow enough not to burn up your ammo right away. But the weigt of the ammo was also a hassle. 270 rds of 45acp(9x30rd. mags). You might as well carry a full caliber rifle.
Just sharing some thought on a boring day.
Johnnie

Jamie,
I love the Thompson, but it was complicated and expensive! Plus it's tiny 20 round magazine was quickly exhuasted. I won't even get into the 9mm vs. .45 debate! If the Thompson was 9mm, I still wouldn't pick it.

All kidding aside. Actually I voted for the MP34(o)! It wasn't the best known SMG, or widely used. However, if you have ever seen one, you will be amazed by its quality! It makes the Thompson look like a Sten gun! (not ragging on the Thomspon, just a comparison of quality construction.)
Obviously, someone else agrees with me, because I see the MP34(o) has 2 votes now!

I guess the MP34(o) is more my favorite SMG. The Best SMG, I would probably go with the crowd and say the PPsh41. That large magazine is re-assuring, and you just couldn't break the damn thing!

Matt

[ramon]

I share your concerns about the Thompson. Weight aside, the cost of production and the amount of material used in its manufacture is prohibitive. Its design reflects an earlier day.

The Germans really pioneered the design and manufacture of stampings. To this, the world of firearms will be eternally in debt.

All this aside, I still enjoy the Thompson for the wonderful engineering marvel it is.

Ramon

[JaimeH]

OH YEA? well what did Sgt Saunders carry? Enough Said!

[ramon]

You got me there!!!

[Johnnie]

Exactly what the script writer, who probably saw no service, wrote in the script LOL.
Merry Christmas,
Johnnie

OH YEA? well what did Sgt Saunders carry? Enough Said!

[Douglas Jr.]

And my vote goes to...

[bnz. 42]

Agree

[Steiner]

Allthough I prefere the MP40 as most cool of mashine pistols, the PPSH41 was more reliable and did shoot under bad circumstances.

Mehr sein als scheinen

[jabbo]

MP-38/40 gets my vote, since I can only vote once and since it's so classy looking! The also rans:

PPSH41 - reliability

STEn - what can I say...this thing was so cheap they made millions of them and peppered the French countryside with them.

The Thompson has class, but it's connected too closely with Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, etc. for me to give an unbiased opinion of it as a WWII subgun.