Best Sub-Machine gun of WWII?

[JindrichM]

PPSH 41 is not really that reliable-not with a drum magazine, a very frequent omission

The best for me is the Beretta 38/42 late model, it is absolutely reliable and easy

[pcke2000]

PPSh-41 for me

[Ostprussenmann]

What about the Beretta M1938 or MP44 (techniqually an assault rifle). I have shot the Beretta, Thompson, and MP40 and I can’t say that I do not love the Thompson

This is a tough call for me. The Thompson is heavy, but it is a wicked effective tool.

In shooting all these side by side, I can pattern the MP40 the tightest.

If it was available (they were rather scarce during WW2) an M2 paratrooper with 30rd magazine is for me my #1 choice for the powerful ammo (compared to .45 or 9mm atleast), controllability, accuracy, weight, and overall usefulness. I would not hesitate today to carry one into combat (close range).

The MP40 is accurate, light, and smooth, but I really dislike the lack of safety.

The Sten is amazing for what it is (cheap and easy to produce), but has zero ergonomics, and that side mounted magazine is horrid. In the MK2S variety (which is what I have here), it is impressively quiet. Easily as good or better than the MP5SD I have.

If I had to pick though, it would be

M2 Carbine
Thompson
MP40
Sten

I don't have any first hand experience with any of the others so I won't comment on something I have no knowledge of

[MP41]

The Beretta 1938 is on the poll. The MP44/Stg44 is not a SMG. It's on another poll.

Matt

[Siegfried1234]

I say PPSH41 is best, due to the fact it fired a hotter round at flatter trajectory and had better range than other SMGs. Plus with a higher rate of fire which was kept under control due to weapon weight and muzzle climb compensator, it placed more rounds on target in a short burst and was as accurate if not more accurate than most other smg. The fact it had a 71 drum mag means it could put more rounds on target per mag change too. Strong and reliable in all weathers and extreme conditions, dirt, sand, snow, it was easy to maintain in the field, easy to mass produce in large numbers, cheaper per unit than many other SMG and easy to teach to peasant soldiers as it was so simple. The fact that many Germans preferred it over the MP40 says a lot too. The MP40 tends to have a floppy stock fit and loose fit at the receiver/lower trigger group, so quite a bit of slack wobble. If you get the chance to study one, you will know what I mean, also 9mm has less range or stopping power at distance when compared to the hotter PPSH41 7.62 round. Thompson has great stopping power at short range and is also heavy but also more complex, slower to produce and much more expensive to produce than PPSH41 and more prone to fail in adverse conditions. So I vote PPSH41. The PPSH41 certainly was a reliable and simple to train weapon, which countsfor a lot, it also had better range than most smg.

[Alpino]

Kp-31

Where is the Finnish Kp-31 "Suomi" ?
I have fired the Sten, Beretta, MP-40, PPSh41 & various Thompsons,
all great weapons, & love my .45acp!
But the Finns really took the SMG from a police/gangster weapon, to an all out infantry attack weapon, considering most combat is 25 to 50 meters. One can hit targets effectively out to 300m with it as well, I'll get every shot into a silhouette. "harassment"

[ValhallaMilitaria]

I say PPSH41 is best, due to the fact it fired a hotter round at flatter trajectory and had better range than other SMGs. Plus with a higher rate of fire which was kept under control due to weapon weight and muzzle climb compensator, it placed more rounds on target in a short burst and was as accurate if not more accurate than most other smg. The fact it had a 71 drum mag means it could put more rounds on target per mag change too. Strong and reliable in all weathers and extreme conditions, dirt, sand, snow, it was easy to maintain in the field, easy to mass produce in large numbers, cheaper per unit than many other SMG and easy to teach to peasant soldiers as it was so simple. The fact that many Germans preferred it over the MP40 says a lot too. The MP40 tends to have a floppy stock fit and loose fit at the receiver/lower trigger group, so quite a bit of slack wobble. If you get the chance to study one, you will know what I mean, also 9mm has less range or stopping power at distance when compared to the hotter PPSH41 7.62 round. Thompson has great stopping power at short range and is also heavy but also more complex, slower to produce and much more expensive to produce than PPSH41 and more prone to fail in adverse conditions. So I vote PPSH41. The PPSH41 certainly was a reliable and simple to train weapon, which countsfor a lot, it also had better range than most smg.

There is the reason above that so many Germans picked up a PPSH41 when they could and used it until they ran out of ammo.
Not the sexiest in appearance for sure but I guess its the one I would pick if offered an MP-40 or PPSH.
Eric

[WWIIBuff]

I voted on this pole several years ago, and cannot remember what I voted on, but I am sure it was based on "coolness" instead of the important factors.

Since then I have done a lot of research on SMG's and watched a lot of videos, (unfortunately I still don't have practical application), so based on what I know now, I would have to say the Suomi or the Beretta M38A would be my choice.

[PlaceOfBayonets]

I liked the Grease Gun.

[bargunner]

I'm surprised the Beretta is not nearer the top of the pack

[psg-1]

In my opinion, the best WWII SMG would be the Suomi from Finland. I've only tried the Swedish Husquarna copy, and also the Danish copy, but it's basically the same gun, except shorter barrel. This gun is very reliable, easy to hit at great distances, and has big magasine capacity. Easy to keep clean, easy to field-strip. My first impression was that it was an ugly gun, I did not like it, but that totally changed when I tried one. So easy to hit the target.

I have tried Sten MkII, MkIII and MkV, MP-40's, M1928, M1 and A1 of the WWII SMG's. The others I can't jugde. I also have served in the Army, and know what's important to a soldier. I would have no doubt what I would choose, given WWII options. Since the Suomi is not an option to vote for, I didn't vote.