Is the M3 submachine gun good?

45 caliber M3 “Grease Gun” during a behind-the-scenes tour at the Naval Heritage and History Command in Washington, D.C. Though it might look crude, the design proved rugged and reliable in combat for more than two decades. The M3 offered a good base for the modifications.

What replaced the M3 Grease Gun?

In the U.S. Army, the M3 was used up through the 1991 the Gulf War by vehicle and by Delta Force. Submachine guns were eventually replaced in many armies by shortened assault rifles, which used heavier assault rifle rounds while still physically compact.

Is the M3 still in service?

Eventually, the M3 was phased out by more efficient weapons for anyone who might need a personal weapon on the battlefield as the . 45 round gave way to the 5.56 and 9mm standards. After the 1991 Gulf War, the M3 began to disappear from the U.S. Military altogether after some 50 years in service.

Does the US still use the M3 grease gun?

M3 and M3A1 submachine guns remained in service in the U.S. armed forces, mainly as armament for armored vehicle crewmen. They saw use during the Gulf War in the early 1990s, and limited numbers of grease guns are reportedly still being utilized in the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns even today.

Was the M3 submachine gun used in WW2?

M3 submachine gun. The M3 was intended as a replacement for the Thompson, and began to enter front line service in mid 1944. Due to delays caused by production issues and approved specification changes, the M3 saw limited combat use in World War II. The M3A1 variant was used in the Korean War and later conflicts.

How many M3/M3A1 were used in World War II?

A total of 622,163 M3/M3A1 submachine guns of all types were assembled by the end of World War II, by which time the Thompson, at over 1.5 million guns produced, outnumbered the M3 and M3A1 in service by a factor of nearly three to one. The M3 was an automatic, air-cooled blowback -operated weapon that fired from an open bolt.

What is the difference between the M3 and Thompson submachine guns?

The M3 was chambered for the same .45 ACP round fired by the Thompson submachine gun, but was cheaper to produce and lighter, although, contrary to popular belief, it was less accurate. This myth stems from a US Army training film portraying the M3 as more accurate than its counterparts.

What is the accuracy of an M3 submachine gun?

All M3 submachine guns were test-fired for accuracy at a distance of 100 feet (30 m). With the sights set at six-o’clock on a bull’s-eye target, each gun was required to keep four out of five shots within or cut the edge of a 3-inch (76 mm) bull’s-eye to meet accuracy requirements. The weapon’s only safety is the hinged ejection port dust cover.