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| ©2012 Soldiers Memorial |
Type: Fully Automatic
Caliber: .45
Weight: 8 lbs
Barrel Length: 8 in.
Magazine: 30 round
Rate of Fire: 450 rpm
- A simple, robust, cheap, and adequate weapon favored by paratroopers and tankers.
- Nicknamed the "grease gun," as it looked similar in appearance to a mechanic's grease gun.
- Produced in 1943 as a low-cost substitute for the Thompson submachine gun ("Tommy Gun"), featured improvements such as a wire stock that doubled as a screwdriver and cleaning rod.
- Very combat-friendly in that expanded clearance between bolt and receiver prevented dirt from jamming the gun.
- Continued to be used by the U.S. Army through the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and by some unites in the First Gulf War.
- Though featuring many improvements and modifications, the M3 still is used as a primary weapon by the Philippine Marine Corps.
References:
Fowler, Will, Anthony North, and Charles Stronge. 2011. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of
Pistols,
Revolvers, and Submachine Guns. Leicestershire ,
UK
Miller, David. 2011. The
Illustrated Directory of Guns: A Collector’s Guide to Over 1500
Military,
Sporting, and Antique Firearms. Kent ,
UK :
Pepperbox Press Ltd.
