U.S. small arms of WWII – What would you carry?

[jad0110]

I thought this would be a fun and interesting thread for everyone. Here’s the premise: Imagine you find yourself transported back to WWII. You are serving in the United States armed forces, on any one of the various fronts on which the U.S. was involved. Also, assume that you get to pick one primary weapon and one backup sidearm (NOTE: their are three sidearms to choose from, they are the last three choices). The choices above were all used by the U.S. at some point during the war. I know, some of the model numbers/designations may be a bit off. Please correct me if I’m in error. I also understand that several of these are crew served weapons, such as the M1917 and the M2 Brownings. But, this is just for fun, ya know?

You only get to pick one primary and one sidearm. An “other” choice is available for both primary and sidearm choices. A rationale for your pick is welcomed. I suspect many of you served our nation in WWII. I would love to hear from you to!

One of my hobbies and areas of interest is WWII history. The HBO mini series Band of Brothers happens to be my favorite film of any genre. So I guess this explains what got me thinking about a thread like this. I was just kind of interested in seeing what turned out to be the most popular amongst THR members. I hope you all enjoy it.

The choices in the poll are listed again below with links to Wikipedia for those that wish to learn more about each choice.


Primary Weapons – Pick one

Browning M1919, 30-06, air cooled machine gun

Browning M1917, 30-06, water cooled machine gun

Springfield M1903, 30-06, bolt action rifle

M1 Garand, 30-06, semi automatic rifle

M1 Carbine, 30 carbine

Browning Automatic Rifle M1918, 30-06, automatic rifle

Thompson M1A1 or M1928, 45 ACP, submachine gun

M3 Grease Gun, 9mm or 45ACP, submachine gun

Browning M2, 50 BMG, heavy machine gun

Bazooka

Flame Thrower M2

Winchester Model 12, 12 gauge, pump shotgun


Sidearms – Pick one

Colt M1911, 45 ACP, semi automatic pistol

Colt or S&W M1917, 45 ACP, double action revolver

S&W Military & Police, 38 special, double action revolver


EDIT: There were originally far more choices in the poll, including the Johnson rifles, Browning pocket autos, and others. However, THR limits the number of poll choices to 16, so I went with the more common stuff and put in an "other" category. For this same reason, I could really list all model deviations (not to mention it'd be time consuming) such as M1911 and M1911A1 or M1903, M1903A3, etc.

Also, assume that you are limited to ammunition readily available at the time (in other words, no modern expanding ammo).

 

[M249MachineGun]

I'll take the M1 Carbine and a M1911 if I can get one.

Primarily because the Carbine is for rear-echelon troops, and I'd much rather be in the rear-echelon. I'll happily drive a supply truck while other guys storm the beaches.

 

[SMLE]

1928 Thompson and a 1911A1, the same weapons my Father carried as a US Marine in the SW Pacific.

 

[M2 Carbine]

M1 Garand and 1911

I was issued the M1 Garand in the Marine Corps and carried a 1911 from time to time.

 

[hrgrisso]

Where's the P-40?

I picked the 1911, I mean, who would choose something else?

But as for primary, I'll take the P-40 Warhawk. That's what my dad flew in the pacific and I still have his Remington Rand that he carried. Since one of his many jobs was working in the armory and machine shop, let's say the fit of this one is just about perfect.

So yeah, I'd rather be airborne via plane than stuck on the ground. If I had to be on the ground I'd go with the M-1 carbine. It's the lightest primary weapon, hence more ammo = more suppressive fire.

 

[Biker]

The Thompson and the 1911. Sargent Rock, get outa my way.

Biker

 

[SoCalShooter]

I'll take a 1911 and a BAR please!

 

[Mac Attack]

BAR and 1911

 

[SoCalShooter]

Finally someone else who is with me on the BAR.

 

[Geronimo45]

A Thompson and an optional Webley Mark VI - or a 1911. According to 'Saving Private Ryan', a 1911 can blow up a tank.

 

[Duckster]

Garand and 1911

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

You can't go wrong with the Garand and a 1911.

 

[BADUNAME13]

M1 and 1911.

I like the Thompson, but I want penatration and range.
I've shot a BAR, and as a SAW gunner... I want something lighter.

the 1911 is a 1911...

 

[TrapperReady]

I'd carry an M1 Garand and a 1911A1. Worked for my dad in the ETO, and I can operate and shoot both quite well.

 

[MTS Cop]

M1 Garand and the 1911

I almost went with the BAR, but it's a little on the heavy side and I'm a run into the middle of it kinda guy, don't want to be weighed down. I was also considering the Winchester pump, but it's ineffectiveness at long range put me off.

As for my sidearm I almost picked the S&W .38. I love S&W revolvers, but if it's coming down to handguns in the European theater, I'd rather have the "Fritz isn't getting back up" .45 at my side.

 

[chieftain]

Garand and 1911.

Will use my own.

Both have stood the test, and get the job done.

There wasn't much research into which bullet would work best. They all seem to.

Can't remember a M1 jamming because of not being cleaned "enough".

Most of the other weapons are good to nice. But if I got to carry it, I want the reliability of a handy weapon that will "put'em down".

go figure

Fred

 

[FMJMIKE]

M2 Carbine would have been my choice but not an available choice...so M1 Carbine and 1911........

 

[skidmark]

a throwback with REMF experience

12 guage pump and a .45acp wheelgun. Nothing clears a trenchline, hedgerow, bunker or cave quite like 00 buck, and it does OK out in the open. The wheelgun is just a preference and besides - it looks better alongside the scattergun.

stay safe.

skidmark

 

[Thain]

I'd like the USS Valley Forge please... Oh... I'm infantry.

Then I'd have a Garand and a M1911. They worked for my grandfather in Korea (he was a bit too young for WWII).

 

[JWarren]

Cool poll... but you left mine off the list.

Edit: I missed seeing the 1903A3-- I should have voted for that.

1903A4 Springfield


I'd like to think that I am as good a shot as my Grandfather was. He started being trained to handle morters. However, he was a good ole' country boy who grew up with a gun in his hand. After qualifying expert marksman, they made a marksman/sniper out of him. He carried a M1D scoped Garand. I'd like to think I'd do as well as he did in qualifying, but I think I'd take a bolt action in the 03 for that role.


John

 

[rugbyer81]

I voted M1 carbine and 1911 because i'd want to fight with my family in the pacific, I dont think either of them fought in Europe. I think a lighter primary weapon in those jungles would be more useful then a full sized garand.

 

[rbernie]

M3 in 45ACP
1911

 

[Blackfork]

Missing guns.

No Reisling? No 1903A3? No Lewis? No Colt Monitor? No P17?



I think the Garand and a 1911, though it's tempting to choose a shotgun. And anyone with fire discipline and shooting ability could use those 15 round mags in an M1 Carbine to make any position awfully uncomfortable.

 

[230RN]

Garand and 1911. With bayonet. For the Garand, of course.

Covers all ranges with precision where needed, and close-up, where it's not.

And the bayonet allows you to groom yourself, shelter yourself, clean foraged game, and open tin cans.

Well, I'm kinda "knifey" anyhow: man's basic tool.

(And although I never thought much of that en bloc loading system, it'll do.)

 

[7ranquilcitizen]

No mention of the Johnson M1941? I'd take that a 1911 and a few pineapples please.