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

[entropy]

Then, as now, you carried what you were issued. After initial combat action, one might be able to acquire something different or in addition to (think 'combat loss' and 'war trophy') one's issue weapon, but you didn't get to tour the Arms Room and say "I think I'll take that one...." (Well, OK, us Armorers did...)

Given my druthers, I'd take a Garand and an M1911.

 

[ron8903]

Garand, 1911

 

[scurtis_34471]

M1 Carbine and a 1911

I chose the M1 Carbine for several reasons. First, we all know that 30-06 is overkill for actual combat distances. The .30 M1 has plenty of power for its intended purposes, being somewhat similar to an AK in that regard. The M1 Carbine is light weight compared to most of those rifles. It is also accurate and extremely reliable. Losing full-auto would not be a huge disadvantage, because a full-auto 30-06 would be very hard to control anyway.

 

[Dorryn]

I would love to see this survey done over with the Garand and 1911 left off as options.

 

[Silvanus]

I`d take an M1 Garand and a 1911 as sidearm.

I have to say it´s surprising to see how many people think that Tom Hanks blew up the tank at the end of the movie with his .45 acp.

 

[doubleg]

I'd hump it and take the pump shotgun, an m1 garand, and a 1911. My back would be hurting but they shure would be handy in a shootout.

 

[selector67]

I'd take a BAR, but only the original 1918 with select fire and no bipod, and a colt 1911.

 

[bowfin]

I am taking the BAR, because I'm not letting some chicken little carrying it and letting the whole squad get pinned down and cut to ribbons. I might not last two weeks, but when I get it, it will be my own fault or dumb luck. I would, however, trade the BAR for a Johnson light machine gun

Actually, it would be hard to choose unless a guy knows where and when he would be fighting. If I am with the Marines, dug in on the ridge between Henderson Airfield and the Japanese, then I would take the .50 caliber. If I were on Iwo Jima, then the flamethrower would be indispensable.

Marching miles in New Guinea or Burma might make the M1 Carbine's handiness and light weight a lifesaver. Dropping by parachute into Normandy, a M3 or Thompson.

Oh, and I think the 1911 might be the best sidearm in all of those situations. I am sure most Model 1917 revolvers from S&W or Colt could probably outshoot the M1911, but there are no scoring rings to speak of on an enemy soldier.

 

[DMK]

M1 Garand, 1911 and pineapple grenades.

The BAR's firepower sounds enticing until you consider that every time there's trouble, your squad leader's going to yell "BAR up front!" It's going to draw a lot of enemy fire.

The Thompson's and Greasegun's firepower sounds enticing as well, but I'm not sure I want to go up against 8mm rifles and MG42s across fields and hedgegroves with just a wimpy 45ACP pistol round.

BARs and Thompsons are also too heavy. Soldiers do a LOT of walking.

I might want the M3 in the jungles of the Pacific or for house clearing, but I still like the power of 30-06.

 

[glockamolee]

The BAR gives superior firepower, and power, and range. Since I would be in my 20's, I could carry it ok.

1911, of course. The Hi-Power would be my "other" choice.

 

[Blackfork]

Where's the other semi-auto 30-06?

No Johnson 41? And didn't anyone get shot with a Krag?

 

[hso]

Model 12 and Grease Gun

 

[High Planes Drifter]

I'll take the 03 Springfield as long as its fitted with a scope. For a sidearm, I'll take a 1911A1.

 

[plexreticle]

Was the M2 Carbine available in WW2?

I would want an grease Gun an an 03 sniper and a 1911. If I can't get that gimme an mp44.

 

[Black Majik]

Garand and M1911 for me too

 

[CajunBass]

As I said in another post the other day, when I was a kid, my hero was Sgt. Chip Saunders.

Thompson and a 1911.

 

[axeman_g]

I am a base of fir kinda guy ....

BAR and 1911.


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thuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathugga

powpowpowpowpowpowpow

reloading....

thuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathugga
thuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathuggathugga

powpowpowpowpowpowpow

 

[Tommygunn]

Was the M2 Carbine available in WW2?

The M-2 carbine came out at the very end of WWII. If it was used at all, it would have been used in the very late Pacific Theatre of the war.
It saw more use in Korea. It wasn't really all that successful, but experts are divided as to why; some feel soldiers weren't well trained in it's use, others thought it just had too much "walk-up."

As I said in another post the other day, when I was a kid, my hero was Sgt. Chip Saunders.

Same here -- even more so than Captain Kirk! I have the series on DVD, so I can go back in time any time. Didja know: the Thompson he (Sgt. Saunders) carries in the series was a wooden mockup made by MGM prop studio, unless, it was actually being fired? A bit of TV trivia. The BAR was also a DUMMY unless it was being fired ...

 

[Hokkmike]

I would have gone for the Garand except for the fact that I am small in stature, hence, the M-1 carbine. As for side arms, I am with the vast majority.

 

[ARKIESTEEL]

What about the tanker model of the m1 (short version) and the 1911.

 

[DirksterG30]

Garand and 1911, of course!

 

[GCW5]

M1 Garand & 1911!

 

[GeorgiaGlocker]

I would carry the 1911A1. My dad actually carried the BAR in WWII.

 

[lwrnc1963]

BAR and a 1911 for me.

 

[Guido2006]

I'm in with the BAR and 1911.