What small arms and vehicles during the war do you consider to be the most cost effective? My guess would be the SOviet ppsh41. Their enginneering doctrine dictated that the weapons they created had to be simple, rugged, and cheap. However, the ppsh41 was surprisingly reliable and effective. ANother candidate imo could be the STEN. Vehicles would include the T-34 (obviously) and the sherman I may a thing or two but I certainly do not know as much as most of the people here in the forums so don't be scared to educate me. Try not to be too sarcastic though.
The Sten was a often unreliable weapon with inferior firing characteristics- the German counterpart was also cheap but it was far superior. The Sherman was around the same cost as a Panzer IV- and only on par. A lot of German and Soviet small arms were very cost effective. The Allies simply didn't need to be in this area.. Small arms: STG-44 Assault rifle (cheaper than a K98 bolt action rifle) PPSH-41 PPS-43 (many say the best SMG of the war) MP-40 MG-42 Bazookas Panzerfaust Panzershreck (around the same price as a K98 bolt action rifle..) Tanks: T-34/76 T-34/85 STUG III
The mp 40 and the mp 44 arent really prime examples of cost effectiveness. THe MP-40 was over engineered, delicate, and prone to jamming. Not really up to par with other mass produced smgs. THe STg-44 although great, suffered from a short service length therefore reducing its effectiveness. At least thats what iv'e heard. Feel free to correct me
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What I know is that that the MP40 was maybe two to three times cheaper than a K98 and, these problems aside- if kept clean, was a smg with good firing characteristics. Allied troops- Soviet and the rest often acquired them readily. The STG-44 was generally given to men with a short service life....just like the G-43 semi-auto rifle.