WWII small arms

Hufflepuff · #1 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2008, 07:20 PM

For those of you out there who have had the honor of firing small arms from the WWII era, which one was your favorite to fire and why? If you have fired only one WWII weapon, don't be shy; post what it was and what it was like to shoot. I am open to all posts on any weapon from any nation.

B-17engineer · #2 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2008, 07:45 PM

YOu mean Pistols, I have held an M1 Garand, never fired it but that was easy to aim. Not terribly heavy

JCFalkenbergIII · #3 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2008, 07:46 PM

Well I personally own a 1939 issue Mauser Kar98k, 1945 issue Mosin-Nagant M1944 Carbine and 1938 issue Mosin Nagant 91/30. I prefer the Kar98k for its accuracy.

JCFalkenbergIII · #4 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-17engineer

YOu mean Pistols, I have held an M1 Garand, never fired it but that was easy to aim. Not terribly heavy

I think he meant "small arms" as a whole. "Small Arms" are not limited to pistols. It can include rifles,carbines,submachine guns,shotguns and assault rifiles.

Herr Oberst · #5 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2008, 08:01 PM

The Mp-40, not mine but still the most enjoyable wep I've ranged.

The Garrand, K98 and G24 as well as the colt 45

JCFalkenbergIII · #6 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2008, 08:10 PM

In addition to what I listed I also own a 1918 Lee Enfield , 1917 Mauser Gewher 98 and a 1938 Turkish Mauser And my favorite,a M96 Broomhandle Mauser

.

machine shop tom · #7 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2008, 11:20 PM

I own a semi-sporterized K98. Love shooting it, especially with surplus ammo.

I fired an M-1 Garand in a DCM shoot once. Absolutely the best shooting experience I ever had. Shot quite well with it, enough for the range regulars to wonder where the ringer came from.

tom

Erich · #8 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2008, 11:30 PM

hmmmmmmmmm this is actually almost a repeat of an older thread.

2 K-98K, G-33/40
P-38
Colt 45 superior to all pistols in every respect except it has a good kick in the butt feel.

7.65 ww1 Beholla superior to short range even to the P-38 in my estimation

I own all and fired all ....... now it is time to put them away for display

B-17engineer · #9 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2008, 12:24 AM

Alrighty I have fired a K-98k......accurate

Tony Williams · #10 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2008, 11:49 AM

In one range session a couple of years ago I fired a Lee Enfield No.4, a K98k, an FG 42 and a MKb 42 (W).

The Lee Enfield was much better than the K98k simply because the peep rear sight made aiming very much easier than the leaf sight of the Mauser. Also, the .303 recoil was a bit less, the bolt faster and, of course, the magazine capacity twice as much.

The FG 42 kicked hard and the muzzle blast and flash were horrendous.

The MKb 42 (W) had a very gentle push rather than a kick and was the easiest to hold in the aim. Definitely my pick of the bunch unless the fighting was all going to be at very long range.

Hufflepuff · #11 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Williams

The FG 42 kicked hard and the muzzle blast and flash were horrendous.

Dude nice the FG-42 is so rare nowadays.

Martin Bull · #12 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2008, 05:17 PM

Can't add much here, I'm afraid...

...but many years ago I had the pleasure of range-firing a P.08 'Luger'. Very pleasant and accurate to fire and the recoil could hardly be felt.

And I was just so conscious that I was handling a 'legend'.....

Erich · #13 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2008, 05:26 PM

Martin one of the reasons I have put the WW2 toys away firing WW2 ammo. jams/blockage, backfires and just plain unsafe, and yes the P-08 is a fine weapon for close range, I do enjoy the small size of the Sauer as well. the Browning Hi-power was wild, too bad I was not able to test out my Panzerschreck 54 with a live round......not that I would want to, but then again... ?

Herr Oberst · #14 (**permalink**) February 21st, 2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Williams

In one range session a couple of years ago I fired a Lee Enfield No.4, a K98k, an FG 42 and a MKb 42 (W).

The Lee Enfield was much better than the K98k simply because the peep rear sight made aiming very much easier than the leaf sight of the Mauser. Also, the .303 recoil was a bit less, the bolt faster and, of course, the magazine capacity twice as much.

The FG 42 kicked hard and the muzzle blast and flash were horrendous.

The MKb 42 (W) had a very gentle push rather than a kick and was the easiest to hold in the aim. Definitely my pick of the bunch unless the fighting was all going to be at very long range.

I am truly impressed those weps on a range are a rare sight indeed, I am now officially jealous

Hufflepuff · #15 (**permalink**) February 21st, 2008, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erich

Martin one of the reasons I have put the WW2 toys away firing WW2 ammo. jams/blockage, backfires and just plain unsafe, and yes the P-08 is a fine weapon for close range, I do enjoy the small size of the Sauer as well. the Browning Hi-power was wild, too bad I was not able to test out my Panzerschreck 54 with a live round......not that I would want to, but then again... ?

Where did you find a Panzerschreck? The ammo for that thing is extremely rare, not to mention the Panzerschreck itself.

mac_bolan00 · #16 (**permalink**) February 23rd, 2008, 03:52 AM

was the late col. charles askins correct when he said the 9mm killed more people in ww2 than all other small arms cartridge put together? or did he mean just pistol rounds?

Hufflepuff · #17 (**permalink**) February 23rd, 2008, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac_bolan00

was the late col. charles askins correct when he said the 9mm killed more people in ww2 than all other small arms cartridge put together? or did he mean just pistol rounds?

Probably pistol rounds.

T. A. Gardner · #18 (**permalink**) February 23rd, 2008, 04:20 AM

I really doubt that. Machineguns were the primary small arms killer of the war and none used the 9mm round.

mac_bolan00 · #19 (**permalink**) February 23rd, 2008, 04:29 AM

yeah, i suspected that too. in fact, the statistical study by the army said less than 5% of all military casualties beginning from 1914 were from small arms. the bulk was from heavy weapons.

Hufflepuff · #20 (**permalink**) February 23rd, 2008, 03:47 PM

I would probably say, if we were talking about machine guns, the caliber responsible for the most casualties was the 7.62mm American or Soviet or the German 7.92mm round.

Klive · #21 (**permalink**) February 25th, 2008, 01:12 PM

My WWII weapons firing experience is v. limited: SMLE No 4 (helluva recoil after firing the SLR); .303" Bren (best-ever LMG). But my most memorable WWII weaps moment was - aged 13 - sitting behind a Vickers .303" MMG. Those brass spade-grips, safety taps & firing buttons in my hands - what a buzz. And Dad wouldn't let me fire it... When I watched the SF fire demo (on a floating target half-a-mile out to sea - I was surprised how slow the ROF was, and how thirsty the water-jacket. A 1gall can turned to steam in a few minutes.

Klive

Hufflepuff · #22 (**permalink**) February 25th, 2008, 03:26 PM

SLR is an excellent weapon, even though it's not WWII. Far better than the M16 we had in Vietnam.

mac_bolan00 · #23 (**permalink**) February 26th, 2008, 03:50 AM

fired the sporter spingfield and the lee enfield. the first is a great hunter. but the second is for fighting.

Raysrunt · #24 (**permalink**) March 1st, 2008, 09:24 PM

I have two bullets and I wondered if anyone could help me know what they are? The small one has GFL M38 1943 on the bottom, the larger one has 18 P.C. CO on the bottom. The rifle shell I have has P132 1Va1 24 39 on the bottom. These were brought home by my dad who fought in France and Germany in 1944-45. Thanks.