Every U.S. Submachine Gun Used in WW2

From rushed early‑war stopgaps to refined mass‑production workhorses, this video dives into the full lineup of American submachine guns that saw combat in World War II. It breaks down how each weapon emerged, where it was used, and why some earned lasting battlefield reputations, highlighting design choices, combat performance, and the real impact these guns had in close‑quarters fighting across Europe and the Pacific.

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Full Item Reference List

Pre‑War & Early War Foundations

Thompson M1921 — Early Submachine Gun

Thompson M1928A1 — Naval & Marine Variant

Thompson M1 — Simplified Wartime Model

Thompson M1A1 — Mass‑Production Variant

Reising Model 50 — Marine Submachine Gun

Reising Model 55 — Folding‑Stock Variant

Wartime Mass‑Production Submachine Guns
7. M3 Submachine Gun — “Grease Gun”
8. M3A1 Submachine Gun — Improved Wartime Variant
9. Thompson Experimental Simplified Models — Prototypes
10. M3 Suppressed Variant — Experimental Covert SMG

Experimental & Limited‑Issue Submachine Guns
11. Hyde M2 — Prototype Submachine Gun
12. Hyde M3 — Improved Prototype
13. United Defense SMG Prototype — Experimental
14. Thompson T2 — Lightweight Experimental Model
15. Johnson Model 1941 SMG — Recoil‑Operated Prototype

Foreign Submachine Guns Used by U.S. Forces
16. Lanchester SMG — Naval Issue
17. Sten Mk II — OSS & Ranger Use
18. Sten Mk V — Special Operations
19. MP40 — Limited Battlefield Use
20. Beretta M1938 — OSS Use

Airborne, Special Forces & Suppressed SMGs
21. M3 with Suppressor — OSS Variant
22. De Lisle‑Influenced Suppressed Tests — Experimental Quiet SMG
23. Thompson with Cutts Compensator — Close‑Quarters Variant
24. Thompson Paratrooper Modifications — Airborne Adapted

Late‑War Adaptations & Legacy
25. M3A1 — Late‑War Configuration
26. Thompson Late‑Production Models — Simplified Wartime Output
27. Training & Guard‑Unit SMGs — Rear‑Area Service
28. Post‑War Transitional Use SMGs — Continued Service
29. Reserve & Depot SMGs — Stored Wartime Weapons
30. Final Wartime Configuration SMGs — End‑of‑War Standard