Why US Soldiers Loved These WW2 Guns | M1 Garand & M3 ‘Grease Gun’

The M1 Garand and the M3 Submachine Gun – nicknamed the ‘Grease Gun’ – armed generations of US infantry during the Second World War. The M1 Garand, famously called “the greatest battle implement ever devised” by General Patton, gave American troops a reliable, semi-automatic rifle with the firepower to dominate the battlefield. The compact, .45 calibre M3 ‘Grease Gun’ offered close-quarters punch at a fraction of the cost of the Thompson.

But how did these weapons really perform in combat? James Holland takes a close look at both firearms – their design, handling, and role in US infantry tactics – and explores why they became icons of American military power in WW2. From the Garand’s distinctive ‘ping’ to the Grease Gun’s rugged simplicity, we break down what made these weapons so effective and why they left a lasting legacy.

📍 Filmed on location at WW2 Armor’s Valousia Valor Days in Florida: https://www.ww2armor.org/

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00:00 Intro
00:30 M1 Garand Overview & Design
02:26 Combat Role and Performance
03:44 M3 Grease Gun Overview & Design

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Correction from James: At 5:50, James states the Thompson cost $85 to produce – the actual figure was approximately $50.

Safety Notice:
All weapons featured in this video were checked and confirmed to be unloaded prior to filming. Safety protocols were followed at all times.