The Thompson Machine Gun
In 1920 a gun appeared that would change the way we look at automatic weapons. The Thompson Submachine Gun, or “Tommy Gun,” became one of the most dominant guns on the battlefield during World War II. The .45 caliber machine gun had a 30 round magazine and could fire between 600 and 700 rounds per minute. Using the same caliber ammunition as the Colt .45, this submachine gun became one of the first users of generic ammunition that could be used in a family of weapons. The “Tommy Gun” is one of the most widely recognized guns through its appearance in movies, mob-related media, and even cartoons. The Thompson machine gun was even used somewhat in Vietnam until it was replaced by the M16.
The Browning Automatic Rifle
Another widely used machine gun of World War II was the Browning Automatic Rifle, commonly referred to as the BAR. This .30 caliber machine gun could fire up to 550 rounds per minute and was effective at distances up to 550 meters. This heavy weapon weighed over 15 pounds. It was designed to be fired from the shoulder, but was more often shot from the hip because of its weight. The BAR also featured an optional bipod that was used to increase accuracy from fixed positions. One of the most beneficial aspects of the BAR was its high level of reliability and its ability to perform under adverse conditions. The Browning Automatic Rifle also saw some use in Vietnam before it was replaced by the M16 and M60 machine guns.
Continue to Firearms of the Vietnam War
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