what would be your choice of small arms 39-45

[Gen. Maczek]

Pistol: Polish 'ViS' Wz. 35 9mm.

One of, if not the best pistols used during WWII. Great accuracy, lightweight and powerful. Holds 8 rounds, very easy and quick to reload.

SMG: Suomi

No explenation needed.

Rifle: M1

As above.

[Gen. Maczek]

Pistol: Polish 'ViS' Wz. 35 9mm.

One of, if not the best pistol used during WWII. Great accuracy, lightweight and powerful. Holds 8 rounds, very easy and quick to reload, almost no kick.

SMG: Suomi

No explenation needed.

Rifle: M1

As above.

[ May 12, 2001: Message edited by: Gen. Maczek ]

[Czerka]

I'm not sure about what rifle, but if I was in the jungles I'd want the Thomson. I also like the MP38.

[Panzer Capta]

PPsH M1941....without a doubt

[Hauptmann]

The MP-40 would be my choice.

[chanman]

The best first:

Rifle: Springfield '03. I have heard that the M1 is supposed to be better, but I have never fired one. The '03 I fired could reach out and touch someone at 2-300 yards over iron sights and longer if scoped. Specially selected ammo is nice too. The man who taught me to shoot it (jumped at Normandy, fought at Bastogne, commanded a battalion in Viet Nam) swore by it.

Pistol: Colt model 1911a .45 caliber. I know that the 9mm's have a larger magazine capacity and are easier to conceal, but when you are wearing green chasing "bad guys", that isn't so relevant. Stopping power is, and the .45 is king among pistols in stopping power.

SMG: I'll go with the Thompson and the 50 round drum. Stopping power at short range with lots of ammo. Heavy, I'll grant. Technically, I agree that the PPshk and the Soumi are probably better weapons, but the thompson has the additional feature that if it jams, you have lots of extra ammo for your pistol.

LMG: For logistical reasons, I'll go with the BAR here. AFAIK, it uses the same ammo as the '03 and M1.

AT: Panzerfaust. An addition to the post above about Russian weapons being knockoffs would be the RPG series derived from the Panzerfaust.

Assault Rifle: StG 44. The only one in this time period, I think.

Now, for the worst:

Rifle: Late model Japanese rifles. Friend of mine has one in his collection but refuses to fire it. Late war Japanese metallurgy was suspect.

Pistol: Tough one. I understand that Japan and England both have outstanding candidates in this field. My vote goes for the Luger, though. Looks cool, but way too complex and the balance stinks. You don't even get the great magazine capacity of the other 9mm's.

SMG: Sten. Easy to manufacture. Easy to throw away.

That's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

[NeoWhiteWolf]

Reading this thread i got to thinking....if i had to shoose i would take the FG43....even though it kicks harder than an 88 im 6'6 250+ and ive fired one with no trouble...my sidearm would have to be the P38...i know your going to say im crazy but i would carry a bolt....if tyhe germans against SMG and AR's did fine til '43 with a good ratio of kills to deaths....that has to count for something...