Forgotten Weapons Covers the Well-Remembered "Grease Guns"
I love it when Ian over at Forgotten Weapons falls off the actual “forgotten” weapons and delves into well-known and respected designs. His brain housing group is replete with an encyclopedia of facts and history on weapons and when applied to even well-known guns, I personally come away learning more. In this case, Ian takes a look at the M3 submachine gun fielded by the United States in World War 2 and slightly beyond. The M3, knick-named the “grease gun” for its external resemblance to
In this case, Ian takes a look at the M3 submachine gun fielded by the United States in World War 2 and slightly beyond. The M3, knick-named the “grease gun” for its external resemblance to a well-known mechanic’s tool. The weapons were fielded to replace the venerable Thompson, which while well-respected, had considerable manufacturing costs, even with features removed for the war effort.
Perhaps most interesting is the transition from the M3 to the M3A1, which on briefly made an impact on the war. The changes were relatively minor primarily to the charging handle, which moved from a pivoted design prone to break due to poor heat threat to a machined out cut in the bolt, where the soldier used a digit to cock the action.
Its further interesting to see the design choices to make a weapon as simple as possible. For the full details and to remember a not forgotten weapon, check out the video from Forgotten Weapons below:
One of TFB's resident Jarheads, Nathan now works within the firearms industry. A consecutive Marine rifle and pistol expert, he enjoys local 3-gun, NFA, gunsmithing, MSR's, & high-speed gear. Nathan has traveled to over 30 countries working with US DoD & foreign MoDs.The above post is my opinion and does not reflect the views of any company or organization.
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In the early 70s US Marines still maintained individual unit armories even down to the level of aviation squadrons, instead of station or larger parent unit armories as they do today.
We had a brief period when anti-war protestors and domestic terror groups were attempting to gain access to them in order to steal weapons and create havoc onboard some California bases.
I was stationed at MCAS El Toro, CA in VMA-223, working on night crew in the ordnance division during one such attempt. Station & Wing commanders responded by an attempt on the J-3 (F4 Phantom recognizance squadron) armory and other reported breaches of the perimeter fence with armed patrols of flightiness, runways and other critical areas. Marines on duty at the time were ordered to report to Group HQ, assigned patrol sectors and issued weapons and vehicles.
A close friend was the NCIOC of the J3 Ordnance Division and coincidentally on duty at the squadron armory that night. While my squadron issued M14 rifles, 1911 pistols and Remington 870 shotguns for roving patrols, he issued the M3 Sub-machine gun and 1911 pistols for internal security inside the hangar and armory.
While aboard the USS Rockbridge APA-228 in 1966-68, the ships armory maintained and Gunners Mates plus Boatswain's Mates (deck personnel) assigned 'Repel Borders' duties practiced with Thompson sub-machine guns, M1 Garand's, M1918 Browning BAR, M1 Carbines as well as M14's and other small arms.
I was fortunate in four decades of service to train with many of these weapons no longer part of our active military in our modern military. While effective accuracy dropped fast beyond fifty yards, the M3 and M3A1 Sub-machine Gun (Grease Gun) was useful in urban CQB, especially clearing buildings. Cost effective, compact & simple with a rate of fire allowing easy control, it provided a powerful anti-personnel small arm for close combat.
I still maintain proficiency with a variety of small arms including M16 platform derivatives, but I have never enjoyed them as much as I do my M1A (M14), M1 Garand, M1C (Carbine) and several other now so called obsolete weapons in the military part of my collection. Little is more satisfying than putting rounds into a 12" bulls eye at 500 yards using standard issue iron sights on my 1903A3 Springfield rifle. At my age scopes, red dots and other optics have increased appeal to aging eyes, but nothing beats the satisfaction of open or iron sights and few small arms are as user friendly and instinctive as some of the old warriors.
My favorite now obsolete weapon of all time is the M249 Grenade Launcher which always seemed like an extension of me and almost impossible to miss the target with. It just clicked for me and I could lay down grenade fire that surprised me with it's accuracy. No machine gun emplacement or other enemy within range was safe from the bloop tubes big arc dropping right on top of them.
Nice, detailed overview of the "grease gun". Enjoyed it, and learned a lot.
When I was a widdle kid, I had the Mattel Toys version of the "grease gun" (heaven forbid if they were sold today!). It was a cap gun that was fired by turning a crank as slowly or as quickly as you wanted.
For added play value (noise), I recall that you could open the mag while you fired, and it made one hell of a racket. It hit the trash can when the hammer finally broke. It was a cool gun to a kid... I liked it as much as my Mattel Thompson.....
Nowadays, you can see similar guns to the M3 being knocked out by the dozens by "backyard" gunsmiths in Mexico, the Philippines, and other Pacific Rim countries.
Looking at the basic construction and simplicity of these grease guns, they make the dream of banning guns by the gun-hating cretins even more laughable.