Sunray
Member
"...Did soldiers have a preference or could they switch out?..." Nope. During W. W. II, weapons were issued according to the job a PBI(infantry, poor bloody) troopie was doing and his training, according to the TO&E of a unit. So many riflemen per unit issued with M1's, so many BAR's per unit(LMG's) officers issued pistols or maybe a carbine. That lasted until combat ensued. If a troopied didn't want to lug an 8 or 9 pound M1, he picked up or traded for what he wanted. The PBI carried their whole world on their backs. Getting ammo was not an issue. A 'Chopper', despite the firepower, weighs 12 pounds empty. The M1 carbine weighs 6 lbs with nearly the same firepower and greater range.
"...I hope these comments prove useful..." Hi. Logistics was a nightmare for the entire Allied effort due primarily to Montgomery's ego. He ignored the need for major ports.
"...This is one of the reasons why the U.S. eventually switched to an intermediate round, often referred to as an assault rifle round..." It's why NATO specs were invented. Everybody in NATO uses the same rifle ammo. The U.S. jammed the 7.62/.308 down other NATO country's throats and later the 5.56 for political reasons. Military considerations had nothing to do with it. There were several 7mm cartridges being developed that were better or European battle fields than either American cartridge.
There's no such thing as an assault round. Well, except for the 7.62 x 39 and 7.92 Kurtz. An assault rifle is a select fire rifle using the same calibre bullet as the PBI rifle, but in a shorter case.
"...M1917 Colt..." That's a revolver.
"...why they are called submachine guns?..." MG's use rifle cartridges. SMG's use pistol cartridges.
"...I hope these comments prove useful..." Hi. Logistics was a nightmare for the entire Allied effort due primarily to Montgomery's ego. He ignored the need for major ports.
"...This is one of the reasons why the U.S. eventually switched to an intermediate round, often referred to as an assault rifle round..." It's why NATO specs were invented. Everybody in NATO uses the same rifle ammo. The U.S. jammed the 7.62/.308 down other NATO country's throats and later the 5.56 for political reasons. Military considerations had nothing to do with it. There were several 7mm cartridges being developed that were better or European battle fields than either American cartridge.
There's no such thing as an assault round. Well, except for the 7.62 x 39 and 7.92 Kurtz. An assault rifle is a select fire rifle using the same calibre bullet as the PBI rifle, but in a shorter case.
"...M1917 Colt..." That's a revolver.
"...why they are called submachine guns?..." MG's use rifle cartridges. SMG's use pistol cartridges.