the best gun

[Saxman]

There's too many different roles that needed to be filled to ask for what the "one" best gun of WWII was.

It's unfair to compare the MG42 or Browning .50cal to the Thompson Sub Machine Gun. They were no less prized and respected, but each type filled an entirely different roll.

[633DH98]

P-08 for collectability.

[Sunka]

[Sloehand]

I'd have to say the MG34 or MG42, you can still see the design incorporated into today's machine guns.

For length of service, I'd say the Browning, it is still being used today.

I'd have to say the Ma Deuce, as IT is still in use today and is far more destructive and at greater range.  This assume we really are including ground weapons and not just aircraft guns.

[Anaxogoras]

Close call between the Browning M2 .50 cal and the Hispano 20mm.

1 - MG42 - Highest Rate of Fire of any MG in WWII (That's enough to terrify anyone!)
2 - Browning .50 cal MG - .50cal....'nough said
3 - STG44 - It led the way for every Assault Rifle afterwards, not to mention the Russian AK-47 was basically copied from it.

According to Tony Williams, the Browning was only a mediocre aircraft weapon because of its weight, making it score poorly in the "efficiency" category.

The Hispano V gets my vote.

[lunatic1]

m-1 garand------b-a-r-------thompson sub machine gun

[camnite]

I wouldnt say mg42 because the high rate of fire heated the barrel too quickly,which reduced reliability.
The stg44 was a good gun but wasnt available to many.

Good posts so far keep 'em comin.

[Ack-Ack]

1 - MG42 - Highest Rate of Fire of any MG in WWII (That's enough to terrify anyone!)
2 - Browning .50 cal MG - .50cal....'nough said
3 - STG44 - It led the way for every Assault Rifle afterwards, not to mention the Russian AK-47 was basically copied from it.

According to Mikhail Kalashnikov, he denied that the AK-47 was based on the StG44.


ack-ack

[Furball]

Infantry - MG42
Airborne - Hispano Mk V.  Plenty of guns better than the 50cal imo.

[Race]

According to Mikhail Kalashnikov, he denied that the AK-47 was based on the StG44.


ack-ack

Why wouldnt he? He would be a fool to acknowledge that with out real evidence to speak of laid before him.



At any rate in this game its hard to argue with any of the quad 20mm setups. The combination of ballistics, rate of fire, and accuracy are outstanding.

Race

[A8TOOL]

Ok, so luckily the  AK was not in WWII but it's still a heck of a weapon. Tanks running over it, mud , sand and heat do not bother it much. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNAohtjG14c
YouTube - Burning AK47 -

[Babalonian]

Since everyone seems ot be going with the real heavys, without considering too much manuverability and weight, my preferences would be the MG34 > Brun > BAR... and I guess the MG42 is in there soemwhere, but only if I get a volunteer to help me lug and operate it

But the "one gun" I'd choose over them all of WWII, considering everything, the STG44 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stg44 ), the germans knew how to make their guns.  The STG44 is the grandfather of modern assault rifles.







(G43 in the background on the last one... wouldn't mind one of those either)

[morfiend]

 Tony Williams site states that the Russian 20mm,not sure which 1,is the best aerial weapon.

 Factoring weight,Mv and he/kenetic power.

 But everyone knows,Patton's ivory handled colts won the war....

[Saxman]

Since everyone seems ot be going with the real heavys, without considering too much manuverability and weight, my preferences would be the MG34 > Brun > BAR... and I guess the MG42 is in there soemwhere, but only if I get a volunteer to help me lug and operate it

But the "one gun" I'd choose over them all of WWII, considering everything, the STG44 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stg44 ), the germans knew how to make their guns.  The STG44 is the grandfather of modern assault rifles.

(Image removed from quote.)

So effective it even founds its way to Hoth!

[Furball]

What was the best gun of World War 2?
Conditions:
Rate of Fire
Reliability
Availibility
Firepower
Scare Factor

Would like to see what yall think.

http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/WW2guneffect.htm