What was the best world war two rifle?

What was the best world war two rifle?


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    94
The M1 Garand. In terms of cost, compatibility with the Army's doctrine, reliability it was the "best" rifle of those listed above.

That is not to say it was the most technologically advanced or provided the greatest amount of firepower or highest rate of fire. The STG 44 would be the "best" rifle according to those criteria, and it was also the weapon most fitting with the Heer's infantry doctrine, but in the end it was more expensive and less reliable than the M1 Garand.

For a firearms owner I would actually say the Lee-Enflied was the "best" World War II rifle. It is a tough, mechanically simple weapon whose useful lifespan can be measured in generations if properly maintained.
 
I consider all of these to be pretty good rifles, but I think the category is too broad. Really, to be fair, it should probably be divided into groups like bolt-action rifles, self-loaders, and full-auto (which from this list would only be the Stg 44, I believe).
Obviously, the result is going to be subjective, but here is my list:

Bolt-action:
Type 44 Arisaka Carbine
Very strong action, fold-under bayonet, simple and reliable.
I would have given it to the SMLE Jungle Carbine, which is similarly indestructable and carries twice the ammo. However, the Japanese 6.50x50mm ammo is better than the British. 303 in my view. The Japanese round is easy to fire, with very little recoil, and aims true. Furthermore, it is more than sufficient for the distances that the battles were actually fought. The. 303 is a tried-and-true round, but it is simply too powerful. It forces the troops to carry a heavier round (and therefore fewer rounds) for no real advantage.

Semi-auto:
Garand, by a mile. It's simply a excellent weapon. It was cheap and easy to build, and easy to use to boot. The SVT gets high marks, too, but it is simply not as realiable. No German attempts for a self-loading battle rifle ever made anything realiable or worthwile. They were over-engineered to a point of absurdity.

Auto/Assualt
Sgt 44 by default.
 

CalBear

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The Garand in a walk. Worked everywhere from the jungle summer to Central European winter, reliable as hell, easy to clean (no Toolkit required, you can disassemble and reassemble the weapon with a 30-06 cartridge as the only mechanical assist needed), and close to the ideal rate of fire (if it had 3 round burst and a box magazine it would probably STILL be in service, at least as designated marksman weapon today). Even with the problem the clip system had (inability to reload single rounds, the ting when you fired off your last round, "Garand thumb") the best personal firearm of the war.

Hell of a weapon.
 
I think we are all agreed about the best overall weapon. I am curious, though, as to what you all think the best bolt-action was.

My vote's for the Garand too.

As for the best bolt-action, when I've seen that question pop up, it often results in a debate between the partisans of the Lee-Enfield & the Mauser (as a combat rifle, I'd go for the Lee-Enfield- simple, reliable, big magazine, & in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing, capable of an impressive rate of fire.)
 
I'll go with the Sturmgewehr. Way ahead of its time. But even the Garand rendered bolt-actions obsolete as service rifles. For the average infantryman, nothing matters more in a weapon than the ability to kill your opposites in the greatest numbers possible. With firearms, that means firing the most bullets with reasonable range and accuracy (all weapons listed had those) within a given amount of time. The Lee-Enfield, I've heard, can fire at a rate rivaling the Garand in the hands of a expert rifleman. Most grunts are not expert riflemen and never will be, even in an all-volunteer army. Just my two bits.
 
well having played with a Smelly, the Garand, Moisin N, SKS, MP43 and K98 I'd go Smelly all the time although YES the Garand is lovely too. Remember though the Smelly made for a great sniper rifle and was still giving the Russians a 'great' time in Afghanistan in the 80s.
 
well having played with a Smelly, the Garand, Moisin N, SKS, MP43 and K98 I'd go Smelly all the time although YES the Garand is lovely too. Remember though the Smelly made for a great sniper rifle and was still giving the Russians a 'great' time in Afghanistan in the 80s.
And furthermore they are still used by the Indian police in 7.62x51 and turn up in conflicts all round the world, not just Afghanistan. The durability is on a par with the AK-47 and the accuracy is a great help in places where ammunition is difficult to obtain. The Lee Enfield series, along with the Mauser 98k, will probably still be used by paramilitary groups and even standing armies as reserve and sniper weapons for several centuries to come.
 
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