Many years ago I was chatting to a Vietnam Vet training with my TA unit. He mentioned that his unit requested to be issued with Tommy Guns, their request was turned down.

Its a good short range firearm that hits hard, albeit a bit on the heavy side.

The M-3 and M3A1 "Grease Gun" were used by U.S. and Vietnamese forces. It fires the same ammunition as the Thompson sub-machine gun. It has a slower rate of fire; somewhere around 450 rounds per minutes and while it isn't pretty, it's very simple, rugged and easy to shoot.
The Vietnamese forces were also issued large numbers of U.S. M-1 and M-2 carbines which suited them well because of their smaller stature. 12 gauge pump action shotguns were provided in large numbers to the Vietnamese government in order to arm the village militias.
When the AK-47 started showing up in large numbers in the hands of enemy forces, that was a game changer. It became clear that the other guys had small-arms equal or superior to anything used by the U.S. or VN.
I have used and fired both the Thompson and the "Grease Gun" and I may be in the minority, but I think the Thompson is big, heavy and and not as reliable as the M-3.

Originally Posted by Remington 1858

The M-3 and M3A1 "Grease Gun" were used by U.S. and Vietnamese forces. It fires the same ammunition as the Thompson sub-machine gun. It has a slower rate of fire; somewhere around 450 rounds per minutes and while it isn't pretty, it's very simple, rugged and easy to shoot.
The Vietnamese forces were also issued large numbers of U.S. M-1 and M-2 carbines which suited them well because of their smaller stature. 12 gauge pump action shotguns were provided in large numbers to the Vietnamese government in order to arm the village militias.
When the AK-47 started showing up in large numbers in the hands of enemy forces, that was a game changer. It became clear that the other guys had small-arms equal or superior to anything used by the U.S. or VN.
I have used and fired both the Thompson and the "Grease Gun" and I may be in the minority, but I think the Thompson is big, heavy and and not as reliable as the M-3.

I'm jealous, I've always wanted to fire the Thompson.

My dad was stationed in Palestine and issued a Thomson during WW2. It was fitted with the fore end pistol grip, finned barrel, Cutts converter and drum magazine, he never fired one round out of the gun.

I was issued the Sterling SMG which I quite liked, I also fired the Mk2 STEN, which I didn't like. The difference between the two was like chalk and cheese.

In the U.S state where I reside ( Oregon), the possession and firing of automatic weapons is legal. Each year, at a local gun club, there is a machine gun shoot in which owners of these weapons bring them out and allow attendees to shoot them for the purchase of the ammunition. All of the firearms that have been previously mentioned in this thread are available, including dual and quad .50 caliber Brownings.
The event is held on the second weekend of May and draws thousands of people, many from states and countries where such activity is considered unlawful, if not insane.
At last years event I was able to shoot a Soviet PPsH, a Soviet AKSU, ( the Osama Bin Laden Signature model ). and a German MG-42 - Hitler's Buzzsaw.
Yes, Americans are crazier than hell, and proud of it.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFLDbasfwZ0"]2013 Saddle Butte Machine Gun Shoot - YouTube[/ame]

I call that common sense gun laws.

No doubt there are those who throw their hands up in the air screaming and shouting demanding such guns are banned yada yada yada. I wonder how many of those selective/automatic firearms are used in crime? I would wager a years pension very few if any.

I loved the British built GPMG and I've fired the BREN in original 303 and 7.62 conversion. The 7.62 versions were quite badly worn.