No place for the SMG?

F

FutureDevilDog

Active member
Is there a standard issue SMG for any branch of the military (lets say Marines) other than in the special forces and such? Or is the sub-machine gun outdated.
 
The SMG is only used by special forces becuase of its suppression capability. Its not very practical for the regular front-line soldier. The M16 holds more rounds in each clip (not sure of the exact numbers), and is probably more accurate and has a greater range of effectivness. Some Force Recon might use it for a night mission where there is little support and stealth is key. Even then, the SMG would be a last ditch answer.
 
I think with the advent of extensive urban warfare, the submachine *could* make a comeback but what is more likely is assault rifle designs will start to favor the submachine gun characteristics.
The reason why armies don't use them much is because the assault rifle has done a good job of doing the jobs that submachine guns did in the old armies.
 
MP's could use smgs when it's not a very dangerous situation, but nowadays a rifle can do whatever a smg was designed to do. Maybe we'll equip them because they're cheaper and smaller, but not for your average GI joe.
 
MP5's dont even shoot through doors...
and M4's, Tavors etc are small and light now anyways, all being able to carry supressors
 
Check your ballistics, rocco. A 9mm will penetrate most doors and some walls. The rounds carried by most SF units, when used for CQB, are sub-sonic rounds. These do NOT have the penetration power of the standard ball 9mm. As for the rest, the M4 has become the de facto weapon of choice for most ground operators
 
Ah the Australian Navy Clearance Divers carry the Australian F1 Sub Machine gun as standard (along with the M4 and Mosberg shotgun).

f1smg.jpg

It still gets used because it is so simple and light. It is basically a sten gun, just with a solid stock and top mount magazine. You pretty much fill it full of sand, mud, glue, water etc and it'll keep on firing. It's also fairly accurate and can easily be changed over to have a silnced barrel assembly.
 
SF, especially in Anti-Terrorist operations. Rmember the Iranian Embassy, you wouldnt want an M4 in that situation (A 5.56 round will travel through 2-3 people, not what you want when hostages are all over the place)
 
The Russians used the PSSH extensively in front line use. But it fires a round that is closer to intermediate round than a pistol calibre round. The 7.62x25 round is extremely hot and will take a target down at quite a distance.
 
The Marines are switching to the M-4 Carbine, it is a compact assault rifle more suitable for filling the roles of modern warfare. It has almost the same range as the M-16 but is also much more suitable for urban combat than the M-16A4 (Is that what the Army is currently using?). The M-4 is a compromise. The Army however is is going with the XM-8, the SMG just doesn't many uses outside that of Special Forces and use by SWAT teams. It is limited in range but is compact and can put out a lot of bullets in a short time.
 
Damien435 said:
The Marines are switching to the M-4 Carbine, it is a compact assault rifle more suitable for filling the roles of modern warfare. It has almost the same range as the M-16 but is also much more suitable for urban combat than the M-16A4 (Is that what the Army is currently using?). The M-4 is a compromise. The Army however is is going with the XM-8, the SMG just doesn't many uses outside that of Special Forces and use by SWAT teams. It is limited in range but is compact and can put out a lot of bullets in a short time.
Click to expand...


No the Marine Corps is adopting the M16A4 as it's service rifle. There is not going to be a general issue of the M4. Units and personel requiring the M4 will be designated and it will remain a mission/billet orientated weapon.
 
03USMC said:
Damien435 said:
The Marines are switching to the M-4 Carbine, it is a compact assault rifle more suitable for filling the roles of modern warfare. It has almost the same range as the M-16 but is also much more suitable for urban combat than the M-16A4 (Is that what the Army is currently using?). The M-4 is a compromise. The Army however is is going with the XM-8, the SMG just doesn't many uses outside that of Special Forces and use by SWAT teams. It is limited in range but is compact and can put out a lot of bullets in a short time.
Click to expand...


No the Marine Corps is adopting the M16A4 as it's service rifle. There is not going to be a general issue of the M4. Units and personel requiring the M4 will be designated and it will remain a mission/billet orientated weapon.
Click to expand...

Really? Hmmm, when did this happen? Back in July when I was looking into joining the military the Marine Corp. Recruiting told me that they were switching to the M4. Well thank you for enlightening me.
 
I think the US Military has basically gone ahead and moved away from the idea of an SMG and elected more for Assault Rifles, Machine Guns and other weapons. Pilots, however, such as Black Hawks and some other birds as well as SF teams use weapons like the MP5 for holdouts. Mike Durant of the SOAR used one in Mogadishu, Somalia, to defend himself after he and his UH-60 crashed. He used it till it jammed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top