quote:

ORIGINAL: kbfchicago

M2 has my vote just from a longevity perspective.

From a U.S. only perspective (no personal expose to non-U.S. counterparts) as a tanker on M60A3 and M1s. The M60A3 had the M85 .50 cal (mounted upside down with a backwards feed) in the copula. Being anchored to the tank and hand cranked onto target with integrated day/night sight it was by far more accurate vs. the M1's pintle mounted M2.

Most folks hated the M85, bust your knuckles putting it in, loading, and clearing it, I loved it. With a little TLC (and a c#ap load of lube) it would fire all day long and did not have the same timing sensitivity it's bigger M2 cousin had. Much shorter barrel on the M85 so expect the effective range was shorter, too long ago to recall the specifics...but in a tank if it's bigger than a person out past a 1000 meters, put a 105 (or 120) round in it, don't bother with the small stuff. But then... the M60 tank also typically carried a variety of ammo types to include anti-personnel whereas standard load in the M1 was only HEAT and Sabot. Ammo was also a bit more of a challenge, M85 used trays that wrapped around the cupola, so a "quick" reload was not an option, in fact it was a pain in the butt. Much faster with the M2 (standard ammo can and clip up) but the TC is also exposed on the M1 to use it effectively.

Anywho...just my 2 cents on experience with the Maa Duce and my first .50 cal love, the usually forgotten M85..

Also a shout out to the M60 machine gun a firearm most references relate directly back to the venerable MG34/42 family of German WWII fame. The M60 is a elegant firearm, minimal parts, great rate of fire. I have not disassembled/assembled one for over 20 years but bet I could still do it, blind folded, it was that easy - considering I can't recall my kids names on most days that saying something. The M249, a minimalist version (no stocks, handles, etc) was the coax gun. Now that hummer would fire for days and throw some serious 7.62 down range...from a turret side bin with 1000s (well a sh#t load, if not 1000s) of rounds at the ready.

Tanks, more adrenaline and fun than an adult should be legally allowed to have...thanks CR for bringing back the memories!

Kevin

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ranger5355

Powerful punch and utterly reliable. Definitely should be on any greatest weapons list.

quote:

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Yes, the 1911 would be my second choice. Still used by some of our special forces guys due to its dependability and lack of bulk. The US government has about 100,000 M1911s in storage and just this year legislation was passed to reduce this inventory by moving 10,000 M1911s a year for ten years to the Civilian Marksmanship Program for sale to the public. If you want a piece of history, here is a chance to pick one up. I am not really into firearms but a fine old and rare colt automatic fell into my hands recently and it piqued my interest in 1911s. The last government 1911 was produced in 1945. However, many gun makers are still producing variants of this remarkable firearm. Check it out. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/12/08/how-much-will-cmp-1911-pistols-cost/

quote:

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

It is a broad category.. [:D]

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I might say the M1 Garand ; 1st ever semi automatic production rifle in the hands of the infantry. This was a huge competitive advantage over the Commonwealth Lee / Enfield and any other rifle by Axis design.

Sure there were other fine designs, and machine guns, and a number of (primarily German) early assault rifle but none of them were produced in the quantity of equipping most of nearly 8 Million US Soldiers in field by 1945.

Some 6 million Garand's were made in WW2 I recall off the top of my head.

The Garand gave the US Army fire superiority on every field of battle soldier vs soldier. Huge competitive advantage over the standard 'bolt action' and 'bolt-semi's' the vast majority other nations sent into battle.

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The Colt ? Meh... Nice side arm with many advantages but no real distinct competitive advantages over German / Commonwealth standard issue. Some argue the Walther Fabrick P38 was more revolutionary. But in comparison of the two you cant point at one and say "that made the difference".

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The Browning 50cal is certainly also up there and deserves mention in any list.

Its longevity as a relevant weapon speaks volumes.

Americans tended to equip the smaller cal BAR early; but the 50cal eventually gave men in the field something to stand off armored opposition. It could open up 'tin cans and doors'.

Again the question has to be whether it had a significant competitive advantage over the German MG 42 and if it was produced in sufficient quantities to make the difference. I don't really know the answer to that...

quote:

ORIGINAL: m10bob

John Browning never made trash.

While my dad preferred the Browning 9mm "Gran Puissance" and carried it in 2 wars, I preferred the M1911a1.(ser#2425471.)

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ORIGINAL: crsutton

quote:

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

It is a broad category.. [:D]

I would say the Garand was groundbreaking and one of my favorites but not the greatest because it is no longer in general use. The 50 cal is still used by many nations and is not even close to being considered obsolete. Amazing. If I had to pick a general infantry weapon then my choice would be the AK47. The Russians created a winner here. Cheap to make, totally reliable and useful in many functions. No other weapon in the past half century has given us (the US) more trouble.

quote:

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Bob, only about 15-17,000 of the M1911 out of 2.7 million made had the US Navy stamp on the side. The last produced was in 1917 (my memory may be off a bit). I don't think they ever made a 38 caliber version with the US Navy stamp. Not a real expert though. Did you use the M1911 in your ranger days?