Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • News
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Special Weapons
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
    • Military & Police
    • Training
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • News
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Special Weapons
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
    • Military & Police
    • Training
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
No Result
View All Result
 
New Year, New FREE GUN FRIDAY! Enter to WIN the Smith & Wesson and Black Hills package.

Grease Gun: Examining the M3/M3A1 Submachine Gun

Leroy Thompson by Leroy Thompson
May 27, 2018
in Guns, Rifles
0
m3 m3a1 grease gun beauty shot

The rudimentary M3 “Grease Gun” was widely used in Allied armored vehicles during World War II because it was compact enough to get into and out of a tank turret easily.

623
SHARES
1.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
m3 m3a1 grease gun beauty shot
The rudimentary M3 “Grease Gun” was widely used in Allied armored vehicles during World War II because it was compact enough to get into and out of a tank turret easily.
m3 m3a1 grease gun us soldier
A U.S. soldier of the 3rd Infantry Division fires his M3 during a training exercise in 1953.
m3 m3a1 grease gun magazine release
The M3’s magazine release was protected by a ridge to keep it from being hit inadvertently during combat. Users could depress the mag release and remove the mag with just one hand.

m3 m3a1 grease gun stock release
The stock release is just above the pistol grip.
m3 m3a1 grease gun dust cover
The M3’s hinged dust cover doubled as a safety, as the stud visible on the cover would prevent the bolt from moving. Also note the cocking handle on the right side.
m3 m3a1 grease gun stock
The M3 featured a collapsible wire stock. While it was not especially comfortable for firing, it made the Grease Gun very easy to carry or stow in a vehicle.

m3 m3a1 grease gun magazine
The M3’s steel stick magazine held 30 rounds and often required a loader due to stiff spring tension. On the updated M3A1 Grease Gun, a handy magazine loader was incorporated into the stock.
m3 m3a1 grease gun test
m3 m3a1 grease gun left profile

m3 m3a1 grease gun barrel

Compared to most U.S. infantry weapons of World War II, the M3 submachine gun is not especially well known. This is even more remarkable given that it is the longest-serving SMG in U.S. military history, having been used from 1942 to 1992.

Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun
RELATED STORY

Gun Review: The Soviet PPSh-41 Submachine Gun

The M3’s resemblance to the tool used to lubricate automobiles resulted in its nickname, the “Grease Gun.” Many of those who do recognize the M3 may know it more by that title than its official designation. The M3 has been portrayed onscreen a few times, including the film “The Dirty Dozen” and in HBO’s “Band of Brothers.”

A New Direction

Development of the M3 began in 1941 when the U.S. Army Ordnance Board became interested in an inexpensive, mass-produced submachine gun akin to the British Sten Gun. This in itself was quite a turnaround as, unlike many European armies, the U.S. Army had never really been especially enamored with SMGs. At the time, the U.S. submachine gun was the Thompson, which had been adopted to a large extent because it was available and already in production at the start of the war.

The Thompson was effective but heavy and expensive. Based on a list of requirements submitted by the Army, specs were developed for an all-metal weapon, chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge, capable of either semi- or full-auto fire, having a low cyclic rate and capable of being inexpensively mass produced. The original specifications had offered .30 Carbine as an alternative to .45 ACP, but the pistol caliber was chosen. To save costs, the capability of firing on semi-auto was eliminated, so the M3 could only be fired on full-auto.

Working with engineers from the Inland Manufacturing Division of General Motors, the Ordnance Department developed what was designated the T-15. Specifications of October 8, 1942, included a stipulation that the T-15 could be easily altered to fire the 9mm round, thus allowing captured ammo to be used and M3s to be supplied to allies or Resistance fighters.Another stipulation was that the capability of firing semi-auto be eliminated to make production easier and less expensive. Because the M3 had such a low cyclic rate, it would be much easier to fire one or two shots through trigger control.

T-20

The version incorporating these changes was designated the T-20. Five prototypes of the T-20, along with five 9mm conversion units, were built by General Motors for testing. In accuracy testing on a 6-by-6-foot target at 50 yards, the T-20 scored 97 hits out of 100. For comparison, a Thompson SMG used as a control scored 93. During a reliability test of 5,000 brass-cased .45 ACP rounds, there were only two failures to feed, both attributed to defective magazine followers. An additional test of 500 rounds of steel-cased .45 ACP had three failures to eject and one to feed. Additional reliability tests included those in mud and dust. The T-20 proved more reliable than other SMGs that were tested. Tests of the T-20 were also carried out by the U.S. Army Airborne Command, the Amphibious Warfare Board, the U.S. Army Infantry Board and the U.S. Armored Forces Board. All recommended its adoption.

An Ordnance Committee memo from December 23, 1942, recommended its adoption as “US Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3.” Its production was approved in January 1943, and production began in May 1943. An initial contract for 300,000 Grease Guns was awarded to the Guide Lamp Division of General Motors because of this division’s expertise in the use of stampings in production.

Devil’s In The Details 

Other than the barrel, the bolt and a few other smaller parts, the M3 was produced entirely of stampings at a cost of around $18.36 per unit, plus $2.58 for the bolt assembly, which was subcontracted. The cost of the M3 was about half that of the M1A1 Thompson, and the production time required was about half as well. Many of the production shortcuts used by the British in making the Sten Gun were used in making the M3. For example, as with the Sten, M3 barrels were cold swaged. By the end of 1943, Guide Lamp had produced 85,130 M3s, with production in 1944 rising to 343,372. A final 162,723 M3s were produced in 1945.

Prodlems arose in 1944 with issued M3s, including cocking handle assembly failures and fragile rear sights, among others. These problems were fixed in later M3 production.

In May 1944, the Tank Destroyer Board requested a fix to magazines being inadvertently released, resulting in a guard being added around the magazine release. To fix tankers damaging the bolt face and chamber by using the stock as a cleaning rod, a stop plate was added between the stock rods.

Simplification

In April 1944, the Ordnance Department and Guide Lamp began work on simplifying the M3 even more. Not all suggested changes were implemented, but among those that were was the elimination of the cocking handle/crank. Instead, the bolt was designed to incorporate a recess, which allowed the finger to be used to pull back and cock the bolt. Among other changes was the incorporation of a loading tool into the buttstock, incorporating a longer ejection port and ejection port cover/safety flap, and strengthening the rear sight. On February 22, 1945, the new design was adopted as the “Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3A1.” The M3A1 was slightly lighter than the M3 by a couple of ounces. Before the end of the war, only 15,469 M3A1’s had been produced.

Called To Duty

The ejection port cover/safety flap is one of the more interesting cost-cutting features of the M3/M3A1. Rather than using a conventional selector or safety, the M3’s safety consists of a stud on a hinged ejection port cover. When the bolt is forward, the cover may be closed over the bolt, with the stud engaging a recess in the bolt. This prevents the bolt from being jarred rearward, thus cocking the weapon on a loaded magazine. When the bolt is to the rear, the stud engages a notch atop the bolt, preventing the bolt from going forward. Since the M3/M3A1 fires from an open bolt, securing the bolt in position is very important for safety.

As troops got used to the M3, they found it easy to carry with good stopping power. They also grew to appreciate the low cyclic rate, as it allowed greater control. Although it had initially been issued to paratroopers and Rangers on a limited evaluation basis, it did achieve wider use among members of the 17th Airborne Division during Operation Varsity. Tank crewmen and armored infantrymen were also among the early troops to receive the M3. MPs found the M3 a very useful weapon for guarding installations or controlling prisoners. Although intended as a replacement for the Thompson SMG, both continued to be used until the end of World War II, at which point most Thompsons were pulled from service.

Suppressed Variant

A suppressed version of the M3 had been developed for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). A barrel with an integral suppressor could be easily installed on the M3 by screwing off the standard barrel and screwing on the suppressed one. Since the .45 ACP round is subsonic, standard ammunition could be used, and the heavy 230-grain bullet retained substantial stopping power even when fired from a suppressed weapon. A total of 1,000 suppressed barrels were produced for the OSS contract. Suppressed M3s are notably heavier by more than a 1.5 pounds and are longer than the standard model M3.

During the Korean War, the principal U.S. SMG was the M3A1. Due to the cold weather, care had to be taken not to over-lubricate the M3A1, and troops found that cocking the bolt with their fingers was difficult.

Modern Combat

In 1953, Ithaca Gun Company was given a contract to manufacture over 90,000 new M3 bolts to replace those that had become too worn for continued use. Later in the 1950s, Ithaca was given a contract for 70,000 new M3A1 SMGs to fill estimated future needs. Production took place during 1955 to 1956, but only 33,227 Ithaca M3A1s were produced before the contract was cancelled. This additional production allowed the Thompson to be taken out of service in March 1957.

During the Vietnam War, the M3/M3A1 saw use with U.S. Special Forces, Vietnamese forces and Marine Recons among others. When Delta Force was formed in late 1977, it used the M3A1.  Suppressed M3A1s also went along on the Iranian hostage-rescue mission.

After Vietnam, U.S. armored crews were still issued the M3 to carry in their tanks, and tankers in Europe facing the threat of a Warsaw Pact attack had M3s. Armored vehicles in the first Gulf War also carried M3s.

Range Report

I have fired the M3, M3A1 and suppressed versions. As with most skeleton stocks, that on the M3 is not especially comfortable, but it is better than some, such as the AK underfolder. The stock design is such that it channels recoil straight back, which helps to control the SMG during full-auto fire. I like the low cyclic rate as it allows good accuracy in bursts without undue climb. It also allows me to fire single shots through trigger control fairly easily and two-shot bursts easily.

Steyr MP34 submachine gun
RELATED STORY

Steyr MP34: The Top Dog of German WWII Submachine Guns

When firing, I place my support hand against the magazine well and pull the weapon back against my shoulder. The crank handle on the M3 allows better leverage for cocking the weapon but sticks out; using the finger on the M3A1 requires more effort but there is no protruding crank to catch on gear.

The M3’s ejection port cover is what it is. It has to be flipped up before firing with the support hand and flipped down to render the weapon safe. I find the location of the magazine-release button allows me to hit the release with my support-side thumb while pulling the magazine free. The fixed sights are adequate out to 50 yards.

Final Thoughts

For a World War II Class III collector, the M3 is extremely interesting. It is also a very usable working SMG, especially since it packs the power of the .45 ACP. It was issued to paratroopers in WWII, and I wonder whether I would have traded in my M1A1 for the M3. If I had a choice, I probably would not have. The M1A1 offered longer range and better accuracy. However, for clearing cities during the drive on Germany, the close-range power of the M3’s .45 ACP round might have convinced me.

All in all, I would say the M3/M3A1 Grease Gun has definitely proven its worth over the years!

U.S. M3 Submachine Gun Specs

Caliber: .45 ACP
Barrel: 8 inches
OA Length: 22.8-29.8 inches
Weight: 8.15 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Sights: Front post, fixed rear peep
Action: Full-auto, blowback
Finish: Parkerized
Capacity: 30+1

This article was originally published in the 2016 issue of “Military Surplus.” To grab the latest copy of this magazine, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

Some of the top guns and gear released at SHOT Show 2023.

30 of the Best Guns & Gear Launched at SHOT Show 2023

The CZ Custom A01-SD OR.

The CZ Custom A01-SD OR is Optics Ready and Dialed in For Competition

The cover of the new Heritage Journal 2023.

Athlon Outdoors & Heritage Firearms Release HERITAGE JOURNAL 2023

The Daniel Defense MK12 Alpine Predator.

Daniel Defense Limited Series MK12 Alpine Predator Rifle Sells Out in 30 Minutes

Load More

TACTICAL-LIFE NIGHT SHOOTER SEASON 2

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

Some of the top guns and gear released at SHOT Show 2023.

30 of the Best Guns & Gear Launched at SHOT Show 2023

We walked more than 40 miles on the show floor over four days. And we picked through every last rifle,...

Read more

TRENDING

U.S. Secret Service adopts Glock G47

FIRST LOOK: Glock Just Very Quietly Unveiled the New Glock 47 Pistol

...

5 new pistols launched at NASGW.

5 New Pistols Launching for 2023

...

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: The Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

...

The upgraded Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical is built for long-range shooting.

FIRST LOOK: Rounds Downrange With the new Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical

...

PICK A CATEGORY

TACTICS & TRAINING SPOTLIGHT

Tactical Reload Semi-Auto Pistol Step 8

5 Strategies For Effectively Completing a Tactical Reload

If you’re reading this publication, you’re most likely familiar with the “speed reload,” sometimes called the “combat reload” or “emergency...

TACTICS & TRAINING SHOWCASE

Fact vs. Fiction 5 Myths Gunfight Survival lead

5 Common Myths on How to Survive a Gunfight

Standing Your Ground Castle Doctrine lead

Understanding Stand Your Ground Laws and Castle Doctrine

long distance shooting tips

Long-Distance Shooting: 5 Must-Know Tips For Spotters & Shooters

IMPACT Experience Events.

IMPACT Experience Events Redefine Your Long-Range Shooting Limits

Enhance your shooting precision skills in a course with Modern Day Sniper.

Sniper Skills: Taking Your Shooting Precision to the Next Level

Once you find a carry gun that works for you, get another for a spare. These “hammerless” S&W J-frame lightweights are M340 M&P with Hogue Bantam grips, top, and a M442 Airweight with Crimson Trace Lasergrips, below.

10 Commandments of Concealed Carry

self-defense myths can be dangerous

Self-Defense Myths that Could Get you Killed

Mossberg 590 Shockwave review for home defense myths

4 Home Defense Myths You Need to Stop Repeating

The Dicken Drill is named for Eli Dicken who saved many lives in the Greenwood Mall

The Elisjsha Dicken Drill

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

Remington Ammunition Issues Recall Notice on 12-Gauge Premier Accutip Ammo.

Remington Ammunition Issues a 12-Gauge Premier AccuTip Ammo Recall

Remington Ammunition has recently discovered an issue related to its 12-Gauge Premier Accutip ammo and issued a recall notice. This...

site logo
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun news, gun reviews and gun magazines for gun enthusiasts, military and law enforcement

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • BallisticMag.com

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
  • Knives
  • Gear
    • Holsters
    • Optics & Sights
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Suppressors
  • Videos
  • News
  • Contact Us

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.