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US M3

Submachine Gun, Cal. .45, M3/M3A1 (1942) was nicknamed the "Grease Gun" because of its appearance. The M3 was a blow back submachine gun fielded in December 1942 by the United States Army during World War II. It could only be fired on fully-automatic. It used a .45 caliber cartridge in 30-round magazines. Its rate of fire was 350-450 rounds per minute. The M3A1 was used during World War II and Korea. Following World War II, the role of submachine guns was greatly diminished with the introduction of assault rifles and light portable machine guns. Submachine guns are still used by special forces, air crews, armored vehicles, counter-terrorist units, and Naval personnel. 679,200 were produced.

M3A1 with stock retracted
image from Modern Firearms