What was the best combat rifle ever in it's time?

[Mr.Penguin]

I'm sure they're still making 7.92x57 in ex-Yugoslavia, but do you think they would still be making 7.92 x33?? I can't imagine enough StG44's being functional enough to warrant continued production.

I believe they restarted production to supply mainly StG-44 owners in the States, they proberly cost an arm and a leg to import...

[Razgovory]

AK and it's kin.

[Mr.Penguin]

http://www.ssd-weapon.com/engl_web/produkte_en/bd44_en/bd44_en.htm

If anyone want a working replica...

[Berkut]

M1 Garand.

For its time, it was the most useful battle rifle that was generally produced.

And its time happened to be the largest war in human history.

[DontSayBanana]

I'm gonna go with the StG44, although it kinda shares the spotlight with the AK. The M1 was an incredibly versatile weapon, but tactics totally changed once individual soldiers could use automatics easily and reliably.

Actually, I voted the StG, but the AK really should have taken it. First successful, widespread, modular gun platform. Even the Dragunov SVD sniper rifle was initially built from the AK receiver, IIRC. Look at the operational role and variants that the M16 has enjoyed in the US military, and then look at the platform established by the Kalashnikov.

[DGuller]

I've never heard anyone insist the AK-47 isn't based on the StG-44.  On the contrary, I swear I've read Kalashnikov plainly admitted the StG-44 was the design inspiration.  Didn't Red Army soldiers used to fight over captured StG-44's because they were so superior to any rifles in the Soviet arsenal?

Actually, on the History Channel episode on AK-47 many years ago, Kalashnikov was visibly irritated at the notion that AK-47 was inspired by StG-44, claiming that AK is a completely different weapon, and that similarities are only cosmetic.

[DontSayBanana]

Actually, on the History Channel episode on AK-47 many years ago, Kalashnikov was visibly irritated at the notion that AK-47 was inspired by StG-44, claiming that AK is a completely different weapon, and that similarities are only cosmetic.

I think it bears repeating that Kalashnikov is a bit wacky, and prone to playing up the drama of the moment.

[derspiess]

Actually, on the History Channel episode on AK-47 many years ago, Kalashnikov was visibly irritated at the notion that AK-47 was inspired by StG-44, claiming that AK is a completely different weapon, and that similarities are only cosmetic.

I think it bears repeating that Kalashnikov is a bit wacky, and prone to playing up the drama of the moment.

I always thought he'd be fun as hell to kill a bottle or two of vodka with.  And since he has his own brand of vodka, he should be able to get it cheap.

[Berkut]

I'm gonna go with the StG44, although it kinda shares the spotlight with the AK. The M1 was an incredibly versatile weapon, but tactics totally changed once individual soldiers could use automatics easily and reliably.

Did they?

I don't think so, to be honest. Small unit tactics did not change in any great manner between WW2 and Korea, for example. The existence of machine guns and repeating rifles had already forced the change to small unit, dispersed fire and maneuver tactics. Assault rifles did not really change that at all.

If we are going to go with the weapon that forced the greatest change in infantry tactics, then it is going to be whichever weapon was the precursor to the Civil War era rifled musket. That is what truly forced the change in basic infantry tactics to the model that we use today, if you want to limit things to combat arms.

[DontSayBanana]

Did they?

I don't think so, to be honest. Small unit tactics did not change in any great manner between WW2 and Korea, for example. The existence of machine guns and repeating rifles had already forced the change to small unit, dispersed fire and maneuver tactics. Assault rifles did not really change that at all.

If we are going to go with the weapon that forced the greatest change in infantry tactics, then it is going to be whichever weapon was the precursor to the Civil War era rifled musket. That is what truly forced the change in basic infantry tactics to the model that we use today, if you want to limit things to combat arms.

Squad defense and arrangement. the machine guns and rifles before were so bulky that you had to sort out the squad to cover the gunner. You've still got that to a lesser extent, but it's been relegated to armor and snipers, because SAWs and M-82s don't really lend themselves to "brandishing."

[DGuller]

I think it bears repeating that Kalashnikov is a bit wacky, and prone to playing up the drama of the moment.

In what way is he wacky?

[grumbler]

M1 Garand.

For its time, it was the most useful battle rifle that was generally produced.

And its time happened to be the largest war in human history.

I would certainly argue that this was more signifciant a development than the StG 44, which after all came out "in its time" just long enough to prove insignificant.

Went with the AK-47, though.

I don't understand why the K98 is even in this poll.  Not even the Germans thought it a widely successful weapon, though they didn't replace it earlier mostly because their tactics shifted to the machine gun to compensate for their lack of a great combat rifle.

The PPSh-41 is probably the weapon to replace the K98 in this poll.  Though limited in its capabilities, it was the success of the PPSh-41 that convinced the Germans they needed a counter (which was the belatedly-appearing StG 44).

Had the StG 44 come out even a year earlier, it may have had "its time" to demonstrate its superior qualities.  Its tardiness, though, meant that it came out after "its time" IMO.

[derspiess]

If we are going to go with the weapon that forced the greatest change in infantry tactics, then it is going to be whichever weapon was the precursor to the Civil War era rifled musket. That is what truly forced the change in basic infantry tactics to the model that we use today, if you want to limit things to combat arms.

Rifled cannon should get a good share of the credit as well, though it rarely does.

[derspiess]

Btw, I saw the Argentine StG 44 prototype in el Museo de Armas de la Nacion in Buenos Aires-- didn't even know it existed beforehand.  Actually turned out to be a pretty impressive museum in general.

[CountDeMoney]

I don't understand why the K98 is even in this poll.

Me neither.

The PPSh-41 is probably the weapon to replace the K98 in this poll.

I'll see your PPSh, and raise you the .45 Thompson.