M-3 A-3 Grease Gun

Nick named the "Grease Gun", the M3 was a blow back submachine entering service in December 1942. It could only be fired on fully-automatic. It used a .45 cal. cartridge in 30-round magazines. It's rate of fire was 350-450 spm. The M3A1 was used during World War II and Korea. During the Vietnam War it was often carried by helicopter pilots, in case of being shot down, because of its small size.

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. M3 (1942) was designed specifically to simplify production by making use of stamped metal parts. A number of deficiencies were found during the initial two years of use.

These deficiencies were corrected in the model M3A1. M3A1 (1944) had a larger ejection port and a stronger cover spring. It was also designed so it could fire 9mm Parabellum cartridges by changing the barrel and bolt and adding an adapter to the magazine. Following World War II, a curved barrel was made for use with the M3A1. A flash hider was developed for use with both the M3 and M3A1. Approximately 679,200 examples of all models were produced.

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