These 1940s Guns Changed the Course of History, Starting with World War II

American military forces used to have difficulty with the caliber of their weapons and their ammunition. According to the National Parks Service, Confederate and Union forces struggled with logistical issues “created by the dozens, even hundreds, of different sizes of ammunition used by each side” during the Civil War. By World War II, small arms only had three calibers — but as the United States was supplying ammunition and weapons to the Allied forces as well, issues still abounded. The NPS explains that this led to later efforts to standardize ammunition — and this is just one way that American weaponry changed during World War II. The 1940s represent a period of significant technological advancement in America, especially in relation to guns. Many of the iconic war guns we know today were actually developed for World War II fighting. (These rifles defined combat during World War II.)

Here 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at American-made guns during the World War II era. To identify American military guns introduced in the 1940s, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of small arms from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, arms, and aircraft. We ordered these guns alphabetically. We included supplemental information regarding the type of small arm, year introduced, manufacturer, firing action, caliber, and feed.

Why We’re Covering World War II Weapons

World War II changed the world as we know it. Not only was World War II considered the deadliest conflict in our history, but the outcome of the war affected many geopolitical and military relationships — which influenced how countries continue to interact decades later. Many technological advances in weaponry that occurred during the 1940s have also had lasting impacts on today’s modern militaries. For example, it was during World War II that the first reliable semi-automatic rifle and assault rifles were developed. Looking at the military guns introduced during this time period provides more insight into where these weapons began and how they’ve changed over time.

FP-45 Liberator

• Type: Single-shot pistol
• Year introduced: 1942
• Manufacturer: Guide Lamp Corporation
• Firing action: Manually-actuated
• Caliber and feed .45 ACP; Single-shot

Harrington and Richardson M4

• Type: Combat aviator bolt-action survival rifle
• Year introduced: 1949
• Manufacturer: Harrington and Richardson
• Firing action: Manually-actuated bolt-action
• Caliber and feed .22 Hornet; 4-round detachable box magazine

Ithaca Model 37 Stakeout

• Type: Pump-action shotgun
• Year introduced: 1946
• Manufacturer: Ithaca Gun Company
• Firing action: Pump-action slide repeater
• Caliber and feed 12- or 20-gauge; 4-round tubular magazine

Johnson LMG

• Type: Squad support weapon
• Year introduced: 1941
• Manufacturer: Cranston Arms Company
• Firing action: Short recoil operated, single-shot, full-automatic
• Caliber and feed 30-06 Springfield; 25-round detachable box

Johnson Model 1941

• Type: Semi-automatic rifle
• Year introduced: 1941
• Manufacturer: Iver Johnson
• Firing action: Semi-automatic, short-recoil, rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed 30-06 Springfield, 7x57mm Mauser; 10-round cylindrical magazine

M1 Bazooka

• Type: Shoulder-fired anti-tank rocket launcher
• Year introduced: 1942
• Manufacturer: General Electric
• Firing action: Electrically-actuated, single-shot, reusable
• Caliber and feed 60mm; Single-shot

M1A1 Flamethrower

• Type: Portable infantry flamethrower
• Year introduced: 1941
• Manufacturer: State Factories
• Firing action: Electrical ignition flame jet
• Caliber and feed 4.7-gallon Nitrogen fuel container; 5-flamethrows possible

M1 Carbine

• Type: Semi-automatic / full-automatic carbine
• Year introduced: 1942
• Manufacturer: State Factories
• Firing action: Gas operated, short-stroke piston, semi-automatic
• Caliber and feed 30 Carbine; 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine

M18 RR

• Type: Anti-tank / anti-personnel recoilless rifle
• Year introduced: 1945
• Manufacturer: State Factories
• Firing action: Recoilless
• Caliber and feed 57x303mmR; Single-shot

M2 Carbine

• Type: Select-fire automatic carbine
• Year introduced: 1944
• Manufacturer: General Motors
• Firing action: Selective-fire, gas-operated, short-stroke piston
• Caliber and feed 30 Carbine; 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine

M2-2 / M9A1-7

• Type: Portable infantry flamethrower
• Year introduced: 1943
• Manufacturer: State Factories
• Firing action: Rotary cartridge ignition flame jet
• Caliber and feed 4.7-gallon Nitrogen fuel container; 7-flamethrows possible

M20 (Super Bazooka)

• Type: Shoulder-fired anti-tank rocket launcher
• Year introduced: 1944
• Manufacturer: Conduction Corporation
• Firing action: Magneto trigger
• Caliber and feed 88.9mm; Single-shot

M20 RR

• Type: Anti-tank / anti-personnel recoilless rifle
• Year introduced: 1945
• Manufacturer: State Factories
• Firing action: Recoilless
• Caliber and feed 75mm; Single-shot

M3 (Grease Gun)

• Type: Submachine gun
• Year introduced: 1943
• Manufacturer: Ithaca Gun Company
• Firing action: Open bolt, blowback
• Caliber and feed .45 ACP, 9x19mm Parabellum; 30-round detachable box magazine

M3 Carbine

• Type: Sniper carbine rifle
• Year introduced: 1944
• Manufacturer: General Motors
• Firing action: Selective-fire, gas-operated, short-stroke piston
• Caliber and feed 30 Carbine; 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine

M9 Bazooka

• Type: Shoulder-fired rocket launcher
• Year introduced: 1943
• Manufacturer: Conduction Corporation
• Firing action: Magneto trigger
• Caliber and feed 60mm; Single-shot

Marlin M2 Hyde

• Type: Submachine gun
• Year introduced: 1943
• Manufacturer: Marlin Firearms
• Firing action: Blowback
• Caliber and feed .45 ACP; 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine

Reising Model 50

• Type: Submachine gun
• Year introduced: 1941
• Manufacturer: Harrington and Richardson
• Firing action: Delayed blowback, closed-bolt
• Caliber and feed .45 ACP, .30 Carbine; 12- or 20-round detachable box magazine

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