Britannica AI Icon

M3

submachine gun
Also known as: grease gun

Quick Summary

The M3 submachine gun, often called the "grease gun," is a lightweight, automatic firearm chambered for pistol cartridges. Developed in the United States, it gained prominence during World War II due to its simple design and ease of mass production, often made from stamped metal parts. It typically fires .45-inch caliber rounds and uses box magazines holding 10 to 50 cartridges. While effective at close ranges, generally under 200 yards, it fires at a high rate, making it suitable for increasing individual soldier firepower in confined combat situations.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.