Interestingly, the M3 that replaced the Tommy gun was “retired” from service officially in '92. That said, a unit that I served in still issued them to our track drivers at least up to '01 when I got out. They were rugged, reasonably quick and made for a good compact defense weapon to keep in the M557.
I don’t have anything as recent as 01, but it’s quite easy to find pictures in the 80s of vehicle crews with them. I wouldn’t be shocked if a few random ones fell through the cracks and were still in trucks going into Iraq in 2003 somewhere.
As hideous as the M3 was, its was a solid and practical design.
The Thompson looks much cooler, but it’s hard to argue with the ergonomics and economics of the Grease Gun. Had no clue we were still using them so late, though!
One of the unexpected places they hung around in the 70s and possibly into the 80s was with Delta Force. In his book, Eric Haney writes about how they were liked for their low rate of fire and controllability.
The guy with the glasses and hipster mustache in the bottom left is Mike Vining. I’m not in the habit of learning modern special operations names, but this guy was an early internet meme. I mean look at him and look at his uniform. He did all the things.
Interestingly, the M3 that replaced the Tommy gun was “retired” from service officially in '92. That said, a unit that I served in still issued them to our track drivers at least up to '01 when I got out. They were rugged, reasonably quick and made for a good compact defense weapon to keep in the M557.
I don’t have anything as recent as 01, but it’s quite easy to find pictures in the 80s of vehicle crews with them. I wouldn’t be shocked if a few random ones fell through the cracks and were still in trucks going into Iraq in 2003 somewhere.
As hideous as the M3 was, its was a solid and practical design.
The Thompson looks much cooler, but it’s hard to argue with the ergonomics and economics of the Grease Gun. Had no clue we were still using them so late, though!
One of the unexpected places they hung around in the 70s and possibly into the 80s was with Delta Force. In his book, Eric Haney writes about how they were liked for their low rate of fire and controllability.
If those guys are Delta Force, then every single one of them is a hundred times more bad ass than any of us.
The guy with the glasses and hipster mustache in the bottom left is Mike Vining. I’m not in the habit of learning modern special operations names, but this guy was an early internet meme. I mean look at him and look at his uniform. He did all the things.
Holy hell! And a Sergeant Major to boot!
Is it just me or does he look like bad luck Brian all grown up?
Oh yeah, the Thompson is an icon for sure.
I knew an old infantryman from the Korean War that used the M3 during his service. He was stunned we still used them.