5th Ranger Battalion
Easy Company
Weapons
Listed below is the weapons commonly used by the 5th Rangers in combat. Rangers were required to qualify in all weapons that could be employed in the Rangers. Before embarkation for England, Rangers were instructed in the use and operation of German weapons commonly used in the ETO.
M1 Garand
30 Caliber, 8rd En Bloc Internal Magazine, Gas Operated, Rotating Bolt
9.5 pounds, wartime cost: $85 per unit
The Mainstay of the WW2 Ranger. The M1 Garand was the preferred weapon for all Ranger units. It had a history of reliability and durability. It was used from training all the way to the end of the war for the Battalion. Their semi-automatic capability gave them and advantage over armies that were still using bolt action rifles. The gas operated system allowed the rifle to shoot grenades several hundred yards off the end of the rifle. They could fire regular ball amunition, ammor piercing, tracer and incendiary rounds. Most Rangers used the web Rifle sling on their M1s.
Ranger M1 found in a barn near Brest. The rifle belonged to John Gilbert KIA Feb 1945
Make your M1 more WW2!
Lock Bar Sights. WW2 M1s had lock bar knobs on their rear sights. Most M1s that were re-arsenaled after the war were equipped with a simplified knob system. Not required but a nice touch!
Learn How To Operate Your M1 Like a WW2 Soldier
A very informative wartime video about the operation and use of an M1 Rifle.
M1 Carbine
30 Caliber Carbine, 15rd Magazine, Gas Operated, Rotating Bolt
5.2 pounds, wartime cost: $45 per unit
With the advent of mobilized warfare it became aparant that troops behind the lines could easily find themselves in the thick of combat. The carbine was a lightweight and compact weapon that was intended to provide protection for Soldiers not typically found on the very front lines. The carbine saw limited use with the 5th Rangers but was not uncommon. Many troops felt it lacked the knockdown power of higher caliber rifles but its light weight made it appealing to other troops. It was primarily carried by Officers and Rangers that carried a crew served weapon. There are little to no pictures of Rangers putting the ammo pouch on the butt-stock. On D-Day it was common to see the BAR ammunition belt worn to carry ammo for the Carbine.
Ranger in France
Make your M1 Carbine more WW2!
Rear Sight, Flip up: WW2 carbines had a flip rear sight. Most carbines you see for sale today were rearsenaled after the war. This included switching out the flip sights with turn knob adjustable sights and a bayonet lug. Not required but highly recommended!!
Front Barrel Band, Type 1 : WW2 Carbines lacked a bayonet lug. The Carbines original intention was not front-line service. After the war carbines were rearsenaled to include a bayonet lug.
Learn How To Operate Your M1 Carbine Like a WW2 Soldier
A very informative wartime video about the operation and use of an M1 Carbine.
Browning Automatic Rifle
30 Cal, 20rd Magazine, Open Bolt Blow Back
19 pounds, wartime cost: $150 per unit
The BAR was as heavy as it was popular. Reliable and hard hitting the BAR was a favorite of the Rangers. A BAR team usually consisted of a gunner, assistant gunner and two ammo carriers. A Ranger that was issued a BAR was automatically promoted to Corporal. After the Fabius excersise for the DDay invasion all M1919 MGs were replaced with BARs for better facilitate climbing the cliffs along the coast. Once in combat most BAR-men removed the clumsy and heavy bipod from the from of the rifle.
Easy CO Commander Luther
Learn How To Operate Your BAR Like a WW2 Soldier
A very informative wartime video about the operation and use of a BAR.
Thompson SMG
M1928
45 Caliber ACP, 20rd, 30rd Magazine, 50rd 100rd Drum, Open Bolt Blow Back
10.8 pounds, wartime cost: ~$100 per unit
Designed with trench warfare in mind the Thompson was invented to sweep out trenches. Its inital high cost had it see limited military use until WW2. Despite not having an offical use in an Infantry squad the Thompson saw widespread use with the Rangers. the M1928 featured a finned barrel to facilitate cooling, a cutts compenstator to reduse barrel climb when fired and could accept a drum magazine. Drum magazines were rarely if ever used in the Rangers due to their weight, rattling and cost. It could fire in both full automatic and single shot.
Ranger in 1944 with M1928 Tommy
Make your M1928 Thompson more WW2!
Blank only 10" Barrel, BATF approved! New production semi automatic Thompsons require a 16" barrel per federal law. This "barrel type device" allows you to have a legal short barrel look for your thompson wihthout special licensure or registration. It can ONLY fire blanks.
Learn How To Operate Your Thompson Like a WW2 Soldier
A very informative wartime video about the operation and use of a BAR.
Thompson SMG
M1A1
45 Caliber ACP, 20rd, 30rd Magazine, Open Bolt Blow Back
10.8 pounds, wartime cost: ~$50 per unit
WIth wartime costs in mind the Thompson SMG was simplified in the Army version. Changes were made to reduce cost and production time. The finned barrel, cutts compensator, Lynman rear sight and ability to accept a drum magazine were all removed. The rate of fire was also reduced. The M1A1 Thompson is the most common version seen in photos of 5th Rangers.
Sgt. Victor Fast
Make your M1A1 Thompson more WW2!
Blank only 10" Barrel, BATF approved! New production semi automatic Thompsons require a 16" barrel per federal law. This "barrel type device" allows you to have a legal short barrel look for your thompson wihthout special licensure or registration. It can ONLY fire blanks.
Grease Gun
M3
45 Caliber ACP, 30rd Magazine, Open Bolt Blow Back
8.5 pounds, wartime cost: ~$15 per unit
WIth wartime costs in mind the Thompson SMG was still considered too costful. using mostly stamped parts the M3 was produced a very low price. With its reduced rate of fire it was considered more accurate than other SMGs by the US Army at that time. The grease gun was simplified even further in December of 44 (M3A1). The M3A1 saw very limited service in the ETO.
Rangers winter 1945
US Army Comparison Video
A very informative comparison video of the German MP40, Thompson and M3.
M1911 Colt 45
45 Caliber ACP, 7rd Magazine, Single action automatic
2.5 pounds, wartime cost: ~$? per unit
Known today for its dependability the Colt M1911 was the standard issue sidearm for US troops in the ETO. Officers and soldiers operating crew weapons such as light machine guns and mortors would typically be issued a 45. It was not uncommon for rifleman to carry private purchase or traded sidearms.
Rangers training in Scotland 1944
Learn How To Operate Your M1911 Like a WW2 Soldier
A very informative wartime video about the operation and use of an M1911.
Browning M1919 LMG
30 Caliber, Belt fed, Recoil operated
31 pounds, wartime cost: ~$? per unit
A medium machine gun the M1919 was an air cooled weapon that was much more portable than its predicessors. Despite its reduction in weight from earlier US machine guns the m1919 was replaced by BARs in preparation for DDay since it proved difficult to carry the weapon up the steep cliffs. After the invasion the M1919 was used once again by the Rangers.
2nd Ranger defending Pointe Du Hoc
Learn How To Deploy Your M1919 Like a WW2 Soldier
A very informative wartime video about the deployment and tactics of the heavy and light machineguns