World War II was not only a clash of nations but also a war of technology—and infantry weapons played a critical role in every major theater. From bolt-action rifles to automatic submachine guns and precision sniper rifles, the tools carried by foot soldiers defined how battles were fought and won. This article explores the key small arms and sniper rifles used by the major powers in WW2, highlighting their features, impact, and iconic status.

🇺🇸 United States Infantry Weapons
🔹 M1 Garand
Type: Semi-automatic rifle

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Magazine: 8-round en bloc clip

Notable: General Patton called it “the greatest battle implement ever devised.”

The M1 Garand gave U.S. infantry a major advantage—semi-automatic fire in an age when most other soldiers were using bolt-action rifles.

🔹 Thompson Submachine Gun (“Tommy Gun”)
Caliber: .45 ACP

Rate of Fire: ~600-700 rounds/min

Magazine: 20/30-round box or 50-round drum

Use: Popular with paratroopers, officers, and commandos

🔹 M1903A4 Springfield (Sniper Variant)
Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle

Scope: M73B1 2.5x

Effective Range: ~800+ yards

Used by U.S. snipers throughout the war, especially in the Pacific and Europe.

🇩🇪 German Infantry Weapons
🔹 Karabiner 98k (Kar98k)
Type: Bolt-action rifle

Caliber: 7.92×57mm Mauser

Magazine: 5-round internal

Notable: Germany’s standard rifle; known for high accuracy and durability

The Kar98k was also adapted for sniping with telescopic sights, making it a deadly weapon in trained hands.

🔹 MP 40 (Maschinenpistole 40)
Caliber: 9×19mm Parabellum

Magazine: 32-round box

Use: Favored by officers and paratroopers for close combat

Nicknamed: “Schmeisser” by Allied troops (incorrectly)

🔹 Scoped Kar98k Sniper Rifle
Scope: ZF39 4x or similar optics

Role: German snipers used these rifles to great effect, particularly on the Eastern Front

🇬🇧 British Infantry Weapons
🔹 Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I
Type: Bolt-action rifle

Caliber: .303 British

Magazine: 10-round detachable

Notable: One of the fastest bolt-actions due to its smooth cycling

🔹 Sten Gun
Type: Submachine gun

Caliber: 9mm

Magazine: 32-round side-mounted box

Use: Cheap, easy to produce—used widely by British and Commonwealth troops

🔹 Enfield No. 4 (T) Sniper Rifle
Scope: No. 32 3.5x

Use: Precise and robust; used effectively by British marksmen throughout the war

🇷🇺 Soviet Infantry Weapons
🔹 Mosin-Nagant M91/30
Type: Bolt-action rifle

Caliber: 7.62×54mmR

Magazine: 5-round internal

Use: Standard rifle for Red Army soldiers

🔹 PPSh-41
Type: Submachine gun

Magazine: 71-round drum or 35-round box

Rate of Fire: ~900 RPM

Use: Extremely effective in close quarters; ideal for urban warfare

🔹 Mosin-Nagant PU Sniper Variant
Scope: PU 3.5x

Notable Snipers: Vasily Zaitsev, Lyudmila Pavlichenko

🧠 Impact on Infantry Tactics
Bolt vs. Semi-Auto: American semi-automatic rifles gave troops more firepower; bolt-action rifles were slower but often more accurate.

Submachine Guns: Dominated in close combat and urban environments (e.g., Stalingrad, Normandy hedgerows).

Snipers: Changed battlefield behavior—slowed advances, targeted officers, and sowed fear

🔫 Legacy
Many of these weapons remain iconic today. Some—like the M1 Garand and Lee-Enfield—are still used by collectors, military historians, and ceremonial guards. Others, like the PPSh-41 and MP 40, became symbols of entire theaters of war.