Submachine Guns
COD2 takes a rather different approach to the selection of SMGs in multiplayer by offering each team two different SMGs with different characteristics to suit different players. This includes new weapons such as the Grease Gun and the PPS-42. So weapons like the Thompson are still powerful weapons to use, but the other options may appeal to certain gamers more.
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Thompson
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Name: M1A1 Thompson
Country of origin: USA
Available for: American, British
Calibre: .45 ACP
Magazine capacity: 20 rounds
Firing mechanism: Selective-fire, delayed-blowback operated
Rate of fire: 700 rounds per minute
Weight: 4.78kg
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Historical Background
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Developed by General John T. Thompson during the First World War, the Thompson was intended as a `trench broom` to sweep German trenches. The war ended before it was perfected, so it was produced and sold to various countries before being adopted by the US Army. The Thompson was a completely new weapon, finely machined and manufactured to the highest standards. Its main feature was the Blish delayed-blowback system, which consisted of a wedge closing the breech while chamber pressure was high, but opened after the bullet left the barrel, allowing the bolt to recoil, eject the spent case and load the next round. On top of this, the Thompson featured a Cutts compensator, which reduced the gun`s tendency to rise when fired on full automatic, and a wooden pistol fore-grip. Designated the M1928, the Thompson was common in US and British forces, being issued 20- and 30-round box magazines as well as a 50-round drum which was later phased out due to the loud noise it made when on the move.
During this time, the Thompson was popular among American police units as well as crime organisations, being the favoured weapon of many hit-and-runs.
The M1928 Thompson was a complicated weapon to manufacture and was very expensive. To simplify production, the Cutts compensator was discarded, the wooden-foregrip was replaced with a conventional fore-end stock, the separate firing pin was fixed to the bolt and the Blish system was replaced with a conventional delayed blowback system. The latter caused some grief, since the Blish system was what made the Thompson a unique weapon, but this was resolved after threats of independent production. This model became the M1 Thompson, and remained in favour with troops even after cheaper weapons such as the M3 Grease Gun came into service. A final modification came in the form of the M1A1, which replaced the firing pin and hammer with a firing pin machined into the bolt face.
Although slightly on the heavy side, the Thompson was the most reliable weapon of its type, and remained in service until the Vietnam War.
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Call of Duty 2 notes
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Apart from a different look and different firing sounds, the Thompson is essentially the exact same weapon from COD1. The biggest change would be the reduction of its magazine capacity from 30 rounds to 20 rounds. The recoil is slightly different, but not a major difference and players coming from COD1 probably won`t notice it. The recoil pattern tends to go straight up rather than to the sides, and resembles COD1`s PPSh recoil more than COD1`s Thompson. In contrast, the Grease Gun seems to have taken the old Thompson`s recoil pattern.
The iron sights haven`t changed a bit. They still consisted of a rear V-notch with a small pin at the front marking the approximate point of impact. The Thompson does technically have a rear peephole sight, but that is purely cosmetic in COD2 and only the notch is used. The weapon will still jerk up and to the sides when firing on full automatic, and with less ammunition it might be better idea to fire in short bursts rather than long sustained fire.
While the 20-round magazine does reduce the Thompson`s spam capacity, it is still a beast at close quarters and 10 less bullets doesn`t make a huge difference. The Thompson is still the favoured machine gun, despite the availability of the 32-round M3 Grease Gun.
The reload time of the Thompson has been slightly increased. While it is still fast, there is a slight delay between removing the magazine and inserting the new one, which makes it less capable of spamming non-stop.
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Grease Gun
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Name: M3A1 "Grease Gun"
Country of origin: USA
Available for: American
Calibre: .45 ACP
Magazine capacity: 32 rounds
Firing mechanism: Full-automatic, blowback-operated
Rate of fire: 450 rounds per minute
Weight: 3.7kg
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Historical Background
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Joining the growing trend of cheap, easy-to-manufacture weapons, the American Army designed and adopted the M3 submachine gun to replace the expensive Thompson submachine gun. Like the MP40 and Sten, the M3 was manufactured using primarily stamped and machined parts. The final product resembled the grease gun used by mechanics, hence the weapon`s nickname.
The M3 featured an adjustable wire-frame stock with a pistol grip at the rear. Like the MP40, the firer used the magazine port as a front grip. The firer had to open the ejection port cover before firing, and close it while not in use to protect it. The weapon featured an unsually slow rate of fire, but allowed firers to squeeze off single shots when necessary.
In December 1944 the M3A1 was introduced, rectifying some problems encountered in the M3 design. The ejection port was enlarged, the cover spring was strengthened, and the cocking mechanism was changed to allow the firer to pull back the bolt using their finger. The M3A1 could be modified to use the 9mm Parabellum rounds used in the MP40 and Sten, and could be adapted to use Sten magazines.
The steel wire stock was odd in that it could act as a cleaning rod for the weapon when removed, and also featured a magazine-loading tool. The M3 and M3A1 also had a conical flash suppressor designed to be attached onto the muzzle.
Despite its cheaper cost, the M3 was unpopular with troops due to its low rate of fire and relatively low accuracy. While the Thompson was relegated to a substitute weapon, anyone who had a Thompson preferred to keep it. The M3A1 remained in use with tank crews due to its small size until late in the 20th Century, when it was replaced by the M4 Carbine.
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Call of Duty 2 notes
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New to the COD series, the Grease Gun replaces the Thompson as the high-capacity spam weapon. Most players will easily overlook the Grease Gun in favour of the Thompson, but the Grease Gun has some good qualities.
The biggest advantage of the Grease Gun is its 32-round magazine and slower rate of fire, which allows for longer sustained fire than the rapid-firing Thompson. The Grease Gun has the same power, and a very similar recoil pattern to COD1`s Thompson, so COD veterans may have an easier time adapting to the Grease Gun. All-in-all, the Grease Gun handles the same way as the Thompson, but with an uglier look.
The iron sights are a bit awkward to use. It consists of a rear plate
(technically it`s an aperture sight, but the peephole isn`t used in COD2) and a small front pin. The front pin marks the approximate point of impact, but it is very inaccurate at medium-long range. The recoil pattern goes up and shakes to the sides.
While similar to the COD1 Thompson, in COD2 the Grease Gun seems to emulate the role of COD1`s MP40, with the same ammunition capacity, similar rate of fire and the same reload animation, essentially making the Grease Gun the American counterpart to the German submachine gun in COD2. As both the Grease Gun and MP40 are unpopular thanks to the Thompson and MP44, this doesn`t really matter.Nonetheless, the Grease Gun is a viable alternative to the Thompson, and perhaps more suited for supporting assault players using the Thompson.
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MP40
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Name: Maschinenpistole 1940
Country of origin: Germany
Available for: German
Calibre: 9 x 19mm Parabellum
Magazine capacity: 32 rounds
Firing mechanism: Full-automatic, blowback-operated
Rate of fire: 500 rounds per minute
Weight: 4.7kg
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Historical Background
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Prior to the Second World War, the German Army began re-arming its war machine. After observing events in the Spanish Civil War, the German Army approached designer Berthold Giepel to design a submachine gun. Giepel submitted a pre-made prototype in 1938, which was accepted into service as the Maschinen Pistole 38, or MP38. However, it was still manufactured using traditional methods, so it was improved and designated the MP40, using more steel stampings and welding to facilitate mass-production and incorporating several safety features.
The MP40 was a revolutionary weapon for its time. It was the first weapon to use all-metal construction as well as featuring a folding metal stock. It also featured a small `lip` under the muzzle, allowing it to be fired from a vehicle without it jerking back. It was incredibly light, and more importantly it was cheap and easy to manufacture. Firing up to 500 rounds per minute, the MP40 was an extremely effective weapon and issued to officers and assault units.
Although crude in appearance compared to traditional weapons such as the Thompson, the MP40 was distinctive in its appearance and become the trademark image of the Wehrmacht soldier.
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Call of Duty 2 notes
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COD2`s MP40 remains generally the same as COD1`s. The MP40 is lighter and easier to assault with than the MP44 while being less accurate and less powerful. Like COD1, the MP40 is generally overlooked with most players preferring the more powerful MP44.
The iron sights are still the same, with a rear notch and front hooded pin. The pin designates the approximate point of impact. The MP40`s recoil has been increased from COD1, and while the initial recoil is light, the weapon will jerk up substantially after sustained fire. The weapon is best fired in 4-5 round bursts. The relatively slow rate of fire allows the weapon to fired
longer before needing to reload.
Despite its rather easy handling, the MP44 is still greatly preferred, and as COD2`s MP44 has less recoil than the MP40, players will quickly pick up the MP44 over the somewhat redundant MP40. The MP40 does have one advantage over the MP44, however: as a submachine gun, the MP40 comes with a smoke grenade, while the MP44 does not.
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Sten
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Name: Sten Mark II
Country of origin: Great Britain
Available for: British
Calibre: 9 x 19mm Parabellum
Magazine capacity: 32 rounds
Firing mechanism: Full-automatic, blowback-operated
Rate of fire: 450 rounds per minute
Weight: 3.18kg without magazine
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Historical Information
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In 1940, Britain suffered a shortage of weapons, and with the only submachine guns available being the US Thompson and the rushed Lanchester (which was a copy of the German MP28 ), the British Army needed a cheaper weapon in larger quantities. To solve this dilemma, the Sten was introduced and adopted. Taking its name from the first letter of its designers` surnames, Major R.V. Shepherd and Mr. H.J. Turpin, and the first two letters of the Enfield factory, the Sten consisted of a heavy bolt and spring in a tubular metal sleeve with the barrel screwed on. This caused great grief amongst traditional gunmakers due to the extremely crude look of the weapon.
The Mark I had a wooden stock, but this was soon discarded and the weapon was simplified to form the most common model, the Mark II. It was found that the manufacture of the parts was so simple that the British Army contracted smaller manufacturers and even large garages to make the smaller parts of the weapon, then gather them into a main factory to be assembled.
Firing 550 rounds per minute, the Sten was an ugly gun and was never liked by the troops. Although its construction protected it from dirt and mud, the MP40-based magazine caused immense trouble, having a reputation for jamming at awkward moments (the MP40 suffered from this problem as well). Various versions were simplified and tried out, culminating in the luxurious Mark V, which had wooden furniture, a forward pistol grip and bayonet socket. Produced after the demand was satisfied and equipping the British paratroopers at Arnhem, the Mark V would have been a good weapon had it not been for its unreliable magazine.
Although unpopular, it did the job, and was an effective weapon in winning the war considering its circumstances, and due to its portability it was a favourite among the French Resistance. Other resistance groups in Europe were able to manufacture the Sten themselves due to its simplicity.
Many Sten Mk II`s were also manufactured with an integral silencer for clandestine operations, and remained in use in the Vietnam War by special forces units.
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Call of Duty 2 notes
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The Sten makes a rather late appearance in Single Player, where it only appears in the Caen mission in Normandy. The Sten has received a substantial model change, now looking slimmer with a rougher texture than the smooth, thick polished tube of COD1. The weapon sounds have been changed, but the Sten is essentially the same as it was in COD1.
The iron sight consists of a rear aperture and forward stump with v-notch. The sight is the same as the COD1 model, but different from the CODUO, which had a forward stump instead of a v-notch. The weapon has little recoil, and steadily moves upwards with sustained fire. While easy to control, it is best to fire the weapon in short bursts for more accuracy, although it can fire its entire 32-round magazine in one long stream without going out of control.
The Sten`s weapon model has been changed, and now features a wire-frame stock instead of a steel tube stock, although the weapon icon hasn`t changed. The Sten no longer has a wimpy jab melee attack, and instead has the same swing attack as all other weapons.
The Sten`s role has somewhat changed too. While still an assault submachine gun, since the Thompson is now available to the British team the Sten has taken a similar role to the American Grease Gun. That is, it is now the high-capacity assault weapon alongside the high-firepower Thompson. While the Thompson has better power and handling, the Sten is still a formidable weapon at close range, and many players prefer the Sten for its lower recoil and higher magazine capacity.
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PPSh
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Name: Pistolet Pulemet Shpagina 1941
Country of origin: Russia
Available for: Russian
Calibre: 7.62 x 25mm TT
Magazine capacity: 71 rounds
Firing mechanism: Selective-fire, blowback-operated
Rate of fire: 900 rounds per minute
Weight: 5.45kg (3.63kg without magazine)
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Historical Background
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After the German advance in 1941, the Russians lost a massive amount of materials and weapons. To replace these losses, a new weapon had to be designed, cheap and easy to manufacture to practically re-arm the entire Red Army. For this purpose, the PPSh-41 was developed. Taking its name from the Russian designation for a submachine gun, `Pistolet Pulemet`, and the name of the designer, Georgii Shpagin, the PPSh-41 was a simplified version of the previous PPD submachine gun, using stamped parts as much as possible. The PPSh-41 used a simple blowback operation, and the stamped metal jacket was extended over the muzzle to act as a fairly effective compensator, reducing the tendency for the barrel to rise when firing on full-automatic. Using the distinctive 71-round drum, later models were also issued with a curved 35-round box clip, and had the selectable semi-automatic mode removed.
The PPSh-41 proved its worth, and soon become the standard weapon of the Red Army, often with whole units being equipped with only the PPSh-41. After the war, PPSh-41`s were sold to Eastern Bloc nations and remained in use through the Vietnam War.
The weapon was highly valued by the Germans, who would use captured weapons against the Russians. The German Army also manufactured its own version of the PPSh based on captured models, but the Germans found it easier to take weapons and ammunition from the battlefield.
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Call of Duty 2 notes
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The king of spam weapons is back, and still wielding the lovable 71-round magazine. With a sharper weapon model and retaining its blazing rate of fire, the PPSh is available as the primary assault weapon of the Russian team.
The iron sights consist of a simple hooded front pin, which marks the approximate point of impact. The pin is useless for precision shots, however, as the recoil makes it impossible to fire accurately. The recoil pattern has changed from COD1. Instead of the barrel moving upwards, the weapon now shakes violently up and to the sides. While still controllable, the PPSh is now a very erratic weapon and hard to control at medium range.
Players who were more fond of COD1`s recoil might prefer the PPS-42, which has a very similar recoil pattern to the COD1 PPSh. While the PPS-42 might be easier to handle, the PPSh is still dominant at close combat, and should be used exclusively for that.
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PPS-42
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Name: Pistolet Pulemet Sudaeva 1942
Country of origin: Russia
Available for: Russian
Calibre: 7.62 x 25mm TT
Magazine capacity: 35 rounds
Firing mechanism: Full-automatic, blowback-operated
Rate of fire: 700 rounds per minute
Weight: 3.04kg (empty), 3.67kg (loaded)
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Historical Background
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While the PPSh-41 was definitively successful as a weapon, it was by no means the perfect weapon. There was some issues regarding its size and weight, and its 71-round drum was difficult to manufacture. The answer to this was the PPS-42, which was made completely from stamped steel parts. The PPS-42 featured a folding stock, which made the weapon easier to carry and ideal for tank crews, paratroopers and recon units, and the 35-round curved magazine was easy to manufacture and reduced the weight of the weapon.
The PPS-42 was quickly refined with some minor changes to become the PPS-43, the main model produced throughout the war. Its 35-round magazine would later be used with the PPSh-41, with troops usually loading their PPSh with one drum and carrying 5-6 stick magazines. The PPS-43, however, could not use the 71-round drum.
Around 500,000 of these weapons were produced throughout the war. It remained popular with tank crews, and during the Cold War many units were distributed to Eastern Bloc countries, and eventually equipped some Communist units in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
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Call of Duty 2 notes
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A new addition to the COD series, some players might be wondering what the point of throwing in a 35-round submachine gun is when the 71-round monster known as the PPSh is also freely available. The answer is quite simple: handling. The PPSh now has a very erratic recoil pattern, while the PPS-42 has a predictable and steady rise upwards, much like the COD1 PPSh recoil. This makes the weapon easier to control and easier to pick up for COD veterans.
The iron sights consist of a rear notch and forward blade-pin, with a U-shaped bracket at the front. The pin designates the approximate point of impact, and remains rather steady with the controllable recoil. Fire can be sustained without the weapon going out of control, but for accurate fire it should be used in short bursts before the recoil pushes the barrel too far.
The actual role of the PPS-42 is a bit odd. As other teams have a fast and powerful/high-capacity combination, the Russians have speed and high-capacity in the PPSh. The PPS-42 is therefore a medium-range submachine gun with good close-quarters capability, but inferior to the PPSh at that range.
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General Submachine Gun Tactics
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Spam, glorious spam! Or at least, that`s what SMGs were good for in COD1. They`re still good for that in COD2, but a couple of gameplay changes have made it less effective in pure saturation: the removal of crosshairs while running, and the fact that it takes less effort to eliminate a target.
SMGs should be used for close quarters combat, where accuracy is less important and rate of fire takes precedence. Because of the high movement speed of the SMG, it is an ideal weapon for assaulting enemy positions, and excellent for capturing flags due to its good personal defense capability, although it is slightly slower in movement speed than the pistol.
Recoil patterns in COD2 are relatively easier to control than in COD1, so it is possible to rip out a full 30-round burst without the SMG going out of control, although most SMGs will tend to stray off target after sustained fire. Best results come from 3-5 round bursts, especially at medium-long range targets. At extreme close quarters, longer bursts are necessary, but only fire for as long as you need to eliminate threats. While SMGs do have high ammunition capacity, they`re not limitless, and there`s little point in wasting 25 rounds on one target when you can kill it in 5 bullets and use the other 20 rounds on more enemies.
To get more bang for your buck, it is essential to use the SMG as accurately as possible. Most players will disregard iron sights and instead run in with a spray-and-pray attitude. This works to an extent, and the lack of a crosshair doesn`t do much to stop players from spamming effectively, but it`s also very inaccurate and tends to waste precious ammunition. As an assault player, it is always important to have ammunition ready to fire at all times, especially when there are multiple threats. When assaulting, try to use iron sights whenever possible, as an aimed burst will dispatch enemies more quickly and accurately than firing from the hip. Only fire from the hip when there is no time to aim, or when you need suppressive fire to move to another position.
As SMGs are the preferred assault weapon, it is important to follow some general assault guidelines. Never run straight towards a position or a flag; that exposes you to fire from all directions. Instead, take cover, take the safest route and follow the edges of the area to encircle enemy positions rather than running straight to them. It may seem to be unnecessary, but as it is so easy to get killed in COD2, any technique that increases safety should be heeded.
Do not reload until the area is clear. Reloading in the middle of a firefight gets you killed, and it is the number one mistake that many players make. Apparently it becomes instinctive to reload a weapon immediately after killing someone. Do NOT do that; reloading takes time and time is not on your side when two more enemies run at you with guns blazing. The logic is simple: if you have 32 rounds, and you kill someone using a 5-round burst, you still have enough ammunition to theoretically kill another five people. In fact, with the
more tactical multiplayer approach, it`s not uncommon for one player to take out 3-4 players with one magazine if they have proper assault techniques.
Finally, SMGs are ideal for assaults for one additional reason: apart from their one frag grenade, SMGs are also the only weapon class that receives smoke grenades, which can greatly aid an assault.
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