Every WW2 Surplus Rifle Ranked — WORST to BEST

Published on June 17, 2026
Duration: 8:48

This video provides a comprehensive ranking of major World War II surplus rifles, from worst to best, based on their performance, reliability, and impact on combat. It details the shortcomings of early-war or poorly manufactured weapons like the Volkssturm VG 1-5 and Carcano M91/38, while highlighting the robust nature of the Mosin Nagant and the engineering excellence of the Karabiner 98k. The guide emphasizes the shift towards semi-automatic rifles with the SVT-40 and G43, and crowns the StG 44 as the inventor of the assault rifle concept, ultimately placing the M1 Garand as the top rifle for its reliability, firepower, and decisive impact on the war.

Quick Summary

The M1 Garand is ranked the best World War 2 surplus rifle due to its reliability, accuracy, and eight-round semi-automatic capability. General Patton called it the greatest battle implement ever devised, noting its overwhelming firepower against bolt-action armed adversaries.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: WW2 Rifles Ranked
  2. 00:26D Tier: The Worst Rifles
  3. 00:2612. Volkssturm Wehr VG 1-5
  4. 01:0611. Carcano M91/38
  5. 01:4910. Ross Rifle
  6. 02:31C Tier: Works, But Barely
  7. 02:319. MAS 36
  8. 03:048. Arisaka Type 99
  9. 03:45B Tier: The Workhorses
  10. 03:457. Mosin Nagant M91/30
  11. 04:266. Karabiner 98k
  12. 05:025. Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk 1
  13. 05:47A Tier: The Semi-Auto Shift
  14. 05:474. SVT-40
  15. 06:263. G43
  16. 07:06S Tier: The Game Changers
  17. 07:062. StG 44
  18. 07:441. M1 Garand
  19. 08:35Conclusion & Subscribe

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered the worst World War 2 surplus rifle?

The Volkssturm Wehr VG 1-5, built in 1945 during Germany's collapse, is ranked as the worst. It was made from scrap metal with virtually no quality control, leading to extreme unreliability and dangerous malfunctions.

Which World War 2 rifle is considered the best?

The M1 Garand is ranked as the best World War 2 surplus rifle. Its reliability, accuracy, powerful .30-06 cartridge, and eight-round semi-automatic capability provided overwhelming firepower that significantly impacted combat outcomes.

What made the StG 44 revolutionary?

The StG 44 invented the assault rifle concept by firing an intermediate cartridge from a 30-round magazine, offering controllable automatic fire and sufficient range. It directly influenced the design of most modern military rifles.

Why was the Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk 1 so effective?

The Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk 1 featured a 10-round detachable magazine and an exceptionally fast bolt action. This allowed trained British soldiers to achieve a 'mad minute' of rapid fire, often mistaken for machine-gun fire by enemy forces.

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