The Forgotten Weapon Of World War 2 (The Reising M55)

Published on July 15, 2024
Duration: 11:33

This review delves into the Reising M55, a WWII submachine gun developed as a cheaper alternative to the Thompson. While it saw limited Marine service, reliability issues in harsh conditions led to its phasing out. The M55 features a unique under-forend charging handle, a folding paratrooper stock, and fires .45 ACP with 20-round magazines. The video also touches on model variations like the M50 and M60, and includes range testing.

Quick Summary

The Reising M55 is a WWII submachine gun chambered in .45 ACP, designed as a cheaper alternative to the Thompson. It features a folding paratrooper stock and an under-forend charging handle but was phased out due to reliability issues in combat.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Reising M55
  2. 00:40Historical Context and Reliability Issues
  3. 01:42Design Features and Ergonomics
  4. 02:23Caliber and Magazine Capacity (.45 ACP, 20-round)
  5. 02:56Paratrooper Folding Stock Review
  6. 05:46Reising Model Variations (M50, M55, M60)
  7. 08:08Full-Auto Range Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of the Reising M55 submachine gun?

The Reising M55 was developed in the early 1940s as a lighter and cheaper alternative to the Thompson submachine gun. It was intended for military use during World War II, though it saw limited service due to reliability concerns.

What are the key design features of the Reising M55?

The Reising M55 features a 10.5-inch barrel, fires .45 ACP, and uses 20-round magazines. It has a unique under-forend charging handle and a folding wire stock, characteristic of its 'Paratrooper' designation.

Why was the Reising M55 largely phased out of service?

The Reising M55 suffered from significant reliability issues, particularly in harsh combat environments. These problems led to it being phased out of service by the US military, despite its initial adoption.

What are the different models in the Reising submachine gun family?

The Reising family includes the M50, which has a full wood stock and a longer barrel; the M55, featuring the paratrooper folding stock; and the M60, a semi-automatic carbine version. .22 LR training variants also exist.

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