When the United States entered World War II, the military faced an urgent need for more effective close-quarters combat weapons. In this context, the Reising M50 submachine gun emerged as a hopeful contender, only to become an infamous example of a weapon that fell short of expectations. Designed as a lighter, cheaper alternative to the stalwart Thompson submachine gun, the Reising M50 aimed to give Marines a combat edge, particularly in the treacherous jungles of the Pacific theater.
The concept behind the M50 was promising. At just 6.8 pounds and firing from a closed bolt for greater accuracy, the Reising seemed to check all the right boxes. With a production cost of $62 per unit—compared to the Thompson’s hefty $200 price tag—it also appeared to be an economically viable option for a military ramping up for a global conflict.
The Reising was manufactured by Harrington & Richardson in 1941, entering military service with the Marines by 1942. Thousands of .45 caliber M50s were issued with expectations of performance that matched or exceeded that of the more cumbersome Thompson. The Reising fired 550 rounds per minute and, initially, Marines equipped with this submachine gun believed they might have an advantage in the brutal close-quarters engagements that typified combat in the Pacific.
However, the Reising M50’s battlefield reality was starkly different from its anticipated potential. In combat, the weapon’s limited 20-round magazine capacity proved insufficient, and its effective range of just 100 yards was a significant limitation. The environment also played a critical role in the M50’s downfall. The jungles and beaches where Marines fought demanded a weapon resistant to corrosion, saltwater, and sand; the Reising M50 was not that weapon. It jammed frequently, and its parts, hand-fitted and finely machined, were not amenable to quick field repairs. The sights, too, were prone to breaking.
Marines found the Reising’s design to be problematic as well. Its charging handle, awkwardly situated in a slot in front of the magazine, made operation difficult under the stress of combat. The M50 also had a variant, the M55, with a folding stock designed for airborne and armored units, which suffered from similar issues.
As the reality of the weapon’s shortcomings became apparent, the Reising M50 and M55 were eventually rejected by the Marines, and the guns were handed back to stateside police officers and security guards. They were ultimately replaced by the more reliable .30 caliber M-1 carbine. The harsh judgment of the Reising M50 as the worst firearm ever issued to U.S. military personnel stemmed not just from its unreliability but from the dire consequences this unreliability could have had in life-and-death situations.
Post-war, the Reising found a home with various police departments across the country, where the meticulous care and maintenance it required could be provided. This secondary service life suggests that in less demanding conditions, and when treated with the care it needed, the Reising could perform adequately.
Relevant articles:
– Reising M50 Review — MIDWEST TACTICAL INC., atfmachinegun.com
– Reising M50: The Worst Gun of World War II?, The National Interest, Dec 24, 2023
– Short End Of The Stick: The Reising Submachine Gun, American Rifleman, Jul 16, 2023
– Why the Reising Submachine Gun Is Best Left Forgotten, The National Interest, Jun 29, 2020