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United Defense M42

From Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games
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United Defense M42 - .45 ACP (20 round magazines)
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
United Defense M42 - .45 ACP (20 round magazines)

The United Defense UD M42 submachine gun was designed between 1941 and 1942 by American designer Carl Swebilius from the High Standard Manufacturing Company and produced from 1942 to 1943 by the United Defense Supply Corp as a replacement for the Thompson submachine gun, although much of the actual manufacturing was contracted out to Marlin. Versions chambered in 9x19mm and .45 ACP were designed, but the 9mm version was the only version to see significant production. It is fed by a 25 round magazine, although the .45 ACP prototypes use 20 round magazines. Magazines were frequently welded together to facilitate faster reloads, as shown in the image to the right.

The M42 is an extremely simple design with straight blowback operation and built to be made as quickly as possible. This led to design flaws, such as the stamped steel magazines warping and bending and the gun itself prone to jamming in dirty conditions, necessitating frequent cleaning. While the United States Department of War showed interest in procuring large quantities of M42s, only 15,000 were produced due to issues regarding royalties and manufacturing rights. It was mainly used by members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and also extensively airdropped to European resistance forces. The M42 was also issued to Filipino forces, where it saw use into the 1960s.

Specifications

(1942–1943)

  • Type: Submachine Gun
  • Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum , .45 ACP (Prototype model)
  • Weight: 9 lbs (4.1 kg)
  • Length: 32.3 in (82 cm)
  • Barrel length: 11 in (27.9 cm)
  • Capacity: 20 rounds (.45 ACP prototypes), 25 rounds (9x19mm production version)
  • Fire Modes: Semi-Auto/Auto

The United Defense M42 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Pierrot Goes Wild (Pierrot le Fou) OAS members 1965
Cuba Cuban guerillas 1979

Video Games

Game Title Mods Notations Release Date
Enlisted 25 round magazine, 9x19mm Parabellum version 2021