Here are two weapons that should have been added originally in RTCW.
(I know this may seem a bit off-topic, but people started talking about weapons, so here’s my chance to share two ideas that should have already been in the game.)
MP-44, also known as Sturmgewehr-44 (StG. 44)
Caliber: 7.92x33 mm (7.92mm Kurz)
Action: Gas operated, tilting bolt
Length: 940 mm
Weigth: 5.22 kg
Rate of fire: 500 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
This weapon, known as a worlds first assault rifle, was developed in Hitlers’ Germany during the World War Two. Initial development took place under the designation of MKb.42 - MachinenKarabine, 1942. The experimental MKb’s were developed by two german companies, Karl Walther (MKb.42(W)) and C.G.Haenel (MKb.42(H)). Both guns were intended as a replacement for submachine guns, bolt action rifles and, partly, light machineguns for front troops. Both guns were designed to fire intermediate (between rifle and pistol) cartridge, and have effective range of 600 meters or so. The 7.92mm Kurz cartridge, developed by Polte company, propelled 8.1 g (125 grains) bullet to rougly 680 meters per second.
After initial trials the MKb.42(H), designed by Hugo Schmeisser, was found superior of two, and further development took place under the name of MP-43 (MachinenPistole, 1943, to avoid Hitlers opposition to made anything but SMGs). Some MP-43s were issued to troops at western front, and field reports were very promising. Final version appeared under the designation of Mp-44, and then Hitler finally approved it, but the new gun received also a new designation - SturmGevehr-44, which stands for no more than “Assult Rifle” in german language. This was pure act of propaganda, but the name stuck not only to that gun, but to the whole new class of automatic weapons, designed to fire intermediate cartridges. Total number of MP-43s, MP-44s and StG.44s produced was about 500 000, and these guns proved itself as wery effective, but not withouth some flaws. After end of the war the direct development of the Stg.44 was stopped, but some remained guns were used by East Germany.
The StG.44 is a gas operated, selective fire weapon. The receiver and trigger housing with pistol grip are made from steel stampings. Trigger housing with pistol grip is hinged to the receiver and folds town for disassembly. Gas drive utilises long piston stroke, and bolt is tipped down to lock into the receiver. Gun is fired from the closed bolt (unlike the early Mkb.42(H) which fired from the open bolt). Also, MP-43 and further versions all were hammer-fired, while MKb.42(H) was striker-fired. Charging handle is attached to the gas piston rod, ejection port has a dust cover. Recoil spring is located inside the wooden butt. Handguard were made of stamping.
By the modern standards, the StG.44 was too heavy, it was not too comfortable to fire from prone positions, the butt attachment was not too strong and could be easily damaged in hands-to-hands combat, but it was the FIRST gun of its class, and it was more effective than SMG.
Game Info
Versus the weapons already used in Wolfenstein, the StG44 should have a similar rate of fire as the MP40 (assuming that it’s slower than the Thompson), similar accuracy as the MP40, and slightly higher penetration power as the MP40. We don’t want this weapon to overpower the MP40 and it won’t because of these reasons:
- Only two classes that are able to use this assault rifle are Soldier and Field Ops.
- The MP40 has a faster reload rate.
The StG44 has no special abilities for the soldier class or field ops class (unlike the competing BAR). Like the BAR, however, the StG44 is considered as a light weapon and will build light weapon experience points for every kill with it. When an axis soldier reaches level 4 on heavy weapons, he will be able to carry an StG44 with an MP40 as if the StG44 really was a heavy weapon.
M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)
Caliber: .30 (7.62 mm)
Action: Gas cooled, gas operated, magazine fed, shoulder type
Length: 119.4 cm (47 in.)
Weigth: .33 kg (18.5 lbs)
Rate of fire: 550 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 20 rounds
The initial M1918A1 version of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) was first used in combat by American soldiers during World War I, and many saw service in World War II. The BAR received high praise for its reliability under adverse conditions.
In 1940, the model M1918A2 was adopted. Unlike earlier models, it could only be fired in two automatic modes–slow (300 to 450 rpm) or fast (500 to 650 rpm)–but not in semiautomatic mode. Both versions were widely used in the second world war. The USMC preferred the semiautomatic mode in some tactical situations, and modified most of the M1918A2 guns to include that capability. A buffer spring in the butt greatly reduced recoil, to the advantage both of firing accuracy and shooter endurance.
The M1918A2 also mounted its folding bipod (2.38 pounds!) on a special flash hider near the end of the barrel. Since the bipod could easily be detached in this model, it very frequently was! but not often in defensive positions, where it was very effective. The flash hider, which was the point of attachment for the bipod, was not usually removed. Hiding the flash from enemy troops when firing on them isn’t the purpose of the hider, all automatic weapons are easily visible when fired at night. It blocks the muzzle flash from the vision of the shooter, maintaining his night vision. That’s important!
The Army infantry squad of nine men was tactically organized around a single BAR. The Marine squad of thirteen men was organized around three fire-teams, each organized around a BAR. The much greater fire power of a Marine platoon with its nine BARs over the Army platoon with its four BARs was a great combat advantage.
The BAR was a popular weapon in WWII and Korea, because it was very reliable and offered an excellent combination of rapid fire and penetrating power. The BAR’s only serious drawbacks were its lack of a quick-change barrel (to reduce the chance of overheating), and its weight (BAR, with bipod and a loaded bandoleer, came to about 40 pounds).
Game Info
Versus the weapons already used in Wolfenstein, the BAR should have a similar rate of fire as the FG42, slightly higher accuracy than the Thompson, and similar penetration power as the Thompson. We don’t want this weapon to overpower the Thompson and it won’t because of these reasons:
- The Thompson has a larger magazine capacity.
- The Thompson has a faster reload rate.
- Only two classes that are able to use this assault rifle are Soldier and Field Ops.
The allied soldier will be able to choose a Thompson and a BAR together after he has reached level 4 on Heavy Weapons. The BAR is not considered as a heavy weapon, but a soldier may increase his heavy weapons level while using the BAR only if the soldier lies prone with it. This is because the BAR comes with a tripod (only for the soldier class) and when it is mounted it works like the MG42 does, increasing the accuracy significantly. When the BAR is mounted, the soldier can convert his ammunition into belt-fed mode which takes his initial 20 round magazine and adds it to the other 80 rounds that he is carrying. This process takes about 8 seconds, so a soldier wanting to use the BAR’s special feature may want to stay clear of danger while he is setting up. Even when dismounting his tripod, the conversion will take the same amount of time.
The benefits of this special feature are as follows:
- The bar initially carries a 20 round magazine and four other clips, totaling 100 rounds of ammunition. On conversion to belt-fed mode, the ammunition is added together so that the soldier may fire 100 rounds without reloading. The only problem with this is that a field ops cannot give them any more ammunition until the soldier runs out, thus meaning that a soldier carrying a BAR has a maximum ammunition capacity of 100 rounds at all times.
- The accuracy of the BAR is improved while in belt-fed mode, but fires at a slower rate than the MG42. Also, in comparison to the MG42, the BAR takes longer to mount because the soldier has to convert to belt-fed mode. The MG42 is much more reliable in overall comparison if a soldier wishes to use a mounted MG.
The BAR, when fired in the standard fire mode, will build experience points for the light weapons category. Also, when a field ops uses a BAR, it will have no special function.
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