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United Defense M42
Photo: Atirador · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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UnitedDefenseM42

Machine Pistols · United States · 1942
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UnitedDefenseM42

United Defense M42
United Defense M42 Photo: Atirador · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
40
Full-Auto Control
30
Magazine Capacity
50
Concealability
75
Accuracy
55
Reliability
65
Ergonomics
45
Rate of Fire
50
Versatility
40
Cost-Effectiveness
70
Origin United States
CategoryMachine Pistols
EraWorld War II
In service1942–1943
Operators10 countries
Quantity15,000
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
50
Machine Pistols MASS Rating
14/36
World War II
134/217
All-Time
Machine Pistols · 10 axes scored
Firepower
40
Full-Auto Control
30
Magazine Capacity
50
Concealability
75
Accuracy
55
Reliability
65
Ergonomics
45
Rate of Fire
50
Versatility
40
Cost-Effectiveness
70
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the machine pistols category.
01 / Overview
United Defense M42
Production
1942–1943
Quantity
15,000
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MACHINE PISTOLS · WORLD WAR II
14
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
76
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
50
machine pistols category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the machine pistols category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General7MOD.7
  • First Production Year1942
  • Service Entry Year1942
  • DesignerCarl G. Swebilius
  • Weight (Empty)4.54 kg
  • Weight (Loaded)5 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersOSS agents, Resistance forces, Chinese forces, Philippine troops
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
▣Operation9MOD.9
  • Action TypeBlowback
  • Fire Modesselective fire
  • Select FireYes
  • Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
  • Magazine Capacity25
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire700
  • Practical Rate of Fire100
  • Trigger Typesingle-stage
  • Safety Typemanual safety
◇Ballistics3MOD.3
  • Muzzle Velocity335 m/s
  • Muzzle Energy510
  • Effective Range (point)91 m
◆Barrel & Sights7MOD.7
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
  • Total Production15,000
  • Production Start1942
  • Production End1943
  • Variants1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1927First deployment: Chinese Civil War
  2. 1942Production started
  3. 1943Entered service
84
years in service
1
years in production
15,000
units produced
7
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 3 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Inventory2country · 460units
460active
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
A type of firearm action where the breech is not locked and the cartridge case expands to seal the breech, using case expansion and pressure to retain gases.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Machine Pistols entry →