what does the sub mean in submachine gun ?

Answer 1

sub, short for subordinate, or lesser, hence smaller or lesser than a regular machine gun (from the latin sub meaning under)

Answer 2

A machine gun is a rather large gun which is usually used on a tripod because of it's weight.
A sub machine gun is a smaller version which can be hand held. Therefore sub in this context means under, lesser, beneath or smaller, as in subservient, subculture,subway or submarine.

Answer 3

A submachine gun is a weapon which fires subsonic pistol ammo (45 cal. or 9 mm) as opposed to an assault rifle and light through heavy machine guns which fire supersonic rifle rounds (7.62mm, 5.56 mm ect.)

Answer 4

A submachine gun fires pistol ammo, while modern submachine guns have fire selectors they all have the capability of firing full auto

Answer 5

Machine guns are fully automatic, no options. Sub-machine guns can have settings like the H&K MP5, single shot, three round burst, and automatic.

Answer 6

smaller, hand-held, rather than large mounted machine guns, such as the original Gatlin gun

Answer 7

a sub machine gun is one that uses pistol caliber, a machine gun uses rifle calibers. both are subsonic.

Answer 8

sub machineguns often have a submarine underneath them, my dad was in the navy.

Answer 9

i think it means that it is portable I am to lazy to look although I have provided a link :]

Answer 10

your subconscious shooting