Why did the Axis powers use bolt action-rifles and America didn't?

Question

Do bolt-action rifles have an advantage or semi-auto rifles?

Answer 1

I can't say for sure about the Italians, but the main reason that the average German Infantry soldier was armed with a bolt action rifle was because of Hitler. In WWI, he was a lowly corporal, armed with a Mauser '98. When he became dictator, some things about him he couldn't be persuaded to change on. To him, if it was good enough for him back then, it was good enough for the soldier when he was leading. His generals wanted to develop and field a semi-auto. So the German military was stuck with the '98. Although they did shorten the stock and barrel, which is why the WWII variation was called the '98K (for Kurtz, or "short"--a carbine). It's true that typically, a mass produced rifle will shooter tighter groups with a bolt action than with a semi-auto (or even full auto) but I'd like to point out to people that the M1 Garand and M1A was modified into sniper roles. Our M-16 series rifle is commonly modified into varmint and sniper weapons both by civilians (and now) the military.

Hitler didn't limit himself to resisting just a semi-auto rifle. He also had very strong ideas concerning shotguns (he was terrified of them when he served in WWI, therefore lobbied repeatedly to get them banned during WWII and never used gas on enemy soldiers; although his atrocities with the death camps shows how little respect he had for human life). Hitler's decisions hindered his military in many ways, such as using the first, mass produced, jet aircraft for bombing instead of aireal interception like it was designed for. The Japanese spent most of their resources on ships and planes. The common belief was that the individual soldier wasn't as important. Better to have 20 soldiers armed with crappy bolt actions than 1 soldier armed with a semi-auto. They were fighting their war 40 years out of date when it came to infantry. As far as the Italians, I can't say for sure, unless it was just because Mussalini followed step with the Germans.

Answer 2

The allies and axis powers both used bolt action rifles, submachineguns, machineguns, and semi-automatic rifles. The Germans also fielded an excellent assault rifle towards the end of the war.

Bolt action rifles like the mauser k98 and the 1903 springfield were cheaper and more reliable than semi-auto rifles. The bolt action rifles were more accurate, but not enough to make a differance at short range. The semi-auto M1 garand was just as effective out to 600 yards as the bolt action rifles, but could fire 8 rounds as fast as the man could pull the trigger. Putting a scope on the K98 or 1903's made them excellent sniper rifles. The M1 was also equipped with a scope at times and used by snipers.

Take a look at wikipedia online for more info.

Ranb

Answer 3

It was a matter of preferences. The M-1 was accurate because it is gas operated not recoil operated and the bolt actually locks between shots.

The Germans did come out with the first assault rifle before the end of the war. It was a precursor to the AK-47 and the M-16. But like their jet plane was not produced in sufficient quantity to be a significant factor.

Answer 4

I believe the theory was that of ammunition conservation. With a bolt action rifle you fire more slowly, thus conserving ammunition. However it proved that rapid fire, even if inaccurate was more effective than accurate fire at a lower rate. More lead equals more dead.

The germans used the mauser which was one of the finest bolt action rifles in existence and was actually used during world war 1. The use forces also did use a bolt action rifle however I believe this was relegated more for sniper work.

Answer 5

"You go to war with the army or equipment that you have, not what you would like to have at some future time" Donald Rumsfeld (para)

Bolt action rifles force soldiers to take better aim at their targets and save ammunition. I forget the numbers, but in WWII, American soldiers fired about 25,000 rounds per enemy killed. In Korea, it was about 40,000. By Viet Nam, it was around 100,000. As weapons get faster, kill rates decrease per shot fired.

Like I said, I can't remember the exact numbers, but I think that demonstrates the point. The Axis powers couldn't afford to spend ammo at the rate that Americans could. And bolt action rifles are easier and cheaper to produce (before the AK 47, that is).

Answer 6

yes bolt action rifles are usually more acurate than an auto loader because a bolt action allows for closer tolerances in the machining process because the reloading sequence is done by handand the bolt seals in the chamber tighter, where as in an auto loader the gaps between the bolt and chamber are larger to allow for smoth function and maximum reliability

Answer 7

America used the model 1903A3 Springfield, which is bolt action, along with the M1 Garand. US Marines were initially armed with 1903 rifles in early battles in the Pacific. the Springfield was also used as a sniper rifle in the Korean war.

Answer 8

the axis used bolt action because they believed in quality

the alliance on the other hand believed in mass production,

just like the tank situation

Answer 9

In the Marine Corp the doctrine is, "One Shot One Kill"

But....times change.

So Let's fire for effect.

Answer 10

they shoot a little truer, but that goes by personal preference, The Germans had fully automatic weapons.