Hyde M2
Inland Division of General Motors · Submachine Gun · Limited Production · 1942
Also known as: Hyde-Inland, T20, Submachine Gun Caliber .45 M2, Marlin M2
Overview
The Hyde M2 was an American .45 ACP blowback submachine gun designed by George Hyde and developed by the Inland Division of General Motors, with production contracted to Marlin Firearms. A conventional wood-stocked weapon feeding from Thompson 20- and 30-round box magazines, it was praised for reliability and full-auto accuracy but its machined construction made it expensive and slow to produce. Standardized as the M2 in 1942, it was rendered obsolete almost immediately by the cheaper stamped-steel M3 'Grease Gun,' and the contract was cancelled in 1943 after only about 400 were built.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4190 g (147.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 813 mm (32.01") |
| Barrel Length | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 292 m/s (958 fps) |
| Rate of Fire | 570 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .45 ACP · primary — also known as .45 Auto, 45 ACP, 11.43x23mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Thompson Magazine Compatibility, Wooden Buttstock, Iron Sights, Sling Loops, Full Auto Accuracy
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1942 · as Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M2
Production
Estimated total produced: 400 · Production years: 1942-1943
Approximately 400 units built before cancellation; Marlin's 164,450-unit production contract was cancelled in 1943 in favor of the M3
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: George Hyde
Discontinued: 1943
Notes
Adopted as M2 in 1942 (trials designation T20); Marlin's 164,450-unit contract was cancelled in 1943. About 400 units built; never saw combat service. Barrel is 12 inches (305mm).
Background
George Hyde's .45 SMG beat the M1 Thompson in mud and dirt trials and was the most accurate submachine gun in US full-auto testing at the time, earning a 164,450-gun contract - yet it was rendered obsolete almost overnight by the far cheaper, stamped-steel M3 'Grease Gun,' and the contract was cancelled after only about 400 were built.