M3A1 Grease Gun (S.O.G.)

NOTE: This article is about M3A1s used by several factions in S.O.G. Prairie Fire. For its American/French counterpart in Spearhead 1944, see M3A1 Grease Gun (Spearhead).

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The M3A1 is an American submachinegun chambered for the .45 pistol cartridge. It entered US Army service in 1942 as a replacement for the Thompson, with slower rate of fire for added control. The weapon, commonly nicknamed the 'Grease Gun', is widely used by tank-crews due to its compact size. The M3 model can be fitted with a suppressed barrel and was used by SOG Recon Teams.

Field Manual

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The M3A1 Grease Gun is a .45 submachine gun used by several BLUFOR, REDFOR and INDFOR factions in ArmA 3. It was added with the release of the S.O.G. Prairie Fire Creator DLC.

Overview[]

This section is a stub. You can help Armed Assault Wiki by expanding it.

The M3A1 Grease Gun is a blowback-operated submachine gun that fires from open bolt. It is chambered to fire the .45 ACP cartridge.

It can only load 30-round box magazines, and can attain a fire rate of up to ~ 521 rounds per minute^{[CfgWp 7]}^{[Formula 1]} with a muzzle velocity of 488 m/s.^{[CfgWp 8]}

M3A1s are not able to mount optical sights nor can they be fitted with a bayonet/bipod. However, it is possible to attach a dedicated sound suppressor onto its muzzle.^{[CfgWp 9]}

Ironsights[]

Arma3-sogpfm3a1greasegun-ironsight-overview

The M3A1 Grease Gun's ironsights utilise a fixed zeroing of 50 metres.^{[CfgWp 10]}^{[CfgWp 11]} It is not possible to change this to a lower or higher setting.

Melee[]

Melee attacks with the M3A1 Grease Gun involve striking targets with a buttstroke. These attacks can inflict a maximum of up to 7 points of damage if the buttstroke successfully lands on the target.^{[CfgAm 1]}

Note that melee attacks will drain 2.832 points of stamina^{[Formula 2]} whenever a buttstroke is performed.^{[SCR 1]}

Ammunition[]

Ammo parameter	.45 ACP (Ball/Tracer)
Base damage value	9^{[CfgAm 2]}
Aerodynamic friction	-0.001^{[CfgAm 3]}
Muzzle velocity (m/s)	282 ^{[CfgMa 2]}^{[note 1]} Actual: 488 ^{[CfgWp 8]}^{[note 2]}
Expected velocity (m/s)	330 ^{[CfgAm 4]}^{[note 3]}
Penetration depth (mm)	3.807 ^{[CfgAm 5]}^{[Formula 3]} Actual: 6.588 ^{[Formula 4]}^{[note 4]}
Deflection angle (degrees)	30°^{[CfgAm 6]}

The M3A1 can load two types of magazines.^{[CfgWp 12]} Both types of magazines share the same weight of 8^{[CfgMa 3]} "mass" units:

30Rnd. M3A1 Mag[]

Arma3-ammunition-sogpf30rndm3a1greasegun

Standard 30-round box magazine loaded with a mix of .45 ACP ball and tracer ammunition.^{[CfgMa 4]}

Every fourth round fired will emit a visible red tracer.^{[CfgMa 5]} The last four rounds of the magazine will always emit visible tracers.^{[CfgMa 6]}

30Rnd. M3A1 Mag (Tracer)[]

Alternate 30-rounder magazine loaded entirely with .45 ACP red tracer ammunition.^{[CfgMa 7]}^{[CfgMa 8]}

Magazine compatibility[]

Weapon name (Classname)	30Rnd. M3A1 Mag	30Rnd. M3A1 Mag (Tracer)
M3A1 Grease Gun (vn_m3a1)	✔	✔

Trivia[]

Update 1.31's release optimised the M3A1 Grease Gun's model so that it now has less aggressive material and LOD (Level of Detail) switching when viewed in third person from a distance.^[1]

Gallery[]

Config/script references[]

CfgAmmo

↑ CfgAmmo >> vn_melee_stun >> hit
↑ CfgAmmo >> vn_1143x23 >> hit
↑ CfgAmmo >> vn_1143x23 >> airFriction
↑ CfgAmmo >> vn_1143x23 >> typicalSpeed
↑ CfgAmmo >> vn_1143x23 >> caliber
↑ CfgAmmo >> vn_1143x23 >> deflecting

CfgMagazines

↑ CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_mag >> count
↑ CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_mag >> initSpeed
↑ CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_mag >> mass
↑ CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_mag >> ammo >> "vn_1143x23"
↑ CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_mag >> tracersEvery
↑ CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_mag >> lastRoundsTracer
↑ CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_t_mag >> tracersEvery
↑ CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_t_mag >> lastRoundsTracer

CfgWeapons

↑ CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> FullAuto >> dispersion
↑ CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> WeaponSlotsInfo >> mass
↑ CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> recoil
↑ CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> recoilProne
↑ CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> inertia
↑ CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> dexterity
↑ CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> FullAuto >> reloadTime
↑ ^8.0 ^8.1 CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> initSpeed
↑ CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> WeaponSlotsInfo >> MuzzleSlot >> compatibleItems[] >> {"vn_s_M3a1"}
↑ CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> discreteDistance[] >> {50}
↑ CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> discreteDistanceInitIndex >> "0"
↑ CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> magazines[] >> {"vn_m3a1_mag","vn_m3a1_t_mag"}

Scripts

↑ \vn\functions_f_vietnam\functions\melee\fn_melee_drainstamina.sqf

Formulae

↑ 60 / reloadTime = 60 / 0.115
↑ (mass * 0.04) * dexterity = (40 * 0.04) * 1.77
↑ Magazine's initSpeed * Ammo's caliber * 15 / 1000 = 282 * 0.9 * 15 / 1000
↑ Weapon's initSpeed * Ammo's caliber * 15 / 1000 = 488 * 0.9 * 15 / 1000

Notes[]

↑ Only applies to the magazine itself. The M3A1 Grease Gun's weapon class has its own initSpeed value defined (488 m/s).
↑ This is the M3A1 Grease Gun's actual muzzle velocity. The weapon class initSpeed value (488 m/s) takes precedence over the magazine initSpeed value (282 m/s).
↑ Damage will be reduced if the projectile's velocity drops below this value.
↑ This is the actual penetration depth of the M3A1 Grease Gun's .45 ACP ammunition. The weapon class initSpeed value (488 m/s) takes precedence over the magazine initSpeed value (282 m/s), affecting its penetration formula as a result.

References[]

↑ Graham, R et al. 2024, S.O.G. Prairie Fire - Changelog, Bohemia Interactive Forums, viewed 12 January 2025, <https://forums.bohemia.net/forums/topic/234698-sog-prairie-fire-changelog/?do=findComment&comment=3536869>.

External links[]

Wikipedia: M3 submachine gun

See also[]

Weapons of comparable role and configuration[]

M1A1 Tommy Gun (Older counterpart/replacement)
Sten Mk.II (Alternate 9 mm-chambered BLUFOR/FANK counterpart)

Weapons of S.O.G. Prairie Fire
Handguns	.38 Revolver • HD .22 • HP 9 mm • M712 7.62 mm • M1895 7.62 mm • M1911 .45 • Mk1 UDG 2.54 mm • Mk22 Mod 0 9 mm • Model 10 .38 • P38 9 mm • PM 9 mm • PPK 9 mm • TT-33 7.62 mm • Type 64 Pistol 7.65 mm • Welrod 7.65 mm
Submachine guns	F1 SMG 9 mm • L2A3 9 mm (L34A1, L34A1 XM148) • M/45 9 mm • M1A1 Tommy Gun .45 (Shorty, M1928, M1928A1) • M3A1 Grease Gun .45 • MAT-49 9 mm (VC) • MC-10 9 mm • MP40 9 mm • MPU 9 mm • PPS-43 7.62 mm (PPS-52) • PPSh-41 7.62 mm (K-50M) • Sten Mk.II 9 mm • Type 64 SMG 7.65 mm • VZ.61 7.65 mm
Shotguns	ISh-54 (Sawn-off, Sidearm) • M1897
Carbines	GAU-5A/A 5.56 mm • M1 Carbine 7.62 mm (M1 Rifle Grenade, M2, M2 Rifle Grenade, M3) • SKS 7.62 mm (GL) • XM177E1 5.56 mm (E2, E2 Foregrip, E2 Stock, E2 Short, E2 XM148)
Rifles/Assault rifles	AK 7.62 mm • K98K 7.92 mm • KBKG 7.62 mm (Rifle Grenade) • L1A1 7.62 mm (XM148, Rifle Grenade, SAS) • M1 Garand 7.62 mm (Rifle Grenade) • M16A1 5.56 mm (M203, XM148, E1, E1 XM148, USAF) • M1903 7.62 mm (Rifle Grenade) • M36 7.5 mm • M38 7.62 mm • M49/56 7.5 mm (Rifle Grenade) • M63A 5.56 mm • Type 56 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons	DP-27 7.62 mm • L2A1 LMG 7.62 mm • L4 LMG 7.62 mm • M1918A2 7.62 mm • M63A LMG 5.56 mm (Commando) • RPD 7.62 mm (El Cid, Shorty)
Machineguns	M60 7.62 mm (Shorty) • MG42 7.92 mm • PK 7.62 mm
Designated marksman rifles	M14 7.62 mm (A1, Shorty) • M1891 7.62 mm
Sniper rifles	M40 7.62 mm • M91/30 7.62 mm • SVD 7.62 mm • VZ54 7.62 mm • XM21 7.62 mm
Grenade launchers	M79 (Sawn-off)
Launchers	9K32 Strela-2 (M) • B40 • B41 • M127 Flare Launcher • M20A1B1 • M72 LAW
Static	9P111 Malyutka • BGM-71 TOW • D44 • DP-27 • DShKM • H12 Rocket Launcher • L/70 Mk2 • M2 Mortar • M2HB • M1910 • M29 Mortar • M40A1 Recoilless Rifle • M45 Quadmount • M60 • M101 Howitzer • M1919A4 (M1919A6) • MG42 • Mk18 Mod 0 • PK • RPD • SGM • Spiderhole • Type 53 Mortar • Type 56 Recoilless Rifle • Type 63 Mortar • ZGU-1 • ZPU-4
(Parenthesis) denote variants.

MACV/CIA/MEDT - Armoury (S.O.G. Prairie Fire)
Handguns	.38 Revolver • HP 9 mm§ • M1911 .45 • Mk1 UDG 2.54 mm • Mk22 Mod 0 9 mm • Model 10 .38 • P38 9 mm§ • PPK 9 mm§ • Welrod 7.65 mm
Submachine guns	L34A1 9 mm§ • M/45 9 mm • M1A1 Tommy Gun .45 (Shorty) • M3A1 Grease Gun .45* • MAT-49 9 mm • MPU 9 mm* • Sten Mk.II 9 mm • Type 64 SMG 7.65 mm§
Shotguns	M1897
Carbines	M1 Carbine 7.62 mm (M1 Rifle Grenade, M2*, M2 Rifle Grenade, M3) • XM177E1 5.56 mm (E2, E2 Foregrip, E2 Stock§, E2 Short, E2 XM148)
Rifles/Assault rifles	M1 Garand 7.62 mm (Rifle Grenade) • M16A1 5.56 mm (M203§, XM148, E1) • M63A 5.56 mm • Type 56 7.62 mm*
Squad automatic weapons	M1918A2 7.62 mm • M63A LMG 5.56 mm (Commando) • RPD 7.62 mm (El Cid)
Machineguns	M60 7.62 mm (Shorty)
Designated marksman rifles	M14 7.62 mm (A1, Shorty§)
Sniper rifles	M40 7.62 mm • XM21 7.62 mm
Grenade launchers	M79 (Sawn-off)
Launchers	B40 • M127 Flare Launcher • M20A1B1 • M72 LAW§
Static	BGM-71 TOW • L/70 Mk2 • M2 Mortar • M2HB • M29 Mortar • M40A1 Recoilless Rifle • M45 Quadmount • M60 • M101 Howitzer • M1919A4 (M1919A6) • Mk18 Mod 0
(Parenthesis) denote variants. * denotes weapons also used or are exclusive to the CIA sub-faction. § denotes weapons also used or are exclusive to the MEDT sub-faction.

Republic of Korea - Armoury (S.O.G. Prairie Fire)
Handguns	.38 Revolver • M1911 .45 • Model 10 .38
Submachine guns	M1A1 Tommy Gun .45 (M1928A1) • M3A1 Grease Gun .45
Shotguns	M1897
Carbines	XM177E2 5.56 mm
Rifles/Assault rifles	M1 Garand 7.62 mm (Rifle Grenade) • M16A1 5.56 mm (E1)
Squad automatic weapons	M1918A2 7.62 mm
Machineguns	M60 7.62 mm
Sniper rifles	XM21 7.62 mm
Grenade launchers	M79
Launchers	M72 LAW
Static	M2 Mortar • M2HB • M29 Mortar • M40A1 Recoilless Rifle • M60 • M101 Howitzer • M1919A4
(Parenthesis) denote variants.

Viet Cong - Armoury (S.O.G. Prairie Fire)
Handguns	M1895 7.62 mm • M712 7.62 mm • P38 9 mm • PPK 9 mm
Submachine guns	M3A1 Grease Gun .45 • MAT-49 7.62 mm • MP40 9 mm • PPS-43 7.62 mm (PPS-52) • PPSh-41 7.62 mm (K-50M)
Shotguns	ISh-54 (Sawn-off, Sidearm)
Carbines	M1 Carbine 7.62 mm (Rifle Grenade) • SKS 7.62 mm (GL)
Rifles/Assault rifles	K98K 7.92 mm • M36 7.5 mm • M38 7.62 mm • M49/56 7.5 mm (Rifle Grenade) • Type 56 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons	DP-27 7.62 mm • RPD 7.62 mm
Designated marksman rifles	M1891 7.62 mm
Sniper rifles	M91/30 7.62 mm
Launchers	9K32 Strela-2 • B40 • B41
Static	D44 • DP-27 • DShKM • H12 Rocket Launcher • MG42 • PK • RPD • SGM • Spiderhole • Type 53 Mortar • Type 56 Recoilless Rifle • Type 63 Mortar
(Parenthesis) denote variants.

ARVN - Armoury (S.O.G. Prairie Fire)
Handguns	.38 Revolver • M1911 .45 • Model 10 .38
Submachine guns	M1A1 Tommy Gun Shorty .45 • M3A1 Grease Gun .45
Shotguns	M1897
Carbines	XM177E2 Short 5.56 mm
Rifles/Assault rifles	M16A1 5.56 mm (E1)
Squad automatic weapons	M1918A2 7.62 mm
Machineguns	M60 7.62 mm
Sniper rifles	XM21 7.62 mm
Grenade launchers	M79
Launchers	M72 LAW
Static	BGM-71 TOW • M2 Mortar • M2HB • M29 Mortar • M40A1 Recoilless Rifle • M45 Quadmount • M60 • M101 Howitzer • M1919A4 (M1919A6)
(Parenthesis) denote variants.

[CfgAmmoMeleehit-14] CfgAmmo >> vn_melee_stun >> hit

[CfgAmmohit-17] CfgAmmo >> vn_1143x23 >> hit

[CfgAmmoairFriction-18] CfgAmmo >> vn_1143x23 >> airFriction

[CfgAmmotypicalSpeed-22] CfgAmmo >> vn_1143x23 >> typicalSpeed

[CfgAmmocaliber-24] CfgAmmo >> vn_1143x23 >> caliber

[CfgAmmodeflecting-28] CfgAmmo >> vn_1143x23 >> deflecting

[CfgMagazines30RndBallcount-1] CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_mag >> count

[CfgMagazines30RndBallinitSpeed-19] CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_mag >> initSpeed

[CfgMagazines30RndBallmass-30] CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_mag >> mass

[CfgMagazines30RndBallammo-31] CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_mag >> ammo >> "vn_1143x23"

[CfgMagazines30RndBalltracersEvery-32] CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_mag >> tracersEvery

[CfgMagazines30RndBalllastRoundsTracer-33] CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_mag >> lastRoundsTracer

[CfgMagazines30RndTracertracersEvery-34] CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_t_mag >> tracersEvery

[CfgMagazines30RndTracerlastRoundsTracer-35] CfgMagazines >> vn_m3a1_t_mag >> lastRoundsTracer

[CfgWeaponsFAdispersion-2] CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> FullAuto >> dispersion

[CfgWeaponsmass-3] CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> WeaponSlotsInfo >> mass

[CfgWeaponsrecoil-4] CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> recoil

[CfgWeaponsrecoilProne-5] CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> recoilProne

[CfgWeaponsinertia-6] CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> inertia

[CfgWeaponsdexterity-7] CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> dexterity

[CfgWeaponsFAreloadTime-8] CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> FullAuto >> reloadTime

[CfgWeaponsinitSpeed-10] 8.0 ^8.1 CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> initSpeed

[CfgWeaponsMuzzleSlotcompatibleItems-11] CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> WeaponSlotsInfo >> MuzzleSlot >> compatibleItems[] >> {"vn_s_M3a1"}

[CfgWeaponsdiscreteDistance-12] CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> discreteDistance[] >> {50}

[CfgWeaponsdiscreteDistanceInitIndex-13] CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> discreteDistanceInitIndex >> "0"

[CfgWeaponsmagazines-29] CfgWeapons >> vn_m3a1 >> magazines[] >> {"vn_m3a1_mag","vn_m3a1_t_mag"}

[MeleeStaminaDrainScript-16] \vn\functions_f_vietnam\functions\melee\fn_melee_drainstamina.sqf

[FullAutoROFFormula-9] 60 / reloadTime = 60 / 0.115

[MeleeStaminaCostFormula-15] (mass * 0.04) * dexterity = (40 * 0.04) * 1.77

[45ACPBallRHAFormula-25] Magazine's initSpeed * Ammo's caliber * 15 / 1000 = 282 * 0.9 * 15 / 1000

[45ACPBallPlusGreaseGunMVRHAFormula-26] Weapon's initSpeed * Ammo's caliber * 15 / 1000 = 488 * 0.9 * 15 / 1000

[WeaponMuzzleVelocityOverride-20] Only applies to the magazine itself. The M3A1 Grease Gun's weapon class has its own initSpeed value defined (488 m/s).

[ActualMuzzleVelocity-21] This is the M3A1 Grease Gun's actual muzzle velocity. The weapon class initSpeed value (488 m/s) takes precedence over the magazine initSpeed value (282 m/s).

[ExpectedVelocityMeaning-23] Damage will be reduced if the projectile's velocity drops below this value.

[ActualPenetration-27] This is the actual penetration depth of the M3A1 Grease Gun's .45 ACP ammunition. The weapon class initSpeed value (488 m/s) takes precedence over the magazine initSpeed value (282 m/s), affecting its penetration formula as a result.

[SOGPFUpdate1311-36] Graham, R et al. 2024, S.O.G. Prairie Fire - Changelog, Bohemia Interactive Forums, viewed 12 January 2025, <https://forums.bohemia.net/forums/topic/234698-sog-prairie-fire-changelog/?do=findComment&comment=3536869>.

[CfgMa 1]

[CfgWp 1]

[CfgWp 2]

[CfgWp 3]

[CfgWp 4]

[CfgWp 5]

[CfgWp 6]

[CfgWp 7]

[Formula 1]

[CfgWp 8]

[CfgWp 9]

[CfgWp 10]

[CfgWp 11]

[CfgAm 1]

[Formula 2]

[SCR 1]

[CfgAm 2]

[CfgAm 3]

[CfgMa 2]

[note 1]

[note 2]

[CfgAm 4]

[note 3]

[CfgAm 5]

[Formula 3]

[Formula 4]

[note 4]

[CfgAm 6]

[CfgWp 12]

[CfgMa 3]

[CfgMa 4]

[CfgMa 5]

[CfgMa 6]

[CfgMa 7]

[CfgMa 8]

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