(+) means smg went up in tier, (-) went smg went down in tier.
Russian SMGs
PPD34 - Tier 1
PPS-42 - Tier 2
PPS-43 - Tier 3 (+)
PPSH-41 Box - Tier 3
PPD34/38 - Tier 3 (-)
PPD40 - Tier 4
PPSH-41, Federov, AS-44 - Tier 5
I argue that tier 3 has a gradient between fire rate, mag size, and controllability. That’s why I put the PPD34/38 there, but I can definitely see arguments against it. Do note that it has a lower damage which means it will take more hits to fully kill. This allowed for different playstyles depending on how you want to assault (personally, I feel as the high fire-rates can result in a lot of missed shots, packet loss can eat shots, and you use a lot more rounds than you intend for each kill.)
German SMGs
MP28, MP34o, M38 20 round - Tier 1
MP3008, Beretta M1918, OVP M1918, FNAB-43 - Tier 2
MP38 - Tier 2 (-)
MP40, Beretta M1 - Tier 3
ZK-383 - Tier 3 (-)
Beretta m38/42, MP35L, M38 40 Round - Tier 4
Kiraly, MKB, MP43, STG44 - Tier 5
Honestly, I think german SMGs are in a good place. The mp34o upgraded is a decent SMG and the 20r beretta is nice. The Mp38 could go down though (so could the mp40 but for progression’s sake…) and the ZK could go down to be their ‘high ROF’ but slightly lower tier gun. T4 smgs are excellent and obviously the T5 stuff is there for a reason.
US SMGs
Reising, Sten, M3 Grease - Tier 1
M3A1 Grease - Tier 1 (-)
Owen - Tier 2
Lanchester - Tier 3
Every 30 round Thompson - Tier 3 (-)
50 round thompson - Tier 4 (-)
This might be controversial…but I think the US smg’s kind of suck balls. The best SMGs for usability are the british ones and even the Owen has a weird sight. All of the thompsons have jumpy, jerky recoil and are desperately trying to punch you in the face with their sights but lack the overwhelming fire-rate or mag size of say, a ppd. Expecting them to compete with AR’s (yes I know the m2 carbine exists) is kind of silly, honestly.