I think this isn’t correct, here’s my logic on the issue. Let’s make 2 comparisons 1 for the Allies and 1 for the Axis. For the Allies, I’ll compare the M1A1 Thompson (BR 3), the M2 Carbine (BR 5), and the Springfield 1903 with Grenade Launcher (BR 3) to the M1 Garand (BR 3). For the Axis, I’ll compare the Beretta M1 (BR 3), the FG-42 (BR 5), and the Kar98K with Grenade Launcher (BR 3) to the Gewer 41 (BR 3) and the Armaguerra Mod. 39 (BR 2).
These guns were chosen for their positions in the tech tree as well as their firing characteristics. Comparing an SMG, AR (Though, personally I hardly count the M2 as a proper AR,) and a BA with a Grenade Launcher to the first Semi-Automatic rifle you unlock as any nation. All without upgrades to show what a new player unlocks with the weapon.
(I added the Gewer because the Gewer occupies a similar tech tree position to the Garand.)
Using the enlisted tool I’ll demonstrate the difference between these guns at 30m. I will show the statistics based on dispersion, recoil, and both as well for 40 rounds each (The ammo capacity of the Beretta M1). I will also show the TTK over distance.
Here are the results.
Allies
The Recoil of the M1 Garand essentially removes it as a factor in anything but controlled use. The Springfield has time to slow down due to the Bolt-Action nature but yeah. The TTK difference between the Thompson, the Garand, and the M2 is the same until 100m, when the Thompson finally starts to act like an SMG. Though you’re not hitting anything without tap shooting at that range anyway. The Springfield in this example also carries 3 rifle grenades making it phenomenal at room clearing and killing large groups of enemies. The Thompson and M2 carry 30 rounds each and have a similar TTK to the Garand while the Springfield one-shots every time. I would take more ammo and the similar TTK any day over 8 rounds that I have to aim carefully anyway.
If I add in both recoil perks maxed out the M2 and Thompson still hit the target at 100m while the Garand still can’t hit the target at 23m.
The Axis
Here we can see that once again the TTK is the same so why would you take less accurate guns? Again the Kar98k gets 3 grenades to launch, and the Beretta M1 carries 40 rounds, the FG-42 carries 20 while the Gewer 41 needs to be reloaded after 10. I also did the recoil perks on and the FG started to hit the target again at 40m (so maybe I’m a little harsh to the German laser pointer), but the Gewer only started to hit again with recoil at 25m (and that’s out of 40 rounds)
The conclusion from this analysis should be that BA’s will still be very effective at long range if the damage for rifles of the same caliber is increased, having lower base dispersion. SMGs will still be very effective at close range, not having to work with the same recoil, but possibly having slightly more dispersion. ARs will very much retain their place as king, combining the best aspects of SMGs and SA Rifles but dealing with a little more recoil for their trouble. Semi-Autos would finally have a place in the game being good for medium-range engagements while being capable in CQC and long-range engagements.