It is clear that an imbalance exists between the anti-tank rifles offered to ground infantry across the four nations at Battle Rating 1. The Western Allies are currently the only faction without access to a semi-automatic AT rifle, leaving them at a distinct disadvantage in early-game vehicle combat.
Here are my suggestions based on research that could be realistically implemented in the current game environment:
Factors I kept in mind while examining which weapons could be implemented:
- Semi-automatic – necessary to compete with the PTRS-41, Type 97 ATR, & the Solothurn.
- Portability – must not be so heavy that one soldier carrying it becomes completely “absurd” (even by enlisted standards with the scaled Type 97 ATR).
- Coolness – cuz I want something cool so…
T1E1 .60-Caliber Anti-Tank Rifle (T1E1)
Developed by Colt between 1939–40, the T1 (and its improved T1E1 variant) was a gas-operated, semi-automatic anti-tank rifle chambered in the .60 caliber (15.2×114mm) cartridge. Designed to penetrate up to 32mm of armour at 450 meters, it was sufficient to penetrate even the side armor of a Panzer IV, which is pretty freaking impressive. The weapon apparently featured a Hotchkiss-style tray feed (Made to hold 5 or 8 of the .60-cal. rounds) and was tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1942 and 1944. During testing the weapon had no iron sights, using only a standard rifle telescope offset to the left of the receiver, as seen in the few surviving photographs derived from the Springfield Armory.
Winchester .50-Caliber Semi-Automatic Rifle (Winchester .50)
Developed around 1943 to 1944, the rifle was designed by David Marshall Williams. Weighing over 25 pounds, and features a 10-round detachable box magazine. Although I haven’t found a testing report, the gun was apparently tested by the Canadian military and performed quite well. It was never purchased nor put into serial production, however, most likely because as an antitank rifle the .50 BMG cartridge was not effective by the end of World War II. It would have penetrated as much as the .50 cal.
Modified Browning .50-Caliber “Anti-Mechanization Weapon” (Browning AMW)
The Browning M2 “Anti-Mechanization Weapon” was an experimental 1930s prototype developed by the US Cavalry and Springfield Armory to create a portable, shoulder-fired anti-tank variant of the M2 Browning .50-caliber machine gun. Because it was semi-automatic, gunners would have fed it with short, lightweight ammunition belts. It should have penetrated as much as the .50 cal also.
Projected In-Game Stats
This table compares the three test subjects (mwahah) using typical Enlisted BR 1 AT Rifle parameters. Values are based on historical ballistic data.
Click to view full stat comparison
| Stat | T1E1 | Winchester .50 | Browning AMW |
|---|---|---|---|
| BR | I | I | I |
| Fire Rate | ~60 RPM | ~120 RPM | ~100 RPM |
| Magazine | 8-round feed tray | 10-round detachable box | 20-round ammunition belt |
| Reload Time | 5.2s (tray eject + insert) | 3.8s | 6.2s (belt feed) |
| Vertical Recoil | Very high | Moderate | High |
| Horizontal Recoil | Medium | Low | Medium-High |
| ADS Time | 0.65s | 0.45s | 0.55s |
| Scope | 2.5x Telescopic | Iron Sights | Iron Sights |
| Penetration @ 0m | 42mm | 28mm | 28mm |
| Penetration @ 100m | 38mm | 25mm | 25mm |
| Penetration @ 300m | 30mm | 18mm | 18mm |
| Bipod Mechanic | Bipod Required | Bipod Not Required | Bipod Required |
- T1E1 (Scoped, Mounted)
- Winchester .50 (Similar to “light” ATRs)
- Browning AMW (20-Round Mounted Belt)
- None – BR I balance is fine as it is
(I PERSONALLY think having them introduced by an BP is better, rather than only getting 2 via event. plsplsplspslpslpsls gaijin im tired of the boys please)