Can't seem to find where this has been answered comprehensively, so if anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.
I'd like to know what the standard firearms were for the American military during WWII, and by what rank. I understand that the Colt 1911 was common, but typically carried only by officers, and that the M1 Garand was the standard rifle. I also understand there was a lot of variation, where there were some firearms that saw very limited use. However, what were the "standard" firearms, and by what rank? Would an armorer refuse to service a 1911 if it were carried by a PFC? Was there a variation in weaponry based on what front a soldier might be fighting in?
If this is too broad a question, or the inappropriate subreddit, I apologize, but I'm told there are some very knowledgeable folks around here in terms of WWII weaponry and I'd love to hear them explain this stuff.
Weapons were (and are) distributed based on role rather than rank. For example, support and auxilliary troops often received lighter weapons like the M1 Carbine. Sharpshooters were often issued M1903 A4 Springfield rifles with scopes. The US equivalent of an LMG soldier would have been issued a BAR. If a PFC approached his Quartermaster for a weapon, the quartermaster would ask what his job is: are you a rifleman? Are you a mortar carrier? Do you drive a truck? Also, what happened to the weapon that the (insert branch here) gave you?
This is still the way infantry weapons work. Your role in your unit defines your weaponry rather than than your rank.