The 5-inch/38's strength lay in the combination of gun, powered mounting, ammunition supply, and fire control. High elevation and rapid loading at all angles supported fire against ships and aircraft. Fast handoffs also reduced the time crews spent holding heavy ammunition, helping them sustain their work. American development treated these components as a system early enough for the gun to enter service in 1934 and its initial troubles to be resolved quickly. In this assessment, the British 4.5-inch gun had a slight anti-shipping edge once it used separate ammunition. That advantage was too small to outweigh the performance of the complete American installation.
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Why the 5-inch/38 succeeded as a complete system
The 5-inch/38's claim to be the best all-round destroyer weapon rests on its complete installation, including the mounting, ammunition supply, and fire control.