Just a few years before the United States entered the second global war, the U.S. service rifle changed from the bolt-action M1903 Springfield, to the gas-piston-operated semi-automatic M1 Garand. This standard issue rifle changed the game for our troops with its ability to fire repeatedly, shots of .30-’06 Springfield, as fast as one could squeeze the trigger. Loading was fast and easy facilitated by en-bloc clips that held eight rounds and evacuated the action once empty. John C. Garand’s rifle system saw production numbers over 5 million units. The M1 Garand faded from standard issue in 1960s with the introduction of the M14, a select-fire rifle chambered for 7.62x51 mm, but modeled after the M1 Garand. Mark Keefe hosts this week’s NRA Gun of the Week--a vintage rifle that some may say changed modern warfare.
Specifications:
Make: U.S. Springfield Armory
Model: M1 Garand
Chambering: .30-’06 Sprg.
Action: gas-operated semi-automatic rifle
Receiver: forged steel, Parkerized
Barrel: 23.5”, Parkerized
Magazine: eight-round, en-bloc clip
Sights: rear aperture adjustable for windage and elevation; protected post front
Trigger: 7-lb., 3-oz. pull
Stock: walnut
Additional Reading:
The International Harvester M1 Garand Rifle
Keefe Report: M1 Garand—Save the Last Clip
Handling General George S. Patton’s M1 Garand
The M1C Garand Sniper Rifle
