NRA Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory M1 Garand Rifle

by
posted on November 5, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

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



Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.