“Tag: M1941”

The Johnson Model of 1941 Rifles and Light Machine Guns saw service with elite American troops during World War II. Not so well known is the light and handy Johnson Auto-Carbine. It could have been one of the most interesting infantry arms of World War II, but now it is a footnote in firearm history.

The six-month-long campaign to re-take Guadalcanal would prove to be a pivotal victory in the battle to turn back the Empire of Japan during World War II. So, which firearms were used and who carried them?

Overshadowed by the Browning Automatic Rifle, Melvin Johnson’s Model of 1941 Light Machine Gun served elite Marine Parachutists and the Army’s Special Service Force with distinction during some of the toughest fighting of World War II.

When U.S. forces rushed to stop the North Koreans from overrunning South Korea in 1950, there were almost no American snipers. As the battle lines stabilized, that would change, and the war would become ideal for the employment of well-equipped and well-trained snipers.

Melvin Johnson believed Garand's mainstream design to be flawed and reasoned that a handier gun might appeal to the Dutch. His unique M1941 rifle went on to inspire the likes of Eugene stoner, among others, yet garnered very little U.S. military acceptance at the time.

Check out this segment from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV to learn more about inventor Melvin Maynard Johnson and his guns.