Garand
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2 Notable Features 3 History & Design 4 Operation 5 Purchasing & Sales 6 See Also 7 External links |
Overview
The M1 Garand (more formally the United States Rifle, .30 Caliber, M1) was the first semi-automatic rifle to be put in active military service. It replaced the Springfield 1903 rifle.
Perhaps the distinct edge it gave the Allied forces over their enemy in battle is why General George S. Patton called it "the greatest implement of battle ever devised." The rifle remains popular with civilian weapons collectors and enthusiasts all over the world.
M1 Garand 8 round en-bloc clips
Similar to most modern rifles, the M1 had many accessories available. Several different styles of Bayonets fit the rifle: the Model 1905 (16" blade), Model 1905E1 (10" blade), M1 (10" blade), and M5 (6" blade). Also available was a Grenade launcher that fit onto the barrel using the M7 Spigot. It was sighted using the M15 sight which fit just forward of the trigger. A buttstock cleaning kit was also available for use in the field.
It is possible to load single cartridges into a partially loaded clip while the clip is still in the magazine, although it required both hands and a bit of concentration. Partially loaded or fully loaded clips could also be ejected by the operator by pulling the operating rod handle all the way back and then pushing the clip latch on the left side of the receiver. Despite its intracacies, the clip fed, semi-automatic, gas-actuated system of the M1 Garand was much more advantageous than the manually operated bolt action systems used on the main battle rifles of nearly every other country.Notable Features
It weighs 9 pounds 8 ounces (4.3 kg) unloaded, and is 43.5 inches (1.1 m) long. Simple in construction and easy to maintain, the rifle is fed by a standard clip which holds eight rounds. Originally chambered for the 0.276 in (7 mm) Pedersen cartridge using a 10 round clip, it was later standardized to use the then official U.S. military rifle round: "Ball Cartridge, 0.30 in (7.62 mm), Model of 1906," commonly known as the .30-'06 ("thirty-ought-six"). 
History & Design
Developed by weapons designer John Garand in the 1930s, it eventually became the standard long arm of the US Army, being adopted in 1932 and entering service in 1936. It served through World War II and the Korean War where it proved to be an excellent weapon to the point where the Axis Powers used as many as they could capture. Some were still being used in the Vietnam War in 1963, although it was officially superseded by the M14 rifle in 1957.
Variations & Accessories
The most common variation of the M1 is the M1 Carbine. Also available though were sniper variations, the M1C (also called the M1E7) and M1D (also called the M1E8), though they weren't produced in significant quantities during the second World War. The only difference between the two versions is the mounting system for the telescopic sight. In June of 1944 the M1C was adapted as the standard sniper rifle by the US Army to replace the venerable M1903A4. The M1C and M1D first began being widely used during the Korean war. The US Marine Corps adopted the M1C as their official sniper rifle in 1951.Operation
The M1 Garand does have its drawbacks though, particularly in the intracacies of the clip feeding system it used. The magazine holds 8 rounds which are loaded by inserting an "en bloc" clip down into the rifle from the top while the bolt is locked back. In the bottom of the magazine there is a follower which keeps constant upward pressure (provided by the operating rod spring) on the cartridges so the bolt could strip the next one from the clip to chamber it during operation. When the last round is fired, the empty clip would be automatically ejected, producing a loud, high-pitched "ping" sound; although this generally could not be heard over the din of battle despite the commonly-heard myth to the contrary.