M1 Garand: During World War II, most of the main service rifles used by the major countries, like the German Kar 98k, British Lee-Enfield, Soviet Mosin-Nagant 91/30, and Japanese Arisaka Types 38 and 99, were bolt-action rifles. These rifles required the shooter to manually unlock and pull back a heavy bolt after each shot and then refocus on the target. This meant that if a soldier missed a target or was facing an enemy charging close by, they often couldn’t fire again quickly.
However, there was one major difference, the U.S. military used the semi-automatic M1 Garand rifle. This rifle allowed soldiers to fire as fast as they could pull the trigger, giving them a big advantage when shooting while moving or at medium-to-short range.
Other countries, like the Soviet Union and Germany, also used semi-automatic and automatic rifles, but in smaller numbers. The Soviets planned to produce more of their semi-automatic SVT-40 rifles, but production was limited due to costs and war-related disruptions. Germany built some semi-automatic Gewehr rifles and a few assault rifles, but neither country had the same industrial strength as the U.S.
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The U.S. produced over 10 million semi-automatic rifles and carbines, including more than 4 million M1 Garand rifles, which were built by Springfield Armory and Winchester. At the time, each rifle cost about $85, which is roughly $1,400 today. This was about twice the price of the previous bolt-action rifles used by the U.S.
Start of a Journey: John C. Garand
John Cantius Garand, the inventor of the M1 Garand rifle, was born in Quebec, Canada. After his mother passed away in 1899, he moved to the United States with his father and eleven siblings. To help support his family, John worked at a textile mill, where he learned English while sweeping floors. His interest in firearms began when he got a job at a shooting gallery, which inspired him to start designing guns as a hobby.
Garand eventually became a toolmaker and, in November 1919, he landed a job as an engineer at the Springfield Armory, a government facility (not to be confused with the private gunmaker of the same name). Less than a year later, he became a U.S. citizen. Tom Laemlein of The Armory Life picks up the story from there.
“Even with the excellent M1903 Springfield rifle in service and a World War already won with that rifle (along with the M1917 “Enfield”), the U.S. military was thinking ahead. Once assigned to the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts, John Garand was given the responsibility of designing a new semi-automatic, gas-operated infantry rifle … His early efforts showed a great deal of promise, and Garand would eventually patent his “Semiautomatic, Caliber .30, M1 Rifle” during 1932. However, it would take until January 9, 1936, for the U.S. Military to officially adopt the promising rifle. The M1 rifle was introduced rather slowly, and mass production did not begin until 1940 while America watched as Europe tore itself apart again during the early stages of World War II.”
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Early Use and Advantages
In the early battles of World War II, U.S. Army units used a combination of M1 Garands and older Springfield rifles. Most Marine Corps units converted to the M1 in 1943, but elite units like Army Rangers at Dieppe and Marine Raiders on Makin Island were equipped with the Garand earlier.
The semi-automatic M1 Garand gave U.S. soldiers a significant advantage, allowing them to fire faster than German and Japanese soldiers. The M1’s muzzle velocity was higher than the German Kar 98k, making it effective at both long and short ranges. However, its firepower was limited by the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), which lacked the suppressive capabilities of German machine guns like the MG.34 and MG.42.
In a report Army Historian S.L.A. Marshall praised the rifle for its durability, accuracy, and consistent performance, claiming “Of all weapons carried by the infantry, the M1 appeared to be least sensitive to heavy frost, extreme cold, and icing.”
The M1 Garand in Korea
The M1 Garand, originally designed to perform in various climates, proved itself even in the extreme cold of the Korean War. During the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in 1950, U.S. Marines faced brutal cold, which caused the lubricant on their rifles to freeze and gum up.
But the Marines adapted by stripping the lubricant from their M1 Garands and running them dry. Despite the harsh conditions, the rifles continued to function reliably, allowing the Marines to maintain their firepower and effectiveness against Communist forces. The Garand’s durability and performance in such extreme conditions cemented its reputation as a reliable and resilient weapon.
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Legacy and Evolution
The M1 Garand remained in service during the Korean War, where it performed well even in extreme cold weather conditions. It was praised for its durability, accuracy, and consistent performance.
The rifle was also widely exported to U.S. allies such as South Korea and South Vietnam. In the 1950s, the M1 was upgraded with new grenade launchers to improve its anti-tank capabilities, and the M1D sniper variant was introduced. However, the need for greater firepower led to the development of the M14, an automatic rifle capable of using NATO 7.62mm rounds.
The M1 Garand was replaced by the M14 in U.S. military service in 1965, but it continued to be used by U.S. allies for many years. The M1 Garand’s design influenced later military rifles, leaving a lasting legacy as a superior weapon of its time.
According to Nationalinterest, the M1 Garand was replaced by the M14 as the standard infantry rifle for the U.S. Army over sixty-five years ago, its legacy and popularity endure.
Today, enthusiasts and collectors still seek out original military surplus Garands. The best place to find an authentic M1 Garand is through the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), which offers these rifles for sale to eligible buyers. The CMP is known for providing well-maintained, historical military firearms to civilians, making it a reliable source for acquiring a piece of U.S. military history.
