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M1 Garand Rifle

Country of Origin	United States
Type	Rifle
Caliber	7.620 mm
Capacity	8 rounds
Length	1.107 m
Barrel Length	610.000 mm
Weight	4.400 kg
Rate of Fire	16 rounds/min
Range	450.000 m
Muzzle Velocity	840 m/s

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseAfter several years of testing, on 3 Aug 1933, United States Army's Springfield Armory's weapon designer John C. Garand received official designation "M1" for his prototype semi-automatic rifle design T1E2. In May 1934, 75 of them went to field trials; 50 were given to the infantry, and 25 to the cavalry. After initial problems were addressed, the M1 Garand rifles were ordered in large numbers. Initial production difficulties meant the first delivery was not done until Sep 1937, but by the time the European War began in Sep 1939, 100 rifles were made each day. By 10 Jan 1941, 600 rifles were being built per day. By the end of the year, the US Army considered its ranks fully equipped with M1 Garand rifles. The M1 Garand rifles were semi-automatic, meaning that although each trigger pull resulted in a single round being fired just like their bolt-action contemporaries, between each shot there was nothing that needed to be done in order to load the next round. This design allowed the Americans the ability to fire more shots against their German and Japanese counterparts, who continued to use bolt-action rifles as the standard infantry weapon. Another advantage of the design was the rifles' simple construction. In the field, a soldier could disassemble his rifle using only a rifle sound, therefore allowing him to easily clean and maintain his weapon between engagements. General George S. Patton referred to the M1 Garand design as "the greatest implement of battle ever devised." The M1 Garand rifles were clip-fed. When the last round of a clip was fired, a metallic pinging noise was made as the clip was ejected. The sound would become an unique characteristic of these rifles. In 1943, the British Army tested M1 Garand rifles as a possible replacement for the Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III rifles, but rejected it after concluding that the design did not meet British demands. After WW2, M1 Garand rifles continued to serve the US Army in the Korean War. Many M1 Garand rifles, especially after they were phased out in the 1950s, were exported to friendly nations, including post-war Germany, Italy, and Japan. In 1963, a small number of them were still in use during the Vietnam War. The last standard M1 Garand rifle was retired from the US Army in 1965, and the reserve and National Guard units continued to use them into the 1970s. Source: Wikipedia. ww2dbaseLast Major Revision: Nov 2007

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1. Anonymous says:4 Feb 2009 07:27:49 AMcool 2. Bill says:17 Feb 2009 02:06:07 PMThe only semi-auto rifles issued in large numbers in ww2 were to the Americans and the Russian's. The german's issued semi-auto weapons, but later in the war. Large numbers of german soldiers used the K-98 3. BILL says:23 Feb 2009 12:41:13 PMThe best infantry weapon of ww2 you have 8 rounds of 30.06 ammo, but the only bad point, when you have fired off the last round, the magazine also flies out, and if it hits hard ground, or rock you hear a ping!! meaning the enemy knows your out of ammo. Some G.I.'s would fire off a few rounds, and drop a empty magazine on the ground when the enemy stuck his head up, you shot him! Data: Caliber 0.3in,Cartridge 0.3-6in,Firing rate 30 rounds per minute,Magazine 8 rounds,Range 656yd. The M-1 Grand was a gas operated, shoulder fired semi-automatic rifle.4. BILLAnonymous says:20 May 2009 07:21:15 PMGermany's answer to the American M-1 was the Walther Gewehr 43 It was a gas operated, magazine fed, semi-automatic, shoulder weapon. The weapon was able to take a 10-round or 25-round box magazine, caliber 7.92mm. An even simpler design known as the Karabiner 43 was issued, both weapons could use the telescopic sight and mount fitted as standard issue. After World War II many countries in Europe used German weapons The Czech Army used the Gewehr 43,for many years.5. BILL says:23 May 2009 05:29:33 PMThe MP 44 Sturmgewehr, or Assault rifle designed by Hugo Schmeisser,used the 7.92mm short cartridge it was gas operated, used a 30 round box magazine. The MP 44 was reliable, easy to field strip.The MP 44 was the first rifle of its kind, and was the predecessor of all assault rifles to follow. A total of 424,000 weapons were produced. After W.W.II the rifle was used by East Germany and the Yugoslav Army, some weapons have surfaced in Africa, Middle East and Asia.6. Bill says:5 Dec 2009 09:59:19 PMThe Russians also had a service issued Semi-Automatic rifle the SVT-38 the SVT stands for"Samozaryadnaya Vintovka Tokareva".Over 5,700,000 rifels were produced during World War II. The weapon used the 7.62x54mmcartridge this was about equal to the U.S. 30.06 in the M-1 Garand. After World War II the rifle was issued tosecond-line units, Soviet allies, while others were kept in storage well into the 1990's. Later many Russian Surplus Military Rifles were sold abroad, among them were the SVT-38's. The SVT-38:is a semi-automatic,gas operated, magazine fed, shoulder weapon that used the full powered 7.62x54mm cartridge.The rifle could use Mosin-Nagant 5 round box magazines when necessary. The SVT-38 wasdesigned to use a 10 or 20 round box magazine. During World War II the Russians and Americans, were the only countries to issue semi-automatic rifles in large numbers to its front-line troops. The German's had semi-auto Walther Gewehr 43Karabiner, but it was a limited issue weapon and most German troops were using the bolt-bolt action K-98.7. auburn5978 says:7 Feb 2010 11:40:04 AMI can guarantee the enemy will NOT know you are out of ammo when the clip is ejected out of the magazine. It's IMPOSSIBLE to hear a ping in the heat of battle.Keep in mind there are hundreds of rifles being fired, machine gun fire, hand grenades going off, artillery, rockets, and tanks firing their main gun. Do you really think the enemy is going to hear a ping ????? If you do you have never been in real combat.8. Anonymous says:22 Feb 2010 08:18:04 PMsuperb rifle9. Bill says:24 Apr 2010 01:48:01 PMauburn 5978 7 Feb. 2010 11:40:04 AM The M-1 Garand eight round clip ejecting did leave a audible ping on hard ground or rock.However, for the enemy to hear such a soundthis is only in theory, plausible explanationa guess or opinion.I have fired the M-1 and the ejecting of theclip, after the last round has been fired, does indeed have a very distinctive sound.Hell you can even throw a rock, and hope theenemy will fire in that direction. Conditions for such a ploy:Locate enemy positionReconnaissance by fire this is exploratorysurvey of enemy territory, or other clevermaneuver.Flush out a sniper position,yuo just have touse your experience.Surprise an enemy into thinking he has forthe second the upper hand. GI's will always improvise, hell one can eventhrow a rock toward a suspected position, orjust use your gut feeling!If you have never experienced war, or what itcan do to a human being its hard to put intowords. Only thing I know the millions ofmen who experienced war, there are millionsof stories, and some sound unbelievable, butone can not say such things have never happened.auburn 5978, I spent from 1967 to 1970 inSouth Vietnam, and I have seen combat, I've seen things that I never would have believed possible. I have a friend, who is in a VAMental Hospital to this day. I knew a man, who served with the 1st. Inf.Div. and when he came up to the top of thehill, who did he meet, it was a face to facewith Charlie both were surprised, and bothkept walking they were soldiers trained tokill, but they weren't going to kill that day. Damm I met Charlie in a bar they were onR&R bought them some beer, and went about mybusiness. 10. Bill says:24 Apr 2010 06:18:16 PMThe M-1 was used in large numbers until 1963and as late as 1966 by the US Army.Some U.S.Army Reserve,National Guard and U.S.Navy units used the M-1 into the 1970's.It fired the .30-06 / 7.62x51mm round, feedsystem 8 round clip internal magazine.The ejection of an empty clip, created a verydistinctive metallic "pinging" sound.In World War II, reports arose in which bothGerman and Japanese infantry were making useof this noise in combat to alert them, thatUS Troops were out of ammo, in order to get the drop on them.This information was taken seriously enoughthat the U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Groundstarted experiments with clips made of other material like plastic However, no improved clips were ever adopted, as far as I know.During World War II over 5,000,000 M-1's were produced.After W.W.II many NATO and other armies used the M-1, the Greek Army used the M-1 into the1990's. 11. Bill says:30 Apr 2010 08:16:22 PMContinued from #7 auburn 5978 Feb 7, 2010"Hitler's Buzzsaw"The MG 42 Maschinengewehr fired 7.92x57mmmauser round. Rate of fire between 1,200 to 1,500 rpm. This weapon made a very distinctive soundover 750,000 were built. It could be used asa heavy or light machine-gun, it could also double as a light support weapon w/folding bipod be belt fed, or use a detachable drummagazine.Prolonged firing could over-heat the barrel and crews were trained to replace the barrel within the shortest time in seconds. The U.S.Army, even made a training film toteach GI's how to combat the MG42. Americantroops would take cover, and assault theposition only during the few seconds it tookthe crew to change the barrel, but that'sthe theory.Five Germans armed with two Pistols, four K-98 rifles, maybe one MP-40 and some stick grenades.That's about 68 rounds, and hoping the MG42is not back in battery.The GI's,ten men armed with eight M-1 Garand and one M-1 Carbine and one BAR,that's about99 rounds firing towards the German positionwho would win? and don't forget the GI's hand-grenades.Just theory, or a plausible explanation.To make this story short, the GI's could have called Division Artillery on the German position and hope the rounds, don't fall short.Have you even seen what 105mm,155mm Howitzershells do to people and equipment, I have.Did events listed above ever happen? maybe,maybe not, but some GI's did knock out thoseGerman machine-gun positions.I'm sure they are listed under "Small UnitActions" During World War II in the U.S. National Archives. Under History of the U.S.Army in World War II. After WWII surplus weapons flooded Europemany countries used both the MG34 and MG42for years afterward.One of the last production versions the M-53was used by Yugoslavia until 1999, and were sold to Iraq in 1980. Some armies still useversions of the MG42, that were produced intheir own countries today. 12. Scott says:22 May 2010 04:34:10 PMBill,quit living your life through other people, I doubt you were ever a Soldier, and as such, you listen to peoples stories, which are usually embellished. I, and all of my Soldiers that have seen combat, never talk about it, because it is what it is.13. Bill says:23 May 2010 07:20:13 PMDear Scott: #12 22 May 2010 Thanks for your view point, but you don'teven know me. So how could you even make sucha statement.Doubt all you want, you work your side of thestreet, and I'll work mine. Damm do I enjoythis database! In dealing with people such asyouself, "Never Dumb Yourself Down" to what you don't even know.I can tell you about myself, but would youeven believe that. It would have been more important, for you to ask, I would like toknow more about your experiences.I've sent many comments to the ww2db,and overthe past 35 years I have collected a librarycovering Aviation, Military History, Science Technology, The Arts and World History, I've been both Student and Mentor, Education is anever ending process. I would enjoy hearing from you so contact me[email protected] To answer your question:Yes, I have been a Soldier, Vietnam Service1967 to 1968 and 1969 to 1970. Best wishes, Bill14. Bill says:24 May 2010 09:02:36 AMMy comments are part history, and technicalexplanation with personal experiences.However,had I identified myself as a graduateof one of the U.S. Military Academies,that I'm not, or a retired General officer, thatI'm not, nor Doctor, Lawyer or even IndianChief, just maybe...Of course, it would bebelieved! But an ex-sergeant! Hell, what does he know. When Politicians and people wanting to be inthe spot light, or public eye run aroundand sometimes claim, saying I'm a Veteran,I did this or I did that and take the American flag, wrapping themselves with it, to suit their own needs.This is the biggest injustice of all, to the men and women, who have served the nation."I have never been a Phoney or a Wannabe". If your offended by terms such as Superb, Extraordinary,Excellent and State-of-the-Artyou'd better stop reading now..A lot of these adjectives will follow!, andI've been at my computer too long, drinking cold coffee and pizza. Contact me:[email protected] I'm still looking forward, to hear from a fellow Vietnam Veteran.Bill! I haven't seen or heard from him sinceOperations in Long An Province or theCentral Highlands. Best wishes, Bill 15. Bill says:25 May 2010 08:11:03 AMOnce again I'm in error, I forgot to includethe U.S.Merchant Marine Academy. My apologiesto all who have served. Did you know:Graduates of the Merchant Marine Academy,hold Commissioned Officers Rank, in theU.S. Naval Reserve. Continued from #1416. Bill says:25 May 2010 12:33:42 PMContnued from #14 "The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so." -Mark Twain- I didn't mean "education" in a narrowly defined sense of learning specific skillsor subjects.A person needs to pursue continued learning,in order to acquire the knowledge and skillsneeded, in mastering any subject. Best wishes,Bill17. Bill says:31 May 2010 05:37:36 PMPersonal Note* I enlisted in the U.S. Army from Jun.1966 to Apr.1970.Basic Training Fort Bliss, TexasAIT Fort Sill, OklahomaWest Germany, Nov.1966 to Sept.1967 Volunteered for Vietnam:First Tour 9th Infantry Division Nov.1967 to Sept.1968Spent time in 249th General Hospital, Japanand Fort Ord Hospital, California Report to Fort Lewis, Washington Jan.1969 Volunteered for Vietnam:Second TourI Field Force Vietnam (IFFV)Jun.1969 to Apr.1970 Seperated from the U.S.Army, Apr.1970 Rank, Sergeant E-5 Honorable Discharge Jun. 1972Like any man there, I suffered and endured. "A man's real possession is his memory.In nothing else is he rich, in nothing elseis he poor." I said an elder soldier, not a better oneDid I say better? -Julius Caesar- Act IV, Sc.III "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." "I have never been a Wannabe." It took me tomany lost years,to get my life back togetheragain. Best wishes,Bill18. Bill says:11 Jun 2010 09:32:49 PMScott 22 May 2010:I don't think, that I'll even hear fromyou. As I say to Darlin, one of my Chihuahua's"You Got The Nerve!" In my youth, I would have felt insulted, orwent home and put my head in the oven! butI have my integrity.19. Bill says:12 Jun 2010 07:49:22 PMFor Scott 22 May 2010, # 12 Never Dumb Yourself Down, To What You Don't Even Know. World War II Veteran Russell Dunham of the3rd Infantry Division,won the Medal of Honorafter he took out three(3)German machine gunpositions, killed nine(9)Germans, and takingtwo(2)POW's in 1945. How Did He Do It: Dunham advanced up a snow-covered hill toward(3)three German machine guns.He took the First one out, with a hand grenade. Advancing to the Second position,he was shotin the back, as he urged the rest of his platoon forward, in great pain, he struggled to his feet when a German grenade landed athis feet, and he kicked it away.He crawled to the Second machine gun, andthrew another grenade, into the bunker, inpain from his wound, he ran about 50 yardsand threw another grenade into the Thirdmachine gun position. Russell Dunham, U.S.Army, Medal of Honor 20. Bill says:14 Jun 2010 01:10:15 PMFor Scott, May 22, 2101 # 12 Continued from # 19 Tech. Sgt.Russell Dunham's combat action,tookplace on Jan.8,1945 on hill 616 near the townof Kayserberg on the Franco-German border.Sgt Dunhan used his .30 M-1 Carbine,he fired 175 rounds of ammunition, and used 11 hand grenades, to take out those (3) Germanmachine gun positions.After World War II,Sgt.Dunham worked for theVeterans Administration for 32 years as abenefits counseler in St Louis, Missouri until he retired in 1975.Russell Dunham was born in East Carondelet, Illinois on Feb. 20, 1920, He died in 2002age 89.Because of Sacrifices made by heroes likeSgt. Dunham, we live in the Greatest Countryin the World.21. Scott says:23 Jun 2010 07:14:53 PMBill,you never got back to me. I sent you an e-mail on 15 June.Scott22. Bill says:24 Jun 2010 07:40:19 AMDear Scott:I sent you four (4) e-mails dated the following.June 16thJune 18thJune 19thJune 22ndYour e-mail is skandrew8[---] have you changed e-mail address, let me know I'm going to send again. Best wishes, Bill23. Bill says:3 Jul 2010 01:38:58 PMDear Scott: 23 June 2010, # 21 My four(4)e-mails covered the formation that you requested, and I gave you considerablepersonal time answering them. Among the topics, were Integrity. Integrity: Is what we do, what we say, andwhat we say we do. Remember its far better to be trusted andrespected than it is to be liked. Best wishes Bill24. Bill says:7 Jul 2010 01:12:44 PMIf you understood my comments, I've listed examples as plausible explanations, a guess, opinion or theoryCould such events have happened, its possibleand they have. You can not say no, simply because you haven't experienced them. Best wishes Bill25. Bill says:12 Dec 2010 11:16:17 AMBy the time WWII ended over 4,000,000 M-1 rifles had been produced.Many were later transferred to Allies andfriendly nations. When the US went to theaid of South Korea in June 1950, the Army wasshort M-1s, Springfield Armory and othermanufacturer's started to produce the weaponto meet the Army's needs. The last M-1 rifles were produced by theHarrington & Richardson Co. in 1956. H&Rcontimued to making parts for the M-1 andlater converted 50,000 M-1s to 7.62mm (.308)for the US Navy. One World War II poster said it all, with aGI saying "My M-1 Does my talkin for me".26. DaveTinNY says:30 Dec 2010 11:02:46 AMI proudly own two WWII serial numbered SA M1 Garands, thanks to the CMP. They shoot only as well as I can aim, of course, but they are a joy and always a point of interest by others at the range. I bought one for my father's retirement as he carried one with the Army back in the early 60's.27. Bill says:17 Jan 2011 08:22:54 AMThe American Garand M-1,Springfield 30.06 orthe M-14 are long range battle rifles, putscopes on 'em and you have "The King of the Hill".All those rifles have been used as sniper rifles, even today the M-14 in 7.62mm/308 is still used for all those odd jobs. Carry all the Assault rifles you want, true they are good weapons, but the rifles listed above, got you out ranged. Put a slug into one guy, and your gonna get the other guy behind him with the same slug. Another Model was the M-1 Tanker it was ashorter version of the standard M-1 in 30.0628. Anonymous says:8 Jan 2014 05:28:15 AMMy grandpa served in WW2 so would this be the rifle he use or would it be a 1903A4 Springfield???the document said he was an rifleman29. Dutch says:1 Feb 2015 11:54:10 PMBoth my granddads served in WW2 one was a Military Policeman 3rd Service Command, other was 82nd Airborne 505th P.I.R./ R.C.T. Both loved the M1 Garand and Carbine, told me so. Dad was in Nam 68-69 with the "Big Red One" was a E-6 (staff sergeant) he ran LRRP patrols in the Central High Lands he hated the M-16 ha still does! But loves the M-14, but in Nam carried a M-79 said unlike the jam o matic M-16 the M-14, M-79 NEVER failed. But he said all the guys in his platoon loathed the M-16s and chucked them first chance they got and carried M-14s or even AK47s. Said some nitwit claimed you could carry more m-16 ammo than the M-14 and the guns were lighter, well according to my dad you needed twice the ammo to do what one round of 7.62 would do. And he claims where there is a ton of M-16s in the rice paddies and jungles of Nam becuase troops hated them and chucked them there.30. Jody Sims says:18 Jul 2015 09:40:57 AMIs there a way to determine where, or if, a Winchester Garand made in July 1944 was used or shipped to. The rifle now has a Springfield Armory barrel stamped January 1950. Did the rifle go to Europe? the Pacific? Korea? Or never left the US?31. Anonymoujs says:14 May 2017 07:38:13 AMI have a M1 Garand with a serial #636. How can I track where it served.32. Anonymous says:1 May 2018 04:56:11 AMThe Caliber is more accurately written as ".30-06" pronounced "thirty awt six"33. Allen settles says:8 Jun 2018 10:38:49 PMHello my name is allen settles i live in anderson county tn my grandfather was i ww2 his name was sam Presley he lived in Elizabethon tn , i was hopen an pray that you all chould help me try an find his actual rifle that he used in the war he passet away. 1991 an it whould make the family so happy if i chould find the rifle that he used in the war, thank you an have a blessed day.34. Anonymous says:31 Dec 2018 09:40:57 AMHi my grand pa turns 94 in march and i was wondering does any one think its possible to find his M1 that he had when he was in the army. if so where would i start..35. Anonymous says:1 May 2019 09:19:38 AMi need a ww2 sniper and amount of comfermed kills36. Rob says:6 Mar 2020 01:06:46 PMI may know of several M1 rifles for sale37. Anonymous says:21 Dec 2021 11:48:32 PMI own a Vintage M1 Garand I was told it was manufactured in 1943 I’m curious if it’s seen battle if so what Theater of War the Atlantic or Pacific38. Lorant Kornis says:4 Mar 2022 05:31:39 AMI have a WWII M1 Garand, Springfield Armoury, serial 5975755. How and where can i find any info about this rifle? It is a collector's item, officially rendered unfiring. Includes a full clip and a bayonet. I consider selling it. I would appreciate an email to channel me the right direction.Thanks.39. Will says:9 May 2023 06:05:51 PMDear Bill,Thank you for your service in the United States Military. My Uncle and Aunt fought in operation desert storm. They lost many friends.

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