M1 Garand
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Template:Firearm The M1 Garand (more formally the United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1) was the first semi-automatic rifle in the world that was generally issued to infantry. It officially replaced the Springfield 1903 rifle as the standard service rifle in 1936, and was in turn replaced by the M14 (which was derived from the M1) in 1957. The M1 was used heavily in World War II, the Korean War, and, to a limited extent, in the Vietnam War. The majority of M1 rifles were issued to American troops, though many were loaned to other nations. It is still used by various drill teams and is a popular civilian firearm. The word "Garand" is pronounced variably as [gûr-ǎnd'] and [gâr'-ənd], although descendants (and close friend Julian Hatcher) of the rifle's designer, John Garand, generally agree it should be the latter.Template:Ref
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History
The M1 was developed by Springfield Armory firearms designer John Garand. The prototypes were refined during the 1920s and 1930s. Although officially adopted in 1932, it did not formally enter service until 1936, and then only through an executive decision by then-Army Chief of Staff General Douglas MacArthur. The first production model was successfully proof-fired, function-fired, and fired for accuracy on July 21, 1937.Template:Ref
Springfield Armory produced modest quantities of the M1 Garand in the late 1930s and in ever-increasing numbers from 1940 to late 1945. Following the outbreak of WWII in Europe, Winchester Repeating Arms of New Haven, Connecticut was awarded a production contract. Winchester deliveries began in 1941 and ended in 1945.
The distinct edge the M1's semi-automatic capabilities gave the Allied forces over their enemy in battle (German soldiers were usually armed with Mauser bolt-action rifles) was well known, and the rifle remains popular among civilian weapons collectors and enthusiasts all over the world. General George S. Patton acknowleged the rifle's prowess when he called it "the greatest implement of battle ever devised".
Much of the M1 rifle inventory in the post-WWII period underwent arsenal repair or rebuilding. While U.S. forces were still engaged in the Korean War, the Department of Defense determined a need for additional production of the Garand and two new contracts were awarded. During the period of 1953 to 1956, M1 Garand rifles were produced by International Harvester at their Evansville, Indiana facility and by Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Beretta firm in Italy also produced Garands using Winchester tooling. Most recently, the M1 was produced by Springfield Armory, Inc. of Geneseo, Illinois which is a commercial firm sharing the name of the military arsenal. This commercial variant is offered in either .30-06 or .308 Winchester chambering.
The M1 proved to be an excellent rifle throughout its service in World War II and the Korean War. The Japanese even developed a prototype copy for their own use near the end of World War II, but it never reached the production stage. Some Garands were still being used in the Vietnam War in 1963; although the M14 rifle had officially replaced it in 1957, it was not until 1965 that the changeover to the M14 was completed, with the exception of the sniper versions. Some U.S. military drill teams still use the M1, including the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill team. The sniper variants, introduced in WWII, saw action in Korea and Vietnam.
Design and mechanics
The M1 rifle was a gas-operated, semi-automatic, magazine-fed rifle.Template:Ref By modern standards, the M1's feeding system does have its peculiarities, particularly in the clip-loaded magazine. The United States Army wanted a fixed magazine that would be charged with clips, as they felt that a removable magazine would be prone to damage and loss. As a result, John Pedersen developed an "en-bloc" clip that allowed ammunition to be inserted from above, clip included, into the fixed magazine. Garand incorporated this "en-bloc" clip system into his design.
Garand's rifle was originally chambered for the .276 inch (7 mm) Pedersen cartridge, charged by means of 10-round clips. Later, it was chambered for the then-standard .30-06 Springfield. With this new cartridge, the Garand had a maximum effective range of 550 m, with the capability of inflicting a casualty with armor-piercing ammunition well beyond 800 m. Because of the larger diameter of the .30-06, the reworked design held only eight rounds instead of ten.
The original Garand design used a rather unreliable gas system involving a special muzzle extension gas trap that was later dropped in favor of a simpler drilled gas port. Because most of the older rifles were retrofitted, pre-1939 gas-trap Garands are very rare today and are prized collector's items.Template:Ref In both systems, expanding gases from a fired cartridge are diverted into the gas cylinder. Here, the gases met a long-stroke piston attached to the operating rod. The operating rod was therefore pushed rearward by the force of this high-pressure gas. Then, the operating rod engaged a rotating bolt inside the receiver. The bolt was attached to the receiver via two locking lugs, which rotated, unlocked, and initiated the firing cycle when the rifle was discharged. The operating rod (and subsequently the bolt) then returned to its original position.
Notable features
The weight of the M1 was approximately 9 lb 10 oz (4.4 kg) unloaded, but this varied with wood density from rifle to rifle. Length was 43.6 inches (1.1 meters). The rifle is fed by an "en-bloc" clip which holds eight rounds of .30-06 Springfield ammunition. When the last cartridge is fired, the rifle ejects the clip and locks the bolt to the rear. Clips can also be manually ejected at any time. The "en-bloc" clip is manually ejected by pulling the operating rod all the way to the rear, and then depressing the clip catch button.
Ejection of an empty clip created a distinctive "ping" sound. In World War II, Germans were said to use the sound to alert them to an empty American rifle. During the Korean War, American soldiers supposedly used this sound to their advantage, noting that the enemy would pop their heads up when they heard the clip sound, and would carry and throw empty clips as a tactic. However, these claims are largely unsubstantiated, and in reality, clip noise likely had little effect for or against either side in the vast majority of engagements.
Variants
Most variants of the Garand, save the sniper variants, never saw active duty. The sniper versions were modified to accept scope mounts, and two versions (the M1C, formerly M1E7 and the M1D, formerly M1E8) were produced, but not in significant quantities during WWII.Template:Ref The only difference between the two versions is the mounting system for the telescopic sight. The M1C used a 2-ring Griffin and Howe mount, which would be later deemed satisfactory by the Army. Regardless, in June of 1944 the M1C was adapted as the standard sniper rifle by the U.S. Army to replace the venerable M1903A4.Template:Ref
The procedure required to install the M1C-type mounts through drilling/tapping the hardened receiver was inefficient in terms of tooling and time. This resulted in the development of the M1D that used a simpler, single-ring Springfield Armory mount.Template:Ref The M1C and M1D first began to be widely used during the Korean War. The U.S. Marine Corps adopted the M1C as their official sniper rifle in 1951. The U.S. Navy has also used the Garand, rebarreled for the 7.62 × 51 mm NATO round. During the 1950s, Beretta produced Garands in Italy on behest of NATO, by having the tooling used by Winchester during WWII was shipped to them by the U.S. government. These rifles were designated the Model 1952 in Italy, and eventually led to variants of their own, the best known of these being the BM-59 series.
Two interesting variants that never saw duty were the M1E5 and T26 (popularly known as the "Tanker Garand"). The M1E5 is equipped with a folding buttstock while the T26 uses the standard solid stock, and has a shorter, 18-inch barrel. The "tanker" name was also used after the war as a marketing gimmick for commercially modified Garands. Another variant that never saw duty was the T20E2. This variant is, at its simplest, a Garand modified to accept Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) magazines and has selective fire capability in semi- and fully-automatic modes.
Quick reference of variants
| U.S. Army Designation | U.S. Navy Designation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| M1E1 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; w/ modified cam angle in op-rod |
| M1E2 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; w/ prismatic scope and mount |
| M1E3 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; w/ roller added to bolt’s cam lug (later adapted for use in the M14) |
| M1E4 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; gas cut-off and expansion system w/ piston integral to op-rod |
| M1E5 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; 18-inch barrel and folding stock |
| M1E6 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; sniper variant |
| M1E7/M1C | N/A | M1E6 Garand variant; sniper variant w/ M81 scope (though the M82 or M84 scope could be used) on a Griffin and Howe mount |
| M1E8/M1D | N/A | M1E7 Garand variant; sniper variant w/ M82 scope (though the M84 scope could be used) on a Springfield Armory mount |
| M1E9 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; similar to M1E4, w/ piston separate from op-rod |
| M1E10 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; variant with the “Ljungman” direct gas system |
| M1E11 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; short-stroke Tappet gas system |
| M1E12 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; w/ gas impingement system |
| M1E13 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; “White” gas cut-off and expansion system |
| M1E14 | Mk 2 Mod 0 | M1 Garand variant; rechambered in .30 T65/7.62 × 51 mm NATO w/ press-in chamber insert |
| T20 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; select-fire conversion by John Garand, capable of using BAR magazines |
| T20E1 | N/A | T20 variant; uses its own type of magazines |
| T20E2 | N/A | T20 variant; E2 magazines will work in BAR, but not the reverse |
| T20E2HB | N/A | T20E2 variant; HBAR variant |
| T22 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; select-fire conversion by Remington, magazine-fed |
| T22E1 | N/A | T22 variant; unknown differences |
| T22E2 | N/A | T22 variant; unknown differences |
| T22E3 | N/A | T22 variant; unknown differences; uses T27 fire control |
| T26 | N/A | M1 Garand variant; 18-inch barrel and standard stock |
| T27 | N/A | Remington field select-fire conversion for M1 Garand; ability to convert issue M1 Garands to select-fire rifles; fire control setup used in T22E3 |
| T35 | Mk 2 Mod 2 | M1 Garand variant; rebarreled for .30 T65/7.62 × 51 mm NATO |
| T36 | N/A | T20E2 variant; T20E2 rechambered for .30 T65/7.62 × 51 mm NATO using T35 barrel and T25 magazine |
| T37 | N/A | T36 variant; same as T36, except in gas port location |
Accessories
The M1 Garand used many accessories. Several different styles of bayonets fit the rifle: the Model 1905 16-inch (406 mm) blade, the Model 1905E1 10-inch (254 mm) blade, the M1 10-inch (254 mm) blade, and the M5 6-inch (152 mm) 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 cleaning tool and greasepots could be stored in two cylindrical compartments in the buttstock for use in the field.
The M1907 two-piece leather rifle sling was used with the weapon through WWII. From about 1944 onward a green cotton webbing sling was provided, eventually replacing the earlier model.
Descendants
As stated earlier, the M1 Garand was the direct predecessor of the M14 rifle that replaced it. Beretta used their manufacturing knowledge to develop several variants similar to the M14 but more closely based on the M1 Garand, and Ruger produced the Mini-14 rifle, which utilizes a reduced-size operating system and a different gas system. The AK-47 also utilizes the M1 Garand bolt and locking system: the Kalashnikov team simply placed the operating rod on top of the barrel rather than underneath. The AK-47 also uses a highly simplified form of the Garand trigger group. Thus, it appears that the Russian design was heavily influenced by the success of the American weapon.
Despite similarities in naming, there is no relationship between the M1 Garand and the M1 Carbine. Additional confusion may come from the adoption of several other "M1" weapons, such as the M1 Thompson submachine gun and M1 Abrams tank.
Operation
Despite the widespread (and mostly misinformed) deprecation of the M1's "en-bloc" clip system, the Garand is actually one of the fastest and simplest firearms to operate in the world.
The rifle would usually be fired until all eight rounds were expended, after which the bolt was automatically locked back and the clip ejected, readying the rifle for the insertion of a fresh clip of ammunition. Compared to contemporary 20 or 30-round detachable box magazines, the M1's "en-bloc" clip was light, simple, and only had to be oriented with the bullets pointing forward prior to charging the rifle (the clips had no top or bottom). Once inserted, the bolt would snap forward on its own as soon as pressure was released from the clip, chambering a round and leaving it ready to fire.Template:RefTemplate:Ref It was advisable for the operator to ride the bolt forward with his hand (in order to prevent the bolt from closing on his thumb, resulting in the very common "Garand thumb") and strike the operating rod handle with his palm to ensure the bolt was closed.Template:RefTemplate:Ref
The M1's safety is located at the front of the trigger guard. It is engaged when it is pressed rearward into the trigger guard, and disengaged when it is pushed forward and is protruding outside of the trigger guard.Template:Ref
Partially expended or full clips could also be ejected from the rifle by means of the clip latch button.Template:Ref However, because it required two hands and a bit of outside support, this procedure was usually not practiced on the battlefield. In battle, the manual of arms called for the rifle to be fired until empty then recharged quickly.
Modern users of the M1 Garand criticize the rifle for its inability to handle rounds like more traditional rifles. This stems mostly from a lack of understanding of the system. It is possible to load single cartridges into a partially loaded clip while the clip is still in the magazine, but as it requires both hands and a bit of practice, this is rarely done.Template:Ref Special clips holding two or five rounds, as well as a single-loading device which stays in the rifle when the bolt locks back are available. A modification of the clip latch which disables the clip ejection function, allowing loading like a traditional top-loading rifle is also available.
Civilian use
United States citizens meeting certain qualifications may purchase U.S. Military surplus M1 Garand rifles through the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), a not-for-profit corporation created by Congress in the early part of the 20th century to promote rifle skills in case of future war. Recently, the CMP has branched out to promote firearms safety training and competition. Military surplus Garands and post-war copies made for the civilian market are popular among enthusiasts.
Misconceptions
Image:Dodgarand.jpg One of the most widespread myths concerning the Garand rifle is that its "en-bloc" clips could not be ejected by any other means except shooting the rifle until all ammunition was expended. As mentioned earlier, partially or completely loaded clips could be ejected relatively easily from the rifle. However, many may argue that this portrayal is more or less correct, since the "clip latch" reload was usually not done in the battlefield (also noted earlier).
The myths surrounding the M1 Garand have manifested themselves most prominently in modern World War II video games, including (but not limited to): the Medal of Honor series, the Half-Life modification Day of Defeat, the Half-Life 2 modification Day of Defeat: Source, the Return to Castle Wolfenstein modification Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, the Call of Duty series, and Battlefield 1942. Fans of the rifle who are familiar with it only in a virtual environment more often adhere to these myths.
See also
- John Garand — the rifle's eponymous designer.
- .30-06 Springfield — the primary cartridge the M1 was chambered for.
- .276 Pedersen — the M1's original chambering.
- M14 — the most well-known M1 derivative.
- AK-47 — the most prolific M1 descendant.
- Johnson M1941 Rifle — the M1's primary competitor prior to its adoption.
References
- Template:NoteHatcher, Julian. (1983). Book of the Garand. Gun Room Pr. ISBN 0882270141. Retrieved March 28, 2006.
- Template:NoteOlive-Drab.com. (1998–2005). Military Firearms: M1 Garand Rifle. Retrieved November 15, 2005.
- Template:NoteTemplate:NotePopenker, Max. (1999–2004). Modern Firearms: Rifle M1 Garand. Retrieved November 15, 2005.
- Template:NoteEwing, Mel. Sniper Central: US Army M1C & M1D. Retreived November 15, 2005.
- Template:NoteTemplate:NoteCulver, Dick and Neudeck, Paul. The M1C, MC-1, and M1D Variations of the Garand Rifle. Retrieved April 3, 2006.
- Template:NoteSpringfield Armory. (2001). Springfield Armory M1 Garand Operating Manual (PDF, 2001). Retrieved November 21, 2005.
- Template:NoteTemplate:NoteTemplate:NoteDepartment of the Army. (1965). FM 23-5. Retrieved November 23, 2005.
- Template:NoteTemplate:Note Template:Note Mangrum, Jamie. (2004). Surplus Rifle.com: M1 Garand Operations Page. Retrieved November 15, 2005.
External links
- Sprinfield Armory: M1 Garand — Springfield Armory's new manufacture Garand rifles.
- Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) — Major source of surplus M1 Garand rifles.
- Sniper Central: The M1C and M1D — Information on the sniper variants of the Garand rifles.
- M1 Garand at Modern Firearms — Comprehensive source of information on the Garand rifles.
- SurplusRifle: M1 Garand — Articles on Garand customization, disassembly/reassembly (including video), and basic operation/maintenance.
- U.S. Army Field Manual 23-5 — Official United States Army Field Manual on the M1 Garand.
- M1 Garand Information Place — Website containing various articles on advanced Garand maintenance and customization.de:M1 Garand
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