The finest battle implement ever devised: the M1 Garand

[Stevens]

I toted one through 4 years High School ROTC, never got to fire a real shot with it then or since. I did get an "M-1 thumb" once though and cleaned it many times.
Steve W

 

[cmort666]

Star: The rifle in the case mentioned above is a lend lease weapon with British proofs. It also has the fairly rare very early "flush nut" rear sight.

My understanding is that although the Brits had a decent number of M1s (and M1917s) under Lend-Lease, they were mostly held in reserve due to the "odd-ball" .30-06 ammunition required. They had a painted red band around the fore-end to identify them as a different caliber.

During planning for the invasion of Japan, the Brits insisted on participating. MacArthur didn't really want them, but was overruled.

MacArthur did manage to have his way on logistics. The Brits were to essentially provide bodies while we provided all or most of the materiel. If I remember correctly, British troops would have been supplied with American weapons and equipment, including Garands, B.A.R.s and Browning M1917A1s and M1919A4s. MacArthur just didn't want the logistical headache of making sure that the Brits had adequate supplies of .303 ammunition and replacement weapons. Had ships carrying British ordnance been sunk by kamikaze or "shinyo" suicide boats, the British troops ashore would have been quickly reduced to labor battalions.

 

[cmort666]

The Japanese Navy was so impressed with the Garand that they unsuccessfully tried to copy it. They never quite got it right. Of course by the time the gun went into testing, switching entirely to M-16s or Kalashnikovs wouldn't have saved them.

 

[shouldazagged]

The Japanese Navy was so impressed with the Garand that they unsuccessfully tried to copy it. They never quite got it right. Of course by the time the gun went into testing, switching entirely to M-16s or Kalashnikovs wouldn't have saved them.

Interesting, I'd never heard that. I learn so much here!

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I treasure my 2. Not sure I agree with the "greatest battle implement even devised" hyperbole, seems to me the Marines on Guadalcanal did OK with their M1903s.In our case, a massive industrial base, battle doctrines that emphasized firepower over manpower, a military that enouraged individual initiaitive, an Army with a strong NCO corps...etc.

 

[cmort666]

Interesting, I'd never heard that. I learn so much here!

They [naturally] switched the caliber to 7.7x58mm and dropped the eight round en bloc clip in favor of a ten round fixed magazine loaded with stripper clips.

 

[akjaeger]

My son was fascinated by the Garand when he was about 10, so we went to a John C. Garand match.... now we have two late run Springfields and he outshoots me!