M1 Garand

The M1 Garand or M1 Rifle is a semi-automatic rifle that was the United States' service rifle during World War II and the Korean War. The rifle is chambered for the .30-06 Springfield cartridge and is named after its Canadian-American designer, John Garand. It was the first standard-issue autoloading rifle for the United States. By most accounts, the M1 rifle performed well. General George S. Patton called it "the greatest battle implement ever devised". The M1 replaced the bolt-action M1903 Springfield as the U.S.' service rifle in 1936, and was itself replaced by the selective-fire M14 rifle on March 26, 1958.

M1 Garand rifle USA noBg

We went around trying things on at the movie set. We looked ridiculous. The uniforms were heavy. I picked up an M1, I said, "Jesus Christ, it feels like thirty pounds!" When you're young you can pick them up, spin them around, throw them over your head. ~ Edward "Babe" Heffron

George Patton - Letter to Springfield Armory, 26 Jan 1945, M1 Garand

Infantryman in 1942 with M1 Garand, Fort Knox, KY

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M1 rifle captured in Iraq in 2007

Quotes

• We went around trying things on at the movie set. We looked ridiculous. The uniforms were heavy. I picked up an M1, I said, "Jesus Christ, it feels like thirty pounds!" When you're young you can pick them up, spin them around, throw them over your head.
  • Edward Heffron, Brothers in Battle: Best of Friends: Two WWII Paratroopers from the Original Band of Brothers Tell Their Story (2007) by William Guarnere and Edward Heffron with Robyn Post. New York: Berkley Caliber, p. 267