The FReeper Foxhole Studies the M-1 "Garand" Rifle

M-1 Rifle

To fully understand rifle marksmanship and rifle marksmanship training, it is necessary to know something of rifles, their characteristics and combat usefulness. The rifle is the primary individual weapon for all armies because it is the most versatile and effective weapon which can be carried and used by a soldier in combat. The rifle can fire ordinary bullets to kill enemy soldiers; it can fire armor-piercing bullets to wreck truck engines; it can fire tracer bullets to point out targets; and it can fire incendiary bullets to start fires in flammable materials.

Add to this the fact that the rifle can also shoot signal flares and powerful grenades and you can see that the rifle is one of the most important weapons in the army. But why the rifle? Isn't a hand weapon such as a pistol, revolver, or a hand grenade more convenient in combat? A hand weapon is far more convenient but it cannot do the wide and far-reaching job of a shoulder weapon.

The rifle is a weapon that can kill, or destroy at a considerable distance so that the enemy can be prevented from getting too close. If individual weapons can reach out a considerable distance it is easier to keep the enemy where larger, more powerful supporting weapons can smash him.

5th Marine Sniper in Punchbowl

The rifleman's weapon must be so constructed that it can be held with steadiness while he directs accurate fire, and powerful enough to kill enemy soldiers as far away as marksmanship skill and the precision of the weapon will allow.

Battlefield Requirements

The complex package called a "rifle" is what soldiers live by on the battlefield. If the design is well done, the rifle will fit the average man very well and will deliver accurate and deadly fire on targets. Seven essential. qualities of a modern combat rifle are:

It must be accurate.

Its trajectory must be flat.

Its recoil must be moderate.

It must be powerful.

It must be easy to master.

Its mechanism must be unfailing.

It and its ammunition (in quantity) must be light enough to carry under combat conditions.

Accurate rifle fire is a key to success. A soldier who merely "sprays" shots in the vicinity of the enemy produces little effect. Against an unseasoned enemy such fire may be temporarily effective, but the result is not lasting. The mission of the rifleman is to kill the enemy. Against seasoned troops, spraying shots has little effect. Someone once gave what is perhaps the best definition of firepower when he said that, "firepower is bullets hitting people!" Trajectory-wise, the M1 rifle is "flat-shooting."

That is, its bullets travel very fast, so they can't fall very much below the line of sight over their usable range. And because the bullets don't "drop" much below the extended line of the bore over combat ranges, it is relatively easy to make hits with them. Moderate recoil means that the muzzle climb in firing is moderate, which makes for fast recovery between shots. This is very important in rapid fire in combat against numbers of enemy.

The U.S. military rifle must be powerful. That means it must be able to kill an enemy soldier as far away as the rifleman can surely hit him. It must penetrate enemy helmets and body armor easily up to the same range. It should have enough punch to tear through the side of enemy trucks to kill personnel riding within or to destroy the truck engine. The bullets of the caliber .30 rifle are relatively small and light--fine for high speed; yet they are heavy enough and large enough in diameter to deliver a killing blow when they get where they are going.

Civil Service employee John Garand was in a class all by himself, much like the weapons he created. Garand was Chief Civilian Engineer at the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts. Garand invented a semiautomatic .30 caliber rifle, known as the M-1 or "the Garand," which was adopted in 1936 after grueling tests by the Army. It was gas-operated, weighed under 10 pounds, and was loaded by an 8-round clip. It fired more than twice as fast as the Army's previous standard-issue rifle and was praised by General George S. Patton, Jr., as "a magnificent weapon" and "the most deadly rifle in the world."

For the M-1 and numerous other technical innovations related to weaponry, Garand received no monetory award other than his modest Civil Service salary. A bill introduced in Congress to grant him $100,000 did not pass. He was, however, awarded a Medal for Meritorious Service in 1941 and a U.S. Government Medal for Merit in 1944.

The weapon Captain Green used to halt Kampfgruppe Peiper was the M1 carbine, a lighter version of the M1, the standard infantry rifle of the US Army. This was an excellent weapon, modern in design and very reliable. It was the first semi-automatic rifle in general use by a major power. All the other major armies used bolt-action rifles, which fired one shot at a time. The soldier firing a bolt-action rifle must pull the bolt back, load a bullet into the chamber, push the bolt forward, and twist it down to lock it in place. This must be done each time he shoots. It is a slow process.

With practice, a soldier can get off 10 shots a minute. In the heat of combat, this might not be enough. The semi-automatic rifle uses a clip of eight bullets. The burning gases from one shot are routed through a chamber to push a piston mechanism that drives the bolt back, loads the next bullet, and closes the bolt, all in about half a second. The end result is that the soldier simply aims and pulls the trigger for each shot, without having to reload between shots. After eight shots, though, a new clip must be loaded. (Fully automatic weapons fire continuously once the trigger is pulled. Machine guns, machine pistols, and assault rifles are fully automatic.

Most modern armies equip their soldiers with fully automatic weapons and then try to train them not to waste ammunition.) The M1 was a powerful weapon. It weighed over nine pounds. Its 30-caliber bullet (0.30 inches in diameter) could kill a man half a mile away -- and the rifle was accurate enough to hit a man that far away. But it was also a cumbersome weapon. The M1 carbine was a trimmed-down version, with a shorter barrel and a smaller stock. It weighed less than seven pounds and was quite handy, but not much good for stopping a Panzer division.

Today's Educational Sources and suggestions for further reading:

www.rt66.com/
www.nps.gov/spar/
www.fas.org/man/dod-101/

With respect, I think what you might be missing is how many of us FEEL about the M1 Garand. I'm just a pup compared to the M1 Garand (I'm 36, and a veteran, but I carried the M16A1), but many of us consider that the M1 Garand was "the rifle that won the war." That may or may not be entirely true, but I don't think it can be disputed that there is a lot of history and a lot of emotion tied up in this old, reliable, workhorse of the US military.

There is also the issue that this Garand is somehow DIFFERENT from the M1 Garands available in gun shops. This is not a "lend-lease" Garand that is now coming back home, after serving in who knows how many governments and passing through who knows how many hands. This is an M1 Garand that might have been carried by a US Soldier or Marine in Europe or the South Pacific, that might have spoken freedom with a crack of powder and a hail of lead. This Garand might have seen Mt. Suribachi, and it might have saved the life or lives of American troops in battle.

This M1 Garand might have been cleaned lovingly in Parris Island or San Diego, by Marine recruits who learned to sleep with it, love it, be one with it. It might have been held at the position of "Rifle Salute" while passing through ticker tape parades at the end of the war, or it might have been held at "Present Arms" and saluted the Commander in Chief when "Johnny came marching home again."

This M1 Garand may have been held proudly, lovingly, when the National Ensign was retired for the evening, when "Taps" was sounded mournfully for a fallen brother-in-arms, when "Reveille" sounded in a forward camp in France, Italy, Iwo Jima, or Guadalcanal.

This M1 Garand may have been presented for inspection to Chesty Puller, Douglas MacArther, or Admiral Nimitz. It may have been field-stripped and cleaned by John Basilone, Lou Diamond, or any number of WWII heroes and veterans, some of whose names are not recorded by posterity, but who fought with courage, determination, and pride. In other words, heroes. My heroes.

Probably, it didn't do any of those things. Probably, it is just another rifle, eclipsed in ability and accuracy and rate of fire by the fine battle rifles that came afterwards. But, since it comes directly out of our US arsenals and warehouses, where it was lovingly stored away more than 50 years ago, in the hopes that we would never again be called upon to defend liberty on foreign shores, it MEANS something special to us.

This M1 Garand is a rifle. It is an accurate, hard-hitting rifle, which can make a fine target rifle, game-getter, home-defense weapon, or just a wall-hanger. That doesn't matter.

This M1 Garand is us. It is our determination, our sweat and blood, our father's and grandfather's lives in battle, the price of liberty paid for us!

This M1 Garand rifle represents who we are, who we were, and who we will be in the future.

The United States of America is a special place. We know that others have fought and died for liberty, but we are Americans. The bended knee has never been one of our traditions. We bow to no man, we genuflect to no Prince or Potentate, we have no nobles among us. We have risen up as one against tyranny and oppression since before our nation began. We were born in bloody revolution and have never hesitated to step into the breech when called upon to do so. We have willingly laid down our lives, the lives of our sons and daughters, for an idea, a concept, a theory; that all men should be free, that no man is better than another.

In the uncertainty of WWII, when the very concept of Democracy was in the balance, when two enemies of liberty engaged us at the same time on two different fronts, this M1 Garand gave us a decided edge in battle, and completed by the American Fighting Man and his marksmanship skills, we carried the day for liberty, democracy, and the rights of man.

This M1 Garand is tied to us, and we to it. It is our heritage, and one that should never be denied. It very much represents the terrible price of freedom.

I am an American Fighting Man. I am a Marine, a Soldier, an Airman, a Sailor. I go in harm's way to carry out the Will of the People, and go armed with my skills, my ability, my courage, and my rifle. This M1 Garand represents that rifle to me.

I want my M1 Garand, I want it very much. I don't care what it's limitations are, or what else I could have purchased with the money that I spent to acquire it. I am a Marine Rifleman, and I want what belongs to me, my legacy of freedom, bequeathed to me by my father, grandfather, uncles and grand-uncles, and cousins. They paid the price so that I could claim this M1 Garand and enjoy the full measure of freedom to be found in this country and no other. And I shall.

For those who are interested, all citizens of the United States who are otherwise permitted to own firearms may purchase one M1 Garand per year from the Civilian Marksmanship Program (formerly the Division of Civilian Marksmanship).

Until 1996, the Division of Civilian Marksmanship was administered by the US Army, and charged with distributing former US military weapons into the hands of law-abiding citizens of the USA. They have been doing so since 1916.

There is now a movement afoot by the gun-grabbers to take our heritage away from us, as they feel that law-abiding citizens can't be trusted to not shoot ourselves or each other with these weapons. We may not win this battle for our heritage; therefore, I would urge anyone who feels as I do to get involved, fight for our rights in this area, and above all, get your M1 Garand as soon as you can, and never, ever, give it up.

Semper Fidelis,

Bill Mattocks
former Sgt, USMC (1979-1985)

PS - This little script below says far better than I ever could how I feel about the M1 Garand. It is not very "politically correct," and it may cause consternation in those of you who feel we'd all be safer if we ate lettuce and sat around thinking pure thoughts, but such is the cost of freedom. Some of you may recognize it:

United States Marine Corps
Rifleman's Creed
by
MGEN W.H. Rupertus, USMC

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I master my life.

My rifle, without me is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will....

My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit...

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weakness, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will...

Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.

So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but Peace!

FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

Good Monday Morning Everyone

If you would like added to our ping list let us know.

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Foxhole. Still watching for sotrms here today.

M1 Garand Bump!!!

Mornin' Snippy,,,,Mornin' Sam!!!

. . . That which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. —Ecclesiastes 1:9

I wonder what I did for God today:
How many times did I once pause and pray?
But I must find and serve Him in these ways,
For life is made of ordinary days. Macbeth

If life is a grind, use it to sharpen your character.

Present!

never fired the M-1, I had the M16-A1

The rounds look about the same.

Good morning EGC. We have fog but warmer temps today.

Mornin' SCDogPapa!

Good morning Mayor. How is it going?

Good morning manna.

Well, they both have a pointed end and a flat end but thats about it.

Today's classic warship, USS Michigan (BB-27)

South Carolina class battleship

displacement. 16,000 t.
length. 452'9"
beam. 80'3"
draft. 24'6"
speed. 18.5 k.
complement. 869
armament. 8 12", 22 3", 4 1-pdrs, 2 .30 cal, mg., 2 21" tt.

The USS Michigan (BB-27) was laid down 17 December 1906 by New York Shipbuilding Co., Camden, N.J.; launched 26 May 1908; sponsored by Mrs. F, W. Brooks, daughter of Secretary of the Navy Truman Newberry; and commissioned 4 January 1910, Capt. N. R. Usher in command.

Assigned to the Atlantic Fleet Michigan conducted shakedown off the east coast and in the eastern Caribbean until 7 June 1910. Standing out of New York Harbor 29 July, the battlewagon then steamed along the New England and middle Atlantic coasts on maneuvers. On 2 November she departed Boston, Mass., for a training cruise to western Europe. After visiting Portland, England, she arrived Cherbourg, France, 8 December. She sailed 30 December for the Caribbean, touched Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 10 January 1911, and reached Norfolk on the 14th.

Michigan operated along the Atlantic coast until standing out from the Virginia Capes 15 November 1912 for a cruise to the Gulf of Mexico. After visiting Pensacola, New Orleans, and Galveston, she arrived Vera Cruz, Mexico, 12 December. She headed for home 2 days later and reached Hampton Roads on the 20th. She operated along the east coast until departing Quincy, Mass. 6 July for the Gulf coast of Mexico to protect American interests endangered by civil strife in Mexico. The battleship anchored off Tampico on the 15th and remained alert off the Mexican coast until sailing for New York 13 January 1914, reaching Brooklyn Navy Yard on the 20th.

She began a run from Norfolk to Guacanayabo Bay, Cuba, 14 February and returned to Hampton Roads 19 March. Underway again 16 April she joined American forces upholding American honor at Vera Cruz. Reaching that troubled Mexican city 22 April, she landed a battalion of marines as part of the main occupation force, then operated off the Mexican coast heading home 20 June and entered the Delaware Capes on the 16th.

Michigan next put to sea 11 October 1914 and from that time until the eve of America's entry into World War I, operated out of various ports on the eastern seaboard. Assigned to Battleship Force 2, 6 April 1917, the warship escorted convoys, trained recruits, and engaged in fleet maneuvers and battle practice. On 15 January 1918, while steaming in formation with the fleet off Cape Hatteras. Michigan's foremast buckled and was carried away over the port side as the battlewagon lurched violently in the trough of a heavy sea. Six men were killed and 13 injured, five seriously, in this accident. Michigan proceeded to Norfolk where the next day she transferred her casualties to Solace (AH-5). On the 22d she entered Philadelphia Navy Yard for repairs. Early in April she resumed operations off the east coast and trained gunners in Chesapeake Bay until World War I ended.

Ordered to duty with the Cruiser and Transport Force in late December 1918, the battleship made two voyages to Europe, 18 January to 3 March and 18 March to 16 April 1919, returning 1,052 troops to the United States.

Following overhaul at Philadelphia during May and June, Michigan resumed training exercises in the Atlantic until 6 August, when she was placed in limited commission at Philadelphia Nary Yard. She next put to sea 19 May 1919, sailing to Annapolis to embark midshipmen for a training cruise through the Panama Canal to Honolulu, Hawaii, arriving 3 July. The cruise continued to major west coast naval bases and Guantanamo Bay before the battleship returned home in September. She returned to Philadelphia 5 September, and was placed in ordinary until sailing 4 April 1921 for the Caribbean. Returning Hampton Roads 23 April, she reached Annapolis 18 May to begin her second midshipmen training cruise. She got underway 4 June for Europe, visiting Christiana, Norway; Lisbon, Portugal; and Gibraltar, and returning via Guantanamo to Hampton Roads 11 August. The veteran battleship put to sea 31 August to make her final cruise up the Delaware River to Philadelphia, arriving 1 September. Michigan decommissioned at Philadelphia Navy Yard 11 February 1922 and was stricken from the Navy list 10 November 1923. In accordance with the treaty limiting naval armaments, she and four other battleships were scrapped by the Philadelphia Nary Yard during 1924. Materials from their hulls were sold to four different foundries.

Big guns in action!

Thanks aomagrat.

I imagine with the high winds and twisting metal it must have been frightening to see the mast come crashing down and then to send the ship into violent lurches, and the loss of life, how awful.

...they both have a pointed end and a flat end..

LOL.

Good morning US Army EOD. That's about all I knew before I started searching for data on the Garand. :)

Hi Matt, we don't write them, we'd never have time for that. We just go out and research information already available on the internet.

Sometimes we have to combine pieces of information, sometimes we find all we need in one place. We almost always have to hunt down pictures to go with all the threads ourselves because most information is just text and we like to add relevant pictures to make it more enjoyable to read.

We just gather what is already out there, make it presentable and bring it to the Foxhole.

The only time we write our own is on holidays or as additions to the threads. We'd have to never go to our real jobs that pay to be able to produce this much information, even then it would be difficult. LOL.

We're glad you enjoy them.

Good morning Snippy
Great post this day , it is always good to see what wepons we used to win. I have used the M1 Carbine and it is a kick to shoot. God Blees the troops and our Great country.