M1A rifle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
"M1a" redirects here. For the train, see PRR M1.

Springfield Armory M1A

Springfield M1A rifle

Type Semi-automatic rifle

Place of origin
United States

Production history

Designer Elmer C. Ballance

 Designed 1974

Manufacturer Springfield Armory, Inc.

Unit cost $1,703 (Standard model)

Variants Standard, Loaded, National

Match, Super Match, M21, M25

Specifications

Weight 9.2 - 11.2 pounds (Empty

magazine)

Length 44.33 inches (1126 mm)

Barrel length 22 inches (558.8 mm)

Cartridge 7.62x51mm NATO (0.308 in)

Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt

Rate of fire Semi-automatic

Feed system 5-round, 10-round or 20-round

double column, detachable box
magazine

Sights National Match front blade,

Match-Grade Hooded Aperture
with One-Half Minute adj. for
Windage and Elevation.
The M1A is a civilian version of the M14 rifle designed and manufactured by Springfield
Armory, Inc. in 1974. The term "M1A" is a proprietary title for Springfield Armory's M14
pattern rifle. Early M1A rifles were built with surplus G.I. parts until Springfield Armory, Inc.
began manufacturing their own.

Contents
[hide]
• 1 Differences between the M1A and M14
• 2 M1A/M14 select fire rifles
• 3 Variants
○ 3.1 Match rifles
○ 3.2 SOCOM rifles
• 4 See also
• 5 References
 • 6 Picture credits
• 7 External links

[edit] Differences between the M1A and M14

The Springfield Armory M1A is for the most part identical to the M14. There are however a few
differences:

Selector switch cutout in M1A stock manufactured in 1997

M1A receivers are made from precision investment cast AISI 8620 alloy steel. The military M14
receivers were manufactured using the drop-forge process, which is more complicated and more
expensive. Until at least the late 1990s, the M1A produced by Springfield Armory retained the
cutout in the rear right of the stock for the selector switch found on the M14. The walnut stock of
the M21 has a height-adjustable cheek rest, which is unique to that model. The M25
Whitefeather, built to commemorate Carlos Hathcock is also unique in that it comes with a black
McMillan Fiberglass Stock and a built in picatinny optics mount. This is because there is no
provision for iron sights on the M25. Springfield Armory has also omitted the "7.62-MM"
caliber designator on the M1A receiver since 1991.
Once the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 was passed, banning (among other features) bayonet
lugs, the M1A no longer shipped with a bayonet lug. Although the 1994 law expired in
September 2004, making bayonet lugs legal again (in most states), Springfield Armory has not
restored that feature. Since the bayonet lug is attached to the flash suppressor, "post ban" rifles
can easily be fitted with a bayonet lug by fitting a pre-ban flash suppressor.
The California Assault Weapons Ban, which went into effect January 1, 2000, prohibited flash
suppressors on all Semi-automatic rifles capable of accepting a detachable magazine. As a result,
Springfield Armory designed a muzzle brake, which they installed in place of the standard flash
suppressor on all models that were sold in California. The muzzle brake reduces climb of the
barrel, allowing the operator to aim more quickly for another shot.
[edit] M1A/M14 select fire rifles
Select Fire M1A Receiver. Notice the selector switch and the cutouts in the stock for the full-
auto parts.
Most of the M1A rifles manufactured since 1971 were made for the commercial market and thus
were only capable of semi-automatic fire. However, it is estimated that well under 1,000 select
fire M14 type rifles were manufactured and registered for civilian ownership prior to the passage
of the Firearm Owners Protection Act on May 19, 1986. Springfield Armory, Inc. and Smith
Enterprise were the two companies that produced select fire M14 type rifles for civilian
ownership. Up until May 1986, Springfield Armory, Inc. had a Full Auto Department at their
factory in Illinois. A few M1A rifles were converted to full-auto fire and registered with the ATF
by Class II manufacturers like Neal Smith and Rock Island Armory (also owned by the Reese
family). The receivers of these select fire rifles have the selector lug and operating rod rail cuts
for the connector assembly.
Due to their scarcity and the fact that no new select fire M1A/M14 rifles can be produced for the
civilian market because of the Hughes Amendment in the McClure-Volkmer Act, their market
value is now well above $10,000.
[edit] Variants
Besides the standard M1A, Springfield Armory also produces multiple variants including the
M21 Tactical and M25 Whitefeather.
[edit] Match rifles
Two M1As are advertised as match rifles, the National Match M1A and the Super Match M1A.
The National Match is a more basic model, while the Super Match is more customizable has
additional features on some models such as a McMillan stock and a Douglas stainless steel
barrel.
[edit] SOCOM rifles
A Springfield Armory SOCOM 16
The SOCOM II and SOCOM 16 are variants with 16-inch barrels, the shortest barrel length for a
rifle permissible without taxing and registration under the National Firearms Act in the United
States. The gas system was reworked to ensure proper operation with the shortened barrel, and a
new compensator was added to help soften recoil. The SOCOM II features a "Cluster Rail
System", while the SOCOM has a single short scope base.

A Springfield M1A with bipod and M6 bayonet

[edit] See also
• M1 Garand rifle
[edit] References
This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources
remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by
introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (July 2009)
• Springfield Armory USA (2006 Catalog)
• Duff, Scott A, Miller, John M and contributing editor Clark, David C. The M14 Owner's
Guide and Match Conditioning Instructions. Scott A. Duff Publications, 1996. ISBN 1-
888722-07-X
• U. S. March 1989 foreign small arms import ban Semi-automatic rifles banned from
importation in 1989
• Emerson, Lee and contributing editors Different's M1A/M14 Information Archive
• U. S. Department of State Dispatch Bureau of Public Affairs: May 30, 1994
• Iannamico, Frank. The Last Steel Warrior U.S. M14 Rifle. Moose Lake Publishing, LLC:
Henderson, NV, '05.
[edit] Picture credits
• ARMAMENT SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. (http://www.autoweapons.com)
[edit] External links
• Official M1A rifles page
• The M14/M1A on About.com
• The M14/M1A Magazine FAQ

M1 Garand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Garand)
Jump to: navigation, search
Rifle, Caliber .30, M1

Type Semi-automatic rifle

Place of origin
USA

Service history

In service 1936–Present

Used by See Users

Wars World War II, Korean War,

Vietnam War
Other conflicts around the
world
Production history
Designer John C. Garand
Designed 1932
Manufacturer Springfield Armory
Winchester
Harrington & Richardson
International Harvester
Beretta
Breda[1]
Springfield Armory, Inc.
(civilian)
Produced 1936-present
Number built Approx. 5.4 million[2]
Variants M1C, M1D
Specifications
Weight 9.5 lb (4.31 kg) to 11.6 lb
(5.3 kg)
Length 43.6 in (1,107.4 mm)
Barrel length 24 in (609.6 mm)

Cartridge .30-06 Springfield

 7.62x51mm NATO (U.S. Navy
and some commercial variants)
Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Muzzle velocity 2,800 ft/s (853 m/s)
Effective range 440 yd (402 m)[3]
Feed system 8-round "en bloc" clip internal
magazine
Sights Aperture rear sight, barleycorn-
type front sight
The M1 Garand (officially the United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1), but now available to
civilians in the original .30-06 as well as a .308 winchester cartridge rifle, was the first semi-
automatic rifle to be generally issued to the infantry of any nation. In 1936, it officially replaced
the bolt-action M1903 Springfield as the standard service rifle of the United States Armed Forces
and was subsequently replaced by the selective-fire M14 in 1957. However, the M1 continued to
be used in large numbers until 1963 and to a lesser degree until 1966.
The M1 was used heavily by U.S. forces in World War II, the Korean War, and, to a limited
extent, the Vietnam War. Most M1 rifles were issued to American Army and Marine troops,
though many thousands were also lent or provided as foreign aid to America's allies. The Garand
is still used by drill teams and military honor guards. It is also widely sought by the civilian
population as a hunting rifle, target rifle, and military collectible. The name "Garand" is
pronounced variously as /ɡəˈrænd/ or /ˈɡærənd/. According to experts and people who knew
John Garand, the weapon's designer, the latter version is preferred.[4][5]

Contents
[hide]
• 1 History
○ 1.1 Development
○ 1.2 Service use
• 2 Design details
○ 2.1 Features
• 3 Operation
• 4 Accessories
• 5 Variants
○ 5.1 Quick reference of variants
• 6 Descendants
• 7 Civilian use
• 8 Users
• 9 References
• 10 External links
[edit] History
Though the U.S. Army became interested in self-loading rifles with the Bang and Murphy-
Manning of 1911, and there were pre-production models in 1916,[6] the M1's origin properly
dates to 1919, when armies around the world were realizing standard rifle cartridges were more
powerful than necessary for typical engagement ranges, leading to heavier rifles than really
required. The Army trials in the 1920s had a .256 inch minimum caliber requirement, compared
to the .30-06 then standard.[7]
[edit] Development
Firearms designer John C. Garand, working at the Army's Springfield Armory, began with a .30
caliber primer-operated breech. Twenty-four rifles, identified as "M1922", were built at
Springfield in summer 1924, and at Fort Benning during the summer of 1925 they were tested
against the Thompson autoloading rifle, Berthier, Hatcher-Bang, and "highly promising delayed
blowback Pedersen rifle".[8] This led to a further trial of the improved "M1924" Garand against
the Thompson, ultimately producing an inconclusive report.[9] Therefore, the Ordnance Board
ordered a Garand variant .30-06, while in March 1927 the Cavalry Board reported trials between
the Thompson, Garand, and '03 Springfield had not led to a clear winner, leading to a gas-
operated .276 model.[10]
During the spring of 1928, both Infantry and Cavalry Boards ran trials with the .276 Pedersen T1
rifle, giving it high praise (despite its use of waxed ammunition).[11] On 13 August 1928, a
Semiautomatic Rifle Board carried out joint Army, Navy, and Marine Corps trials between the .
30 Thompson, both cavalry and infantry versions of the T1 Pedersen, "M1924" Garand, and .256
Bang, and on 21 September, the Board reported no clear winner. The .30 Garand, however, was
dropped in favor of the .276.[12]
Further tests by the SRB in July 1929, which included rifle designs by Brauning, Colt-Browning,
Garand, Holek, Pedersen, Rheinmetall, Thompson, and an incomplete one by White,[13] led to a
recommendation that work on the (dropped) .30 gas-operated Garand be resumed, and a T1E1
was ordered 14 November 1929.
Twenty gas-operated .276 T3E2s Garands were made and competed with T1 Pedersen rifles in
Spring 1931. The .276 Garand was the clear winner of these trials. The .30 caliber Garand was
tested at these trials in the form of a single T1E1 prototype but was withdrawn with a cracked
bolt on 9 October 1931. A 4 January 1932 meeting recommended adoption of the .276 caliber
and production of approximately 125 T3E2s. Meanwhile, Garand redesigned his bolt and his
improved T1E2 rifle was retested. The day after the successful conclusion of this test, Army
Chief of Staff General Douglas MacArthur personally disapproved any caliber change, in part
because there were extensive existing stocks of .30 M1 ball ammunition.[14] On 25 February
1932, Adjutant General John B. Shuman, speaking for the Secretary of War, ordered work on the
rifles and ammunition in .276 caliber cease immediately and completely and all resources be
directed toward identification and correction of deficiencies in the Garand .30 caliber.[15]
On 3 August 1933, the T1E2 became the Semi-Automatic Rifle, Caliber 30, M1.[8] In May 1934,
75 M1s went to field trials; 50 were to infantry, 25 to cavalry units.[16] Numerous problems were
reported, forcing the rifle to be modified, yet again, before it could be recommended for service
and cleared for procurement on 7 November 1935, then standardized 9 January 1936.[8] The first
production model was successfully proof-fired, function-fired, and fired for accuracy on July 21,
1937.[17]
Production difficulties delayed deliveries to the Army until September 1937. By September
1939, Springfield Armory had reached an output of 100 per day. Despite going into production
status, design issues were not at an end. The barrel, gas cylinder, and front sight assembly were
redesigned and entered production in early 1940. Existing "gas-trap" rifles were recalled and
retrofitted mirroring problems with the earlier M1903 Springfield rifle that also had to be
recalled and reworked approximately three years into production and foreshadowing rework of
the M16 rifle at a similar point in its development. Production of the Garand increased in 1940
despite these difficulties[18] reaching 600 a day by 10 January 1941,[8] and the Army was fully
equipped by the end of 1941.[19]
[edit] Service use
Following the outbreak of World War II in Europe, Winchester was awarded an "educational"
production contract for 65,000 rifles,[8] with deliveries beginning in 1943.[9] The British Army
tested the M1 as a possible replacement for its bolt-action Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk III, but rejected
it.[20][21]

John Garand points out features of M1 to Army Generals.

The M1's semiautomatic operation gave United States forces a significant advantage in firepower
and shot-to-shot recovery time over individual enemy infantrymen in battle (German, Italian, and
Japanese soldiers were usually armed with bolt-action rifles).[22] General George S. Patton called
it "the greatest implement of battle ever devised."[23] The impact of faster-firing infantry small
arms in general soon stimulated both Allied and Axis forces to greatly augment issue of semi-
and fully-automatic firearms then in production, as well as to develop new types of infantry
firearms.[24]
Much of the M1 inventory in the post-World War II 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 1953-56, M1s were produced by International Harvester and Harrington & Richardson.[25]
A final, very small lot of M1s was produced by Springfield Armory in early 1957, using finished
components already on hand. Beretta also produced Garands using Winchester tooling.
The M1 proved an excellent rifle throughout its service in World War II and the Korean War.
The Japanese began development of a modified version of the Garand, the Type 5 Rifle, near the
end of World War II, though it never reached production status.[citation needed] Surplus M1 rifles also
armed many nations allied to the USA postwar, including Germany, Italy and Japan. Some
Garands were still being used in the Vietnam War in 1963; despite the M14's official adoption in
1957, it was not until 1965 the changeover from the M1 Garand was completed in the active-
duty component of the Army (with the exception of the sniper variants, which were introduced in
WWII and saw action in Korea and Vietnam). In other components of the armed forces, such as
the Army Reserve, Army National Guard and the Navy, Garands continued to serve into the
1970s or longer; photos of Ohio Army National Guard troops at the Kent State shootings in May
1970 clearly show them holding Garands.[26]
Some military drill teams still use the M1, including the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Team,
the Norwegian Royal Guards Drill Team, the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Honor
Guard[27], almost all Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and some Junior Reserve Officer
Training Corps (JROTC) teams of all branches of the US military. The Greek Army Evzones
(presidential) Guard still uses M1.s and it was used as a training rifle in the Greek army even in
the late nineties
[edit] Design details

The M1 Garand with important parts labeled.

The M1 rifle is a gas-operated, semi-automatic, clip-fed rifle.[28] By modern standards, the M1's
feeding system is archaic, relying on clips to feed ammunition, and is the principal source of
criticism of the Garand rifle. Officials in Army Ordnance circles demanded a fixed, non-
protruding magazine for the new service rifle. At the time, it was believed that a detachable
magazine on a general-issue service rifle would be easily lost by US soldiers (a criticism made of
British soldiers and the Lee-Enfield 50 years previously), would render the weapon too
susceptible to clogging from dirt and debris (a belief that proved unfounded with the adoption of
the M1 Carbine), and that a protruding magazine would complicate existing manual-of-arms
drills. As a result, inventor John Pedersen developed an "en bloc" clip system that allowed
ammunition to be inserted from above, clip included, into the fixed magazine. While this design
provided the requisite flush-mount magazine, the clip system increased the rifle's weight, and
prevented it from being fired without a clip, such as while reloading.
Garand's rifle was originally chambered for the .276 Pedersen cartridge,[29] 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 440 yards (457 m), with the capability
of inflicting a casualty with armor-piercing ammunition well beyond 875 yards (approx. 800 m).
Because of the larger diameter of the .30-06 cartridge, the modified magazine held only eight
rounds. The M1 Garand is now offered in a [.308 Winchester] round
Two of Garand's patents, showing the original gas trap design and revised gas port system.
Garand's original design for the M1 used a complicated gas system involving a special muzzle
extension gas trap, later dropped in favor of a simpler drilled gas port. Because most of the older
rifles were retrofitted, pre-1939 gas-trap M1 Garands are very rare today and are prized
collector's items.[28] 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.
[edit] Features

An M1 Garand en bloc clip loaded with eight .30-06 Springfield rounds.

The weight of the M1 varies between 9.5 lb (4.31 kg) and 10.2 lb (4.63 kg) unloaded (depending
on sling type and stock wood density)--a considerable increase over the previous M1903
Springfield. The length was 43.6 inches (1,107 mm). 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 open. 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 latch button. Much criticized in modern times, the en-bloc clip was
innovative for its time. The concept of a disposable box magazine had not been embraced and
en-bloc clips were cheap and reliable. It was even harder and slower to reload the M1903 rifle.
Modern arguments ignore that the only contemporary rifles with the ability to easily top-off a
magazine were the Johnson M1941 and the obsolete Krag-Jørgensen.[30]
The rifle's ability to rapidly fire powerful .30-06 rifle ammunition also proved to be of
considerable advantage in combat. In China, Japanese banzai charges had previously met with
frequent success against poorly-trained Chinese soldiers armed with bolt-action rifles. Armed
with the Garand, US infantrymen were able to sustain a much higher rate of fire than their
Chinese counterparts. In the short-range jungle fighting, where opposing forces sometimes met
each other in column formation on a narrow path, the penetration of the powerful .30-06 M2
cartridge enabled a single U.S. infantryman to kill up to three Japanese soldiers with a single
round.[30]
Ejection of an empty clip created a distinctive metallic "pinging" sound.[31] In World War II,
reports arose in which German and Japanese infantry were making use of this noise in combat to
alert them to an empty M1 rifle in order to 'get the drop' on their American enemies. The
information was taken seriously enough that U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground began
experiments with clips made of various plastics in order to soften the sound, though no improved
clips were ever adopted.[32]
The Garand was one of the first self-loading rifles to use stainless steel for its gas cylinder, in an
effort to prevent corrosion. As the stainless metal could not be parkerized, these gas cylinders
were given a stove-blackening that frequently wore off in use. Unless the cylinder could be
quickly repainted, the resultant gleaming muzzle could make the Garand and its user more
visible to the enemy in combat.[30] The M1 Garand was designed for simple assembly and
disassembly to facilitate field maintenance. It can be field stripped (broken down) without tools.
[33]

[edit] Operation

Inserting an M1 "en bloc" clip.

The Garand is loaded with a full clip of eight cartridges. Once all eight rounds are expended, the
bolt will be automatically locked back and the clip ejected (with a distinct metallic ping),
readying the rifle for the insertion of a fresh clip of ammunition.[29] Compared to contemporary
detachable box magazines, the M1's "en bloc" clip is light, simple, and only has to be oriented
with the rounds pointing forward prior to charging the rifle (the clips have no top or bottom).
Once the clip is inserted, the bolt snaps forward on its own as soon as pressure is released from
the clip, chambering a round and leaving it ready to fire.[34][35] It is 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 "Garand thumb" or "M1 thumb"), and to strike the operating rod handle with his
palm to ensure the bolt is closed.[35][36]
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.[36] Contrary to widespread misconception, partially expended or full
clips can be easily ejected from the rifle by means of the clip latch button.[36] It is also possible to
load single cartridges into a partially loaded clip while the clip is still in the magazine, but this
requires both hands and a bit of practice. In reality, this procedure was rarely performed in
combat, as the danger of loading dirt along with the cartridges increased the chances of
malfunction, instead, it was much easier and quicker to simply manually eject the clip, and insert
a fresh one,[37] which is how the rifle was originally designed to be operated.[30][32][35] Later,
special clips holding two or five rounds became available on the civilian market, as well as a
single-loading device which stays in the rifle when the bolt locks back. It is also possible to
modify the clip latch, disabling the clip ejection function, and thereby allowing the weapon to be
charged like a traditional top-loading rifle.[38]
In battle, the manual of arms called for the rifle to be fired until empty, and then recharged
quickly. Due to the well-developed logistical system of the U.S. military at the time, this wastage
of ammunition was generally not critical, though this could change in the case of units that came
under intense fire or were flanked or surrounded by enemy forces.[30] The Garand's en-bloc clip
system proved particularly cumbersome when using the rifle to launch grenades, requiring
removal of an often partially loaded clip of ball ammunition and replacement with a full clip of
blank cartridges.
[edit] Accessories
Both official and aftermarket accessories were plentiful for the Garand rifle. Several different
styles of bayonets fit the rifle: the M1905 and M1942, both with 16-inch (406 mm) blades; the
Model 1905E1 with shortened 10-inch (254 mm) blade; the M1 with 10-inch (254 mm) blade;
and the M5 bayonet with 6.75-inch (152 mm) blade.
Also available was the M7 grenade launcher that fitted onto the end of the barrel.[39] It was
sighted using the M15 sight, which fit just forward of the trigger. A cleaning tool, oiler and
greasepots could be stored in two cylindrical compartments in the buttstock for use in the field.
Because of the limitations of the Garand's clip-loading magazine, the rifle proved less than ideal
for use in launching 22 mm rifle grenades, and the M1903 Springfield was retained for use in
that role long after grenade launchers for the Garand became available.
The M1907 two-piece leather rifle sling was used with the weapon through World War II. From
about 1944 onward, a green cotton webbing sling was provided, eventually replacing the earlier
model.[citation needed] Another accessory was the winter trigger, said to have been developed during
the Korean War. It consisted of a small mechanism installed on the trigger guard, allowing the
soldier to remotely pull the trigger by depressing a lever just behind the guard. This enabled the
shooter to fire his weapon while using winter gloves, which could get "stuck" on the trigger
guard or not allow for proper movement of the finger.
[edit] Variants

Rifle, Cal. 30, M1C with M84 telescope and rear sight protector.

Rifle, Cal. 30, M1D with M84 telescope and T-37 flash suppressor.
Most variants of the Garand, save the sniper variants, never saw active duty.[31] The sniper
versions were modified to accept scope mounts, and two versions (the M1C, formerly M1E7,
and the M1D, formerly M1E8) were produced, although not in significant quantities during
World War II.[40] The only difference between the two versions is the mounting system for the
telescopic sight. In June 1944, the M1C was adopted as a standard sniper rifle by the U.S. Army
to supplement the venerable M1903A4.[41]
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, which utilized a simpler, single-ring Springfield Armory mount.[41] 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, rechambered for
the 7.62x51mm NATO round.
Two interesting variants that never saw service 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 a Garand modified to accept Browning Automatic Rifle
(BAR) magazines, and has selective fire capability, with semi- and fully-automatic modes.
The T26 arose from requests by various Army combat commands for a shortened version of the
standard M1 rifle for use in jungle or mobile warfare. In July 1945 Col. William Alexander,
former staff officer for Gen. Simon Buckner and a new member of the Pacific Warfare Board,[42]
requested urgent production of 15,000 carbine-length M1 rifles for use in the Pacific theater.[43][44]
[45][46]
To emphasize the need for rapid action, he requested the Ordnance arm of the U.S. 6th
Army in the Philippines to make up 150 18" barreled M1 rifles for service trials, sending another
of the rifles by special courier to U.S. Army Ordnance officials at Aberdeen as a demonstration
that the M1 could be easily modified to the new configuration.[43][45][47][48] Although the T26 was
never approved for production, at least one 18" barreled M1 rifle was used in action in the
Philippines by troopers in the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment (503rd PIR).[48] Several
Ordnance commands at various organizational levels in the Pacific also modified Garand rifles
late in the war to produce BAR-magazine-equipped Garands similar to the T20E2, though it is
unknown if any of these weapons ever saw actual service.[citation needed]
During the 1950s, Beretta produced Garands in Italy at the behest of NATO, by having the
tooling used by Winchester during World War II shipped to them by the US government. These
rifles were designated Model 1952 in Italy, and eventually led to variants of their own, the best
known of these being the BM-59 series. Beretta Garands chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO
served in the Danish armed forces as the Gv M/50, before being replaced with the Heckler &
Koch G3.[citation needed]
[edit] Quick reference of variants

U.S. Army U.S. Navy

Description
designation designation

T1 N/A Prototype

T1E1 N/A A single trial rifle that broke its bolt in the 1931 trial

Trial designation for gas-trap Garand. Basically a T1E1 with a

T1E2 N/A
new bolt.
 Basic model. Identical to T1E2. Later change to gas port did
M1 N/A
not change designation

M1E1 N/A M1 Garand variant; modified cam angle in op-rod

M1E2 N/A M1 Garand variant; prismatic scope and mount

M1 Garand variant; roller added to bolt’s cam lug (later

M1E3 N/A
adapted for use in the M14)

M1 Garand variant; gas cut-off and expansion system with

M1E4 N/A
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

M1E6 Garand variant; sniper variant with M81 scope (though

M1E7/M1C N/A the M82 or M84 scope could be used) on a Griffin & Howe
mount

M1E7 Garand variant; sniper variant with M82 scope (though

M1E8/M1D N/A
the M84 scope could be used) on a Springfield Armory mount

M1 Garand variant; similar to M1E4, with piston separate

M1E9 N/A
from op-rod

M1 Garand variant; variant with the "Ljungman" direct gas

M1E10 N/A
system

M1E11 N/A M1 Garand variant; short-stroke Tappet gas system

M1E12 N/A M1 Garand variant; gas impingement system

M1E13 N/A M1 Garand variant; "White" gas cut-off and expansion system

M1 Garand variant; rechambered in .30 T65/7.62x51mm

M1E14 Mk 2 Mod 0
NATO with press-in chamber insert

M1 Garand variant; select-fire conversion by John Garand,

T20 N/A
capable of using BAR magazines
T20E1 N/A T20 variant; uses its own type of magazines

T20 variant; E2 magazines will work in BAR, but not the

T20E2 N/A
reverse

T20E2HB N/A T20E2 variant; HBAR variant

M1 Garand variant; select-fire conversion by Remington,

T22 N/A
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

Remington select-fire field conversion for M1 Garand; ability

T27 N/A to convert issue M1 Garands to select-fire rifles; fire control
setup used in T22E3

M1 Garand variant; rechambered for .30 T65/7.62x51mm

T35 Mk 2 Mod 2
NATO

T20E2 variant; T20E2 rechambered for .30 T65/7.62x51mm

T36 N/A
NATO using T35 barrel and T25 magazine

T37 N/A T36 variant; same as T36, except in gas port location

[edit] Descendants
The M1 Garand was the direct predecessor of the M14 rifle, which replaced it. During the 1950s,
Beretta developed the BM-59 series of rifles, which would also be produced under license in
Indonesia as the "SP" series. Ruger produced the Mini-14 rifle, which utilizes a reduced-size
operating system and a different gas system. The Mini-14 looks like the M-14, but is chambered
for the smaller .223 cartridge.[49] The AK-47 was developed from an earlier Kalashnikov carbine
which heavily drew from the Garand design; particularly, the locking system with its rotating
bolt is based on Garand's design. The AK-47 also uses a highly simplified form of the Garand
trigger group.[citation needed]
Despite similarities in naming, there is no relationship between the M1 rifle and the M1 carbine,
other than a similar rotating bolt design. Additional confusion can arise from the development of
several other weapon systems, "M" being an abbreviation for Model, such as the M1 submachine
gun and M1 tank.
[edit] Civilian use

A U.S. Coast Guardsman competes in a marksmanship championship with the M1.

United States citizens meeting certain qualifications may purchase US military surplus M1 rifles
through the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). The CMP is run by the Corporation for the
Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety (CPRPFS), a not-for-profit corporation
chartered by the United States Congress in 1996 to instruct citizens in marksmanship and
promote practice and safety in the use of firearms.[50] The group holds a congressional charter
under Title 36 of the United States Code. From 1903 to 1996, the CMP was sponsored by the
Office of the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM), a position first within the Department
of War and later in the Department of the Army. The DCM was normally an active-duty Army
colonel. The CMP was initiated by President Theodore Roosevelt to promote civilian
marksmanship after he witnessed the lack of skilled marksmen during the Spanish-American
War.[citation needed]
Military surplus Garands and post-war copies made for the civilian market are popular among
enthusiasts around the world.[51]
[edit] Users
This section named "Users" needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged
and removed. (July 2008)

• Argentina - Used In the Marine Infantry Corps.

• Australia - Used in small numbers by specialist troops and Australian army units
attached to US ground units in the Pacific Theater of World War II.

• Austria - Used by newly created Austrian Army from 1956 until gradual replacement
by StG58, beginning in 1959.

• Cambodia - Received from the US government for Khmer Republic troops during
the Cambodian Civil War 1970-75.

• Canada - Saw limited use during World War II. The Garand was considered by the
Canadian military as a replacement for the Lee-Enfield No.4 rifle in the late 1940s/early
1950s, but the Korean War prevented the Garand's widespread introduction into the
Canadian military and kept the Lee-Enfield in service until the introduction of the FN
FAL.
• Chile - Used by the Chilean forces.

• Denmark - Received large numbers of M1 rifles from the US government.

• France - Used by the Foreign Legion and Free French Forces.[52][53]

• West Germany - Issued to border guards, police and army until the adoption of the
G1 rifle.

• Greece - Standard issue for the army until the late 70s, when it was replaced by the
G3. Still in use for ceremonial duties by the Presidential Guard.

• Guatemala - Used by jail guards until late 90's.

• Haiti - Used from the 1940s until 1994 when the Haitian military was disbanded.
Still in use with the Haitian National Police.

• Iran: Standard issue army rifle until the adoption of the G3 rifle.

• Italy - Used by the army from 1945, Beretta also license-built it until the adoption of
the BM59 in 1959.[54]

• Japan - First issued weapon of the Japanese Self Defense Forces by Howa.[55] Still
used as a ceremonial arm.

• Netherlands - Standard issue in Royal Netherlands army 1953-1960.[citation needed]

• Norway - In use as army service rifle from 1953 to 1968, replaced by the H&K G3.
Today used solely by the Royal Guards Drill team.

• Paraguay - Received large numbers of M1 rifles from the US government[when?],

stockpiled 30,000.[citation needed]

• Philippines - Widely used by the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit

(CAFGU), a militia type unit of the Philippine Army, who secure their respective villages
against insurgents. Cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy used it as their
standard drill and duty rifle.[citation needed]

• South Korea - Received large numbers of M1 rifles from the US government.

Standard issue until the adoption of the M16.

• South Vietnam - Received large numbers of M1 rifles from the US government.

Standard issue until the adoption of the M16.
 • Thailand - Known locally as the ปลยบ.88. Used by the Thai Royal Guards for
training.[citation needed]

• Turkey - Standard issue army rifle until the adoption of the G3 rifle.Still in use for
official military ceremonies and training units

• Taiwan - Still[when?] in use by the ROC Honor Guard.[citation needed]

• Vietnam - Used captured batches.[citation needed]

• United States - Standard issue rifle of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air
Force from 1936 to 1963. Still in use for official military ceremonies and JROTC units.
[edit] References
1. ^ Small Arms Review article on Italian-made Garands
2. ^ Scott Duff. "Who Made M1 Garands? How Many Were Made? When Were They Made?".
Excerpted from The M1 Garand: Owner’s Guide copyright 1994 by Scott A. Duff.
http://www.scott-duff.com/WhoHowManyWhen.htm. Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
3. ^ "U.S. Department of the Army Technical Manual No. 9-1005-222-12" (pdf). Re-published by
www.biggerhammer.net. 17 March 1969.
http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/tm9100522212/M1GARA.PDF. Retrieved on 2007-05-
18.
4. ^ Hatcher, Julian. (1983). Book of the Garand. Gun Room Pr. ISBN 0-88227-014-1. Retrieved
March 28, 2006.
5. ^ "John Cantius Garand and the M1 Rifle". Springfield Armory National Historic Site.
http://www.nps.gov/spar/historyculture/john-garand.htm. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
6. ^ Walter, John. Rifles of the World. (Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2006), p. 142, "Garand".
7. ^ Fitzsimons, Bernard, editor. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Weapons and
Warfare. (London: Phoebus, 1978), Volume 10, p. 1088, "Garand".
8. ^ a b c d e Walter, loc. cit.
9. ^ a b ibid.
10. ^ Walter, loc. cit. Garand would patent this 12 April 1930.
11. ^ Fitzsimons, op. cit., Volume 19, p. 2092, "Pedersen", describes the ammunition as "lubricated".
12. ^ Walter, op. cit., p. 143.
13. ^ Further tests in 1930 found Bostonian Joseph White's rifles insufficiently robust. Walter, loc.
cit.
14. ^ Fitzsimons, "Garand", op. cit.
15. ^ Hatcher: p. 111.
16. ^ Hatcher, p. 113.
17. ^ "Military Firearms: M1 Garand Rifle". Olive-Drab.com (1998–2005). http://www.olive-
 drab.com/od_other_firearms_rifle_m1garand.php3. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
18. ^ Brown, Jerold Brown (2000). Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Army. Greenwood Press. p. 286.
doi:10.1336/0313293228. ISBN 0313293228.
19. ^ Fitzsimons, loc. cit.
20. ^ Anthony G. Williams. "The White Rifles". Minutes 1244 of the Small Arms Committee, 26th
October 1932. http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/White.htm.
21. ^ "Report on the Garand". Time Magazine. 1941-03-24.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,884292-3,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
22. ^ Rottman, Gordon L. (2006). US Marine Rifleman 1939-45: Pacific Theater. Osprey Publishing.
pp. 27–28. ISBN 184176972X.
23. ^ Pendergast, Sara; Pendergast, Tom (2000). "Firearms". St. James Encyclopedia of Popular
Culture. St. James Press. p. 102. ISBN 1558624058.
24. ^ Bishop, Chris (1998), The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, New York: Orbis
Publishing Ltd, ISBN 0-7607-1022-8 .
25. ^ Department of the Army Appropriations for 1954: Hearings, 83rd Congress, 1st Session,
Washington, D.C.: United States Congress, 1953, p. 1667 .
26. ^ Thomas, Charles A.. "Blood of Isaac". Kent State University.
http://speccoll.library.kent.edu/4may70/IsaacFour.htm. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
27. ^ http://www.usafahg.org/
28. ^ a b Popenker, Max. "Modern Firearms: Rifle M1 Garand". www.worldguns.ru.
http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl05-e.htm. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
29. ^ a b Karwan, Charles (2002), "History in your hands: Springfield Armory's new M1 Garand: the
most significant rifle of the 20th Century is once again available to the American shooter", Guns
magazine (October): 44 .
30. ^ a b c d e George, John (Lt. Col.). (1948). Shots Fired In Anger. The Samworth Press. ISBN 0-
93599-842-X.
31. ^ a b Bishop, Chris (2002). The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. Sterling Publishing.
p. 223. ISBN 1586637622.
32. ^ a b Dunlap, Roy F. (1948). Ordnance Went Up Front. The Samworth Press. ISBN 1-88484-909-
1.
33. ^ "Field Stripping the M1 Garand". Civilian Marksmanship Program.
http://www.civilianmarksmanship.com/fieldstrip.html. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
34. ^ "Springfield Armory M1 Garand Operating Manual" (pdf). Springfield Armory. 2001.
http://www.springfield-armory.com/Manuals/M1GarandManual.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
35. ^ a b c "FM 23-5". Department of the Army. 1965.
http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/garand/m1.htm. Retrieved on 2008-10-03.
36. ^ a b c Mangrum, Jamie (2004). "Surplus Rifle.com: M1 Garand Operations Page".
SurplusRifle.com. http://www.surplusrifle.com/garand/operations.asp. Retrieved on 2005-11-15.
37. ^ "FM 23-100" Department of the Army (1943) Retrieved 2008-29-09.
38. ^ http://k98kpage.yuku.com/forum/viewtopic/id/1145
39. ^ Bishop, Chris (2002). The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. Sterling Publishing.
 p. 214. ISBN 1586637622.
40. ^ Ewing, Mel. "Sniper Central: US Army M1C & M1D". SniperCentral.com.
http://www.snipercentral.com/m1cd.htm. Retrieved on 2005-11-15.
41. ^ a b "The M1C, MC-1, and M1D Variations of the Garand Rifle". Jouster.com.
http://www.jouster.com/articles30m1/Variations.html. Retrieved on 2006-04-03.
42. ^ Hutchison, Kevin, World War II in the North Pacific: Chronology and Fact Book, Greenwood
Press (1994), p. 247: Col. Alexander had served as General Buckner's naval liaison officer, and
was appointed to the Pacific Warfare Board following the General's death on Okinawa in June
1945.
43. ^ a b Weeks, John, World War II Small Arms, New York: Galahad Books (1979), ISBN
0883654032, pp. 122-123.
44. ^ Fact Sheet #5: The M1 'Tanker' Modification, Springfield Armory National Historic Site,
National Park Service, [1].
45. ^ a b Walter, John, Rifles of the World, Krause Publications (2006), ISBN 0896892417,
9780896892415, p. 144.
46. ^ Duff, Scott A., The M1 Garand, World War II: History of Development and Production, 1900
Through 2 September 1945, Scott A. Duff Publications (1996), ISBN 9781888722017,
1888722010, p. 101: As a major, Alexander had been a proponent of the 18" 'Tanker' Garand ever
since testing his own ordnance-modified version on Noemfoor Island, New Guinea.
47. ^ Fact Sheet #5: The M1 'Tanker' Modification, Springfield Armory National Historic Site,
National Park Service.
48. ^ a b Duff, Scott A., The M1 Garand, World War II: History of Development and Production,
1900 Through 2 September 1945, Scott A. Duff Publications (1996), ISBN 9781888722017,
1888722010, p. 101.
49. ^ [2].
50. ^ Pub.L. 104-106, 36 Stat. 5502, enacted February 10, 1996
51. ^ Stefan M. Brem (2006) (PDF). The Role of NGOs and Private Companies in Negotiating an
International Action Framework. Dissertation.
http://www.dissertationen.unizh.ch/2007/brem/diss.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-07-25.
52. ^ Jordon, David (2005). The History of the French Foreign Legion: From 1831 to Present Day.
The Lyons Press. p. 161. ISBN 1592287689.
53. ^ Sumner, Ian (1998). The French Army 1939-45. Osprey Publishing. p. 21. ISBN 1855327074.
54. ^ Beretta's BM 59. Retrieved on October 5, 2008.
55. ^ Howa Rifles. Retrieved on September 19, 2008.
[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: M1 Garand

• 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
• U.S. Army Field Manual 23–5 — Official United States Army Field Manual on the M1
Garand (October 1951)
• M1 Garand Information Place — Website containing various articles on advanced
Garand maintenance and customization
• "Rifle Marksmanship with the M1 Rifle (1942)". http://www.archive.org Internet
Archive. 1942.
http://www.archive.org/details/Rifle_Marksmanship_with_M1_Rifle_Part_1. Retrieved
on 2007-05-18. - Army training film.
• Reference manual page including 4 M1 garand manuals
• Articles page including information on blank adapting the M1 Garand
• M1 Garand Rifle Served During Turbulent Years - article at GunWeek.com
• The M1 Garand Rifle An American Companion In Three Wars