M1 Garand rifle
The M-1 Garand rifle was the basic infantry weapon of U.S. forces in the Second World War. It is a clip-fed semi-automatic rifle, firing a .30-06 full-power rifle cartridge. [1]
It was replaced briefly by the M14 rifle, also firing a full-power NATO 7.62mm cartridge, which, in turn, has been replaced by the M16 family of assault rifles firing the intermediate power 5.56mm round. Today, most commonly issued U.S. rifle is the M-4 carbine variant of the M16 rifle. Both the M14 and M16 were capable of full-automatic, although the latest versions fire either in semi-automatic mode, or a burst of three shots fired automatically.
Principles of operation
Tactical use
It was intended for aimed fire, as its magazine capacity was not sufficient to lay down large quantities of suppressive fire. That was the role of the Browning Automatic Rifle and machine guns.
Even standard M1s were capable of quite accurate fire, and troops were trained to exploit its capabilities.
Variants
The M-1C and M-1D are highly accurate versions optimized for use by snipers.
Ammunition
| Type | Purpose | Identification |
|---|---|---|
| Ball, M-2 | This is the basic solid round for general use | It is the only round with no special markings |
| Armor piercing, M-2 | lightly armored vehicles, protective shelters, and personnel | Black bullet tip |
| Armor piercing incendiary, M-14 | inflammable targets | white or aluminium buklet tim |
| Incendiary, M-1 | unarmored, flammable targets | Blue bullet tip |
| Rifle grenade, M-3 | propelling rifle grenades | no bullet; mouth of cartridge case is crimped |
| Tracer | observing fire, incendiary, marking targets | Red bullet tip |
| Blank, M-1909 | Practice and salutes | No bullet, case sealed with red lacquer |
| Dummy, M-50 | mechanical training | either grooved case and tin plated, or holes drilled in the case |
| Match | Competitive shooting | stamped "MATCH" |
References
- ↑ Field Manual 23-5 for the U.S. Rifle, CALIBER .30, M1, Department of the Army, May 1965, FM 23-5