M1 (Garand) .30-06” semi-automatic rifle

01. Original name M1 (Garand) .30-06” semi-automatic rifle  
02. Other official names U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1  
03. Popular names Garand, M1  
04. Chamberings .30-06 Springfield, 7.62mm NATO / .308 Winchester  
05. Designed by John Garand  
06. Design date 1921-1936  
07. In service date(s) September 1937  
08. Adopted by USA but given in large quantities to many US allies, including West Germany, Japan, South Korea, Greece, Turkey, Philippines, South Vietnam, Italy and Denmark  
09. Production quantities 5,468,772  
10. Mechanism Gas operated, rotating bolt, loaded with an eight-round ‘en bloc’ clip  
11. Weight 9.5lbs (4.31kg)  
12. Mountings Sling, bayonet  
13. Practicality in action High – semi-automatic fire with an eight-round clip gave the rifle an advantage in firepower compared to bolt-action rifles, while the rifle itself was considered accurate yet sturdy and durable  
14. Comments / Other information With a relatively long gestation period lasting fifteen years (1921 – 1936), the M1 Garand gradually emerged victorious in a series of competitive trials between 1925 and 1931. Even then, it was only the intervention of the US Army Chief of Staff (General Douglas MacArthur) that kept the rifle chambered for the .30-06 Springfield cartridge, rather than the .276 Pederson round. Production difficulties and further design work meant that delivery to the US Army did not start until September 1937. Production increased over the coming years, especially during World War II and the Korean War with the US Army being completely re-equipped by the end of 1941. Most M1 Garand rifles were manufactured at the Springfield Armoury, but contracts were also let to Winchester, International Harvester and Harrington & Richardson, with over 5.4 million made.. M1 (Garand) .30-06” Semi-automatic Rifle (USA) (WW2) Introduced in 1936 but not manufactured in quantity until 1942; chambered for the .30-06” round; 8-round clip-loaded (but not charger loaded) integral magazine; weight unloaded 9.5lb. This was the world’s first semi-automatic rifle; developed post WW2 into the M14 7.62 rifle.