Gun Reviews · Profile & review in progress

M1 Garand

Lawful and educational. Red Meat & Cigar Club does not sell firearms or ammunition. Follow all federal, state, and local laws; practice safe storage; and always follow the fundamental rules of firearm safety. Nothing here is legal advice.

The .30-06 semi-automatic rifle standardized in 1936.

M1 Garand rifle in .30-06 from the Swedish Army Museum collection — Photo: Armémuseum (The Swedish Army Museum) / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

The M1 Garand was designed by John C. Garand at Springfield Armory and standardized by the U.S. Army in 1936. Chambered in .30-06 Springfield and fed by an eight-round en-bloc clip that ejects after the last shot, it made the United States the first nation to issue a semi-automatic rifle as its standard infantry arm. It served through World War II and Korea before the M14 replaced it.

Design

The M1 is gas-operated: gas tapped near the muzzle drives an operating rod that cycles the rotating bolt. Loading means pressing a full clip down into the receiver, a step known for the "M1 thumb" that careless shooters get when the bolt slams forward.

Today

The Garand is a favorite of collectors and of vintage military rifle matches. As with any historic firearm, have a qualified gunsmith inspect one before you shoot it, and use ammunition appropriate for the rifle's gas system.

Ratings will be added only after the hosts have spent real time with one at the range.

Ratings

HistoryComing soonDesignComing soonShootabilityComing soonCollectibilityComing soonOverallComing soon

Ratings are editorial opinions and will be added once the hosts have spent time with this firearm. No scores have been assigned yet.

The verdict

Coming soon.

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