The M1903 had served through WWI as the primary infantry rifle for the U.S. Beginning in 1938, it replaced the M1903 Springfield, a bolt-action rifle of the same caliber. 30-caliber M1 Garand was the first semi-automatic rifle to be adopted for military service. When the M1 Garand entered service on the eve of WWII, no other rifle even compared. George Patton who is claimed to have said, “In my opinion, the M1 rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised.” It is almost sacrosanct in discussing the M1 Garand - properly known as the M1 rifle - to include the words of Gen. Yet, changes in the battlefield brought needs and challenges that required lighter, more compact rifles. Variations of the firearm properly known as the M1 were still in use as late as the Vietnam War.
Its service life spanned two decades and three major conflicts. The first of its kind, the famous M1 Garand remains a valued collector’s item, as well as a favorite rifle to shoot among many avid gun owners.
