What is the M1 Garand?

Answer 1

The M-1 Garand rifle is an American gas-operated semi-automatic centerfire rifle with an internal 8-round fixed magazine using en-bloc clips. The full official designation of the M-1 Garand is "United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M-1". "Garand" is the last name of it's designer, John C. Garand. (Mr. Garand himself pronounced his name GA-rand, like "parent") The name is used both to honor him and to distinguish the M-1 rifle from the M-1 Carbine which is a totally different firearm designed by another engineer.

The original M-1 design was chambered in .276 Pedersen. However, the US Army had large quantities of M30 Ball (.30-06) on hand that it wanted to take advantage of and the M-1 was redesigned for that caliber. After the US Military standardized on the 7.62 NATO round, also known as .308 and 7.62x51, a number of M-1 rifles were converted to it and used by the US Navy until the changeover to the M-14 was completed.

The M-1 rifle was the main battle rifle of the United States between 1936 and 1957. After being replaced by the M-14 in 1957 many M-1 rifles were loaned to militaries of other countries (notably, Greece). Today some M-1 rifles remain in limited use as a drill, instructional and ceremonial instruments. The M-1 is also popular on the US civilian market with collectors, recreational shooters, and in certain types of competitive shooting.