Garand, << GAR uhnd, >> rifle, also called the M1 rifle, is a .30-caliber, eight-shot semiautomatic weapon. It was the basic rifle of the United States Army and Marine Corps. The United States Army used the Garand rifle from 1936 to 1960. The Army now uses the M16. John C. Garand, a government designer, developed the M1 rifle between 1932 and 1934. The M1 rifle replaced the M1903 bolt-action rifle.
The Garand rifle is gas operated. The bullet uncovers a small hole before it leaves the barrel. Compressed gases behind the bullet rush through a port to a piston, driving it back against the operating rod. The rod rotates the bolt to unlock it, pushes it back to open the rifle, and helps eject the cartridge case. A recoil spring closes the bolt and rams a fresh cartridge into position to fire when the trigger is again pulled. The M1 fires one shot at each trigger pull.
