M1 Garand was the first semi-automatic rifle to be generally issued to the infantry of any nation. The Garand officially replaced the bolt-action M1903 Springfield in 1936 and was subsequently replaced by the selective fire M14 in 1957. However M1 continued to be used in large numbers until 1963 and to a lesser degree until 1966. M1's semiautomatic operation gave United States forces a significant advantage in firepower and shot to shot recovery time over individual enemy infantry men battle as German, Italian, and Japanese soldiers were usually armed with bolt-action rifles.
I have a valuable experience of using this weapon almost two decades ago when I was a uni students. We had to spend a couple of weeks in a military camp as a part of curriculum.
Although the army used M 16 at the time but we were given M1 for uncertain reason.
I still remember the firing sound and the pinging sound that was from a ejection of an empty clip. The Garand is still used by drill teams and military honour guards. It is also widely sought by the civilian population as a hunting rifle and a collection.
