Weapons

This is usually everyone's favorite part to read. It's where you get the real bang for your buck. So, let's get in to it.

Rifles

In 1932, the US Army approved the production and issuance of a semi-automatic rifle to be distributed it's soldiers a main combat arm. The M1 Garand would be the first general-issue semi-automatic rifle in the world. By the end of 1936, American soldiers were having their WW1-issue 1903 bolt-action rifles replaced by the new M1.

U.S. Rifle, Cal .30, M1

The M1 Garand is a .30-06 caliber rifle that fires eight rounds which are loaded in at once from an en bloc clip. Unlike modern clip-fed weapons, the clip is not detachable and actually gets housed completely inside the magazine. Essentially, you need to fire all eight rounds before you can reload. At the last round, the en bloc clip will pop out, making that signature ping that lets those nearby know you were going to reload.

The M1 Garand rifle weighs roughly 10 pounds, a bit heavier than the 8.5 pounds of the Vietnam-era M-16 and today's 3 pound M-4 Carbine. In addition to the wieght, the rifle is long - measuring in at 43.5 inches. Skilled handlers use this weapon with ease, but it proved to be a bit cumbersome for those who needed to operate heavy weapons, vehicles, or other equipment. So, a few years after the M1 Garand, the M1 Carbine was designed in mind to soldiers who needed a lighter weapon for self-protection that wouldn't burden them from doing their main duties. By mid-1942, troops were receiving the lighter weapon.

U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30, M1

&nsbp; The M1 Carbine chambers a lighter .30 caliber round, not compatible with the M1 Garand. It has a detachable 15-round magazine that can be removed at any time the operator wishes. Folding-stock models (M1A1) were issued to paratroopers. We encourage that your first choice in finding a rifle would be the M1 Garand. However, given the nature of Armored Infantry, the Carbine is an acceptable alternate if the opportunity to buy one arises.

Another rifle that is acceptable, but not encouraged over an M1 Garand, is the 1903 Springfield. By 1938, the M1 Garand was integrating into the US Army. However, this weapon saw service in early conflicts in the hands of Marines and with Army units who opted for the weapon depending on the mission or had not yet received their M1 Garand issue. The sniper variant (pictured), is rare to find and only one was authorized per rifle platoon.

U.S. Rifle, Cal .30, M-1903A4

Bayonets

Each soldier was given a bayonet to attach to their rifle and for close self-defense. Originally, the Army was issuing long, 16" bayonets that were issued to their forefathers in WW1. The 1905 Bayonet was still in service right up in to the early phases of US involvement in WW2. These types of bayonets are very expensive as many were cut down during WW2 to 10 inches when the issuance of a new and shorter bayonet became the standard issue. The M-1942 Bayonet was the same length as the 1905, but black pastic handles replaced the wooden grips as well as had a larger pommel. The 1905 came in a canvas and leather scabbard and the 1942 model came in green-painted fiberglass scabbard.

Bayonet, M-1942

The M1 Bayonet is 10" and is sheathed in a fiberglass scabbard. It has the same mechanism as the 1905, making it capable of locking on to an M1 Garand or a 1903 Springfield. Many M1s were cut-downs of the 1905 and 1942 Bayonets (and were designated Bayonet, M-1905 E1). If the cutdown does not have wooden handles, another way you can tell is if the fuller, or "blood groove," runs all the way to the tip of the blade while it stops short on a manufactured M1. Though this bayonet came in to service in 1943 (later than the North Africa campaigns), this is the type of bayonet you should acquire as they are more common than the longer models. We do not deploy bayonets at reenactments for safety reasons.

Bayonet, M1

Pistols

Before the M1 Carbine was issued, soldiers not serving on the line or who had their hands full with other duties while in combat, such as Engineers, Heavy Weapons troops, and drivers, were issued pistols and sub-machine guns. Also, officers and non-commissioned officers were given a side-arm. The standard side-arm of the US Army was the M1911A1 Colt .45 Semi Automatic Pistol.

Pistol, Cal .45, Automatic, M-1911

The M1911 pistol fires a .45 caliber, ball ammunition from a detacheable clip that holds seven. A veteran of WWI, the pistol has strong knockdown power and good ruggedness. This weapon was exclusively issued, so it's not common for enlisted line soldiers to have them in their possession unless they were sergeants in charge or in a job where they needed freedom of movement. An upgraded version of the 1911, dubbed 1911A1, was produced during the war.

Another pistol that is found amongst the infantry was the M1917 Revolver. Not a common item as revolvers were phased out with the 1911 and the Carbine. Another model is the 38 cal. S&W Victory. Revolvers were usually "acquired" by soldiers, either through barter and trade or clever appropriation. Some were even shipped to them from family and friends back home.

Pistol, Cal .45, Automatic, M-1911

Automatics

The US Army recognized the benefits of automatic firearms in WW1 for fire suppression and many of those weapons found their place in WW2. The M1919 Machine Gun and the M2 .50 cal Machine Gun were automatic weapons that were mainstays in the Army for infantry companies and vehicles. For the infantry platoon, the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle, commonly known as the BAR, gave opportunities for a base of fire and enemy suppression.

Browning Automatic Rifle, Cal .30, M-1918A2 with Bipod

The BAR was used as the war's squad automatic weapon. It was heavy, weighing in at about 16 to 19 pounds, fired a 20-round detachable magazine of .30-06 cartridges that were compatible with the M1 Garand and the M1919. It had been reported that the heavy bipod attachment was often discarded because it made the weapon unwieldy, especially in close ranges.

Coming out of the Roaring '20s is the Thompson Submachine Gun. This weapon made famous by the mob wars was used by the U.S. Army. The older models with the Cutts compensator, cooling fins, and ability to carry the 50 round drum magazine were labeled M-1928A1.

Thompson Submachine Gun, Cal .45, M-1A1

The simplified Army production model, dubbed M1A1, could only accept the 20 and 30 round box clips and had the compensator removed as well as simple "peep" sights. The operating rod had also been moved from the top of the receiver to the side. Thompsons were typically issued to scouts and recon elements, non-commissioned officers and combat leaders, and specialized soldiers like paratroopers and Rangers.

These individual weapons can be found at gun shops, gun trading websites, sales from other members, and the Civilian Marksmanship Program. Finding a proper rifle can be difficult, so patience is a requirement as well as diligence to keep looking. Sometimes CHG members want to upgrade their armory and may sell of some of their weapons that they don't use. If you're in the market for an M1 Garand or Carbine, make yourself known. All our automatics comply with California State laws. Some are modern manufacture and work as blank only firing weapons and at certain events some blank-adapted automatics are available for rent. We ask that you observe all CHG safety rules as well comply with State and Federal laws in regard to purchasing and acquiring firearms.

All these weapons, with the exception of the 1903 and the revolver, need to be blank adapted. When it comes to the carbines and the automatics, it can be tricky and sometimes needs to be handled by a gusmith. There is a blank adaptor that replaces the Gas Cylinder Lock so that it doesn't permanently mess with the rifle. Some blank adaptors look better than others and some are cheaper than others. Talk with your unit leader to find out what is best for you.

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