I have heard it said that the M1917/P14 was a better "battle" rifle than the M1903. I would tend to agree.
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I have heard it said that the M1917/P14 was a better "battle" rifle than the M1903. I would tend to agree.
Don't forget that war was changing when Garand designed the rifle. Precise distance shooting from fixed positions was changing to fire-and-manuever mobility, so less precision and greater hit ability were key. The Marines had trouble accepting this at first, even declined to adopt the M1 in early 1940. Many old-school Army officers felt the same way.
Better is always a relative term. Nothing is slicker than the early Springfields, although having an adjustable peep sight so far from the eye goes counter to "Battle" principles IMHO. Cock on opening, cock on closing for me a toss up. The M1917/P14 seems larger and less user friendly. It seems that many WW1 GI's had "the English rifle" (to quote Sgt York). From what I have read, it was a great Sniper rifle. The SMLE was probably the best of the breed for what it was designed for: 10 shots, plenty of power, fast action, rugged and tolerant of mishandling and debris. A rimmed cartridge, while not the ultimate, did what it was supposed to do. Remember, artillery, air support, mines, machine guns etc. were the real killers. Only when it was Mano y Mano did the rifle make a difference.
Dave
I was always under the impression that when Sgt. York referred to the "English rifle" he was talking of the M1917, which was really a P14 in 30-06. I really don't see many G.I.s using a rifle chambered for the British 303.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wineman
There's a thread on this already Joe...many moons ago...