M1d dcm garand

[Bob Seijas]

I am totally convinced that the fix was in for G&H's M1C. SA did a study of the two designs being considered and the results were plain that the D was better. Ordnance ignored the report, assuming SA was biased -- they were, but it didn't alter the fact that the C was a bit of a clunker. As early as May 1944 an Ordnance guy visited SA and told JCG he might as well quit working on his design, the contract was going to G&H. Making the C was a nightmare and kinda nuts -- they sent receivers to NYC so G&H could drill them because SA couldn't drill five holes? A turnaround time of three months? Each rifle custom fit and interchangeable only by accident? Accuracy not as good as a standard rifle? A 30% failure rate in accuracy testing? History proved SA was right, the C lasted about five years in the hands of troops, then was replaced by the D which lasted over 20 years.