The M1 in the American Rifleman

[Bob Seijas]

They damaged the reputation and acceptance of the new M1 and were very embarrassed when it eventually proved to be the magnificent weapon it became. The NRA was in the grip of the same old school shooters who damned it as "Not the '03." A Rifleman article, something like "Wanted: an Infantry Rifle" blatantly charged it with all the conservative complaints about autoloaders and the belief that war would involve long range marksmanship. They had no clue about the "fire and maneuver" that modern war turned out to be. They never admitted it, either, just went on to praise the Garand as if their earlier criticism never happened.