The M1 in the American Rifleman

[fjruple]

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.

Bob-- ...And it still goes on today, the M1 had it teething problems like any new weapon system. Just like when the M16 was first adopted. The AR15 was not a refined product. When the issues were worked out, the M16A1 was a fine rifle. I found that there a lot of Elmer Fudds who never had to wear body armor, carry a rifle and a 55 lb pack into combat are the ones that complain. Little did the people who wrote the NRA article know what awaited the world shortly. The refined M1 and other equipment in the "fire and maneuver" warfare help save our "fat" from the fire that was to come.