Time Magazine, wrong then, wrong now...

[Dan Shapiro]

At least their consistent.

Wanted: a Rifle - TIME

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Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Bill Hollinger]

Good read. Not everything in life is perfect. Thanks Dan.

[dbarn]

Sometimes we forget what goes into the development of a new rifle. Not only from a mechanical aspect but also the crap they had to put up with from the media. Coming from a top of the line, proven-standard of the day- bolt action battle rifle did not help matters. The thing is, we needed a rifle above the standard of the day to give our guys a decisive edge. Nothing wrong with the Johnson rifle, but from a purely asthetic point, fortunately the Garand was chosen.

[Bob Womack]

The one constant is that the new media are always in search of a scandal.

It is also interesting that the NRA came out against the Garand. Can I assume that the Gas Trap was the culprit cited in this report?

Bob

[0311Shooter]

With every new design, of anything, there is always a period of time where it must be tested on the job. Usually it needs some tweaking. These are simply referred to as FM's.

The M-16 was perfect from the time McNamarra handed it over to the troops, wasn't it?

I believe that the Garand has stood the test of time, and has lived up to what Patton said about it.

[Bob Womack]

And that is exactly what's wrong with media that looses sight of the forest when it is counting twigs. I'd agree with you about the Garand and point to the love for the weapon witnessed by CMP sales as proof.

Bob

[Rick B]

I doubt the barrel warped from heat. I bet it was from the hand guards being to tight.

As for the Johnson. It had a tube loaded spring for the bolt that was built into the wooden stock just like the M16 which Melvin Johnson worked on with Stoner as his bolt design was carried over also. If the stock was off the rifle it was useless. The two small screws that hold the stock on the Johnson were and still are prone to cracking the stock as they come loose from firing. Recoil then rattles the stock and crack it goes. This cracks it right down the middle thru the end at the drum magazine and also up top rearwards at the bolt cover. These cracks are on more than 80% of all Johnson’s I have seen and the only repairs I have had to do to every one I have worked on. This is not considering the men falling on the rifle as taught with the butt end down first. The Johnson rifle would have surely broken and been of no use in combat.

I love the Johnson rifle for plinking as it is accurate as heck but it would have never made it in combat and that is a fact not a opinion.
Rick B

[Bob Womack]

The Johnson would have been fun with a bayonet...

[JimL]

I doubt the barrel warped from heat. I bet it was from the hand guards being to tight.

As for the Johnson. It had a tube loaded spring for the bolt that was built into the wooden stock just like the M16 which Melvin Johnson worked on with Stoner as his bolt design was carried over also. If the stock was off the rifle it was useless. The two small screws that hold the stock on the Johnson were and still are prone to cracking the stock as they come loose from firing. Recoil then rattles the stock and crack it goes. This cracks it right down the middle thru the end at the drum magazine and also up top rearwards at the bolt cover. These cracks are on more than 80% of all Johnson’s I have seen and the only repairs I have had to do to every one I have worked on. This is not considering the men falling on the rifle as taught with the butt end down first. The Johnson rifle would have surely broken and been of no use in combat.

I love the Johnson rifle for plinking as it is accurate as heck but it would have never made it in combat and that is a fact not a opinion.
Rick B

I think these are examples of the cracks Rick mentioned. This crack ran back to the pistol grip, making it about 6" long.

I know one GI that was happy to have a Garand over the '03, my Dad.
Jiml

[Rick B]

Yes Jim that is it exactly and I bet teh top side is cracked also in a loop just at the bolt release cover. The bolts were so small and this area was so thin it clearly would have proven to be a issue and would have gotten allot of men killed. I love the rifle but not for combat without some changes to the stock mounting area. Rick B