Shooting different types of guns is a common occurrence in Today’s Army, especially if you’re in a Sniper Unit.  It’s not every day though you get to shoot an iconic rifle from a bygone era but that’s what happened recently when a member of the SOFREP family was out on FTX and a special visitor brought an M1 Garand with them.

The M1 was the first standard issue autoloading rifle for the US Military it replaced the Springfield 1903 back in 1936 and was standard issue through 1958 but still used well into the Vietnam war by some units.  It was replaced by the M-14 which offered selective fire capability and a box magazine but got rid of the distinctive “PING” the M1 is so famous and beloved for.

A Vietnam Veteran was a special visitor to the Regiment and he brought one out for the unit to try.  It was Iahn’s first time ever shooting an M1 and he, as many other people can attest to, said the experience was awesome and the “PING” was was a cool sound although not very stealthy.

 

Iahn commented that shooting the rifle out to 600 yards is difficult with iron sights, but it’s very capable and was “super cool” to shoot.

We here at SOFREP are “super jealous” he got to shoot it! Worse, he gets paid for it, too. Some kids have all the luck.

Guy McCardle with M1A
Guy actively ridding the forest of tin cans one at a time with his M1A pellet rifle.

While we’re talking about M1s, SOFREP’s own Managing Editor, Guy D. McCardle, recently reviewed the M1A underlever pellet rifle from our good friends at Pyramyd AIR. You can check out that article here. Last time I checked, you could pick up one of those bad boys (with an awesome wooden stock) for less than two hundred bucks.

Garfield out.

PS:  Be sure to check out Garfield, Rad, yours truly, and the rest of the guys over at SOFREP’s sister site, The Loadout Room. It’s hardcore gear and adventure reviews done right. — GDM

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