Book Review: ​The M1 Garand Rifle by Bruce N. Canfield

​The M1 Garand Rifle by Bruce N. Canfield
 
John Garand’s iconic rifle is rightly viewed by both young and old as the epitome of American firearms. Technologically, it has been surpassed by modern assault rifles and even its own derivative M14, yet this is the gun that commands respect from all who appreciate firearms. On the range, the eighth shot ping as the clip is ejected will instantly cause heads to turn and lips to smile.
 
Canfield’s book is the definitive work on the M1 rifle, starting with the first autoloading rifle development and ending with the development of the M14. Despite the heft of 872 page tome, the book is jam-packed with interesting information and priceless details. One can spend hours poring through the book, only to return and find out something new. Canfield makes what could easily be an overwhelming jumble of data and history into a compelling read. For those who prefer pictures to dense blocks of text, there are color pictures galore—over 2,100 images!
 
Garand’s genius is shown through the evolution of his rifle designs, beginning in the early 1920s, and gradually growing through his career at the Springfield Armory until the rifle matured during WWII. Garand was intricately involved in the testing and troubleshooting of his weapon. What made him such a remarkable engineer and the weapon so successful was that Garand designed his rifle around ease of manufacture; he even designed the machines that made the gun. While not as prolific an inventor as John Browning, Garand rightly stands on the podium among the revolutionary
 
For Garand owners, this is an indispensible resource to the history of your rifle and dating each part. Detailed production history of each individual component and the changes to each are catalogued. Precise dating of weapons and the parts used to rebuild and modernize weapons after WWII and Korea is possible. Canfield’s book truly is everything you ever wanted to know about the US Rifle M1 .30 Caliber and then some.
 
$95 new on Amazon, it’s worth every penny to the serious Garand owner and gun historian. 

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