The M1 Garand survived World War II and entered Korean War production. Three manufacturers built 1.4 million rifles after everyone thought the line had closed. (Photo by David Fortier)
September 02, 2026
By David Fortier
When World War II ended in 1945, military planners assumed the M1 Garand's production story was finished. Millions had been manufactured, Axis powers had been defeated, and American industry was transitioning back to civilian production. The next generation of military rifles was under development, and few expected the Garand would remain America's primary battle rifle for much longer. That didn't happen.
Only five years after the end of World War II, American troops found themselves fighting on the Korean Peninsula. The sudden conflict exposed an uncomfortable reality: the United States...
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