The Rifles That Won World War II

[Amsdorf]

In the hands of brave men fighting against the Axis powers, these battles rifles were used to win World War II:

The Lee-Enfield
The Mosin-Nagant
The M1 Garand

I put this video together to give folks an overview of these rifles, a closer look at them, if you will.

Do you have these rifles, or any of them, and what do you think of them?

 

[jameshd]

I used to have a Lee-Enfield. Best rifle I've ever owned. My father had a new .30-06 and I got the Enfield from Sears. $12.98, as I recall. Cleaned up real good. I filled both deer and usually the elk tags each year; my dad usually got one deer and sometimes the elk. Had a friend take care of it while I was living in a barracks, and she managed to "lose" it somehow. Really miss it.

 

[blarg]

I have several Mosins. I found a bunch of 91-30s a few years ago. Pre-war manufacture Tulas with matching serial numbers. They looked like they may have never been fired. I bought the whole bunch. I shoot one pretty regularly and put it in a fiberglass stock with a nice recoil pad. I can hit a 16" gong at 600 yards with the iron sights pretty regularly.

When I was leaving Commiefornia a few months ago the local sporting goods store had a sniper with matching serial numbers. I would have bought it on the spot if it wasn't for the stupid 10 waiting period - you see a Mosin sniper like that maybe a couple of times in a lifetime.

I've always wanted an M1, but they've gotten WAY too expensive for what they are. For $1500 I could get a much nicer rifle than an M1.

I also have a early production Yugoslavian Mauser and a Swiss K31...nice guns.

 

[Jahshoewah3619]

I have a mosin-nagant m48. It is loud and kicks like a mule. Fun rifle.

 

[UATKP]

I bought an old 303 at an auction in Oklahoma for $15... I think it was in about 1968 or so. Don't even remember what ever happened to it... too many miles... to many trips around the world... 'Twas a good gun, though!
Was issued an M-1 Garand when I went into the active Army in Jan '58. Kicked like a small mule. ) But I could hit with it, in spite of it. or- maybe it could hit in spite of me... )

 

[BigSlick]

Plus one on the Mosin. It is a very fun gun to shoot.

 

[Amsdorf]

I've always wanted an M1, but they've gotten WAY too expensive for what they are. For $1500 I could get a much nicer rifle than an M1.

Couple points responding to your trollish remark:

"What they are" is the best battle rifle issued and used during WWII. A marvel of invention and development. The main rifle used by Americans to bring down totalitarian regimes that threatened to plunge the entire world into repression and horrors unspeakable.

But other than that, meh, who cares?

And, as for them being "too expensive."

You are obviously ignorant of the Civilian Marksmanship Program and the fine Garands they sell for around $650. Link Removed

Your comment is, well, I'm trying to think of the right word for it: stupid? Yes, that'll do.

 

[blarg]

Couple points responding to your trollish remark:

"What they are" is the best battle rifle issued and used during WWII. A marvel of invention and development. The main rifle used by Americans to bring down totalitarian regimes that threatened to plunge the entire world into repression and horrors unspeakable.

But other than that, meh, who cares?

And, as for them being "too expensive."

You are obviously ignorant of the Civilian Marksmanship Program and the fine Garands they sell for around $650. Link Removed

Your comment is, well, I'm trying to think of the right word for it: stupid? Yes, that'll do.

I didn't mean to troll - just stating my honest opionion that I think M1 Garands are overpriced. Most people I know who have them got them from the CMP (which I am NOT ignorant of, obviously or otherwise) when they were under $100 for a decent one.

As my post states, my WWII guns are in mint condition with matching serial numbers. I would LOVE to pick up an M1 in that condition, but even the CMP sells them for $1500. Now, don't get me wrong, the M1 is a great piece of history but for $1500, I could get a Benelli R1, which while not as cool historically, and doesn't make that "ping" sound when you fire your last round, is a much more useful rifle.

My Mosins were $200 each in mint condition with matching serial numbers (even the funiture had matching serial numbers). If I could get one from CMP (or anyone) in that condition for even $600 I'd go for it, but the M1 I got from the CMP for $600, while technically able to fire a round, was all but junk. The stock was splitting, the barrel looked like crap and it was splitting cases. I basically paid $600 for a serial number and would have to replace the whole gun around it...Most of the M1 owners I know had to do that too, but at $100, it would be worth it, at $600, not so much.

When I see nice M1's at gun stores, same thing - they're priced at $1500...because people are willing to pay that much for them. I'm not. For that kind of money, I could build a new match grade M1.

I'm not disputing it's place in history or it's value in winning WWII. I'd love to own one. I'm just saying while I was still able to snag a Russian, Yugoslavian, and Swiss WWII-era gun, the M1's got too rich for my blood before I could get one. Most gun shop owners blame "Saving Private Ryan". After that movie came out decent M1's went from $100 to $1000....and never came back down. Just like after "Enemy at the Gates", Mosin-Nagant snipers did the same thing.

as for my comment being stupid...now who's trolling? I'm not the one who's calling people names. I could buy a '68 Mustang for $500 as well....but if I want one that's actually drivable and presentable in public, i'm looking at at least $20k. Same thing here. Yes, I could buy a beat up M1 that goes "bang" for $600, but if I want one that's actually worth collecting or putting rounds (that are getting harder and harder to find) through, I think that they're currently priced well above what I'm willing to pay for them. We all have to make our own value judements. It's still money I earned and I get to decide what it's worth spending on (at least for now).

stupid? I suppose if "stupid" meant anyone who didn't see things your way, then yeah. At least that's how liberals define it.

 

[Numenor]

I have several Mosins. I found a bunch of 91-30s a few years ago. Pre-war manufacture Tulas with matching serial numbers. They looked like they may have never been fired. I bought the whole bunch. I shoot one pretty regularly and put it in a fiberglass stock with a nice recoil pad. I can hit a 16" gong at 600 yards with the iron sights pretty regularly.

When I was leaving Commiefornia a few months ago the local sporting goods store had a sniper with matching serial numbers. I would have bought it on the spot if it wasn't for the stupid 10 waiting period - you see a Mosin sniper like that maybe a couple of times in a lifetime.

I've always wanted an M1, but they've gotten WAY too expensive for what they are. For $1500 I could get a much nicer rifle than an M1.

I also have a early production Yugoslavian Mauser and a Swiss K31...nice guns.

Link Removed

Service Grade M1 Garands from CMP (ie: real USGI issue ones) for just under $650. Not nearly the $1500 you're quoting. I have no idea if you're trolling or not, but no CMP issued M1 that I've seen has ever come with a splitting stock, or barely able to fire. It could be possible you got a Rack Grade, but even those are fairly decent. Go check out there forums to take a look at what people are getting if you're curious. Oh, and if you can only find them for $1500, you aren't looking in the right spots. Even at gunshows here very nice M1s are going for $950-1000.

 

[Azimuth315]

I have bought several M1 rifles and carbines from the CMP. Detail stripped, cleaned & lubed, BLO treatment on the wood. One op-rod out of spec -- replaced free with NO shipping charges. I challenge anyone to beat or even match that service and support.
.
All rifles built '42, '43, '44. They run flawlessly, shoot true and are worth well more than I payed for them.
.
All that and they were carried by a USGI somewhere during WWII. Every time I put the sites on a target I'm laying my eyeball on top of a hero's.
.
Makes me happy.
.
Regards -- Al
.
By the way - Thank You again Mr. McCain.

 

[Amsdorf]

CMP is the way to go. No doubt.

 

[Dekul34]

Unfortunately I do not think it was any of these rifles that won the war... it was the industry backing ours up coupled with the bombing campaign crippling the axis industry. The Germans had some of the finest and most innovative firearms of the war, not to mention the finest armored vehicles, artillery, and (in the early part of the war) aircraft, the MG42 was without equal, the Mauser k98 was a very fine bolt action rifle with a wonderful action, great accuracy and power, granted the M1 gave a firepower advantage on the western front where the Germans did not expect such a potent counter-attack, but on the eastern front, large numbers of STG-44 and Gewehr 43 rifles proved devastating against the Russians armed with Mosin-Nagant rifles and only superior numbers, a failing German supply line, and a relentless, unwavering defense by the Russian forces overcame the German advantage.

All of these ww2 rifles however are very fun to shoot and neat pieces of history, I love my M1 and my k98 equally, my mosins slightly less though they have their place as a fun blaster, and am happy that ammo is still available for all of them.

 

[Amsdorf]

You are overthinking this....

 

[tricolordad]

I have a 1943 Izhvesk 91/30. Out of everything I own, it is my favorite possession. I love the way it sounds! Like pshk! You can definitely tell when a Mosin is being fired! Reliable, tough and ugly. Thats how a gun should be. I cleaned the barrel out pretty hardcore after the humidity got to it this past summer and pulled out a 3 foot piece of grass that was hidden in the bore. If this rifle could talk...

 

[tricolordad]

Unfortunately I do not think it was any of these rifles that won the war... it was the industry backing ours up coupled with the bombing campaign crippling the axis industry. The Germans had some of the finest and most innovative firearms of the war, not to mention the finest armored vehicles, artillery, and (in the early part of the war) aircraft, the MG42 was without equal, the Mauser k98 was a very fine bolt action rifle with a wonderful action, great accuracy and power, granted the M1 gave a firepower advantage on the western front where the Germans did not expect such a potent counter-attack, but on the eastern front, large numbers of STG-44 and Gewehr 43 rifles proved devastating against the Russians armed with Mosin-Nagant rifles and only superior numbers, a failing German supply line, and a relentless, unwavering defense by the Russian forces overcame the German advantage.

All of these ww2 rifles however are very fun to shoot and neat pieces of history, I love my M1 and my k98 equally, my mosins slightly less though they have their place as a fun blaster, and am happy that ammo is still available for all of them.

Mmhhmm and without the millions of soviets, one carrying the rifle and shooting the krauts, one carrying a stripper clip with 5 rounds, would germany have retreated? Or would the russians have fallen to the buzzsaw?

 

[gunnerbob]

I have 2 out of the 3.

I have an M1 that was originally an Italian .308 that was shipped back to Springfield to be made back into the original. The stock is in great condition with little sign of hard use, it's got that trade mark 1" addition to bring it back to original length. It's got a 1945 barrel and reciever, serial # dates it March of '45... Still has pretty good rifling and shoots true, I added the GarandGear gas plug that works great... awesome firearm!

I have a Chinese T53 dated 1954, I tried to track the serial # as best I could and the guy I picked it up from said it was a Vietnam bring back... so that's pretty cool. It cleaned up nice, though it shows its use. It fires like a dream and shoots true to aim... a great rifle! I've actually wanted another, probably the 91/30... I'd like to find one with a turn-down bolt but if not, whatever. I love anything Soviet, firearms related that is... Mosins are no exception.

I don't own an SMLE... I'll have to corect that

 

[gunnerbob]

Mmhhmm and without the millions of soviets, one carrying the rifle and shooting the krauts, one carrying a stripper clip with 5 rounds, would germany have retreated? Or would the russians have fallen to the buzzsaw?

Whoa, whoa guys.... if we're going ot get into this argument you mustn't forget that towards the end of the war the Soviets had some entire units armed with SMGs. The PPsh-41 was the most widely used but they also had large numbers of PPS-43s after Leningrad. The Soviets would swarm the target area with artillery, tanks and infantry firing as many rounds as possible until victory. The SVT-38 & 40s worked well enough but the action was working at its limits of design as was the German G43... the associated recoil reduced speed of follow-up shots. Soviet SMGs proved to be a better ally when matched with thousands of Soviet troops compared to the Germans with a superior MG being protected by the K98k and fewer men. The MP-38 & 40s were great weapons but lacked the range of the Soviet SMGs... 9mm doesn't go as far, as flat as 7.62x25... it also lacks the penetration advantage of the hotter 30 caliber round. The Germans didn't have enough Stg-45s, if they did... you and I might be speaking something different, well... the Russians would anyway. The Mosin was still being pumped out at the factories yes, but towards the last few years of the conflict the Soviets had millions of SMGs for its millions of men, swarm tactics proved to work. As some Russian General said, "Quantity is its own Quality".

The lessons the Soviets learned in WWII are with us today in many ways, they master offensive tactics. The Germans learned the hard way that their method of protecting the MG with the K98k on the flanks was flawed. Their limited manufactoring capacity leading to shortages of SMGs for assualts later on in the war, along with the shortage of everything else... led to their demise. The Germans had the innovation, the discipline and the will to win.... but lacked the infastructure.

We Americans had a good mix of weapons that later was discarded, proved to be on of our strong points... we had a grear battle rifle in the Garand, a great SMG in the Thompson and a great median in the Carbine. These weapons combine, of course with MGs, helped us lay down fire at nearly any range as well as provide the appropriate arm for the battlefield, like city fighting and such... We, naturally had the infastrucure the Germans(& Japs) lacked b/c nobody was able to reach deep into our nation to bomb it... like the Soviets did after they had their @ss handed to them for a few years, they moved theirs inland further out of the way of German bombers.

Sorry, I rambled....

 

[S&W645]

1927 Izzy Mosin Nagant hex receiver 91/30, 1944 Izzy Mosin Nagant M44, Springfield 1903A3. And anybody who says a MN can't make your arm sore is lying or never fired one.:big_boss: Got the M44 for $89 and the 91/30 for $129. Both in good condition.

 

[blarg]

I've actually wanted another, probably the 91/30... I'd like to find one with a turn-down bolt but if not, whatever. I love anything Soviet, firearms related that is... Mosins are no exception.

Those turned down bolts only came on the sniper guns. There used to be a guy that made and sold them... Maybe he still does... You could either buy one or send in one of yours and he would cut off the straight handle and weld on a longer one. Avoid the ones where someone just bent the bolt down... It makes the bolt too short and harder to operate.

 

[gunnerbob]

Those turned down bolts only came on the sniper guns. There used to be a guy that made and sold them... Maybe he still does... You could either buy one or send in one of yours and he would cut off the straight handle and weld on a longer one. Avoid the ones where someone just bent the bolt down... It makes the bolt too short and harder to operate.

There's actually people that do this...?