Service Rifles

[crawdaddy]

Alright, it'll be a while and I have at least one more purchase to go first, but I've decided I want to start a collection of U.S. Military Service Rifles of the 20th century. It's not an original idea but I started wanting a M1 Garand, then a 1903 then a M14, so why not just "collect 'em all".
Please help me if miss one
1- 1903 Springfield
2- M1 Garand
3- M14\M1A
4- M16\AR-15

What I want is a collection of rifles that I can take my children to shoot and explain to them the importance that the rifles and Men who carried them.

 

[sarduy]

that list is about right... remember the musket and don't forget the Remington 700.

 

[praharin]

The US used muskets in the 20th century?

wow...

I also don't think that the Rem 700 was ever a service weapon, but I could be mistaken.

Also, keep in mine that those 4 rifles you listed have there are probably close to 10 different versions between them.

 

[FlyinBryan]

well, depending on your definition of your definition of service rifles of course, but i dont see how you could leave out the m1 carbine.

it just played to large of a role to ommit.

there are others.

 

[Doug S]

It's a carbine, but I think the M1 Carbine is an essential member of the group.

 

[FlyinBryan]

It's a carbine, but I think the M1 Carbine is an essential member of the group.

lol, ya, they are just too nice not to want one.

then there is the krag jorgensen, the 6mm lee navy, and the enfield.

the first 2 used in ww1, and the enfield was used quite a bit in ww2.

there are also a few very rare ones too, most of which slip my mind right now.

the johnson automatic rifle is one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1941_Johnson_rifle



of course, these two are my favorites (since i own ithem)

 

[cyclopsshooter]

thompson?

 

[FlyinBryan]

its an smg. there are quite a few of them that are really close in definition though. i thought about the tommy gun too, as well as the mp5. there are also light machineguns that some would consider, like the b.a.r, the m60, the m240, and the m249 s.a.w.

 

[FlyinBryan]

I also don't think that the Rem 700 was ever a service weapon, but I could be mistaken.

actually the m40 and the m24's are built on the remington 700, but its really hot-rodded.

the m24 is a remington 700 long action, and the m40 a short action remmy.

 

[tju1973]

Get a 30-40 Krag...

 

[FlyinBryan]

Get a 30-40 Krag...

yep thats one.

 

[wojownik]

1- 1903 Springfield
2- M1 Garand
3- M14\M1A
4- M16\AR-15

You might want to consider the M1917 - most of the AEF were furnished with the M1917 in WW1.

Also, maybe add the 1903A3 to the 1903 Springfield.

And also maybe add the M-4 variant to the AR-15

And, if you have a winning lottery ticket, you could toss in the M1941 Johnson.

 

[ScareyH22A]

You need to add a Knight's M-110

 

[FlyinBryan]

lol, the tough part of this thread is defining "service rifle"

if its just the most popular standard issue, theres just a few.

if its any shoulder fired rifle used in the military, lol, there could be a hundred of them.

 

[FlyinBryan]

i would say definitly the 1903, the garand, the m14, the m16, the krag, the enfield, the lee navy, the remington 700, in long action (for the m24) and the short (for the m40.)

 

[sarduy]

i would say definitly the 1903, the garand, the m14, the m16, the krag, the enfield, the lee navy, the remington 700, in long action (for the m24) and the short (for the m40.)

amen

 

[crawdaddy]

I was actually just thinking about mass issued main service rifles, but I may eventually include the M1 Carbine and Thompson. I'm not looking for every variant, just a representative from each era. I did forget about the 1917 enfield, what is the Navy Lee? Not really interested in the M4 or MP5 or various sniper rifles...at least not yet. what is the difference between the 1903A3 and the 1903 Springfield? Is that the double heat treated bolt deal?

 

[possum]

Knight's M-110

My BN has 3 they are very nice.

 

[praharin]

actually the m40 and the m24's are built on the remington 700, but its really hot-rodded.

the m24 is a remington 700 long action, and the m40 a short action remmy.

I know, but neither is a service rifle. They are sniper rifles. The M16A4 is the present service rifle of the Marine Corps.

I would define it as the general weapon used by ground troops. The rifle that is used to qualify in basic training. That is the service rifle.

 

[Deckard]

The '03 Springfield has gotten pretty scarce. Most of 'em I've seen are wall hangers.

 

[crawdaddy]

Just out of curiosity why do the older military rifles have hand guards almost covering the barrel but on the commercial bolt actions they don't do that. If it's an accuracy thing, why did they do it on military rifles intended for semi long distance shooting? I heard stories of American GIs popping German soldiers from 1000yrds, the Germans thought they were out of range until it was too late. I'm sure it was rare, but I don't doubt it happened.

 

[SpotlightRanger]

You might have a hard time getting those select fire weapons unless you have some deep pockets.

 

[krs]

The 1903a3 is a development of the 1903a1 done by Remington and Smith Corona to fill a need for service and training rifles at the beginning of WW2. It's most noticable feature is the mounting of the rear sight atop the receiver rather than on the barrel as on a 1903a1. The rifles were to be built to a low cost and so Remington was able to trim costs by using stamped steel parts where Springfield had cast, and the overall quality of work is generally of a lower standard than that of the earlier Springfield rifles. Garand production was a little slow to gear up so that rifle filled gaps. The 1903a3 was further developed by Remington following a demand for a sniper rifle. It was designated 1903a4 and is essentially the same rifle with the addition of a telescopic sight.

I think the procurement stipulation of a handguard atop the barrel was mostly to protect troopers from burning their hands. I'm sure it didn't enhance accuracy, in fact by it's varying contact with barrels in rifles it probably was more a detriment to the rifle's consistant accuracy than otherwise.

 

[jeremy1391]

to represent the "stoner" era could be expensive, being as you would need an A1 style AR that has the 1 in 11 twist.
you would also need a standard A2 style
and for the modern service rifle you would need an A4 style AR to represent the marine corps.
and you would nee an M4gery to represent the combat service rifle of the ARMY.
(if you are in the army and you have an M16 it better be a DMR or u are a POUGE! JK

 

[montess85]

What about a BAR