Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/739629
Anybody here didn't saw or heard that weapon bark in the numerous war movies? I don't think so. We all did – more than once. This is the rifle that Captain Miller's Rangers fought their way through enemy fire and obstacles onto the Bloody Omaha in the opening sequence of 'Saving Private Ryan'. The same rifle, firing the potent .30-06 round was the choice weapon of Captain Dick Winters, commanding the E Company, 506th PIR in 'Band of Brothers' – shunning the tiny M1A1 Carbine, more in tune with his grade or position. You just can't mistake that 'Piiing' of the clip ejected on firing the last round, dubbed the Eight Ball by the GIs. That's where the phrase 'being behind the eight ball' originated, meaning being in trouble – although civilian scum derives it from mere pool billiard. Whatever – but having a white ball cornered behind the ball '8' on a pool table is small potatoes compared to having shot your rifle dry on a battlefield – and having this announced for all and sundry to hear by the pinging clip. Many say this was the worst disadvantage of the Garand rifle – but then many object. Anyway, this eight-round en bloc clip was the most characteristic point of the M1 rifle – and one may suffer it as a price for having the first ever selfloading www.fragoutmag.com