Iconic Marine Sgt. R. Lee Ermey Reveals the One Firearm He’d Choose if He Could Have Only One

YouTube ^ | R Kee Ermey

[VA Voter]

Go to 2:27. He picks the WWII M1 as the greatest gun invented.

[cyclotic]

I’ve never fired one, but a friend’s late father, a Korean War vet said the same thing. He loved the Garand.

[Paul46360]

Doesn’t surprise me..during some of his TV shows about weapons he has always praised the M1.

[Paul46360]

Gunny praises Donnie(sp?) Trump is on his shooting team. Gunny also says that if DT gets elected, our 2nd Amendment rights won’t be impinged.

[ConchKarl]

The M1 is the weapon I trained on when I first went into the Army. It is a great rifle, but I favor the M14, as it was an excellently balanced firing platform. The M16 was never my favorite, the stopping power just wasn’t there; however, in a fire fight with the other side firing AK47s, it was easier to distinguish troop positions.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Not a bad choice at all. The points he made about no magazine, knowing when it is out of ammunition, etc. are all insightful. For it's time, a great, great weapon.

I'd personally rather have an M16A4 or something similar now for a bunch of reasons, but there are a lot of competitors if you're looking at modern weapons. The M1 was more superior in its time.

Best overall firearm we ever made was the Ma Deuce. Obviously a crew served rather than a personal weapon, but the thing is about a century old, and though it's obviously been revised, it is still a peerless heavy machinegun.

Excellent against personnel, vehicles, able to be mounted on just about anything...it's just beautiful.

[jpsb]

[imardmd1]

Yep. Carried one 5 years. Got one from DCM in 1995, shipped from Anniston. Made in January-February 1943, with all parts matching and original, including stock. Hope it never leaves my family when I’m gone.

[Robe]

When my late father in law passed away we were left to break up the house hold.
In going thru his desk we found a will of sorts....One thing mentioned was I was to go to the basement and look in the overhead.
There I found a sealed 8in section of PVC pipe. Inside was his WWII Garand well oiled and wrapped in a old piece of army blanket. It's a beautiful work of art, can't bring my self to shoot it though.
If it weren't for the note I would never have found it

[BwanaNdege]

I drilled with an M-1 all through high school ROTC. At Parris Island we drilled with, lived with & qualified with the M-14, basically an M-1 converted to use a box magazine rather that the 8 round clip of the M-1. Cartridge was also changed from the 30-06 to the shorter 7.62 NATO.

The M-14 is also a great weapon. I managed to put 7 of 10 rounds in a 12” bulls-eye, Offhand, at 200 yards with one. Also 7 of 10 Prone in a 20” bull at 500 yards. Both using iron sights. Good weapon!

/immodest bragging

“Reach OUT and touch someone!”

[gorush]

Back in Cub Scouts (mid '50's) we made a trip to the N.G. Armory where we were trained and allowed to shoot the M1's.

[Lurker]

That rifle was meant to be fired. Have it checked by a competent gunsmith and then heat it up.

L

[jpsb]

I like the M14 too it was my “best friend” back in the day. I do own an M1 carbine. Seems like a nice weapon, but it is a gun safe queen. I’ve never fired it.

[NorthMountain]

It's a beautiful work of art, can't bring my self to shoot it though.

[glasseye]

I have a Winchester from 1943.
Shoots ‘soft’ for an ‘06.

[NorthMountain]

It's a beautiful work of art, can't bring my self to shoot it though.

It's a personal decision, of course, but to me the M1 is a warrior's weapon, made to be used.

[NorthMountain]

S&B, Federal, and probably others make 150gr hardball loaded specifically for the M1.

[Blue Jays]

R. Lee Ermey likely only has the Garand due to his other firearms being lost in a tragic boating accident, which have become rather prevalent.

[oldsicilian]

I used an M1 in my army days. Also used an M14, which was basically the same rifle but had 20(?) round magazine instead of an 8 round clip.Also, the clip holder on the utility belt nicely held a half pint of your favorite drink.

[Jack Hydrazine]

What is DCM?