The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Wyatt E. Barnese: My First Day in Combat (11/25/1944) - July 6th, 2005

Military History Quarterly | Spring 1999 | Wyatt E. Barnese

[Iris7]

Years ago I knew the Garand nomenclature. Can't remember a syllable nowadays!!

The M1 was, for me, easy to hit with out to 300 - 350 yards. (Wish I could shoot properly nowadays, don't know why, eyes, concentration, something, is just gone.) It was heavy and long enough to damp out "adrenaline" shakiness well, compared to short and lightweight modern arms.

There is a sensation, don't know what other people call it, I use "hang", where the weapon points easily and the front sight is steady. The weight is in the left hand, not in the right as with an M16. The weight is not all in the center of the piece but in either end making the front sight steady.

Rifles always have been this way unless they were too lightweight. The last military arm that balanced like I describe, at least somewhat, was the FAL.

Try a Springfield Rifle Musket replica. A Winchester 94 (excellent arm, excellent design), or an original US Army Krag, or any full weight full bore iron sighted rifle with a correct stock for iron sights. Modern sporting arms usually are designed for telescopic sights, with stocks that will not "hang" or point properly and so require a rest. African rifles are an exception.

The CMP is selling Garands for very little if you want a few. Clinton had many fine arms destroyed to appease his constituencies, and so the old stocks are being rapidly dispersed into the hands of people who will take care of them. A worthy cause. The next Dem president will probably be much worse even than Bill.

[E.G.C.]

BTT!!!!!!!