General Patton said the most destructive weapon in the US arsenal was a 19 year old infantry soldier with an M-1. There’s a reason the USMC prefers their recruits to be under 20.
40 year old Ukrainian soldiers are outperforming 18 year old Russian conscripts.
IMHO: Suppressing fire was more effective with the M1 Garand, when the enemy was 200 plus yards away. Because of the round.
The barrel, wrapped with rags (so you could hold on while sweating) and with bayonet attached, was a handy tool.