Another semi-automatic rifle...

Another semi-automatic rifle from the US, is the Johnson rifle which came to the competition late, and was rejected by the Army but adopted in limited numbers by the USMC. That sounds like the Marines liked it, but actually what they did was purchase and use the non-delivered order destined for the Dutch.

The Johnson was heavy, large, and had a great number of small parts which could be easily lost in the field. It’s one unique trait was that it could easily be broken into two smaller sections and re-assembled for parachutists, but that wasn’t a redeeming factor when originally tested.

Compared to M1 Garand, M1941 Johnson rifle had some good and some bad features. Good features were good accuracy, lesser recoil, and bigger magazine capacity with capability for reloading partially full magazine with loose cartridges. Bad features were a number of smaller parts which were easily lost during field stripping, and less available spare parts. Overall, about 30 000 of M1941 rifles were produced during the WW2. After the war, USMC returned all remaining rifles to the Netherlands Purchasing Commission.


See:

Modern Firearms - Johnson m1941 semiautomatic rifle

I will have to do some checking around, but I seem to recall that Johnson was related to John Browning somehow. Marriage or blood relative, or something.

Here is another link to the Johnson, sorry I forgot to include it when I posted!

http://www.johnsonautomatics.com/History.htm

Just didn't "copy" far enough down on my Word page to catch the bugger, sorry.

 

I've seen this before. Nice rifle; I like the magazine, but to be honest, it looks a bit fragile. I'd stick with a trusty M1 Garand or M1 Carbine.

 

It did have more mag capacity than the M1. That's a plus.

 

Ah yes the infamous Johnny Gun,

I have read extensively of its use by the Devils Brigade (FSSF)...and though they only had about 120 which they traded for with USMC for some explosives.

The Forcemen seemed to like it quite a bit.

Are there any former Jarheads who can give me some impression of how the Marines liked/used it?

Forcemen used it along side the BAR and .30 cal as fire support and were quite fond of its selective fire, rate of fire and magazine capacity.

Im probally remembering wrong but I believe it had a ROF of either 300 rpm or 900 rpm depending on which ROF was selected.

I have few "in action" shots from the FSSF that I can add later.

Though I also recall of one of the forcemen (on Anzio beach) talking about firing his Johnny Gun so much that the barrel had expanded to the point that the rounds he was firing were basically being pushed out...not fired out. So the rounds were falling about 15-25 feet from where he was firing from...funny...kinda...fortunately he also found a .30 cal so he was able to hold off the German attack..but it was a close thing.

 

Don't confuse the Johnson LMG (light machine gun) with the Johnson semi-auto rifle. While the actions are similar, they are different weapons.

In mid-1942 125 LMG's were obtained by the Army's 1st Special Service Force from the USMC stock. The 1st Special Service Force (the famous "Devil's Brigade") was a 'special forces' unit formed from both US and Canadian army personnel and specialised in behind the lines and close quarter combat scenarios. The LMG's came from the USMC who allegedly received 2 tons of plastic explosive of a newly developed type called 'RS' in exchange for them. As Lt. Colonel Robert Burhans states in his book; The First Special Service Force, which is the official unit history of the 1st SSF.

 

whoops my bad...didnt read all that carefully...thats what happens when you try to post at work after speed reading a post.

Apologies...

 

Not a problem Hanz G., just thought I should point out the diff.

 

I feel like being able to easily "top off" the Johnson rifle with ammunition would be a good advantage. Trying to reload your garand to 8 rounds after only a few shots can be hectic. Eject the en bloc with four rounds left and it pops up with rounds falling everywhere.

Being able to easily maximize the rounds in your rifle during breaks in action would be a plus.

 

This is true, but in the tests; "The M1's were found to load and reload faster than the Johnsons but rate of fire in the rapid mode was identical with both rifles."

It was also pointed out that the greater number of small/intricate parts made the Johnson design the more difficult to field strip and assemble of the two. The action of the Johnson, a barrel which recoiled and activated the action, also made the use of a bayonet next to impossible.

While the bayonet was "loosing favor" in the Armed Forces, the requirement for the ability to attach and use one was still considered a "factor" in the tests. With the entire barrel in "motion" when fired to cycle the next round, the weight of the bayonet also impinged on the action somewhat.

 

The Garand can't be topped off. You need to fire all 8 or rack the bolt until the clip is empty.

 

I don't recall anyone saying it could be "topped off". If so, I missed the comment.

 

On a Garand there's actually a release button on the left side of the receiver which allows you to eject the remaining cartridges without having to rack the bolt multiple times.

 

You are absolutely correct on that, although I don't know how often this was done. Press clip latch in and pull back the oprod and it clears the rifle. If I was expecting some action and had half a enbloc left I would definately want a full rifle.

 

Ok, but could you add rounds?

 

Releasing a clip on the M1 Garand was a bit messy I think. Hold a button on the left and pull the bolt right back.

 

Place the left hand over the bolt of the rifle.
While pulling back the op rod w/ the right hand catch the ejecting round w/ the left.
W/ the knife edge of the right hand holding the op rod back use the right thumb to push the round into the clip after placing it w/ the left.
Continue loading until the balance of 8 rounds has been loaded into the magazine.
Release op rod, closing the bolt & chambering the top round.

Not easy but it can be done.

 

I disagree. I own 12 Garands, shoot them often and have competed in John C. Garand Matches. While not too complicated, topping off a Garand can be done.


MIke

 

Something else to consider here, cutting down the barrel length of the Garand to make a "tanker or carbine" style removed power of the cartridge. It needs at least 24 inches of barrel to make use of the powder in the round. To cut it down to 18 inches like the M1 .30 Carbine would be a waste of powder.

BTW, the .30 Carbine round makes an excellent round in a Ruger Blackhawk wheel gun, a friend of mine has one, and the ballistics are amazing. Nearly as good as my .357 magnum in the same revolver actually.