Garand T20
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Rifle · Prototype · 1944
Also known as: T20E2, U.S. Rifle T20, Select-Fire M1 Garand
Overview
The Garand T20 is an experimental American select-fire battle rifle developed by John Garand at the Springfield Armory during 1944-1945 as a fully-automatic-capable evolution of the M1 Garand. Chambered in .30-06 Springfield, it used a slightly lengthened receiver, fed from detachable 20-round Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) magazines, and added a fire selector and bolt hold-open device. In automatic mode it cycled at roughly 700 rounds per minute. The most refined variant, the T20E2, was approved for limited procurement in May 1945, but the end of World War II cut the order to 100 examples and the program was terminated in March 1948, with its lessons feeding directly into the later T44 and M14.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4360 g (153.8 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 5670 g (200.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1226 mm (48.27") |
| Barrel Length | 610 mm (24.02") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 853 m/s (2799 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 4242 J (3129 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3200 m (3500 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- .30-06 Springfield · primary — also known as 30-06, .30-06 Sprg, 7.62x63mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Trigger Guard Safety
- Features: Select Fire, Detachable Bar Magazine, Fire Selector, Bolt Hold Open, Scope Mount Provision, Grenade Launcher Compatible
Variants
- Garand T20E2 — Refined Prototype
Base model
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · as T20
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 100 · Production years: 1944-1948
Approved for limited procurement of 100 units in May 1945; order curtailed after Japan's surrender and the program ended in March 1948.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: John C. Garand
Discontinued: 1948
Notes
Full-automatic fire was achieved through a connector assembly actuated by the operating-rod handle. The receiver was machined and tapped on the left side for a scope mount and retained M1-pattern grenade-launcher hardware. The T20 is a direct conceptual ancestor of the M14.
Background
Designed by John Garand himself, the T20 answered a wartime call to give the GI the firepower of the BAR in a rifle-sized package. Had the war in the Pacific continued, the T20E2 was slated for mass production; its premature cancellation left the door open for the M14 a decade later.