Who should have won?

[300Spartans]

I was reading about the trials between the M1 Garand and the Johnson rifle. Needless to say, the M1 came out on top, although from what was said after, there was a bit of cheating going on (M1s being replaced during the trial while the single Johnson continued on, so forth, etc.). I have owned and shot a few Garands and I can appreciate General Patton's views on them, "greatest battle implement ever invented". On the other hand, the Johnson, which I've never shot, although handled, has tremendous merits and there are many who regard them as superior to the Garand. Given what you know of both fine rifles, what is your opinion, professional or armchair, as to which one should have won the trials?
Also it would be interesting to conjecture as to what the Johnson would have evolved into down the road if it had been the winner.

 

[Claven2]

The johnson does not stand up to the M1 in battle. Period. The johnson did well in comparison to the trials M1 gas trap rifle, but that version of the M1 was plagued with problems. Once the M1 action was mated to the gas piston design we know today, the receiver locking lug geometry perfected and the trigger group changed from large pad to small pad - everything was GRAVY.

The flimsy mag housing of the johnson, the poor bayonet provisions and the long exposed barrel prone to overheating and bending in combat conditions are things that would have been rather difficult to "fix" IMHO.

 

[tiriaq]

The Marines got rid of their Johnsons as soon as there were M-1s to replace them. Johnson evolution? There was a carbine, two Johnson lmgs, and the Israeli Dror versions in .303 and 7.92, with side and bottom magazines.

 

[300Spartans]

Thanks Tiriaq, I didn't know about the Israeli mods. I'll have to look those up.

 

[Oddbawl]

I own a couple of M1s, used to own, and had a few hundred rounds through, a Johnson. It was pretty neat, but like stated, one dent in the rather fragile mag housing and you're done. It's got lots of finicky little parts, and a PITA to strip down. I could see sand and dirt being a real problem too. It's recoil operated and I can see dirt jamming up the barrel as a possibility (didn't get around to rolling in the dirt with mine...) I don't have the specs nearby, but I seem to remember it being a little unwieldy as it seemed really long. I suppose the fact it was kind of a take down- barrel easily removed, could be handy though I'm not sure what for. Topping up a 10rd mag would be nice too. If the SHTF and you've got hordes of Imperialist Japanese trying to bayonet your ass, M1s are your ticket.

 

[Gibbs505]

The garand, hands down.