The M1 Garand (officially designated as U. S. rifle, caliber .30, M1, later simply called Rifle, Caliber .30, M1, also abbreviated as US Rifle, Cal. .30, M1) is a semi-automatic rifle chambered for the .30-06 Springfield rifle cartridge, used by the United States Army from 1936 to 1957. The rifle was named after its designer John Garand. It was the first standard-issue, semi-automatic, military, rifle. Called "the greatest battle implement ever devised" by General George S.