World War Weapons • Printable Reference
M1 Garand vs Kar98k
Semi-automatic volume of fire versus bolt-action precision and training doctrine.
United States • GUNS
M1 Garand
United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1
- Introduced
- 1936
- Manufacturer
- Springfield Armory
- Type
- rifle
- Service Window
- 1936 - 1957
The M1 Garand was the first standard-issue semi-automatic military rifle. General George S. Patton called it "the greatest battle implement ever devised."
Germany • GUNS
Karabiner 98k
Karabiner 98 kurz
- Introduced
- 1935
- Manufacturer
- Mauser
- Type
- rifle
- Service Window
- 1935 - 1945
The Kar98k was the standard infantry rifle of the German Wehrmacht and one of the most produced bolt-action rifles in history, with over 14 million manufactured.
M1 Garand Key Specs
- Caliber
- .30-06 Springfield (7.62×63mm)
- Action
- Gas-operated, rotating bolt
- Rate of Fire
- 40 rpm
- Muzzle Velocity
- 853 m/s
- Effective Range
- 457 m
- Magazine
- 8 rounds
- Weight
- 4.31 kg
Karabiner 98k Key Specs
- Caliber
- 7.92×57mm Mauser
- Action
- Bolt-action
- Rate of Fire
- 15 rpm
- Muzzle Velocity
- 760 m/s
- Effective Range
- 500 m
- Magazine
- 5 rounds
- Weight
- 3.7 kg
Operational Tradeoff Summary
M1 Garand
M1 Garand entered service in 1936 as a rifle and its battlefield value came from controllable firepower, reliability, and infantry integration.
Karabiner 98k
Karabiner 98k entered service in 1935 as a rifle and its battlefield value came from controllable firepower, reliability, and infantry integration.