Americas other Second World War battle rifle...got $3,800?

[TonyNorCal]

Johnson...I'd love to have one...too rich$$$ for my blood though

Perhaps they can be had less expensively...this one has lots of nice photos.

My understanding is they saw limited use with some Marine units in WWII.

Were it not for the Garand though this rifle would have likely have been as famous...

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=184454

[MrTuffPaws]

Still don't understand why the Johnson did not win out over the grand. 10 rounds with the ability to top off.

[M. Sage]

Seems to have been one on the wall at City Arms for as long as I can remember (not very long, I'll admit).

Still don't understand why the Johnson did not win out over the grand. 10 rounds with the ability to top off.

Maybe it was harder to manufacture. That made a huge difference back then.

That was actually the driving force behind moves like the M1 Thompson over the M1928, the MG42 replacing the MG34 (though the MG42 did make some improvements), and a few others.

[EOD Guy]

The 1941 Johnson Rifle was never adopted as an official US military arm. This is a good thing for us since it is a lot easier to import and several have been brought in from Canada.

Importing a military firearm requires an importer's FFL. A non-military firearm does not.

[phish]

Ever since these appeared on the now defunct American Shooter tv show, prices on them have gone up considerably.

[ivanimal]

I understand that there was a big deal on the barrels not being shrouded. The exposed metal was a big deal for some decision makers.

[Beatone]

Looks like a great price. There is one on gunbroker for a lot more and it hasn't meet its the reserve. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=56416459 I'd be all over this if I had the extra cash. I think most sell in the $4000.00 - 5000.00 range.

[M. Sage]

The 1941 Johnson Rifle was never adopted as an official US military arm. This is a good thing for us since it is a lot easier to import and several have been brought in from Canada.

Importing a military firearm requires an importer's FFL. A non-military firearm does not.

I'm pretty sure USMC adopted them for a time... I seem to remember reading about them being used early in the War in the Pacific Theater.

[TonyNorCal]

Here are some articles...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_M1941_rifle

http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl20-e.htm

http://www.johnsonautomatics.com/

Apparently the Johnson was used by some Marine Raider and ParaMarine detachments early in the war. And a Johnson Light Machine Gun also saw action.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M41_Johnson_LMG

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I also saw the Johnson at City Army about 10 months or so ago. It's still there eh?

[JPglee1]

During his tenure as the Marine Corps observer to Springfield Armory, Melvin Johnson Jr. concluded that the Garand and Pederson rifles on test there both had flaws in design and would be difficult to mass produce. Johnson set about designing a rifle that would be reliable, accurate and easier to manufacture. So in 1935 he produced his first working model of a rifle using a delayed blowback system of operation. This first rifle was made from scrap firearm parts and had a knitting needle for a firing pin. Despite these rudimentary beginnings, the design worked fairly well but needed major refinements.

Sounds like my kinda guy

J

[Rogerbutthead]

my semi-auto Johnson LMG

The only person with a bipod for this wants $650. One day I will break down and pay for it.

[M. Sage]

Sounds like my kinda guy

J

But...

Welding wasn't mentioned.

[EOD Guy]

I'm pretty sure USMC adopted them for a time... I seem to remember reading about them being used early in the War in the Pacific Theater.

The Marines purchased and used some but they were never officially adopted.

[M. Sage]

The Marines purchased and used some but they were never officially adopted.

Ahhh. Thanks.

[JPglee1]

But...

Welding wasn't mentioned.

Nice...2 points for execution


J