This one hour documentary covers in-depth the history of the M1 rifle that served the US Armed Forces from 1936 to 1957 and beyond. It was the standard issue infantry rifle of WWII, and it was a masterwork of genius and simplicity. Fighting men called this trusty rifle by its field name "the M1." And it was also known to friend and foe alike by its inventor's name -- "the Garand." It was one of the most widely produced rifles in American history, totaling five and a half million. The M1 Garand was a groundbreaking rifle --an 8-shot semi-auto that combined ingenuity, industrial mass production and firepower into a single, solidly-built infantry weapon. At 9 1/2 pounds of wood and steel, the M1 Garand helped turn the United States into a superpower. Today, as was the case from its earliest prototype, the M1 Garand is a versatile rifle. Whether it is taken out on the range or sits behind glass in a museum, the M1 Garand can truly be called "America's Rifle." Rare archival footage, first person accounts by combat veterans, state of the art animations and expert interviews combine to give a comprehensive look at one of America's most successful infantry weapons. BONUS FEATURES Over 65 minutes of bonus material Additional interview excerpts from Medal of Honor recipient Hector Cafferata, who used his M1 to halt a Chinese attack on the Marines at the Chosin Reservoir, one of the fiercest firefights of the Korean War Disassembly and assembly of the M1 Garand History "show and tell" of the evolution of the M1 bullet M1 Garand range time An inert rifle grenade demonstration TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 2 HOURS, 20 MINUTES