The M1 Garand

Even seeing usage well beyond World War Two, the M1 Garand was the standard-issue service rifle for the U.S. During its run in World War Two, around 5.4 million units were made, seeing use for each and every part of the US military. From D-Day to the Allied advance from Paris the Rhine, the M1 Garand saw wide usage among American troops. It also one of the most recognizable weapons from the era, synonymous with the bravery of the American G.Is, and its iconic reload accompanied by a "PING!".

The M1 Garand is an 8 shot clip-fed .30-06 caliber gas-powered semi-automatic rifle, first designed in 1928 by John C. Garand. Keeping reliability in mind, the weapon was designed for simple assembly, facilitating field maintenance. The weapon was typically equipped with a bayonet, which would serve a G.I. better in close combat. The weapon can be dismantled, even in the absence of tools, within seconds. In addition to its simplicity, it gave a significant advantage for U.S. infantry, as it's semi-auto functionality could fire the 8 rounds as fast as one could pull the trigger, whilst enemies often had bolt-action rifles that took much longer to reload or ready for the next shot.

Overall, the simplistic and reliable nature of the M1 Garand allowed the Americans to have both a tactical advantage over enemy combatants, as well as a weapon that would last them through their duties, even beyond the outlook of the war.

Sources:

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/no-rifle-was-better-why-nothing-could-stop-m-1-garand-44857

https://www.thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-m1-garand-2361245

https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a24537/m1-garand-world-war-two/