👉 The premiere weapon often associated with the beginning of a new era in military technology is the M1 Garand, an American semi-automatic rifle introduced during World War II. Designed by George C. Young and adopted by the U.S. Army in 1941, it revolutionized infantry firepower with its reliable gas operation, high rate of fire (around 850 rounds per minute), and effective magazine capacity. Its widespread use and influence on subsequent rifle designs made it a defining weapon of the American military experience, setting new standards for accuracy and firepower in modern infantry combat.
