Johnson M1941 Rifle

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Designed in 1936 by Melvin Johnson, the M1941 Johnson Automatic Rifle was a competitor to the M1 Garand, but not introduced in time to actually be adopted in place of the Garand. Instead, Johnson hoped to have his rifle accepted as a parallel second option for the US military in case something went wrong with the rollout of the Garand, or production simply couldn’t meet the required levels.
However, Johnson was not able to make his case to the military successfully. A small number of Johnson Light Machine Guns were acquired by the US Paramarines and the First Special Service Force, and a large order (30,000 rifles) was placed by the Dutch government for shipment to the colonies in southeast Asia (it is from this order that the M1941 designation comes). However, those colonies fell to the Japanese before a significant number of rifles were able to be shipped out. This left a substantial number of rifles orphaned in the US, and a small number of these were unofficially put in service by acquisitive Marines, mostly in the Pacific theater.
Mechanically, the Johnson is a short recoil system with a rotating bolt (very similar to the later AR-15 bolt, which Johnson would influence). It is chambered for the standard .30-06 cartridge, and feeds from a 10-round rotary fixed magazine which can be fed by stripper clips or with individual cartridges.
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/ forgottenweapons

[@dickdastardly4236]

"The Johnson handles really well because there's not a lot of weight out on the front end." You and me both, brother.

[@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry]

Damned mohel!!!

[@rubenskiii]

WAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[@rubenskiii]

The Boris Johnson.

[@scopedog9197]

Thin shaft...wide tip?

[@peepas2633]

"They described your pnus as, egg shaped..."

[@TeamFortressFag]

We all know the real reason it wasn't adopted It doesn't go ping

[@riverward7161]

Just Another Fanboy naturally

[@nicholsjoshua15]

The ping noise is more of a myth than a reality. In the heat of combat, the small noise couldn't be heard. As someone who has fired an M1 rifle, the noise is the same as throwing a soda can on the sidewalk.

[@komeresiegemaker502]

How is a battle rifle like a microwave? They both go ping when finished.

[@gb6912]

it's still admittedly sexy and interesting

[@LUR1FAX]

Its Wikipedia article states that one of the advantages of the Johnson over the Garand was the lack of the M1-ping. Ian and BlokeOnTheRange have done videos adressing this myth of the M1-ping being an actual problem.

[@LUR1FAX]

This, like the Madsen M47, is one of those rifles that make me question why it wasn't targeted at the civilian market after failing military adoption.

[@TheOdst219]

War.

[@GunnerAsch1]

Because most Americans had no use for a 10 shot battle rifle? The SMLEs sold a million or two of them here in the US because they were $10 each.

[@oldgysgt]

In the 1950's there were magazine ads for surplus Johnsons for $175.00.

[@samobispo1527]

@@oldgysgt That would have made it a $1,500 to $2,000 gun in today's money. I would gladly pay $1,500 for one today in .308 caliber, but back then, it was not a large market.

[@oldgysgt]

@@samobispo1527; So would I.

[@bigblockchevy454]

"Enterprising Marines' lol!we hade a acronym when I was in STEAL"Stealthfully Transport Equipment to an Alternate Location"

[@knutdergroe9757]

bigblockchevy454 Reaproperate....... As all good MARINES do. Semper Fi !

[@slimsonofthenorth7447]

Today we call it an "undocumented equipment transfer"

[@tucker1012]

Doesn’t the saying go “ gear adrift must be a gift”?

[@michaelkeha]

@Therein lies your first problem it was clearly a quarter master error

[@keeganowens8949]

@Dirk Pitt Hey, nice job with those Japanese robots!

[@louisvilleuav5794]

Considering the USMC went to war with the Springfield 1903 I can see them grabbing any available firepower available.

[@jamesricker3997]

Not that thing. Could only function when using lubricated ammunition. In combat lubricated ammunition tends to get dirty and jam the rifle

[@tobiaszistler]

Daniel Aramburo because they are literaly full coppys of the mauser rifles Tha last real Springfield rifle with its own action was the trap door one

[@matthewnunya8483]

@@danielaramburo7648 while the 1903 is a good rifle who wouldnt want a semi auto with larger capacity? Particularly when facing the japanese army of the 40's

[@orcinus6802]

The M1903 was still a better rifle than the Japanese Type 99.

[@ManOnTheRange]

@@orcinus6802 very late production 99 yes... but trust me you grab an early 99 insted of 1903 if you know both rifles well...

[@nopegupta8294]

Watching a grown man play with his Johnson is one of my favorite pastimes

[@doranobannon7696]

I prefer to see a young mans body just being wrecked by a few Johnson’s at a time

[@ExtremiSS88]

Its all about what comes out the end of the Johnson and penetrates a young man in uniform

[@mknowles8547]

😂😂😂😂😂🙃😉

[@AmphiStuG]

@@ExtremiSS88 Johnson was barking up the wrong branch of the military, he should've shilled it to the Navy instead.

[@sphill_edc]

This rifle, specifically the Johnson automatic, means the most to me. It was what my grandfather in WWII was issued as a Marine Paratrooper. He was in Bougainville, Vella la Vella, Guadal canal, and Iwo Jima.

[@redbyrd64]

smphillips87 if your grandfather is still alive, please thank him for his service. If he has passed away, you have my sympathies.

[@isosev]

Dude he must have been a badass to survive all of that.

[@sphill_edc]

He died two years ago. He was 94. He still fit in his Marine’s dress clothes when he died. He was buried in them. They don’t make men like that anymore.

[@isosev]

@@sphill_edc I am sorry to hear that.

[@alainc.5554]

Your grandpa was a fucking bad ass man. 4 whole battles? Jesus man. I'm glad we had people like that to fight for us. We're all where we are now because of heroes like your grandpa. Thank you.

[@losi8ightyew]

I had the honor of firing one of these. It was stupidly scary accurate for me. I was able to put 5 shots through the same hole at 75 yards with the iron sights, the group measured 1/4 inches, Idk if these rifles were really that accurate or if I was just a crack shot that day but I'll never forget it.

[@RealFleeceJohnson]

Maybe you only hit the target one time and missed 4 other shots

[@charliethedoomslayer2793]

@@RealFleeceJohnson hah, got him!

[@ChiTownGuerrilla]

Pics or it didn't happen.

[@meatmasala2656]

Bullshit!

[@Viper2132]

Marine Corps testing found it to be more accurate than the Garand. When the USMC borrowed several hundred of the Dutch rifles, they were specifically given to sharpshooters who could best utilize the Johnson's accuracy.

[@cameron7336]

Everytime battlefield releases a new gun Ian pops up with the exact gun years prior

[@felonytaxevasion2773]

Because the weapons in battlefield are based off real guns

[@cameron7336]

@@felonytaxevasion2773 no shit.

[@PU8698]

@@felonytaxevasion2773 mind blowing

[@TheRaven0vAbyss]

It actually because everyone starts plugging the algorithm.

[@TheLakabanzaichrg]

Guns aren't real, what are you talking about?

[@BTemple]

Surprisingly I was able to buy one of these original M1941 Johnson rifles here in Canada a couple years ago. It hasn't been sporterized and has a VERY low serial number, below 2000 and no letter prefix. Shoots great but the sights don't quite zero perfectly, but this could be due to it being used in the Pacific. The rifle has obviously been used, the stock has a number of dings and scratches and the metal has a nice patina. I'm sure there aren't many people here in Canada who own one of these AND an M1 Garand as well.

[@BTemple]

Too bad that here in Canada the 10-round capacity isn't allowed, the magazine has to be pinned to 5 rounds. Garand is allowed to keep its full 8-round capacity though.

[@BTemple]

Yes very much so. Thankfully not too much damage besides one small hole drilled to pop in a small rivet to stop the follower at 5 round capacity.... but still will hurt the value if i go to sell it some day. But i doubt I'll ever sell it, unless someone offered an insane amount for it. Haha

[@gunnerjames1056]

I own both in Canada as well. M1941 Johnson Serial number is halfway between 2000 and 3000, no letter prefix. Beautiful condition. Plan on making a video or two this summer for my channel. The M1 Garand is Springfield,1954. I see "Collectors Source has an M1941 for sale at $7500.00. The Johnson and Garand were part of a larger purchase that also included an SVT 38. I have made a video on that one.

[@apachewolf1132]

Very fine rifle my friend, lucky you! 👍

[@ChiTownGuerrilla]

Oouuuu better not tell your gubbament!

[@HeavyTanker-vx4oq]

I get the feeling this is in my recommended because of the new Battlefield V patch

[@natethenotsogreat8349]

Me too

[@t-posetimmy6834]

Yos

[@natethenotsogreat8349]

plentyness yep

[@adanzavala4801]

That's what happens when you get women into games, it get's ruined. Had they made a REALISTIC WW2 game, holy fuck, super duper sales.

[@ericb4127]

RIP BF franchise, politics and broken promises killed you.

[@fredjonson5781]

I was in Civil Air Patrol in Red Wing MN as a teenager and a WWII vet Marine came in to do a talk. He described getting a hold of a rifle that he could load single cartridges into that had a rotary magazine. He said he made sure not to turn it in for entire war because the Japanese would count shots from an M1 and pop up while you were reloading. I thought he was full of it until now, this is a very cool video.

[@akmarksman]

Anywhere from 1 to many guys just fired off 8 rounds of .30-06 each..given how loud the round is, I don't think listening for a ping is high on the list.

[@fredjonson5781]

counting 8 shots is going on the list though. @@akmarksman

[@OpenMawProductions]

@@fredjonson5781 If you have a half dozen men firing, you're not going to be able to count who fired what. I question that.

[@fredjonson5781]

@@OpenMawProductions Absolutely. On the other hand there are many combat scenarios involving a lot less people than that. Once your down to only 2 or 3 people per side, firing from different positions, then you can count shots and listen better. I've played paintball (woodsball) in games with more than 20 people per team, yet you can still end up one on one or one on two pretty easily, especially in the backwoods areas, or in endgame. In those spots it makes a huge difference if you're facing someone with a tipman 98 vs a tipman 98 with a flatline much less some other type of gun.

[@medicolkie3606]

@@fredjonson5781 In paintball, you dont have the sheer volume of a gun battle going on around you. Even with 4-6 combatants, if half have .30-06 semi-autos and the other half 8mm rifles, its gonna get really, REALLY loud.

[@elitearbor]

For future reference of anyone with one of these rifles, the way to remove the bolt handle is to grab that pin with the extraction groove of a 30-06 case and hold it between your thumb and the groove. Pull, and slide forward. Easy-peasy.

[@johndix1820]

elitearbor Slick!

[@stevecolley6750]

BINGO! While watching the video, I thought that also.

[@darthpanzer]

Yey! An American rifle that isn't an M1 variant! Not that i don't like the M1 variants.

[@dominusvictoriae]

well your choice of armor certainly is good but hows your riding?

[@darthpanzer]

Dominus Victoriae I lost my mount....... *sniff* Friedrich was his name........ that french bastard killed him! So i took my mace and gave him something to think about! Then i swore to never ride again.

[@dominusvictoriae]

well nothing wrong with being a zweihander or a walking tank instead of a lancer. and we all dislike the french for their disgusting practice of targeting a warriors greatest companion. That is why we end them rightly with atomic pommels!

[@Boeing_hitsquad]

the M1 "Garand" ? ... yea ok, i'll give it to you. ... if he'd not been working in America with all those Americans, any rifle he'd have made would probably not have been the M1... and he lived in America since the age of 11. After all, "Majority Rules".

[@ianbabcock6802]

Yah, almost every American rifle seems to be based pn either the M1 or M16.

[@LibertyTreeStudios]

Got a Gary Johnson ad on a video about the Johnson, coincident, I think not.

[@ilyapeganov7409]

:D

[@shlomosilversteinberg5785]

I'm Gary Johnson, and I approve of this Johnson.

[@Peter.Crosland]

I got an advert for Grindr on one of Ian's other Johnson videos. Probably just a coincidence though ;)

[@doorguner01]

gary Johnson showed up on our lawn so we had to get weed killer to get rid of him lol

[@Todd_Coward]

DUDE WEED LMAO

[@tsmgguy]

Having owned and shot a nice example of an M1941 for the past 30 years, I can say that it works very well. If you're going to acquire one, be aware that most of the M1941s you'll see were worn out in foreign service and refurbished. Many of these were "sporterized" and then converted back to military configuration. Your first clue is a replaced barrel. Worn guns will usually have a violent action and are often missing parts.

[@Roguekriger]

I feel like one major advantage the M1 has over this is the reload speed. I couldn't possibly see a soldier under duress being able to load the Johnson with a stripper clip as fast as an M1 with its en bloc clip

[@genxer1]

@@LaatiMafia I always thought that was a poor design feature on the Garand. Why even design the rifle to do that? I always thought someone in the design process should have said 'Wait, as soon as you shove the clip in the bolt releases? Even if your thumb is still there? That sounds stupid. Let's just make the bolt stay locked while you reload then you have to pull back on it to release it or add a button to release it or something." If it made it through the design process it looks like the first test shooter would have come to the same conclusion. When they explained to him "Yeah, shove the clip in and get your thumb out of the way asap because the bolt will close immediately when you push the clip down all the way", it looks like he would have "Wait, you're serious? Why'd you design it that way? Couldn't you have just added a button to push or something?"

[@vicroc4]

@@genxer1 With a little practice, it's fairly easy to avoid getting pinched by the Garand. Mainly because unlike its eventual successor the M16, its charging handle is attached to the bolt carrier group. So what you do is hook your ring and pinky finger over the charging handle as you're pushing the clip home, thus restraining the bolt from closing until your thumb is out of the way.

[@kevinoliver3083]

10 rounds (11 if you start with one in the chamber) beats 8. Especially when you can top up every 5 or 6 shots without ending up with a pocket full of clips and loose rounds.

[@alfamontydog]

@@genxer1 I have owned an M-1 and a 1941 Johnson for a lot of years and never got my thumb pinched. The M-1 bolt will not release upon inserting an enblock clip, as long as you push down on the clip the bolt stays back. It's only after the clip is locked in place and the downward pressure is released that the bolt comes forward. Even than, because of the clamping force of the spring steel clip and the resulting friction on the rounds the charging handle will need a push for the gun to charge the first cartridge. AND, just in case the bolt comes flying forward, it's shoving the top round into the chamber so there is no room for your thumb to be there, the bolt will simply push your thumb out of the way. The only way to get Garand thumb is by sticking your thumb into an empty magazine and touching the charging handle.

[@markpro4813]

Yes Johnson rifles are not well known outside of a small community of historians and collectors. This is why I couldn't understand the rejection and odd reactions when I would ask my shooting buddies if they wanted to check out my Johnson. Thanks Ian for a good informative video on a under rated great rifle.

[@anthonywilliams379]

With the bayonet issue,I wonder if they could have used an integral bayonet that folded out? The idea being that the weight stays the same.

[@Jesses001]

That is a good idea. As long as you know what the weight is going to be, you can tone the system to work with it.

[@confuseatronica]

yeah, i was thinking that too- or even a permanently sharp barrel, with a lightweight cover of some sort. Front sightyonet!

[@anthonywilliams379]

+confuseatronica again,a cover would cause the same issue,something like the bayonet on an fg-42 or a swinging bayonet like an sks could have worked very well on this rifle and may have been able to have gotten this adopted alongside the m1 Garand

[@keithmoore7390]

breech loading and the cartridge killed the bayonet, to me it's a non-issue!!! why they still have that relic in service is beyond me? it would have been a great paratrooper piece!!! and I've heard the arguments for keeping that pig-sticker, the 3 or 4 times a charge has happened since W.W.1 doesn't warrant keeping it!!!

[@panzerabwerkanone]

Primary use of the bayonet if for guarding prisoners. While few and far between there have been bayonet charges in the Vietnam War and in Desert Storm for the US.

[@xfirehurican]

Very good vid. My dad, a WWII Marine aviator with VMB-612, like all aircrew was issued a pistol; in his case a .45. Some time after his squadron assembled on Iwo Jima, several of the ground crew ended up with the Johnson - presumably because the 'Mud' Marines considered the M-1 Garand the superior rifle - due to it's grenade, bayonet and 'club' characteristics, and overall simplicity when compared to the Johnson. I believe the breakdown barrel is the primary reason one of those Johnsons is parked in his gun safe today.

[@jarchiec]

This always reminds me of what the Krag wanted to be when it grew up.

[@cubankid1959]

My grandfather keeps one of these on his mantle, he says he used it during the Revolution

[@jimbotheassclown]

He was talking about Castro's Johnson not the rifle.

[@AmphiStuG]

Your grandfather keeps his Johnson on the mantle?! Good lord...

[@stevenlowe3245]

My father was a paramarine in WW2 and carried one. He said it was far superior to the Garand. They also used the Johnson Light Machinegun and H&R Reising submachine guns. He said the Reisings were crap and constantly jammed.

[@ar6985]

The Reising was a poor combat weapon...functions well under normal conditions like police/guard duty but in filthy combat conditions it was subject to malfunctions.

[@J0J0Reference]

Such a unique looking weapon, looks like it would fit in perfectly in the Fallout universe.

[@ethanor]

A lot of never adopted weapons from the WW1-WW2 time period fit into that category. Today, every damn gun looks the same.

[@aceroadholder2185]

Early in WW2 the Marines, being at the end of the supply chain, went into the Pacific Theater with 1903 Springfield bolt action rifles still in front line service. The Johnson M1941 would have been a real step up if a Marine could get his hands on one.

[@Randy_Plays_Games]

Ian, you deserve many more subscribers and much more contributions to the channel for all the work you put in. Excellent program.

[@marcomartini9239]

No words to describe the awesome job you guys do. Thank you!

[@iancotham]

My eternal thanks for covering this weapon; a favorite of mine to look at, and even better to learn more about.

[@thenewfiebullet8187]

I was looking forward to an update to the old johnson rifle video and this certainly didn't disappoint!

[@casychapin4647]

It really is fantastic to see the history of the mechanical systems in a platform like the ar-15 weather it was Mr Stoner or the people working with him. The ar-15 and ar-10 are fantastic in their simplicity when compared to mechanically complex systems that proceed them. The bolt and bcg in ar platforms seam so basic. But it really does allot of the same things that this Rifle does.

[@isrraelkumiko8214]

Amazing job. Not only we learn about the gun itself but also really interesting facts and history. Thanks man. You are a professional at this.

[@lib556]

Also used by the US/Canadian First Special Service Force - often referred to as the Devil's Brigade (incorrectly).

[@sethmoyer]

I thought that was the Johnson LMG.

[@TheTiberianWolf]

@@sethmoyer well, maybe it was both

[@ZeroBoyComedy]

@@TheTiberianWolf I think it was only the LMG. A deal of 125 Johnny guns for explosives from the USMC.

[@Thenotsofamousone]

this weapon was used by one of the soldiers in the movie Assembly. not a bad movie, and an interesting rifle.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

www.forgottenweapons.com/movie-review-assembly-2007/

[@kohinarec6580]

Talkin about popular culture, this was also featured in the original Hidden & Dangerous. Probably innthe sequel too.

[@stevecolley6750]

@@returnofbeaux STFU! Nobody cares about a freaking spelling error (out of an 841 word article)! Is this kind of crap all you can contribute to society?

[@tallyhorizzla3330]

The Johnson rifle was also used in some episodes of Dr Who in the 70's.

[@ohmygod5677]

@@stevecolley6750 He was just pointing it out

[@richardkluesek4301]

Wish this outstanding video had been available a few decades ago when I owned one of these. It is a nice rifle. Mine was inherited, shot well but the safety was broken, the lever just rotated 360 without engaging a "safe" position and when firing the trigger 'doubled' discharging properly on a pull but hazardously upon release. Good for rapid fire but a problem if the second discharge was undesired. Sold it for $500 to a friend who was an advanced collector. Hope he was able to correct those flaws.

[@apostlestumpy]

Excellent. Thanks for this look at the Johnson M1941. I have been fascinated with this rifle (and others) ever since I received "The illustrated Encyclopaedia of Firearms (1978), in the mid 80's. That is a book that has so many forgotten weapons in it!!! You made my day mate👍

[@ushook]

Ian, Thanks for the video. I've seen you do one a while back, However that lesson on the Johnson rifle may have faded some. This was a really good re-fresher video on this rifle. As always you do an outstanding job. Thanks, Joe

[@fredericklee4821]

In one of the stories of the Battle of Gettysburg, a Union soldier was found to have loaded his rifle four times, but had not fired it once! Loading a rifle in the heat of battle is the most stressful moment for the front-line soldier. He is distracted from an advancing enemy for several seconds and is most vulnerable during that time. The Johnson M1941 use of Springfield rifle clips has that problem - times two. The M1 Garand does it only once. Slam in the 8-round clip and you are ready to shoot. The M1 8-round clip has a smoother, more fluid operation and fewer distractions. Although the Johnson is a very attractive and more futuristic rifle, the double-loading process makes it the less desirable weapon to serve the needs of a front-line infantry soldier.

[@stevenhall2408]

You make an interesting point but one advantage was existing stocks of 1909 ammo on strippers made logistics easier at first. I shot one as a teen in the 1970s and it was a pleasure. Having them in select units like Marine raiders made sense.

[@Brawler_1337]

This would be really cool to run in a 2-gun action challenge. The ability to easily top off on the run seems like a good feature to leverage. If nothing else, it would be sweet to see if this could hold its own these days.

[@jeffreywaagmeester9803]

the first video of the johnson m1941 on forgotten weapons was the first video i watched on this channel! i love seeing this rifle in action

[@mauricewascom658]

Appreciate the thorough sections on function and field stripping ❗👍🏼

[@7411y]

2:17 "Both for himself and for his country" ;_;7

[@FrankDad]

*0*/

[@fullmindstorm]

This is one of the best gun channels on youtube.

[@amazoniancustodian]

I think your wrong, but we all have our opinions. Please show me a channel that’s better. Even with being three years later.

[@fullmindstorm]

@@amazoniancustodian I mean...I said that 3 years ago. Now it's the best.

[@kutamsterdam]

Every time i enjoy your vids Ian, thanks man!..

[@francisbarbeau1862]

I own a Johnson M1941 and I love it! I also own 2 M1 Garand. The M1 had a TON of modification!

[@reedpond6867]

I am still kicking my self for letting my $55.00 1941 Johnson's go. In Vermont we are limited to 6 rounds for center fire big game rifles. So before going to South Vietnam I sold off my 5 Johnson's. I had bought them thru an add in one of my gun magazines in 1963 for a cost of $55.00 each delivered to my door in Brandon Vermont in a wooden crate with manuals and cleaning kits; plus the little bayonets with sheaths. They were in NRA Excellent rated condition(?). This was my first exposure to cosmo!!!!!!!!

[@johndix1820]

REED POND Best example I’ve heard of Seller’s remorse. Feel sad for you as well.

[@tarn6800]

@@johndix1820 considering they are 8k now yeah i would be kicking myself in the ass better hope the wife never finds out lol.

[@wraithwyvern528]

Never sell your Johnson

[@danielburgess7785]

Gear left adrift, consider it a gift.

[@blaylock4668]

As a Brothers in Arms 3 fan, it's really cool seeing this gun on your channel.

[@edhuber3557]

Nice review … history, hardware, operation. Well done.

[@dphalanx7465]

After doing some reading about the US Cavalry right at the start of the war, Ive decided that if the Chief of Cavalry had been a better bureaucrat and managed to save some of the Horse Soldiers from the tide of mechanization, THIS would have been the rifle he would have wanted to advocate for. Easier to load, more ammo, better balanced, better handling; the Johnson's advantages over the Garand are slight, but as a Cavalry/Scout Rifle, it would have been PERFECT.

[@leaholeary7766]

New bfv gun and now he pops up

[@Mr.WhiteCat_YT]

*_Thanks KZbin!_*

[@kevinboeck6412]

Awesome as usual, Ian. Thanx.

[@rogerhwerner6997]

Looks like a lovely semiauto! I own two Garrands and I'd love one of these.

[@NatsuKashi00]

Does this rifle use Springfield stripper clips?

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Yes.

[@jnywd8450]

Yeah, strippers are great for a johnson.

[@CK-uu7ce]

I feel like m3 carbine, PPK and Chauchat is going to be on my recommendation

[@ilyapeganov7409]

Thank you for your awesome videos!

[@swwei]

Beautifully designed! Beautifully simple!

[@Bret928]

Awesome rifle. It seems your opinion has slightly changed since your first review about the Johnson rifle. I enjoy mine and while I like M1's I think it was every bit it's equal. Superior in some ways and lacking in others. Still an awesome shooter.

[@atomicbuttocks]

a side grade if you will

[@gousmc1983]

Johnson: we can't put a lug 14 inches back on the stock Marines: bring back the WW1 18 inch Hun Cutter we'll be good

[@zacharyrollick6169]

He should have just given it a full length fore end.

[@Viper2132]

@@zacharyrollick6169 that would've made it too heavy and negated the advantage of having a removable barrel.

[@jd.3493]

So his Johnson wasn’t 14”?

[@theprojectproject01]

I'm always surprised at how much these guns flex and wobble when fired. Look at the rear sight vibrate, for heaven's sake. Remarkable that they achieve the accuracy that they do.

[@TheOriginalFaxon]

For anyone looking for a rifle like this today in function as well, you can check out the Fightlight SCR (Previously ARES SCR). They replaced the AR15 buffer and bolt with a modified bolt and a more traditional stock system, but use a spring in that stock to buffer the bolt on a pivot which looks to have been taken directly from the design of the original Johnson bolt that preceeded it. Just goes to show you that the more they change things, the more they stay the same. The SCR was made in response to AWBs and CA's arcane firearm laws, since the SCR is literally just like any other hunting rifle, except it takes AR mags and apart from the bolt, the rest of the upper is stripped directly from an AR-15, and you can buy standalone SCR receivers to convert existing guns or build one yourself

[@srirachapocalypse5050]

Ian, thanks for all your hard work. I don't understand why you only have 300k subs while someone who just unboxes new cell phones or whatever, has millions. Anyway, kudos on a great channel.

[@redbassist5590]

The amount of Johnson jokes is just fantastic XD

[@mr.techaky7655]

What can I say, people like playing with Johnsons'.....

[@TheShalomstead]

I’m just here for the comments!

[@MMSieBreeze]

Why is the first few seconds of this video so satisfying!?

[@tomcagan8370]

A suggestion on the removal of the bolt handle. Use the aft end of a cartridge or cartridge casing to pry the pin up on the bolt handle. You can lever the cartridge case on the outer rim of the Bolt Handle, and the handle slides off quite easily. Also, the extractor and the base of the Bolt handle may be used as very light usage screwdrivers.

[@isosev]

I would love to see reproductions of this gun being made that are of good quality. So many older rifles just have a very cool operating system.

[@rogerwilco2]

I don't think any of those riffles got shipped to Holland after the fall of the Dutch Indies. The Germans were sort of crawling all over the place a year earlier.

[@kirkmooneyham]

That quick change of the barrel is amazing!

[@pokefan2711]

Such a cool concept gun. I love Garand, but the engineering of this one is damn cool

[@Pugiron]

Marines do love johnsons

[@noahfriend320]

You're thinking of Sailors

[@ericparris1935]

With that great big long and thick stock I'm surprised the navy did take a poke at that Johnson.

[@brianstabile165]

Are mean green spirt can not be defeated

[@real_fjcalabrese]

I had the misfortune of owning a Colt All American 2000. It was hot garbage.

[@amazoniancustodian]

Hot garbage is one of my favorite terms now a days!

[@timsmith1589]

They are super cool and I will add one to my collection in the future for sure

[@JayKimJr]

Thank you for the detailed explanation.

[@nickolassoulvie9998]

BFV just got this as a gun wonder why it's in my inbox

[@cowboywoodard2569]

Very nice rifle, reminds me of my model 8 35 Remington, I despised mags. Try shooting from a dirt pile

[@dedowd9335]

Wow I like this rifle! Stripper clip feed through the side and looks very controllable!

[@user-ke8if6ri9r]

I had a friend that was a career Airborne paratrooper. Being an Army brat myself we had some great conversations. He was part of a training program that went from 1948 through 1950. Their first assignment was a trip to Korea. His unit got the name "Rakasahn". I hope I haven't misspelled this too badly. He liked the Johnson. Unique problems for his unit was jumping out of great planes with everything you might need. He thought a folding stock was needed. His unit had some leeway on equipment not being "Standard Issue". Retired as a Lt. Colonel after being hit in his face and upper body by a land mine in Vietnam.

[@yubos98]

This got recommended to me exactly after BFV introduced the gun into the game. I swear DICE take ideas from Ian's channel for weapons to add into the games.

[@ThommyofThenn]

Same lmao

[@MicahBurginGTVPO]

The literally have him in a consulting role. He's in the credits of both bf1 and bf5. So, yes, they do

[@MicahBurginGTVPO]

In fact, I think the sound for the chauchat in bf1 is recorded from Ian's personal collection's choo choo

[@crf80fdarkdays]

Whaaaaat

[@themastermason1]

What would ultimately make me choose an M1 Garand over a Johnson is the distinctive ping from the M1.

[@jaguarfacedman1365]

The outline of this rifle is so cool and unique, even if it wasn't safe to fire it would make a nice wall hanger.

[@jaguarfacedman1365]

@Superdude70 I had completely forgotten about this comment.

[@Zach_D]

I like how aspects of the Johnson rifle made it into the AR-15, and aspects of the M1 Garand made it into the AKM. So they both live on today, just not in the same form.

[@davidingham2216]

A neat looking gun - and an interesting video. Thanks, Ian

[@cody4516]

It looks like a pregnant M1 Garand

[@dayofmone]

Could be that the bolt handle pin is designed to be pulled up with a cartridge rim.

[@mjeverette3858]

Every time battlefield v has a leaked gun or a gun comes out I always get a video from this channel about the gun on my recommendations

[@azutard9839]

same lmao

[@wilsont8753]

I really enjoy the videos, very informative.

[@michaelfurgessons2896]

I for one demand the return of the universe disassembly tool!! Every other method clearly is inferior since every gun that need carriages to open needs different cartridges. So universal disassembly tool all the way!

[@panzerabwerkanone]

Why would you want to disassemble the Universe?

[@cuckhead8975]

@@panzerabwerkanone So you can make a new universe where K-pop doesnt exist.

[@stevecolley6750]

What a dumb statement! If you have the weapon, don't you (normally, esp. in a military setting) have the appropriate cartridges that go with it? Also, universal disassembly tool = Swiss army knife = EVERY tool EXCEPT the one you need.

[@blueplasma5589]

So if your out of bullets, you don't have a disassembly tool. interesting......

[@sleepy6170]

Bfv released this gun and gun jesus done this years prior

[@blueplasma5589]

What a neatly designed rifle. Thank's for your no nonsense style of narrating, Ian. I wonder how far their full auto variant results led to?

[@andrewdelaittre1132]

My granddad still had his from his time in the Pacific and gave it to my dad when he died in 2002.

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

So, did a bunch of Marines get these guns early on because they were still using Springfields and hadn't yet been issued the M1?

[@ONEIL311]

Yes and marines in ww2 have a tendency to to just grab what ever is available to them or they want and use it. Look at the stinger for another good example of that. Hell the pacific is usually just summarize with aircraft carriers but a lot is usually forgotten by today’s history and military

[@gillesdupouy8357]

Well well well I get this in my recommandations right after it gets added to BFV, what a coincidence :D

[@billietyree6139]

I like the simplicity and fewer parts to disassemble and assemble for cleaning, as well as the ease of replacement of burned out barrels and broken extractors. I will add though that with my three years of experience with the Garand I never had a mechanical problem at all. I think that you could get an eight round clip into a Garand as fast as you could get a five round stripper loaded into a Johnson.

[@abl-hu7he]

Great video Ian, I believe the cartridge rim is used to lift the pin in the cocking knob. The pin is grooved for it.

[@Chris-zj3bq]

I remember this gun from the movie “assembly” about the Chinese civil war.

[@joecary3586]

16:14 HEY, Ian is left handed and always shoots lefty.

[@StealthDonut1]

THIS is my Grail Gun, beyond the Luger, the Mauser C-96 "Han Solo" pistol, or even the Krag-Jorgensen. The only one that comes close is the military M1897 Trench Gun, with the extra long bayonet, and even *that* is just a few feet behind this one. This is one helluva rifle. I want one. I NEED one.

[@johnasbury7511]

You showed me something new to me. Very nice good job

[@Darckstar52]

The Johnson was also used by the 1st special forces group in limited numbers.

[@thomascorbett6627]

You are so amazing and so informative EVERYTHING I want to know about fire arms and particular fire arms especially you address in detail and precisely at the time I'm intrigued by a certain feature you are demonstrating you are very talented and learned in the art and science,of all of these wonderful pristine weapons systems you are so good at imparting all that you know or have learned about the function and historic value of each individual weapon I just want to thank you and say BRAVO IAIN YOU ARE SO FUCKING COOL SIR !!THANK YOU !!! LAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN A I

[@racspartan1]

Such a Beautiful Rifle.

[@sachsgs2509]

I really like this rifle and it looks so ahead of its time👌