On this week’s episode of Two Guys One Gun, the crew discusses a forgotten battle rifle: the 1941 Johnson rifle. 

This pot-bellied beast gets little recognition, yet it served a crucial role for the Marine Corps prior to the entrance of the M1 Garand. With a unique silhouette, this rifle is noticeable due to its long, skinny barrel and thick, round receiver. 
 

Related: Two Guys One Gun Podcast, Episode 15 – Battle Rifles

Chambered in .30-06 Springfield, the Johnson rifle was the brainchild of Melvin Johnson, an American firearms inventor who was trying to improve the M1 Garand. While the rifle was never officially adopted, it did stir up interest overseas and through a long and winding path, ended up in the hands of the Marine Corps. 

The Johnson rifle’s unique look is accompanied by its unusual recoil operation. The barrel moves back the recoil of the round, unlocking the radial bolt, ejecting the spent casing and loading the next round. The magazine is a rotary design, feeding from 1903 stripper clips. 

The bolt on the Johnson rifle would go on to influence the AR-15, while the magazine design would go on to influence the Ruger 10/22. Truly an unsung hero, take a little time and kick back while the boys break down the 1941 Johnson Rifle.