M1 Garand's Timeless Design

Gen. George S. Patton famously called the M1 Garand “the best battle implement ever devised.” Guy Sagi would agree. He says in his article (page TK) on this American archetype, ”The M1 Garand’s performance during World War II is legendary. Whether in the forests of Europe, deserts of Africa, or sands of the Pacific, it delivered and quickly gained the confidence of combat troops.”

You may ask, rightly, what’s this got to do with my business? As it turns out, plenty. The rifle, originally conceived nearly a century ago, still attracts attention—and not just from grizzled veterans who shouldered it in battle. Peter Mathiesen, who writes “What’s Selling Where” for SHOT Business, spurred my interest when he reported in a recent edition that two retailers noticed renewed interest in the rifle. In fact, one told him the interest in the M1 Garand was at “an all-time high.”

And interest isn’t limited solely to used models. Springfield Armory, primary suppliers of M1s and related models, reports sales of new guns are robust. Mike Humphries, media relations manager at Springfield Armory, says, “Demand for the M1A in its numerous forms is consistently strong, and that is one of the many reasons it has been around since the launch of the company.”

Sagi also notes there is a thriving aftermarket for custom parts, including triggers, polymer stocks, and other components. Part of this demand is fueled by local and national M1 competitions. All of which is to say, this design has a lot of life left in it.

You may never have heard of D&M Holding, but you soon will (see page TK). Global demand for reliable supplies of ammunition, primers, and powder is soaring as a matter national security, and D&M is working nonstop to support the U.S., NATO countries, and other friendly foreign governments. The brainchild of Dan Powers, former CEO of SIG Sauer’s ammunition manufacturing facility in Arkansas, D&M specializes in greenfield projects (i.e., a new undertaking that starts from scratch on undeveloped land or without any pre-existing infrastructure or systems), often for companies and countries that have never before been in the ammunition, primer, or propellant business. D&M’s turnkey factories include solutions for ammunition production, primer production, as well as propellant production for everything from small-caliber ammunition to artillery. The company handles all aspects of the project, from site planning and floor planning to equipment manufacture and installation, as well as what Powers calls the “the secret sauce,” the transfer of know-how. But what impresses me most is the ability of Powers to attract—and keep— a talented and dedicated team. That’s a rare ability these days—and it recalls an observation a talented CEO made years ago to me when I asked him to explain his company’s success: “I hire good people and then get out of their way.” Words to live by.