Microsoft Close Combat manual Mauser Kar, Springfield ’03 Rifle, Effective range 550 m 600 yds

90Close Combat

Mauser Kar 98

Operation Manual, bolt-action

Caliber 7.92 mm (.31 in.)

Muzzle velocity 745 mps (2,445 fps)

Capacity 5-round magazine

Weight 3.9 kg (8.5 lbs)

Overall length 111 cm (43.75 in.)

Effective range 550 m (600 yds)

The Mauser Gewehr 98 (rifle, model 1898) was the archetype of most bolt-action rifles built in the 20th century, including the American Springfield model 1903 rifle. Its 7.92-mm Mauser cartridge was introduced in 1888 and is still in use today. Variants of the Gewehr 98 remained in general use in the German army through both world wars because it worked so well and so reliably. The Kar 98 carbine, about six inches shorter than the standard rifle, was issued to most German infantrymen in World War II.

Springfield ’03 Rifle

Operation Manual, bolt-action Caliber .30 (7.62 mm)

Muzzle velocity 853 mps (2,800 fps) Capacity 5-round internal magazine Weight 4.2 kg (9.38 lbs) M1903A4

sniper model with scope Overall length 110.5 cm (43.5 in.) Range 550 m (600 yds)

Officially designated “U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1903,” it was better known as the Springfield, the Springfield ’03, or simply the ’03. This bolt-action rifle was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1903 and remained the standard issue rifle of America’s armed forces until 1936. In 1906, the .30-caliber cartridge was modified and designated the “M1906 Cartridge”; it became widely known as the .30-06. This cartridge was the standard U.S. rifle and machine gun cartridge for the next fifty years. In 1936, the Springfield ’03 was replaced by the M1 Garand, but many Springfields saw service in World War II. In the Normandy Campaign, the Springfield was used primarily as a sniper weapon; the vast majority of infantrymen preferred semiautomatic and automatic weapons to the bolt-action rifle. Any advantage the Springfield may have had in accuracy was more than offset by the rate of fire the Garand, M1 Carbine, and BAR offered.