I just stumbled upon this so howdy everybody.
Badgersmilk: Its a bit off topic as far as the rifles concerned, but the idea that one specific piece of equipment did this or that is a bit short sighted. Spitfires: great airplane, but it wouldn't be worth a crap without the radar used to direct them. They were highly outnumbered, but the radar stations allowed the Brits to better position what little assets they did have.
Hitler essentially screwed himself by double-crossing the Russkies, but it was the Germans we were racing to get the atomic bomb.
While Pearl Harbor pissed America off, even the Admiral Yamoto knew that they had "awakened a sleeping giant". More effort and material were pushed toward the European Theater because that was perceived as the greatest threat.
If there is one word to attribute to an Allied victory; it would be attrition. The Allies had more stuff.
With that being said, I voted M1 'cause Grampa would whoop my behind if I said otherwise. That and the M1 was semi-auto.
Everyone can save all the hoopla about this action and that round and those sights. John Hinckley, Jr. fired 6 shots from a .22 "Saturday Night Special" that hit Four targets: Two men doing their jobs, a president and the husband of the present anti-gunner nemesis. Within 2 seconds a lunatic with a bit of motivation nearly killed a president, paralyzed one and wounded two others. I haven't looked, but I don't believe anyone has ever asked Mr. Hinckley about sight pictures, maintenance of the weapon, trigger pull, etc. A lot of it depended on providence or luck, if you wish.