Anyway, the reason why I'm saying rounds fired (not enemy killed) is because I'm curious as to whether the Garand action - on average - could stand up to the same number of cycles under battlefield conditions as - on average - the M16/M4 rifles.
Or your shoulder.
Actually, the Garand is pretty soft recoiling, due to the weight and gas operated system. I have fired in excess of 250 rounds at a range session without problem.
The Garand action is robust and usually does not develop issues with headspace or problems with moving parts for several thousand rounds. The Op-rod spring can compress on you, but they are cheap and easily changed. Post campaign, the armourers would look into the rifles' condition, and they also reconditioned battlefield pickups during the campaigns.
I maintain mine and have not had to replace any parts other than when I initially acquired and reconditioned them, which involves a complete teardown and make sure the parts are in spec, replacing any that are out. The exception being op-rod springs every couple thousand rounds.
I had an SA that lived here for awhile and all it did was eat ammo, just wanting to be fed and cleaned once in a while. My HRA is proving to be the same way, but I've only had it a year or so.
My IHC was a money-pit, but it was a total rebuild. Now it is quite a reliable and relatively accurate rifle.
All in all, I believe the Garand to be a fairly long-lived rifle under use. Just keep it greased, oiled, and change the op-rod spring once in a while and it'll run under some pretty adverse conditions.
