It's advantages are a little more range, a little more power, and a easy to use sight. It is a poor assault and suppresive weapon, but exels in picking up critical shots, so if your M1 Garand runs dry, just pick up one of these. It's bolt action system is not great for speed, but simply increases accuracy to a greater extent than the M1, but hiders your ability to assess your surroundings with the sight up. The damage output is much the same as the M1 Garand, but since the sight zooms in a little bit more, it is easier to get critical shots in. It is an great long rane weapon, an exellent mid range weapon, but a poor short range or assault weapon. Don't worry, because since most enemy units carry these anyway, you can easily find them as a backup if you need it and you will have a nearly inexhaustible supply of ammo (YAY!!!). It has an ammo pool of 65 and a clip size of 5, meaning you must make every shot count in order to survive:(. It is the most accurate weapon you encounter on a steady basis, meaning sniper rifles are only used if equipped to you, or if your very lucky and find one sitting around. This is the German counterpart to the M1 Garand. It will be your weapon of choice as American It's advantages over the K98 are faster reloads, faster shooting, ability to see your surroundings even with the sight up (an essential ability in the Authentic mode), an easy to use sight, and better all around capability. This weapon can be used to suppress fire or go on the assault, although it is more wise to assault or suppress with a machinegun, but it is still THE all around weapon in the game.
In the higher difficulties (high and Authentic) it kills in two shots depending on where you place it. It is a good long range weapon, and an exellent mid range weapon, heck, you can also use it as an close range weapon if the enemy assaults!!!! In the lower difficulties (easy to medium) it kills in one shot in the torso and head. It has an ammo pool of 88 and a clip of 7 shots. In every mission you are always equipped with one. The M1 Garand is, basically, your mainstay gun. It is just a condensed explanation, so no history or historical facts will be quoted.
This walkthrough will explain the advantages and disadvantages of all of the weapons in the game.