Loading M1 Garand

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sheepdog293

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Hey guys, this might be a dumb question (or a dumb asker).

When loading a clip into the M1, should pushing the clip down result in the bolt and op rod/bolt moving forward (chambering a round) or should I have to load the clip then manually operate the op rod handle? When loading my M1, pushing down the clip releases the action, frequently with my thumb in the way. Is something out of alignment or is this normal?

Thanks,

Sheepdog
 
Normal. What you've got now is commonly referred to as "Garand Thumb" and it's a side effect of not blocking the charging handle with your hand as you insert the enbloc clip fully.

Check out YouTube for some good vids on loading without getting "thumbed".

-M
 
Its normal that when you push the clip down, that the action unlock but you may have to bump the op rod lightly to make it chamber the first round. Clear your thumb of the way or you may have a garand thumb!
 
GarandLoading.jpg
 
I think if you load from the actual bolt-stop and not a follower-hangup, you have to slam the charging handle forward... but a lot of times it's quicker to load from a follower-hangup, using the right procedure.

Here's a foolproof way of making sure you don't get thumbed.

[youtube]CL4VsZ9M5L8[/youtube]

-M
 
Just remember to keep the palm of your hand holding back the op rod. You will hear a "click" and then get your thumb OUT OF THE WAY before letting go of the operating rod. I have only seen ONE case of "M1 Thumb" and that was a guy who was finaly released from the army before completing Basic training because he just was not cut out to be a soldier. (couldn't polish his boots, couldn't asemble a pack, etc. etc.)

Oh by the way the guy got his M1 thumb from doing Inspection arms,ie; letting the bolt go forward on an unloaded rifle.
 
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"...pushing down the clip releases the action..." That's what it's supposed to do. Note where the guy in the picture and video have their hands. Clip in rifle, thumb on top with the rest of your hand outside the action in front of the op handle. Push down. The action should close, then give the op handle a thump to finish closing.
"...you have to slam the charging handle..." Never.
Go here for free .pdf manuals. Note the need for the provided UN & PW. http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/
Buy a copy of Hatcher's Notebook and Hatcher's Book of the Garand too. Your local gun shop or Amazon. About $30 each. Worth every cent. History of the developement of the rifle and buckets of other good general info in the former. More history and a trouble shooting chapter in the latter. Both are a good read even if you didn't have the Rifle.
 
sidvicious, that's a new one on me. How does this stuff get started? No flame intended by the way. I thought I had heard all of the garand loading myths. It's nice to learn something new every day.
 
Sorry, I just checked in Duff's M! owner's guide...I mis-quoted!...-"The OPERATING ROD is in no danger of going forward as long as pressure is maintained on the top round in the clip. However, upon full seating of the clip and release of the operating rod, failure to move thumb away from the forward motion of the bolt may result in what shooters refer to as "M1 Thumb"."-
 
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