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First experience with an M1 Garand, and my thumb hurts...

leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
edited October 2001 in General Discussion
Went shooting yesterday, got the opertunity to fire a nice M1 Garand, was handed an 8rd clip to load myself.Boy, I didn't know that when you push the clip in, the bolt automatically closes. My left thumb got it, boy that hurt, it pushed in a piece of the back of my fingernail.Just though you guy's would get a laugh out of that... I didn't. If I can find the battery charger for my digital camera, I'll post a picture of it.
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Comments

  • ndbillyndbilly Member Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hope it doesn't sour you on the Garand. Whoever gave you the clip should have warned you about "M1 Thumb".
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  • alledanalledan Member Posts: 19,541
    edited November -1
    Don't feel alone in this, it is part of the Garand initiation rites. A lot of shooters have experienced the same fate a you.
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  • SP TigerSP Tiger Member Posts: 872 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've had my "new" Garand (1944 Springfield)for almost a month now and haven't got to shoot it yet. I have heard about "M1 thumb" for some time, and experienced a little of it with my Garand. I was just closing the action when it got me, but luckily the bolt was only half-way back so it wasn't too bad. I have still never loaded it though. I want to practice but I don't want to do it with live ammo. I'll get to load it for real Monday. Gov't holiday so I'm gonna send a few downrange.
    Better to have and not need, than need and not have.
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  • badboybobbadboybob Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Use the edge of your right hand to hold back the cocking lever while you push the clip in using either hand. Then with your thumb out of the way release the lever.
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  • XracerXracer Member Posts: 1,990 ✭
    edited November -1
    Welcome to the club, Lee. You are now a certified "Garand-er". Get a picture of your swollen thumb....it's your membership card.
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  • alledanalledan Member Posts: 19,541
    edited November -1
    One more thing, if you are easily agrivated and suseptable to the Garand thumb, make sure you are the only one on the range because some shooters get a little nervous when another shooter goes running around the area screaming obscinities and jumping around uncontrollably with his thumb in his mouth.
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  • bfairbfair Member Posts: 250 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    On that flick of the wrist.Quick is good.Slow Hurts
    Semper Paratus
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  • YankeeClipperYankeeClipper Member Posts: 669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I did it once in boot camp. I think I'll wait another ( HOLY COW) years befor I do it again.
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  • royc38royc38 Member Posts: 2,235 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Do as badboy says.That is the correct way. If you are a little timid at first use both hands until you are comfortable with how the action closes and then go back to one hand. two hand is slower but your not in a combat situation and you can count to ten every time afterwards lol. Good luck.
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  • SP TigerSP Tiger Member Posts: 872 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I guess I should mention that I am left-handed and it is a little awkward to handle the rifle from my right side. I was using two hands, but I am operating it now with one hand. I still need experience loading it though.
    Better to have and not need, than need and not have.
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  • gruntledgruntled Member Posts: 8,218 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    So much for my belief that it only happens with an empty gun. I saw (and had one) several in basic but they were all done while closing the bolt on an empty gun.If you got a good one it will turn a good part of your thumbnail blue.
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  • mudgemudge Member Posts: 4,225 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't let anybody BS you. Anybody who says they NEVER had Garand thumb has never loaded one. I'm a lefty too and had to learn how to load with my right. It will seem a bit awkward at first but practice...practice...practice.Welcome to the club.Mudge
    Anyone who CAN carry, SHOULD carry!Let me update that.Anyone who CAN carry, BETTER carry.
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  • metzmetz Member Posts: 121 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I haven't had the good smash yet and I'm getting pretty good at it. Went to a military rifle shoot a week ago and there was a couple m1 shooters. This one kid was so fast reloading that damn thing I think, (not sure beacause he was SOOO quick)he had another clip in before the old one hit the ground. It was a man and machine in tune, it was beautiful to watch. I will keep practicing, I now have a mark to shoot for (pun??).Andy
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  • spclarkspclark Member Posts: 408 ✭
    edited November -1
    Hmmm... yes.... Got my first Garand this past July; the bruise under my thumbnail is almost grown out to the end by now.Practice makes perfect but... MY Garand holds the bolt back UNTIL I push a new clip down a bit farther with my right-hand thumb, at which point I roll my hand AWAY from the closing bolt, letting the edge of the same hand off the op rod "handle." I've never had it release the bolt while I'm inserting a fresh, loaded clip. Have I just been lucky?
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  • badboybobbadboybob Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mudge I fired the M1 expert rifle for many years in the USMC and NEVER caught my thumb. If you don't know what you"re talking about just shut up!
    So many guns to buy. So little money.
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  • XracerXracer Member Posts: 1,990 ✭
    edited November -1
    Nothin' quite so nice as walkin' around with an 8 lb. rifle hanging from your hand.
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  • RosieRosie Member Posts: 14,525 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    BadBoy, You forgot to tell them to rock your hand forward with fingers and thumb extended. Oops! I just told my age!
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  • badboybobbadboybob Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey Rosie, you been there too!
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  • Patrick OdlePatrick Odle Member Posts: 951 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sorry to not be one of the crowd but I never had an M.1. thumb. I listened to my in struction regarding this and never saw the need to prove my instructer wrong. I probably don't have the record for sucessfully loaded clips but I have dam well loaded my share.
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  • RosieRosie Member Posts: 14,525 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Patrick, How close to Manchester do you live? Rosie
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  • turboturbo Member Posts: 820 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you are a ex military man, you need just to pratice, PRESENT ARMS , till you get it right, if your married, your wife can act as the officer giving you the order.Anyhow welcome to the Cordeliers.
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  • SNIPER1048SNIPER1048 Member Posts: 144 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    IN BASIC IN 1968 AT FORT POLK LA. THERE WERE TWO TRAINEE'S WHO DROPPED THEIR M-14 RIFLES DURING PT.! DRILL INSTRUCTOR MADE THEM CLOSE THE BOLTS OF THEIR RIFLES ON THEIR MALE MEMBERS AND RUN AROUND THE CO AREA! VERY PAINFUL TO WATCH!! AND YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT YOUR THUMB!!
    "START THE BALL ROLLING THERE, TECTOR"
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  • Patrick OdlePatrick Odle Member Posts: 951 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rosie I live in Manchester.
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