"Garand Thumb"

[Asphodel]

For whatever its worth, some of us lack the hand strength to retain the op rod handle with the heel of the hand, and depress the follower, using the standard military procedure.

For quite a few years now, I've been showing new M1 users a couple of 'civilian methods', which, whilst unacceptable within the military standards of procedure, work well, and do not involve any risk of injury.

(please don't ask me to explain in print.....I'd be happy to demonstrate what I mean, but only directly, in person, so that there is no risk of confusion)

cheers

Carla

[Milsurp Collector]

For whatever its worth, some of us lack the hand strength to retain the op rod handle with the heel of the hand, and depress the follower, using the standard military procedure.

You might want to look at the Holbrook device I mentioned earler http://www.m1thumbsaver.com/

[rolex87]

I've never had it, but I shouldn't get it considering how gingerly I load it

[tunder]

This is how you avoid M1 Thumb:



(photo lifted from The Box O Truth)

This is what I was taught by my favorite veteran,AKA dad when I got my first Garand 20 yrs. ago.

[Silver Puss]

Never had that problem. My dad told me about "M1 thumb" long before I was old enough to buy a gun. He came of age in an era when most men did some kind of military service.

I had a teacher in the 8th grade who told me about "M1 pencil". This was used to help you qualify.

[TRAP55]

I would thumb my nose at Garand thumb, but my thumb doesn't work so well anymore after experiencing Hakim thumb.
I did add some new cuss words to my vocabulary though.

[WW2Buff]

I did once... My M1 was out of its stock and it was upside down while I was cleaning it. I went to close the bolt like that. I had done it tons of times before but that time I wasn't as careful as usual and it resulted in a pretty sore thumb and an embarrassing story.

[fal_762x51]

Never had Garand thumb while loading. I did almost lose the nail when I was headspacing a receiver I barreled. I didn't remember putting the op-rod spring in at the time.

[Mike A]

I was in ROTC at UCSB in 1961 and saw a (dumbass) cadet who had a thumb that looked like a Japanese eggplant!

I was issued a rifle that was as old as me (made in 1943) and had been used as a grave marker in New Guinea (at least it looked like that). The bore leaked crap between cleanings so that you had to clean it five minutes before formation to avoid getting reamed. So I got to know the armorer and talked him into letting me turn it in and pick a new rifle--AFTER I had de-cosmoed 10 rifles for him.....what fun. I got a new 1950s H&R and only had to clean it twice in the next two years. And I wish I had it back.

[EBR Works]

I was in ROTC at UCSB in 1961 and saw a (dumbass) cadet who had a thumb that looked like a Japanese eggplant!

I was issued a rifle that was as old as me (made in 1943) and had been used as a grave marker in New Guinea (at least it looked like that). The bore leaked crap between cleanings so that you had to clean it five minutes before formation to avoid getting reamed. So I got to know the armorer and talked him into letting me turn it in and pick a new rifle--AFTER I had de-cosmoed 10 rifles for him.....what fun. I got a new 1950s H&R and only had to clean it twice in the next two years. And I wish I had it back.

Great story. Here's my 1950's HRA before having the cosmo removed. Look familiar?



..and after cleaning. Never been fired!

[Eat Dirt]

I Just got my First Garand a few months back :

And Got my First ( And Only ) " Garand Thumb " on the first bench cleaning

Had the Garand on my gun vice and was cleaning it and got my dang Left hand thumb down in there while cleaning
All it takes is once .I won't do that again


But I have " Proudly " showed off My black thumbnail to a few non -belivers
" That's from My Garand " I proudly say !!!!!

Now.. My Hakim is another story ........... NO way would I get a digit anywhere near that bolt !!!!!!
I have broken penciles with that thing .................

[Mike A]

Impactco, dang that DO look familiar, especially the cosmosnot! My H&R was an ugly blond, not a pretty redhead like yours, tho.

[Nodda Duma]

No Garand thumb, I've read too many stories.

Even my Hakim was kind to me. Got my thumb in there, but it was the thumb which is half numb from putting a drill through it several years earlier. Didn't feel a thing when the Hakim bolt slammed shut on it, but it looked horrific! The one benefit to having nerve damage.

-Jason

[Palimino Stripe]

Don't own a Garand [yet] but in the meantime a few years ago I gave myself SVT-40 thumb, or finger rather, just so I wouldn't be tempted when the time came...

I have a lovely picture to share too- but I think I'll spare you all the sight...

-Palimino

[joepamjohn]

Never got M1 thumb, but did get my thumb nail torn off by one of my 1911's when I was using a (too high) two hand hold. The slide came back and poppped my thumb nail straight up all the way back.