Loading my M1 Garand

[pigncat]

Hi folks, I have a Korean War era M1 Garand rifle. I got it from CMP. When I loaded the clip into the chamber, the bolt will slam forward. I always make sure the bolt is all the way back every time I loaded it, but it slam closed. Is that normal? I thought that you have to push the charging handle forward to close the bolt after you load the clip in. Any suggestion to fix this problem?
Frank

[nick]

Yep, that's normal. Google "Garand thumb".

[rojocorsa]

Actually, if you push the clip in all the way down directly, the bolt will take over after you let go of the clip, so yes, it is normal.

The reason why some people ease it forward is because they dont fully seat the clip.


Check this out.

[JKB1957]

Yep, normal. You become quick, or end up with a very flat thumb. Actually if you keep your hand flat against the stock, and press against the bolt while pushing the en bloc down with your thumb, you should be fine. There are some vids on you tube that show this. Good luck with your Garand.

[pigncat]

thanks for the tips guys. I will go practice on it.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

yes, thanks for the tip and video. This will come in handy when I get my Garand.
Getting a smashed thumb would suck greatly!

[otteray]

There is the Holbrook Device if you are scared of squishing your thumb.

[Nitro Express!]

thanks for the tips guys. I will go practice on it.

Don't do it with an empty en bloc.

[Shrubmaster]

Is your m1 part of the 87k m1s that recently got imported? If so, how did you get it from CMP, I see no listings for korean garands.

[Merc1138]

Is your m1 part of the 87k m1s that recently got imported? If so, how did you get it from CMP, I see no listings for korean garands.

He said korean war era. Plenty of garands from the CMP were made during the korean war era and then brought back to the US(or possibly never left the US), re-arsenaled, and shipped off to Greece. He didn't say it was a return from korea.

[MingTheMerciless]

I've got a Garand with a 1953 receiver that will shoot forward on clip engagement, but only partially. A gentle push on the charging handle will slam it fully forward. Was told by the Garand collector that sold it to me that this was a minor change to the design in its later years specifically to combat M1 Thumb. I can't see anything specific that was changed on any part, but the behavior is there and predictable... although I don't completely trust the continued shape of my thumb to it.

[0321jarhead]

thanks for the tips guys. I will go practice on it.

Just be sure that when you do PRACTICE, NOT to use LIVE rounds. You can then have more than a Garand thumb to be concerned about. Hello!

[JacobCR03]

Based on what I've seen, it depends mostly on the clips that you are using, which get looser the more they get used. With the clips that came with the CMP ammo already loaded (not the re-packs), every clip needed a sharp shove of the op-rod handle to close the bolt. After the clips were used a few times, the bolt would start closing as soon as the clip was in place.

[Orlando]

I've got a Garand with a 1953 receiver that will shoot forward on clip engagement, but only partially. A gentle push on the charging handle will slam it fully forward. Was told by the Garand collector that sold it to me that this was a minor change to the design in its later years specifically to combat M1 Thumb. I can't see anything specific that was changed on any part, but the behavior is there and predictable... although I don't completely trust the continued shape of my thumb to it.

There was no design change to combat the so called Garand thumb
It is normal to have to give the Op Rod a bump to close. I have seen old WWII films that show a GI doing this
Its actually unusual to have a Garand that will close without a bump
I would guess its a sign or slightly worn parts
I have owned over 24 Garands at one time and two of them the bolt would close without a assist

[003]

please delete