Garand Thumb

[russ69]

Was screwing around with one of those 2 round en-blocs that I just received.

It happens.

I prefer using both hands

Hard to do when in position with a sling and the clock ticking down....and that explains why the M14 replaced the M1.

[mike415stone]

Never had it fly forward on me before so I was getting sloppy and careless

[NOTABIKER]

I knew this could happen, I thought i was careful using a Q tip around the chamber with the bolt to the rear . got my finger but not too bad.

[Cody805]

Your now initiated into the club...... It hurts like hell and only happened once I will admit to

[Sousuke]

OP is a south paw?

Yes, we tend to be more prone to it because the hand cant hold the oprod at the same time.

I've never done it, because I use my right hand to hold on to the oprod. When loading i shove it in with my lefthand and let go, as far as I can tell it can't bite with a clip present.

[SkyHawk]

That is amazing.

Can I appropriate that symbol for my personal barrels when I get my still?

Sure! Send me a PM when you want it and I will send a much higher res PDF, JPG or PNG.

[ke6guj]

Yes, we tend to be more prone to it because the hand cant hold the oprod at the same time.

I've never done it, because I use my right hand to hold on to the oprod. When loading i shove it in with my lefthand and let go, as far as I can tell it can't bite with a clip present.

the way I do it is to put the clip in and use my left thumb to hold back against the handle as I use my fingers to push the clip down until it latches. the thumb is there to slow the bolt down so I can get my fingers out of the way, but I usually have to give the handle a push to send it home.

[Dano3467]

OUCH ! that's gonna leave a mark jk

[nickel plate]

During my early 1960's military involvement it was referred to as an M-1 thumb.

[Cokebottle]

If you watch carefully in "Gran Turino", Clint Eastwood's Garand is the same way.

There is a myth floating about that Eastwood used his personal M1 for that movie.
For one, laws covering on-set firearms are strict, particularly after Brandon Lee's death.

It is extremely rare for a functioning firearm to be used on set.
They are generally blank guns, with a pin through the barrel to prevent a live round from exiting, and generally a restriction so the action cycles properly.

Some screencaps of Mr. Eastwood shouldering the rifle on his front lawn show that the barrel is a solid piece with a slight dimple where the bore should be. It's a rubber gun, as are most guns seen on TV and movies. Most screenshots are too dark to see that.

So, it is most likely not real, or if it is real, it was probably modified to protect the actors.

[81turbota]

Both of my Garands will not chamber the first round when a fresh clip is inserted without a forward slap on the op rod handle. The bolt will release and push the round about 1/4-1/2" and stop requiring the slap. New Wolff springs in both rifles.

I'm a south paw M1 shooter, I still find a way to hold the op rod back while I reload it.....while they don't ride forward I still don't want to risk my thumb casually target shooting

Oh forgot to add- I LOVE shooting them!

[penguin0123]

Yes, we tend to be more prone to it because the hand cant hold the oprod at the same time.

I'm a lefty and I'm smart enough to load the M1 with my right hand, fingers pointing forward. It was fortuitous my bolt never flies forward without a tap on the OR, cuz a couple of new shooters sure gave me a heart attack when they loaded their first clip.

[Walking Fire]

During the War some Garands were freezing up and not operating correctly,
So the soldiers Were peeing on the action to unfreeze them.
Legend has it that one soldier got his unit too close to the closing bolt and suffered Garand Penis...

Your Thumb doesn't sound too bad right now does it?

[2meterB]

I put a holbrook on my ahooter. No 4isk of thumb

[mls343]

The good news about the Garand Thumb is it typically only happens once.