So you think you know your M1 Garand

[Garandimal]

Old School...

How_to_Shoot_the_US_Army_Rifle
(.pdf Manual for training Vid below)





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GR

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[Garandimal]

'Merica!

"...let Freedom... Ping!"



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GR

 

[Flatbush Harry]

That reminds me why I love my Garand(s)...

Har3ry (the "3" is silent)

 

[Bob Coltwell]

We did in the '50's & 60's.

Regards,
hps

I was in one of the last BT units to be qualified with the Garand. Pleased that I qualified "expert" at Ft. Leonard Wood in 1960. I vividly recal the loading technique taught as follows: Butt placed against the right upper leg (for right-handers); left hand placed in a balanced location forward of the receiver for the hold; loaded clip held in the right hand thumb web with fingers fully extended; hand brought down aggressively such that the back edge of the hand above the little finger engages the bolt lever and continues thru in one motion as the thumb forces the clip fully downward into the magazine; hand is brought forward as the bolt releases. Do all of this with authority and you won't experience "M-1 thumb". Obviously, this assumes that you are standing or nearly so in order to place the butt on the upper leg. But one hand loading motion is what you would do even if you are crawling unless totally impractical.

The next year I qualified and was assigned an M-3 "grease gun" for special duty. What a great home defense weapon it would be even today! Wish I could have brought it home with me.

 

[hps1]

One more thing we taught that can be done as a "2nd layer" preventive measure to avoid an M1 thumb is to be sure the thumb is pointed toward the muzzle of the rifle, not downward, as the clip is pressed downward. If thumb pointed toward muzzle and you fail to control the bolt handle, there is a better chance the bolt will push the thumb up and out of the way as it slams forward.

Regards,
hps

 

[Rifleman173]

There are some ROTC units still using M-1 rifles for ceremonies even today. As late as 1980 or so the Illinois Army National Guard was shooting them in competition in some events. The ILANG didn't shoot them at all events but rather used them on certain more local events.

 

[Bruce D Pease]

The silent drill team at Eighth and I, HQMC, in Washington DC carries them for parades and ceremonies. If y’all ever get an opportunity to go, I highly recommend the Friday Night Sunset Parade in the summer. If youre a former marine call the Adjutant for a date and youll get seats in the padded reserve section.