The Order Of The Purple Thumb

[ndh87]

im just curious as to how many people on here have had their thumb mashed in the bolt of an M1 Garand. I lost a bit of skin off my thumb to a Garand bolt.

 

[SomeKid]

Funny you asked this one.

Just last week I finally took my M1 out, and I got my M1 thumb while cleaning. (Not at the range mind you.) I don't care, it is still one of my favorite guns.

 

[Commissar Gribb]

never happened to me

I've got a pretty nasty blood blister from a slide pinch (handgun) before

 

[GunnySkox]

I got a little Mini-thumb action once. It didn't give my bruises or blood blisters or anything, but I did totally crunch up my thumb 'neath the bolt of my Mini-14 once.

~GnSx

 

[Feanaro]

Two injuries, one of which qualifies for the Purple Thumb award, me thinks. I've slammed the bolt of my SKS on my wee thumb. I've caught the web of my hand in the bolt of my M48A Yugo.

 

[GunnySkox]

Ah! I almost M48'd myself, too! I had my right hand wrapped around the grip (I'm left handed) while I was in the process of figuring out how I'd be reaching over the gun to handle the bolt (what with being left-handed and all), and I lift and yank the bolt straight back over top of the web of my right thumb. I didn't tear it but GEEEEE-YAWD that hurt.

~GnSx

 

[RocketMan]

I have yet to suffer an M1 thumb.
Being a Garand owner, the operative word here is "yet".

 

[LiquidTension]

One of our forum members let me shoot his M1 at the range and he instructed me on how to NOT get M1 thumb. Fingolfin, thanks for letting me shoot your rifle. And you for making me realize how much I need one.

 

[10 Ring Tao]

<---- M1 Thumb Club member #9834759834759837

 

[mbs357]

I haven't gotten one yet...don't even have an M1.
Can't wait though!

 

[mete]

I seemed that all the guys that I knew that were in ROTC had the problem !! I knew someone who did it with a Browning Auto shotgun. The extractor went through the thumb, bone and all .Talk about pain !!

 

[MuzzleBlast]

Yep. If you are always paying very close attention when closing the bolt, it won't bite you. Just don't let your attention slip.

 

[flatdog]

TWICE, slow learner?

 

[Yakko]

Two days after I got my first M1. I didn't lose any skin but it was a nice purple for about a week.

 

[Ky Larry]

I was trained in the use Of the M1 Garand in Air Force basic training. IIRC, the instructor told us if he saw any of us using our thumb to insert a magazine, he was gong to insert our private parts into the rifle and close the bolt. Don't remember much abut that training but I didn't mash my thumb.

 

[foghornl]

Haven't done that with my M1, but I did manage to slam the bolt home on my brother's new Rem 1100 shotgun.....

"hmmmm...I wonder what that little shiny thing way back in the reciever does? Guess I'll push it and see what happens...

 

[foghornl]

Haven't done that with my M1, but I did manage to slam the bolt closed on my brother's new Rem 1100 shotgun, right on the web between thumb & first finger.......

"hmmmm...I wonder what that little shiny thing way back in the reciever does? Guess I'll push it and see what happens..."

 

[TC66]

Guilty as charged on my Remington 11-87. Getting an M1 in 2 months so lets hope I learned what not too do when I get the M1.

 

[ebd10]

This might help a little...

http://www.usna.com/classes/1955/M1thumb.htm

Keep the edge of your palm agains the op-rod handle while loading and you won't have this problem.

 

[AJAX22]

I got snapped by my buddies dad's M1,

Mike: Now be carefull when you're loading it, it can snap and get you.

Me: I know, I know, I've heard all about M1 Thumb.

*SNAP*

Me: Yeowwwwwwch

Mike: Ha ha ha, here let me show you how to do it

*SNAP*

Mike: Yeowwwwwwch


Me: Ha ha ha

 

[Rottweiler]

There are 2 types of Garand shooters,

1. Those that have their M-1 thumb

2. Those who are going to get one.

I'm in group #1

 

[dfaugh]

Not with an M-1, as I don't have one, but my buddy does...But more than once with an SKS (which is bad, too) and even once with my Marlin Model 60 (little finger, but it didn't hurt much, not much spring there). And now that I think about it, I did it once with my Hi-Point carbine, while cleaning, again not that bad.

 

[trbon8r]

The whole M1 thumb thing is a myth unless someone is totally clueless on how to load a Garand.

You are supposed to use the flat of your right hand with the pinky area contacting the op rod handle while inserting a clip with your thumb. Once the clip is bottomed out and you feel the op rod release a bit against your pinky, remove your hand from the op rod and if necessary give the op rod a tap with the palm of your hand to send the bolt home.

The only time I got my thumb mashed was during cleaning when I accidentally hit the follower. That was my own fault for being careless.

 

[steveracer]

I got myself with the charging handle of the M-14!

I was trying my hand (pun intended) at lefty with the M-14 on my last ship.
I was using a close hold and supporting the rifle with the front of the magazine. I left my right thumb a little too high, and stopped the action with my thumb knuckle. Looked like I got it with a cheese grater.
Much more careful now.

 

[BamBam-31]

Yeah, I got Garand Index Fingered myself while cleaning. Was rubbing a CLP Q-tip on the follower when I noticed that it wasn't moving side to side. Hmm, too much gunk? So I pressed on it with my index finger, not realizing that the bolt wasn't fully cocked rearward and was pressing up against the follower.

SNAP!!

I actually heard and saw the bolt flying forward in slow motion, and I remember commanding my index finger to "MOVE!" To no avail, however, as the bolt won that race. Painful, to say the least.