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SLOW MOTION: M1 Thumb
Bearing Arms ^ | 5 Nov 2015 | Bob Owens

Posted on 11/07/2015 10:11:13 AM PST by MtnClimber

If you’ve ever owned or spent much time around the M1 Garand, you’ve likely heard about or experienced the dreaded “M1 thumb.”

Someone decided to capture it on slow-motion video.

It doesn’t do the pain justice, at all.

(Excerpt) Read more at bearingarms.com ...


TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: m1
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To: JoeProBono

Ouch!


21 posted on 11/07/2015 10:47:19 AM PST by Enlightened1
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To: Gaffer

If I recall (I lost my last 1911 in a canoeing accident), when you pull the hammer all the way back, it contacts the top of the grip safety, so you can decock it with one hand. It’s dangerous though, because any slip and it’s going to fire, probably not where you want it to.


22 posted on 11/07/2015 11:01:22 AM PST by IronJack
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To: IronJack
That's pretty much what old Barry said on “Gun Gripes” when he mentioned customers shooting themselves in the a$$ or leg when they carried a cocked and locked 1911 into the shop for service. They tried to decock as they drew and “Blam”.
23 posted on 11/07/2015 11:24:40 AM PST by Polynikes (Ahh you teal de money. We talk to you den. Hombre - 1967)
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To: MtnClimber

I have a 1945 Springfield M1 Garand. I’ve had it for years. The very first rifle I ever fired was a Garand. I have indeed heard about this happening, but never experienced it.

It is an awesome rifle, and still a tack driver.


24 posted on 11/07/2015 11:40:14 AM PST by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: centurion316
Once is enough !
It'll draw blood on both sides of the thumb, and has been known to break the bone.
25 posted on 11/07/2015 11:44:40 AM PST by Yosemitest (It's SIMPLE ! ... Fight, ... or Die !)
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To: umgud

No.
It occurs when you are loading the 8 round en-bloc clip (it IS called a clip in this case).

You rest the fat of your palm against the operating rod handle, and push down on the stacked clip with your thumb. On older rifles, really loose, worn, etc., the bolt will slam forward as soon as the clip clears the bottom of the bolt. The follower is all that is holding it open.

Normally, you just move your hand out of the way and let the bolt ride forward into battery.

Sometimes, though, the thumb doesn’t get out of the way fast enough, and wham.

I’ve never had it happen (lucky, I suppose), but it can’t be pleasent. The bolt is under strong spring tension, and in the “flesh versus steel” cage match, well, flesh ain’t gonna win.


26 posted on 11/07/2015 11:46:46 AM PST by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: JoeProBono
good... i hope it hurt! he was doing it wrong

heal of the hand goes against the operating rod with the thumb down so the op-rod moves your hand out of the way when the follower is depressed with the thumb

27 posted on 11/07/2015 11:46:47 AM PST by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY - Luke, 22:36)
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To: centurion316; NFHale
damn you guys are quick
28 posted on 11/07/2015 11:53:14 AM PST by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY - Luke, 22:36)
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To: IronJack

It could be the that way for a later model with a bulged grip safety like on a later series. I was thinking of my 1911 and my 1911A1. I’ll have look at them and the Series XXs I have. Thanks.


29 posted on 11/07/2015 11:54:34 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: NFHale

I also have a M1 Garand. Never had that happen.


30 posted on 11/07/2015 11:55:47 AM PST by MtnClimber (For views of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: Celtic Conservative

Is it complicated to put a heavy barrel on a Mini 14?


31 posted on 11/07/2015 11:57:55 AM PST by MtnClimber (For views of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: IronJack
if the left thumb isn't in FRONT of the hammer while decocking a 1911, somebody needs a refresher safety class
32 posted on 11/07/2015 12:16:01 PM PST by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY - Luke, 22:36)
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To: Chode; centurion316

Yeah man!!!!!!

Always glad to help!

Besides... I LOVE gun threads. We need a Gunnie thread weekly.

It’s good for the soul!


33 posted on 11/07/2015 12:39:42 PM PST by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: MtnClimber

One of my Uncles was a Marine gunnery sergeant, fought in the Pacific. He taught me to shoot on HIS Garand when I was a kid. That was one of the first things he told me about it when loading (and he yelled a lot too...)

But again... I’ve never had that uniquely painful experience.

Love the damn thing, though, lemme tell ya. One HELL of a fighting rifle. Patton had it right.

Another one I’ve always liked is the German Gewehr43 (G43 also K43). Would love to get one for the collection, but the prices are nuts now.


34 posted on 11/07/2015 12:43:02 PM PST by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: JoeProBono

OH GOD THAT HURTS TO WATCH


35 posted on 11/07/2015 12:44:06 PM PST by Lazamataz ( If they try firearm confiscation or gun registration, I go ballistic.)
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To: NFHale
yup, i loves me some gunporn
36 posted on 11/07/2015 12:45:02 PM PST by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY - Luke, 22:36)
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To: Chode

It can ONLY be good, brother...


37 posted on 11/07/2015 12:51:52 PM PST by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: MtnClimber

On the mini 14 it is a gunsmith level job due to headspacing issues.

CC


38 posted on 11/07/2015 2:03:14 PM PST by Celtic Conservative (CC: purveyor of cryptic, snarky posts since December, 2000..)
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To: centurion316

That’s the way we were taught way back in JROTC, 10-12 grades.

First time in drill formation, a week after being issued our M-1s, we had inspection. Uniform was khaki shirt and trousers with saucer visored cap, and white gloves. Three companies and there were a half dozen white gloves caught in the chamber, just hang there.

School yearbook photographer was ready with the Speed Graphic to capture the moment of shame. LOL!

And as you say, once was enough for that lesson.


39 posted on 11/07/2015 2:19:27 PM PST by Covenantor ("Men are ruled-...by liars who passing refuse them news, and by fools who cannot govern." Chesterton)
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To: Celtic Conservative

Thanks, thought it would be.


40 posted on 11/07/2015 4:32:30 PM PST by MtnClimber (For views of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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