Thankfully, I haven’t got my thumb caught yet (Garand Thumb)!
The thought of it makes me cringe-I had a buddy get it, and it did look more painful than whacking your thumb with a hammer!
Went thru boot camp at Parris Island with the M-1, you could look down tables sitting in the mess hall and see the black thumbnails.
I had a couple of them tell me the worst part started the day after when it was purple and swollen and they still had to push those clips in.
Garand thumb can be prevented by placing your right hand on the receiver, palm against it, with the heal of your hand against the slide. When you push the clip into the magazine, the slide will release against the heal of your hand and that will prevent smashing your thumb.
It’s said there’s two kinds of Garand shooters...Those who’ve already received their “Garand Thumb” and those who’re going to...
You’re welcome in the club!
Just don’t pull back or bump the op rod while touching the follower and you’ll be OK...